Neville Longbottom in the Sorcerer's Stone

Neville Longbottom in the Sorcerer's Stone

One of my bigger pet peeves of the series is the movie portrayal of Neville is not given enough recognition, being shoved more towards the wayside whereas in the books, he plays a decent role as a tag-a-long friend to the trio. His characters history and the progression from a nervous clutz to brave leader is severely under-represented. 

 In Sorcerer's Stone Neville Longbottom is introduced as a forgetful student and readers are immediately given an impression of how isolated and withdrawn he is (for lack of a better word). When he sticks his head into Harry and Ron's compartment on the train and asks if they've seen his toad, they respond with a negative. He leaves and Ron immediately shares with Harry, "Don't know why he's so bothered...If I'd brought a toad I'd lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brought Scabbers, so I can't talk" (SS 104). This comes right after Harry's trip with Hagrid to Diagon Alley where Hagrid informs him that "toads went outta fashion years ago, yeh'd be laughed at" (81).  

But imagine how lonely and hard Neville's childhood had to be. Having been raised by his Gran and then faced with the possibility of being a squib, I can't imagine he was accepted by his peers pre-Hogwarts. His toad is a testament to how unfashionable he is and sets the story for him to be that severely un-cool kid in the back of the classroom everyone looks down on. Even his Gran seems to constantly be expecting him to be better. 

 'Gran, I've lost my toad again' 'Oh, Neville,' he heard the old woman sigh. 

However, despite Neville's clumsy character in SS, one of my proudest moments of him - yes, ignoring the later acts of bravery in DH-- is during the Hufflepuff/ Gryffindor Quidditch match. This comes just after Neville has been in put in a leg-locker curse by Malfoy who "said he'd been looking for someone to practice that on" and of course, Neville is the perfect target to be bullied. 

Go to Professor McGonagall!" Hermione urged Neville. "Report him!"

Neville shook his head.

"I don't want more trouble," he mumbled.

"You've got to stand up to him, Neville!" said Ron. "He's used to walking all over people, but that's no reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier."

"There's no need to tell me that I'm not brave enough to be in Gryffindor, Malfoy's already done that," Neville choked out.

First, I must express what an enormous BRAT Malfoy is in the book! He's the spitting image of his father in every way and a complete bully. He takes Neville's remembrall, attempts to get Harry in trouble under the pretense of a wizards duel after hours, he's just a jerk. 

During the Hufflepuff/ Gryffindor match Malfoy is again, badmouthing Potter, Weasley and then mentions how Longbottom has no brains. Which is why, when Neville turns in his seat to Malfoy during the match and stammers "I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy" is such a notable moment (223). Even here, we see the potential and honor Neville has within him. And it comes at a point when Malfoy is insulting not only him, but his friends too, which goes to show his loyalty. 

Not only does he say this to Malfoy, although he is clearly intimidated by the situation, but when Ron snaps and wrestled Malfoy to the ground, Neville has his back. He initially hesitates and then quickly clambers over his seat to take on both Crabbe and Goyle! Is no one else impressed by pudgy Neville tackling on two big Slytherin's?