Neville Longbottom’s Seven Bravest Moments

Like Harry, Neville Longbottom also had a difficult childhood. From the books, we learn that Death Eaters tortured his parents, and the result of that left them in St. Mungos. Neville was then raised by his strict grandmother, who had high expectations for him that he sometimes failed to meet. He also struggled when he got to Hogwarts, both academically and because of bullying. Despite these hardships, Neville found his feet and became a courageous character. On his birthday, we look at seven of his bravest moments.

 

Confronting the Trio

 

 

But Neville was clearly steeling himself to do something desperate.
‘I won’t let you do it,” he said, hurrying to stand in front of the portrait hole. ‘I’ll — I’ll fight you!’” (SS 272)

Confronting your friends for what you think is right is incredibly difficult, but Neville managed to do this at a young age, even earning ten crucial points from Dumbledore as a result.

 

Facing the Boggart

 

 

Neville backed away, his wand up, mouthing wordlessly. Snape was bearing down upon him, reaching inside his robes.
‘R — R — Riddikulus!’ squeaked Neville.
There was a noise like a whip crack. Snape stumbled; he was wearing a long, lace-trimmed dress and a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture, and he was swinging a huge crimson handbag.” (PoA 137)

Neville was the first in his class to go against a Boggart, which wouldn’t have been easy. Regardless, he managed to do this and gave his classmates and us a great laugh.

 

The Battle at the Ministry of Magic

 

 

‘We were all in the D.A. together,’ said Neville quietly. ’It was all supposed to be about fighting You-Know-Who, wasn’t it? And this is the first chance we’ve had to do something real — or was that all just a game or something?'” (OotP 761)

Practicing defensive magic in a safe environment and then actively doing so against a real threat are two very different scenarios. By choosing to go to the Ministry of Magic to save Sirius, Neville courageously picked the latter.

 

Resisting the Carrows

 

 

‘We’re supposed to practice the Cruciatus Curse on people who’ve earned
detentions —‘
‘What?’
Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s united voices echoed up and down the passage.
‘Yeah,’ said Neville. ‘That’s how I got this one,’ he pointed at a particularly deep gash in his cheek, ‘I refused to do it.’” (DH 573-4)

The Carrows’ method of punishment is cruel, and Neville’s refusal to follow their instructions time after time demonstrates the strength of his character.

 

The Battle of Hogwarts

 

 

He was roused by Professor Sprout, who was thundering past followed by Neville and half a dozen others, all of them wearing earmuffs and carrying what appeared to be large potted plants.
‘Mandrakes!’ Neville bellowed at Harry over his shoulder as he ran. ‘Going to lob them over the walls — they won’t like this!’” (DH 620)

Neville demonstrated his true Gryffindor valor when he faced up to Voldemort’s followers.

 

Refusing Voldemort

 

 

‘You show spirit and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom.’
‘I’ll join you when hell freezes over,’ said Neville. ‘Dumbledore’s Army!’ he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort’s Silencing Charms seemed unable to hold.” (DH 731)

The man who stood up to Voldemort without any hesitation is a far cry from the boy who wouldn’t face up against an 11-year-old Draco Malfoy.

 

Killing Nagini

 

 

The slash of the silver blade could not be heard over the roar of the oncoming crowd or the sounds of the clashing giants or of the stampeding centaurs, and yet it seemed to draw every eye. 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.” (DH 733)

Although he didn’t know the true extent of his actions, Neville was one of the few people who played an active role in Voldemort’s downfall.

 

Which is your favorite of Neville’s daring moments? Let us know in the comments!