Anna Daniels
The Harry Potter books and films might have focused on Harry’s personal metamorphosis, but there’s no question amongst fans that Neville Longbottom experienced the biggest “glow-up” of the entire series. Introduced right as Harry arrives at Hogwarts, Neville is presented as a frightened, round-faced boy who had trouble displaying his magical abilities. Any natural talent Neville might have is initially obscured by his own anxiety, and during his first year at Hogwarts, he gets bullied by Draco Malfoy (played in the films by Tom Felton), turns out to be a dismal Potions student, and breaks his wrist minutes into flying class.
However, Neville more than proves himself throughout the series. Though his Potions performance never really improves (partly because he’s terrified of Alan Rickman’s Professor Snape), he shows a serious aptitude for Herbology — and by Deathly Hallows, he’s a student vigilante fighting against a school run by Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his Death Eater cronies.
Perhaps Neville’s most impressive act comes right at the end of Deathly Hallows: as Harry closes out his hunt for Voldemort’s Horcruxes, objects that contain pieces of the dark wizard’s soul and which are keeping him alive, he tells Neville to use Gryffindor’s own sword to kill Voldemort’s snake Nagini, one of his Horcruxes. At a crucial moment, Neville decapitates the snake, providing a huge advantage to Harry and his allies. After proving heroism at the Battle of Hogwarts, Neville survives, eventually becoming Hogwarts’ Herbology professor and teaching Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s children.
Written by: Looper
