Neville Longbottom

Over the course of the book, HarryÂ’s friend Neville gains some confidence and begins to stand up for himself.

• Neville’s reluctance to report Malfoy reflects his sheepishness. At later stages in the book, he will demonstrate his transformation into a braver student by attacking Malfoy, sneaking out to warn Harry, and putting his foot down when Harry attempts to sneak out.

• “Before Malfoy knew what was happening, Ron was on top of him, wrestling him to the ground. Neville hesitated, then clambered over the back of his seat to help.” Neville is becoming braver, as Ron recounts: “Neville tried to take on Crabbe and Goyle single-handed!’ “

• Neville gradually becomes braver as the book continues. In this chapter, Neville has been caught sneaking out at night to try and warn Harry about Malfoy’s plan.

• Neville’s standing up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione signifies his transformation. Although he is getting in Harry’s way, he has good intentions. Dumbledore later rewards Neville for this act, in front of the whole school, by awarding Gryffindor house points for Neville’s bravery.

Warning: spoiler information ahead. I think it is very likely that Neville's forgetfulness is the result of Memory Charms placed upon him as a small buy to make him forget witnessing his parents' torture. Memory charms do affect a person's mental ability, as we see with Bertha Jorkins.

Name meaning: Neville is taken from a French place name meaning “new town.”

Readers never get to know the real Quirrell because throughout the book he is possessed by Voldemort. All we know about the real Quirrell is what he says about himself at the book’s end: “A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil...”

Hagrid tells us a little about the real Quirrell: “Poor bloke. Brilliant mind. He was fine while he was studyin’ outta books but then he took a year off ter get some first-hand experience... They say he met vampires in the Black Forest, and there was a nasty bit o’ trouble with a hag--never been the same since.”

Quirrell is a main example of the Appearances are Deceiving theme: “Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn’t he? So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat. Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-stuttering P- Professor Quirrell?” Harry trusts the timid Quirrell and suspects slimy Snape, but in the end he realizes he has it all wrong.

Even though he is possessed, Quirrell is the bookÂ’s antagonist. But, ironically, Harry believes that Quirrell is the only hope for keeping the Stone out of SnapeÂ’s hands.

Ron Weasley

Rowling’s high school friend Séan Harris influenced Ron’s character: “Ron Weasley isn’t a living portrait of Séan, but he really is very Séan-ish.” (Conversations, 20) Ron’s feeling overshadowed by his brothers is also reflected from Rowling’s relation with her sister: “...I felt quite plain in comparison to my sister. I probably felt I had to compensate.” (Conversations, 23)

Ron is bothered by his poverty and by his being overshadowed by his older brothers. “Ronald Weasley, who has always been overshadowed by his brothers, sees himself [in the Mirror of Erised] standing alone, the best of all of them.”

Ron’s easy to relate to. Sometimes it's difficult for the reader to put him or herself in Harry’s shoes because Harry is so successful and powerful. At those times it’s easier to relate to “everyday Joe” Ron, who wasn’t born famous, who sometimes acts immature, who is into chess and Quidditch.

Name meaning: Ron’s last name might come from the word “weasley” itself, which means, “having to do with weasels.” Weasels are mostly reddish brown with white or yellowish under parts. The Weasley have red hair and red freckles with pale skin.

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