My favorite theory about Neville Longbottom can finally be confirmed by the Harry Potter TV remake. This would be especially satisfying since the Harry Potter movies largely ignored the nuance surrounding Neville's character. He had the most significant growth in the books, making his ultimate victory over the snake and Horcrux, Nagini, all the more gratifying. I'm desperate to see the true ins and outs of Neville's character come to the screen, but HBO's Harry Potter series can take this a step further by more definitively confirming a theory about his magical abilities.

Early on in the Wizarding World lore may have an explanation.

The Harry Potter Remake Can Confirm The Neville Longbottom Wand Theory

The Hints Are All There, HBO's Harry Potter Remake Can Finally Confirm

Neville's abilities developed significantly in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix thanks to Harry's lessons during Dumbledore's Army meetings, but that's nothing compared to the change in this character in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Sure, his confidence had improved, but things really seemed to come more easily to Neville in his sixth year. After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released 18 years ago in 2007, a theory evolved claiming that Neville's abilities improved in Half-Blood Prince because he got his own wand for the very first time.

Prior to the end of Order of the Phoenix, Neville had been using his father's wand. Frank Longbottom was a powerful Auror, and Neville's Gran thought his wand would along some of this talent to Neville. However, Deathly Hallows makes it clear that another wizard's wand will never work as well as one that specifically chose its owner. When Neville's father's wand broke at the Department of Mysteries, August Longbottom finally purchased her grandson his own wand, and his skills quickly evolved.

Deathly Hallows makes it clear that another wizard's wand will never work as well as one that specifically chose its owner.

Though the evidence is all there, the Harry Potter books never definitively confirm that Neville had been held back for years by his father's wand. However, HBO's remake could change this in its final season. Perhaps Neville could make a comment in his sixth year that his new wands seem to obey him more. Then, when Harry learns about wand loyalty during the episodes covering Deathly Hallows, he could verbally put the dots together about Neville's father's wand. Said and done, this confirmation would significantly strengthen Neville's overarching story.

Why The Truth About Neville's Wand Is So Important For His Character Arc

Neville's Greatest Enemy Was The Impossible Expectations Of His Family

Neville's story is among my favorites in the Harry Potter series. He's as tragic a character as Harry, but while the Boy Who Lived has been heralded a hero since he was one, Neville was considered unsatisfactory. His parents had been great wizards, and Augusta Longbottom simply couldn't cope with the fact that they had been tortured to insanity by the Death Eaters. She wanted her grandson to replace her son, and this was simply too much pressure for a young boy to grow up with. It was only once he began looking to his own strength that Neville truly began to shine.

HBO's Harry Potter remake is expected to premiere sometime in 2027.

At the end of Harry Potter, Neville found his own strength and bravery. He stood up to Death Eaters, earned the presentation of the Sword of Gryffindor, and killed Voldemort's last Horcrux. This development from the scared and tragically unconfident little boy in Sorcerer's Stone is simply too delicious for HBO's Harry Potter remake to ignore. We need to see his whole story in all its glory. Confirmation that Neville was held back by his father's wand would make the whole thing even more impactful.