No, Neville Longbottom was not the chosen one, though he could have been.
While Neville possessed several key characteristics that aligned with the prophecy, Lord Voldemort's actions ultimately determined Harry Potter as the "chosen one."
Was Neville the Chosen One?
Neville Longbottom was not the chosen one in the Harry Potter series. The prophecy, spoken by Sybill Trelawney, foretold the birth of a wizard who would have the power to vanquish the Dark Lord. Both Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom fit the initial parameters of this prophecy, making them potential candidates.
Understanding the Prophecy
The prophecy stated:
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...
This prophecy laid out specific conditions for the individual destined to confront Voldemort.
The Two Candidates: Harry and Neville
Both Harry and Neville were born towards the end of July 1980, satisfying the "born as the seventh month dies" clause. Furthermore, both sets of parents—the Potters (James and Lily) and the Longbottoms (Frank and Alice)—were prominent members of the Order of the Phoenix and had bravely defied Lord Voldemort three times prior to their children's births.
Here's a comparison of their situations regarding the prophecy:
| Feature | Harry Potter | Neville Longbottom |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Date | July 31, 1980 (as the seventh month dies) | July 30, 1980 (as the seventh month dies) |
| Parents' Defiance | James and Lily Potter defied Voldemort thrice | Frank and Alice Longbottom defied Voldemort thrice |
| Marked by Voldemort | Yes (with the lightning bolt scar) | No |
| Chosen One Status | Yes, by Voldemort's actions | No, despite fitting initial criteria |
Voldemort's Decisive Choice
The critical turning point that distinguished Harry from Neville was Lord Voldemort's personal interpretation and subsequent action. Voldemort chose to target the Potters, believing that Harry, a half-blood like himself, was the greater threat. When Voldemort attempted to kill baby Harry, he inadvertently "marked him as his equal" by leaving the lightning bolt scar and transferring a piece of his soul into Harry. This act solidified Harry's status as the chosen one as per the prophecy.
Had Voldemort targeted Neville instead, it would have been Neville who carried the mark and the destiny of the prophecy. This crucial decision by the Dark Lord himself elevated Harry to the role of the chosen one.
Neville's Undeniable Heroism
Despite not being the chosen one, Neville Longbottom proved to be an incredibly brave and vital character in the fight against Voldemort. His journey showcased remarkable growth from a timid boy to a courageous leader.
Neville's significant contributions include:
- Standing up to his friends: Early on, he bravely tried to stop Harry, Ron, and Hermione from losing points for Gryffindor, earning him "ten points to Gryffindor" for showing immense bravery.
- Leading Dumbledore's Army: During the final years at Hogwarts, when Harry was absent, Neville became a defiant leader of Dumbledore's Army, actively resisting the Death Eaters controlling the school.
- Destroying Nagini: In the Battle of Hogwarts, Neville famously pulled the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat and used it to slay Voldemort's last Horcrux, Nagini, completely disarming Voldemort of his final safeguard and enabling Harry to defeat him. This act was crucial to Voldemort's ultimate downfall.
Neville's resilience and bravery were integral to the defeat of Lord Voldemort, demonstrating that heroism is not exclusive to the "chosen one" but can be found in acts of courage and sacrifice from many.
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