Harry Potter Lessons Learned, Chapter 13: Nicholas Flamel

Welcome back to the chapter-by-chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.. Chapter 13, "Nicholas Flamel," brings us face-to-book with the man who created the Philosopher's Stone, but there isn't a lot that we know about it yet. Isn't dramatic irony grand? But I want to talk about Neville in this article.

"You're worth twelve of Malfoy"

Poor Neville Longbottom. We first saw him with a lost toad and he's been to the Hospital Wing for a broken wrist early in the term. Now, he's become Malfoy's target for jinxes and it's not too much of a stretch to think that Malfoy, robbed of Harry as a punching bag, is taking his bad temper out on another Gryffindor.

I would say "not to worry" because he does have friends,, but like many kids, I got teased a lot. I was a klutz with big glasses who was the new kid in school when I was 9 years old and I didn't know how to cope with how funny people found that. No matter how many people were kind, I still worried a lot and made mistakes in standing up for myself. In fact, the first time I practiced my bravery was so my best friend Emma wouldn't get in trouble. So I understand Neville not wanting to report Malfoy for being a jerk.

What I appreciate is that his friends in Gryffindor tower aren't just a one-time thing. We don't see Dean and Seamus mentioned as trying to take Neville into their group, Ron and Harry can sometimes be kind of insular especially with Hermione rounding out their study group.

It must have taken a lot of guts forNeville to help Ron attack Malfoy. Not only did he have a history of being targeted, but he'd just had his bad memory refreshed with comments about his inteligence. We see him hesitate and he's knocked out cold, but he stands up for Ron as a friend would. It's a pity that he's knocked out cold, but it lays the groundwork for one of the best moments of the book later on.

Lesson Learned: Block out unfriendly noises

I don't encourage the way that Neville is taught to insult and belittle other people, but I am fully behind his decision to not take Malfoy's word for it that he's worthless. Neville is seen as a worthy Gryffindor by the Sorting Hat and that means a lot.

I encourage you to, like Neville, "give yourself permission to think more of yourself." Chances are, you're worth twelve of the person who can't see your worth.