Neville Longbottom and the Magic of Self Belief

*Spoilers from the Harry Potter Series, by J.K. Rowling ahead* As a fan of the Harry Potter world, I would like to say that my appreciation for Harry Potter does not mean I share all of the author's thoughts about the world we live in. I thoroughly believe that the key messages and magic created in the Harry Potter works are great enough - and establish the importance of unconditional love enough - to be removed from any prejudices of the original author. As such, I have chosen in this case not to discuss recent events pertaining to this author.

J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter, presents a world that has captured the imagination of millions of people around the world. It is the sort of creation that has taken life and meaning even beyond the author's own intentions, and is open to the interpretation of its audience. This series portrays many important messages and ideas, whether it be the importance of friendship, unconditional love, or determination. Among these core concepts is the importance of self-belief, something which so many of us have lacked at some stage of our lives. Neville Longbottom is a character who undergoes immense personal development throughout the course of J.K Rowling’s famed series. Audiences see his transformation from a forgetful individual who his often the victim of bullying, into a strong and confident young wizard, capable of fighting valiantly for his beliefs in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Before Rowling’s fifth book - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Neville Longbottom doesn’t receive a great amount of recognition. Parallel with his maturation as a character, however, he begins to gain an increasing amount of acknowledgment in the books. Readers are made aware of the Neville's personal struggles when Alastor Moody reveals to Harry Potter the horrific story of Frank and Alice Longbottom’s—Neville’s Parents—fate after suffering the Cruciatus Curse. This increased acknowledgment that Neville receives is significant as it is reflective of the growth the character rapidly undergoes in the fifth book.

Longbottom’s passion for magical plants is emphasised when he brings a rare plant, the Mimbulus mimbletonia, to Hogwarts. Symbolic of the growth Neville undergoes during his fifth year, this plant goes from smelling like, ‘rancid-manure,’ to later growing to make, ‘odd crooning noises when touched.’ Therefore, the growth of the plant is seen to mirror Neville’s own personal journey towards becoming a more confidant wizard.

Many factors prompt Neville on his path of transformation in his fifth year, but perhaps most notable is the escape of several notorious Death Eaters from Azkaban. Among these were the culprits of his parent’s torture. This event prompted other students to work harder in the Room of Requirement’s DA (Dumbledore’s Army) meetings, but, ‘in nobody was this improvement more pronounced than in Neville,’ as stated in Order of the Phoenix. Neville is shown to renew his efforts towards being better equipped to stand up for his values and to honour the sacrifice of his parents, in the cause to fight the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. And so, exemplifying the character’s growing level of self, assurance, and growing to demonstrate the traits of his chosen house, the courage of a Gryffindor.

As a member of Gryffindor house – one of four houses offered at Hogwarts – Neville is demonstrated to be exceedingly brave, and has a strong sense of justice. Even in the first book, he is shown to stand up to friends Harry, Hermione, and Ron when they go to violate curfew in The Philosopher’s Stone. Nowhere is this courage better demonstrated than at the Battle of Hogwarts when Neville beheads Voldemort’s snake, Nagini, using a sword that can only be wielded by someone who truly belongs in Gryffindor’s house. Snakes, among other things, represent transformation and a fear that must be faced. In beheading the serpent, Neville is demonstrated to conquer his fears and complete his transition into becoming a more confident and powerful individual.

Overall, Neville Longbottom presents immense strength of character throughout the Harry Potter series. Through his perseverance and new found self-assurance, he was able to face his fears and transform into a better developed and well-rounded person. The lesson he imparts on us is that through finding confidence in ourselves, we may unlock our true potential and power as individuals. This, perhaps, is true magic, and is a poignant illustration of how we are all capable of striving to achieve it.