Why Could Neville Not See Thestrals in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix?

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a question often arises regarding Neville Longbottom's inability to see the thestrals. This article aims to clarify why this is the case and delve deeper into the myth and reality provided in the book and the movie adaptation.

Thestrals: The Myth and Reality

Thestrals are magical creatures with horselike bodies and bat-like wings. They can only be seen by individuals who have witnessed the death of someone they love. This is a crucial plot element in the Harry Potter series, as it symbolizes the acceptance of loss and the harsh realities of life.

Neville's Background and the Death of His Grandfather

According to the books, Neville Longbottom had a traumatic experience when he was young. His parents, who were suspected of being supporters of the Dark Arts, were tortured into insanity by Death Eaters. However, the truth is that Neville himself never saw his parents die. They were taken from the scene where they were critically injured and then tortured.

A minor point to note is that in one of the discussion threads, a commenter mentioned that Neville could see the thestrals before. This fact is accurate as Neville saw his grandfather die. This occurred when his grandfather contracted a rare disease and passed away, marking the first time Neville experienced the loss of a loved one. This event is what allowed him to see thestrals in Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class.

The Events of Hagrid's Class

During Hagrid's class on Care of Magical Creatures, he introduces the students to the thestrals by taking them into the forest and tossing half a cow. The paragraph then details the sequence of events that follow:

Professor Umbridge, having arrived for a class evaluation, does not see the thestrals. Neither do Draco or most of the class. Neville, however, is the only student who mentions seeing the thestrals, as he had witnessed his grandfather's death. Umbridge dismisses Neville's account as a mere figment of his imagination. The paragraph then outlines later events where Neville and Luna prepare to ride the thestrals to London, while Hermione, Ron, and Ginny struggle to see them as they cannot see the thestrals.

These events serve to reinforce the importance of understanding and accepting loss, a key theme in the Harry Potter series.

The Movie Adaptation and Confusion

The movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix sometimes presents this scene differently. Due to the different medium and the fact that the movie does not always adhere to the book's timeline and details, it can be confusing. In the film, Neville is shown as not being able to see the thestrals, in contrast to the book where he is able to do so.

It's worth noting that the movie omits the explicit mention of Neville's grandfather's death and the subsequent feeling of loss that would enable him to see the thestrals. In the film, his inability to see the thestrals is more about his specific situation and the psychological impact of the experiences he's had rather than his grandfather's death.

Conclusion

Based on the book by J.K. Rowling, Neville Longbottom was indeed able to see the thestrals. His encounter with the death of his grandfather is the key factor that allows him to see the magical beasts. The movie adaptation, while visually stunning, sometimes omits important details, which can lead to confusion about this aspect of the storyline.

Thestrals serve as a powerful metaphor for dealing with the aftermath of tragedy and loss, which is a central theme in the Harry Potter series. Understanding this can provide new insights into the dynamics of the characters and their journey.