Neville Longbottom’s Wand
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, we learn that Neville has been using his father’s wand to practice magic with all these years. We know that Ron used a wand from his brother Charlie for his first couple of years– which can’t have helped Ron’s studying, even before the Whomping Willow– but with Neville, the implications are even greater.
Augusta Longbottom gave her son’s wand to her grandson. Probably, she wanted Neville to grow up to be like her son. However, consider that Frank Longbottom is still alive. He can’t use his wand, maybe he can’t access his magic at all, but his wand might still be connected to him.
Consider this, too. If you went up to Harry and gave him a mahogany wand and said, “this belonged to your father,” Harry could probably use the wand fine. At least from the end of book 1 onward, Harry knows his parents loved him. He knows they were brave and loyal; they inspire him. James’ wand in Harry’s hands would probably work well– not optimally, but well.
Neville, though. Neville’s parents don’t recognize him. I can’t begin to imagine how that would affect him, even if he hears from his Gran and uncle that he was a loved and wanted baby. And he probably doesn’t even hear that.
Instead, when Neville lifts his father’s wand, he probably hears his Gran’s voice. He probably hears, over and over, “Your father was a hero, Neville. He was never afraid of anything. You have to do him proud, Neville. Why are you so cowardly, Neville? What’s wrong with you, Neville? Why can’t you make an effort, Neville?”
No wonder all his work with wand magic is pathetic. It’s not until he goes to the Department of Mysteries, and his father’s wand breaks– when, you’ll note, his fear is “My Gran’s going to kill me” instead of “oh shit, I can’t practice any magic”– the point is, by going to the DoM, Neville chooses to be brave and loyal. In the next year, he’s come into his own, and while his new wand is important, it’s not integral. What’s integral is that he chose to do what was right.
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