Five Times Neville Surprised Us with His Courage!
We know Neville Longbottom as the plump-faced, accident-prone Gryffindor turned sword-wielding hero. We know him as the one who was almost the Chosen One. The boy who was afraid of Professor Snape but never afraid to stand up for his friends. Whenever we thought we knew Neville, he shocked us with his acts of courage and his undying loyalty. Here are five times, in the books and films, when Neville blew us away with his awesomeness:
1. When he tried to take on Crabbe and Goyle at a Quidditch game
Hogwarts Quidditch games can be a little too eventful, especially when Harry is involved. In this particular game, the Gryffindors were tense because Snape was the referee, and Ron and Hermione were especially worried that he was going to curse Harry. By the time Malfoy and his goonies showed up to insult the Gryffindors, Ron is DONE. He jumps on Malfoy, and Neville doesn’t hesitate to back him up and tries to take on Crabbe and Goyle on his own. Sure, he ended up in the hospital wing, but at least he tried.
2. When the trio saw him at St. Mungo’s with his parents
By his fifth year, Neville has grown into a more confident young wizard. He joins Dumbledore’s Army and proves he can hold his own in a duel. We also learn a lot more about Neville’s personal life.
After Arthur Weasley is attacked by Nagini at the Ministry of Magic, the Weasley family, Harry, and Hermione pay him a visit at St. Mungo’s. There they run into Neville, who is visiting his parents. Alice and Frank Longbottom were members of the Order of the Phoenix, and they fought Bellatrix Lestrange, who tortured them until they lost their minds. They don’t remember anything, not even their own son. Yet Neville never abandons them. No matter how painful it may be to see his parents like that, Neville is there for them and fights to honor their legacy.
3. When he kicks Death Eater butt at the Ministry of Magic
You know how Harry can be really stubborn and always wants to go off on his own so no one else gets hurt? Yeah, well, Neville isn’t going to let that happen, and neither are any of Harry’s friends. They stick by his side as he journeys to the Ministry of Magic to find the prophecy that Voldemort has been trying to steal. When faced by ruthless Death Eaters, Neville surprises us all when he puts his Dumbledore’s Army training to good use.
4. When he stands up to the Snatchers
There are so many great Neville moments in Deathly Hallows, both the book and the films. Neville proves that he doesn’t need to be the Chosen One to fight this war. As the Death Eaters take over Hogwarts, he joins the rebellion and inspires his friends to stand up and fight for the right side.
Neville puts his life on the line to make sure the Snatchers can’t enter the castle during the Battle of Hogwarts. He barely makes it back alive after destroying the bridge with magical explosives, and he does it in style. Sure, we’re in the middle of a war, but he still takes the time to be a total sassy-pants and show the Snatchers that he is not afraid of them. “Yeah? You and whose army?” Words to live by.
5. When he tells Voldemort that he will fight to the end
When Voldemort brings out Harry’s dead body and invites the students of Hogwarts to surrender, Neville surprises everyone by stepping up as the voice of the rebellion. He tells Voldemort that Harry’s death will not stop him, because this war is not about Harry. This war is about protecting the world from Voldemort’s bigotry. At this point, the school is devastated and everyone is overwhelmed by death and destruction. Neville’s speech is exactly what they need to finish the fight.
Neville showed us time and time again that being brave means doing the right thing, even if you’re afraid. And for that, we will always love him. What are some of your favorite Neville moments?
