Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Deathly Hallows/Chapter 29
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Chapter 29 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: The Lost Diadem
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[edit] Synopsis
Neville is overjoyed to see them, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione are horrified by his battered appearance. Neville says this is nothing, wait till they see Seamus. To Aberforth's dismay, Neville informs him that more people will be Apparating in. Leading the Trio down the long, dark hallway, Neville explains that the seven known secret passageways into Hogwarts have been magically sealed, and Death Eaters guard the exits. Neville asks if they really broke into Gringotts and escaped on a dragon; everyone is talking about it. Harry confirms it is true.
Hogwarts has drastically changed since the Trio left. Neville tells them about the Carrows, the two Death Eater professors who now handle all student punishment, although the other teachers avoid sending anyone to them whenever possible. Amycus Carrow teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts, although it is now called "Dark Arts." Students are forced to practice the Cruciatus curse on detention students. When Neville refused to curse anyone, he was beaten, despite being Pure Blood; some students, notably Crabbe and Goyle, have proven quite apt at the Dark Arts and love practicing them. Alecto Carrow, the Muggle Studies teacher, insists Muggles are dirty and stupid like animals. Neville obtained one scar after asking how much Muggle blood she had. Neville and other Dumbledore's Army members were pulling pranks and creating disruptions, but after Luna and Ginny left school and punishments became more severe, the rebellion died down a bit. When Neville was identified as a ringleader, Death Eaters went after his grandmother, who put Dawlish in St. Mungo's, and is now on the run, while Neville decided to "disappear".
Reaching Hogwarts, they enter an unfamiliar room to find a cheering crowd inside. The Trio are ecstatic to see all their old friends—Seamus Finnigan, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Lavender Brown, Ernie Macmillan, Anthony Goldstein, Parvati and Padma Patil, and many more. Hammocks are strung from floor to ceiling, and the room is embellished with Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw colors and symbols; only Slytherin is missing. To Harry's astonishment, they are in the Room of Requirement. Neville has been hiding there for some weeks now, and the room has continually expanded as more and more D.A. members arrived. Seamus, whose swollen face Harry initially failed to recognize, says the room is secure as long as at least one D.A. member remains inside. The only thing it is unable to provide is food. When Neville was really hungry, the tunnel leading to the Hog's Head opened, and Aberforth has been sending supplies ever since.
Everyone wants to know about the Trio's exploits. They have been listening to "Potterwatch" on the radio, but there are many unconfirmed rumors. Before Harry can respond, searing pain cuts through his scar as he briefly glimpses a furious Dark Lord discovering that the ring Horcrux is missing. Little time is left, and everyone wants to help, believing Harry has returned to overthrow the Carrows and Snape. Harry explains they are only there to complete a task to help to destroy Voldemort, and insists everyone stay behind. He becomes panicked when more people pour in from the Hog's Head. Luna, Dean, Fred, George, Ginny, Lee Jordan, and Cho Chang climb through. Ron quietly says the others can help; they do not know what they are looking for, where it is, and there is little time. They do not have to reveal that it is a Horcrux. Hermione agrees, saying Harry does not have to do everything alone. Harry finally concedes and says they are looking for something belonging to Rowena Ravenclaw. Luna suggests it could be the lost diadem, a type of crown. Hidden under the Invisibility Cloak, Luna leads Harry to the Ravenclaw Common room and shows him Rowena Ravenclaw's statue, so that Harry can see the shape of what he is likely searching for. As Harry steps out from under the Cloak to read a tiny inscription etched on the marble diadem, Alecto Carrow appears and instantly touches the Dark Mark on her forearm.
[edit] Analysis
Against Harry's wishes, the last battle between him and Voldemort is primed to happen at Hogwarts, and his arrival here will likely trigger it. It seems appropriate, indeed inevitable, that Harry and Voldemort's final confrontation should occur at Hogwarts; the castle and its surrounding grounds have played a major role throughout the series, with much of the story's action set here. The castle, with its many ghosts and magical denizens, is nearly a character in its own right. It is also the place that both Harry and Voldemort most consider home, and in Voldemort's case, probably the only thing he has ever had anything close to loving feelings for, although that is an emotion he has never experienced. Harry also loves Hogwarts, and he has always derived strength and security from the venerable old castle, impatiently enduring his enforced summer hiatus at the Dursleys' until returning each September. This time, Harry's homecoming is not as a student—he is a soldier on a mission. He is dismayed, however, when reinforcements begin arriving, and rather than sneaking in, finding the Horcrux, then sneaking out again to continue his quest, Harry's appearance instead sets off a chain reaction of events that will culminate in the final resolution. And whether he likes it or not, Harry is the shining beacon that not only rallies and unifies the fragmented rebellion, but he will be pushed to the forefront to lead the climactic battle against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
While Neville's battered appearance is shocking, his cheerful demeanor about it seems even more so. This clearly shows just how much Neville has changed from the ineffectual, frightened boy who first arrived at Hogwarts; his bruises are badges of honor. The Sorting Hat placing Neville into Gryffindor House had always seemed questionable, and many readers probably believe he would have been better suited to Hufflepuff, rather than a House known for bravery. But bravery comes in many forms, and Neville, despite his magical deficiencies, always faced the adversity in his life head on, and showed courage as early as the first book, when he challenged the Trio after objecting to their actions. This strength has gradually increased, and Neville has transformed from a shy, insecure, and nearly incompetent student, into a strong, capable wizard, mostly due to Harry's patient guidance.
Curiously, Harry's absence has also had a positive effect on Neville. With Harry no longer at Hogwarts, Neville, along with Ginny and Luna, have assumed leadership roles by ably leading Dumbledore's Army, rebelling against the Carrows and Snape. Neville shows that, given the right circumstances, he is a natural leader, as well as a true Gryffindor; he, and the other D.A. members, are ready and able to join forces with Harry in the final battle against Voldemort.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Why doesn't Harry recognize the Room of Requirement?
- Why doesn't Harry want the other students to help him with the mission or to lead them in overthrowing Snape and the Carrows? What changes his mind?
- Why are there no Slytherin colors or symbols represented in the Room of Requirement?
[edit] Extra Study
- How did news about the Trio's escape from Gringotts travel to Hogwarts so quickly?
- Why is Neville so cheerful, despite his battered appearance?
- How has Neville changed from his first year at Hogwarts? What accounts for that change?
[edit] Greater Picture
We can see that, against his will, Harry becomes the rallying point for defending Hogwarts. This is, at least for the next while, a position Harry attempts to avoid. Harry quite clearly wants to prevent any responsibility for the loss of life that will happen in the coming battle. It is only after the encounter in the Forbidden Forest, when Harry feels he has acted to protect his friends against Voldemort, that he chooses to show himself as the leader of the counter-attack against Voldemort.
His faith in Neville's abilities is such that Harry will shortly entrust Neville with a vital task: dispatching the final Horcrux in the event that he, Ron, or Hermione are unable to do the job. Neville will prove that he is up to the challenge.
