Ten Times Neville Saved the Day
Happy, happy birthday to the boy who almost was the Boy Who Lived, Neville Longbottom! Our boy definitely doesn’t get enough credit, because throughout the series, he was always stepping up. Here are ten times Neville saved the day in Harry Potter:
1. When He Was in the Forbidden Corridor and Pointed out Fluffy
‘I think we’ll be okay—get off, Neville!’ For Neville had been tugging on the sleeve of Harry’s bathrobe for the last minute. ‘What?’
Harry turned around—and saw, quite clearly, what. […] They weren’t in a room, as he had supposed. They were in a corridor. The forbidden corridor on the third floor. And now they knew why it was forbidden.
They were looking straight into the eyes of a monstrous dog, a dog that filled the whole space between ceiling and floor. (SS, ch.9)
Nobody wants to be eaten by a three-headed dog.
2. When He Gave Harry the Chocolate Frog Card That Helped Them Remember Who Nicholas Flamel Was
‘D’you want the card, you collect them, don’t you?’
As Neville walked away, Harry looked at the Famous Wizard card.
‘Dumbledore again,’ he said, ‘He was the first one I ever—’
He gasped. He stared at the back of the card. Then he looked up at Ron and Hermione.
‘I’ve found him!’ he whispered. ‘I’ve found Flamel!’ (SS, ch. 13)
This moment was so tender. Harry was looking out for Neville, and in return, Neville helped the trio solve the mystery behind Nicholas Flamel that they had been pondering over for weeks.
3. When He Got Ten Points for Gryffindor for Standing up to His Friends
‘There are all kinds of courage,’ said Dumbledore, smiling. ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom.’ (SS, ch. 17)
If you didn’t cry when this happened, you’re (probably) not human.
4. When He Gave Harry Gillyweed (Movie)
We stan a Herbology legend. Just sayin’, Harry wouldn’t have won the Triwizard Cup if it weren’t for Neville, and therefore we wouldn’t have Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Basically, everything comes back to Neville.
5. When He Discovered the Room of Requirement (Movie)
Not sure what’s up with taking away Dobby’s moments and giving them to Neville, but I’m not that mad about it, because Neville deserves to stand out. When Harry and the trio were looking for a place to hold Dumbledore’s Army meetings, Neville stumbled upon the Room of Requirement, and the lessons began shortly after.
6. When He Stood up for Ginny
‘That one,’ he poked a thick finger at Neville, ‘tried to stop me taking her,’ he pointed at Ginny, who was trying to kick the shins of the large Slytherin girl holding her, ‘so I brought him along too.’ (OotP, ch. 32)
I ship it. But not as much as I ship Neville and Luna.
7. When He Literally Saved Harry’s Life in the Department of Mysteries
‘AARGH!’
Neville had come lunging out of nowhere: Unable to articulate a spell, he had jabbed Hermione’s wand hard into the eyehole of the Death Eater’s mask. The man relinquished Harry at once with a howl of pain… (OotP, ch. 35)
We love when wizards use Muggle methods to fight. Harry would’ve died then and there if it weren’t for Neville; I think this is one of his most shining moments.
8. When He Started Up Dumbledore’s Army Again
The Carrows seemed to know I was behind a lot of it, so they started coming down on me hard… (DH, ch. 29)
Can we just talk about how Neville was the head of the resistance in the trio’s absence? What a true Gryffindor he is.
9. When He Helped Kill Fenrir Greyback
He saw Ron and Neville bringing down Fenrir Greyback… (DH, ch. 36)
Be honest, the only people you hated more than Voldemort were Umbridge and Greyback. Nobody was sad to see Fenrir go.
10. And of Course, When He Slew Nagini
With a single stroke Neville sliced off the great snake’s head, which spun high into the air, gleaming in the light flooding from the entrance hall, and Voldemort’s mouth was open in a scream of fury that nobody could hear, and the snake’s body thudded to the ground at his feet— (DH, ch. 36)
What a true, blue Gryffindor. Not only did Neville get the Sword of Gryffindor, but he also destroyed the last Horcrux.
In closing, I would die for Neville Longbottom. Happy birthday, lad. You may have been Voldemort’s second choice, but you’re number one in my heart!
