Prophecy Center
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What was the significance of Neville Longbottom fitting the description of the boy whom the prophecy was about

JK said she worded the prophecy very carefully... I really thought Neville would play a key role in the Deathly Hallows, but he didn't!

Public Comments

1. Neville killed Nagini, the 6th Horcrux, so he was very significant.

2. Neville was the one who killed Nagini which is pretty important considering that it was the 6th horcrux

3. Neville played a significant role in the prophecy as it could have been either him OR Harry, that was chosen. Voldermort, however, chose Harry by 'marking Harry as his equal'. As you know from the past books, his scar was that mark.

Alternatively, if that explanation doesn't wash with you, I think Neville AND Harry were BOTH meant to kill Voldermort. After all. Both had a hand in destroying the Horcrux's - Harry destroyed the majority, but Neville killed Nagini, when no-one else could get close enough, in that way he helped to destroy Voldermort.

4. Wasn't it that Harry wasn't born with this destiny to destroy Voldermort, but more that Voldermort, through his own power driven paranoia (a bit like Stalin), created Harry's future, and that it could quite as easily have been Neville or anyone else. In other words, it was to emphasise that Harry wasn't special, and that it was Voldermort's lack of subtlety and understanding that led to his downfall.

That's why I liked what happened art the end - I shan't say anymore, in case anyone who has not read it yet is reading this!

5. he did because he killed the final horcrux,Nagini so he did play an important role

6. I think he did play an important roll. The prophecy said it could have been Harry or Neville but it was Voldemort who decided who it would be by trying to kill Harry. All along throughout the series Neville was this kid with no confidence, wasn't good at anything except Herbology and kids made fun of him but in the final book he changed he took control by being strong and fought for what his parents believed in. If it wasn't for Neville Harry would never have gotten into the castle let alone get the diadem and he also killed Nagini which made it possible for Voldemort to die completely.

7. But he did play an important part. He destroyed the snake horocrux. and he keep the rebelan going at Hogwarts and he helped hide the kids that the death eater teachers were after. He basically became a leader to all at Hogwarts.

But with the prophecy, I think it was the Voldemort choice a half-blood instead of a pure-blood. So I think that was just something saying you can't judge people by their blood.

8. Apart from him killing Nagini there wasn't any. I would have thought that he would kill Bellatrix Lestrange.

9. Neville is my second favourite character (after Snape!). He did play quite an important part, but you're right, given the whole thing with the wording of the prophecy (which I had totally forgotten about because I can't remember anything about book 5) it seems he'd have had a bigger role. Either way, in the last book I think JK does portray Neville's character as a remarkable person: brave, caring, confronting (in a good way) and even intelligent, therefore I think the way he comes across in the final book makes Neville out to be a fine guy, which I think is enough, even if he didn't have a big part along the entire duration of the book.