While we all have our favorite characters in the Harry Potter world, Neville Longbottom is a beloved fan favorite. He embodies our own personal insecurities, and he isn’t afraid to admit it.
We constantly feel bad for Neville because of the horrific event that happened when he was just a baby – Bellatrix Lestrange tortured and nearly killed his parents.
They lived out the rest of their days in St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Bellatrix only came for them because Neville and Harry were the two babies the prophecy could have been referring to. Therefore, Neville likely carried guilt surrounding what happened to his parents for the rest of his life.
Throughout his younger years, Neville is a timid, fearful, even bumbling wizard. Raised by his grandmother, who constantly told him he wouldn’t measure up to anything, he wasn’t very good at magic, and it showed.
He lacked any sort of confidence or self-esteem.
Neville Longbottom was in Gryffindor and not Hufflepuff because he has always been brave, courageous, and loyal to his core. Just not in the typical way many people think of Gryffindors. Even though he was intimidated by the reputation of Gryffindor, he belonged there.
Neville and the Sorting Hat Scene
“When Neville Longbottom, the boy who kept losing his toad, was called, he fell over on his way to the stool.
The hat took a long time to decide with Neville.
When it finally shouted, “GRYFFINDOR,” Neville ran off still wearing it and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to “MacDougal, Morag.”
Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors
“You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart…”
“You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil…”
Could Neville Have Fit In as a Hufflepuff?
Although not a true Hufflepuff, Neville could have easily passed for one.
Hufflepuff House is a place for misfits and oddly unique individuals. Helga Hufflepuff said that her house would be one that would accept the witches and wizards no other house wanted.
Along with Hufflepuffs, during his years at Hogwarts, Neville was a very hard worker as well as gentle and kind. Hufflepuffs can be friendly to a fault, and we see this happen often with Neville.
Other students bully Neville, but he doesn’t stand up for himself so that he can keep the peace.
Additionally, Neville was a loyal friend to all. He didn’t care about anyone’s social status, number of achievements, or confidence level. He genuinely cared for others.
Lastly, Hufflepuffs don’t mind how talented you are, so long as you give it your all. He wasn’t particularly skilled at magic but he still didn’t give up trying.
Why wasn’t Neville Longbottom In Hufflepuff?
One hundred percent, without a doubt, the Sorting Hat accurately put Neville Longbottom in the right house.
Many people might assume, including Neville himself, that he should’ve been in Hufflepuff. However, it was no accident that he became a Gryffindor.
1. Neville Has Always Been Brave
Many people judge bravery by acts of heroism. Maybe you also consider someone brave if they are a fearless leader or act daringly. However, Neville shows us that true bravery and courage are acting despite your fears.
While Hufflepuffs are brave as well, they are more inclined to be brave behind the scenes instead of directly in the spotlight.
He never shies away from the fact that the world can be scary and that it’s okay to be afraid. For example, when he joins Dumbledore’s Army (a brave act), he is honest about the fact that he doesn’t know much about defensive magic.
Yet he doesn’t quit; he keeps at it until he successfully conjures a Patronus.
2. The Sorting Hat Said So
It’s no secret that Neville wanted to be a Hufflepuff. In fact, he silently begged the Sorting Hat to place him in Hufflepuff instead of Gryffindor.
While the Sorting Hat takes a student’s wishes into account, it saw something in Neville that he couldn’t see for himself.
The Sorting Hat doesn’t tend to make mistakes. Neville may have questioned its decision, but as we see later on, the Sorting Hat did indeed make the right choice.
3. He Proves Himself to Be a True Gryffindor
If anyone doubted Neville’s status as a Gryffindor, he definitely proved himself when he summoned the Sword of Gryffindor.
Neville pulls the sword from the Sorting Hat and proceeds to use it to kill the snake Nagini, Voldemort’s final Horcrux.
It’s vitally important to note that the Sword of Gryffindor only presented itself to a true Gryffindor – as seen with Harry, Ron, and subsequently Neville.
4. Neville Stepped up as a Leader
While Hufflepuffs possess many character traits of an excellent leader, they often lack the desire to step into the spotlight and take charge.
It would seem that Neville was the same way. After all, he is hard-working, kind, and accepting of all – the traits of a Hufflepuff.
Despite being fearful, Neville always stands up for what is right.
Not only did he join Dumbledore’s Army, but when it was disbanded, he stepped up with Luna Lovegood as one of the new leaders.
5. He Was Willing to Bend the Rules
This one might seem odd, but Gryffindors often bend (or break) the rules when it’s for the purpose of doing the right thing.
While Hufflepuffs did join Dumbledore’s Army, Neville eventually took ownership of leading it – a very Gryffindor thing to do.
Also, Hufflepuffs deeply value honesty. Not that Gryffindors are always dishonest, but they are definitely willing to work around the truth for the sake of the greater good.
6. Neville Longbottom Faced His Greatest Fear
Understandably, one of Neville’s greatest fears was Voldemort himself.
If it hadn’t been for Voldemort and subsequently Bellatrix, Neville’s parents would not be in their condition.
Neville knew that Voldemort was the most powerful dark wizard alive, yet he didn’t hesitate to stand up to him when all hope was lost.
With Harry seemingly dead and all of Hogwarts holding its breath, Neville limps forward all alone, ready to fight.
Not to say Hufflepuffs don’t face their fears, but typically one of their greatest fears is relationship-based, like disappointing others. Neville isn’t afraid to publicly address his fear in front of everyone, exactly how a Gryffindor would.
7. He Reached His Full Potential
As previously mentioned, Neville could’ve fit in with Hufflepuffs, but he was always meant to be a Gryffindor.
Hufflepuffs would’ve accepted him for who he was (and they did) but wouldn’t have pushed him to be the wizard he became.
As a Gryffindor, Neville was frequently challenged with facing his fears. He learned to stand up for himself and continuously got better at magic.
It’s unlikely that Neville would’ve been able to confront Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts if he had not learned what he did as a Gryffindor.
8. He Was Born a Hero
Gryffindors greatly value heroism. Although Harry was known as “the boy who lived,” Neville also survived while his parents were nearly killed.
Just because he didn’t “defeat” Voldemort doesn’t mean that Neville wasn’t destined for greatness.
Additionally, he turned out to be quite heroic, even though his harsh grandmother raised him. He was a very impressive Gryffindor indeed.