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[vegablack62]

Why do fanfic writers insist on writing characters that act the exact opposite way as they do in the books? I just read a seventh year story in which Augusta Longbottom is resentful of Neville’s friendship with Harry because she feels it will put Neville at risk. She almost wants to keep him home from Hogwarts to protect him and lectures him on

Comments

[still_infinity]

While I wouldn't judge her character as harsh as you do (we have too keep in mind that the HP books are written from Harry's POV and therefore it might be possible that he missed some important facts, like her appearance at Dumbledore's funeral), I agree with you that she wouldn't forbid Neville to be friends with Harry.

In Goblet of Fire Neville says that he thinks his gran expects him to put in his name in as a champion to uphold the family honor. In my opinion, Neville got that wrong. We have to keep in mind that he is only 14 years old at that point and he might not see his Gran's intention for what they are.

The Augusta Longbottom I see is a strict elderly lady with maybe some conservative views on parenting but who nevertheless loves her grandson very much. I think she sometimes has hard time showing her affection.

[vegablack62]

I don't judge Augusta harshly at all; its the people who write her badly that I judge harshly. I should have put this in the post. Augusta loves Neville very much, but she is the person she is and has the values that she does. She obviously believes fighting the Death Eaters even in the face of physical risk is right and has no interest in stopping him from doing it. She values bravery and doing the right thing that much that after losing her only son in such a horrible way, she would be willing to allow her only surviving grandchild to take risks with his safety.

I would add that Neville is probably putting his own spin on the things that his grandmother says, and probably is reflecting his own feelings in these remarks, but I would guess that they have not come out of no where and from the remarks that we do hear her say directly I would guess that she wants him to step forward and fight as his parents did.

[still_infinity]

I would add that Neville is probably putting his own spin on the things that his grandmother says, and probably is reflecting his own feelings in these remarks, but I would guess that they have not come out of no where I don't deny that.

I don't judge Augusta harshly at all; Maybe I used the wrong word here. Language barrier. What I was trying to say was that you see Augusta in a different light than me. While we both agree on her demanding nature, her love for Neville and her 'antiquated' views, I think we disagree on the proportion of each that make out her character. Does that make sense? Sorry I can't explain it any better.

I hope I didn't offend you with my comment.

[vegablack62]

No I was glad to read your comments. First, because I love comments of any sort on what I post; it keeps me from feeling that I'm writing into nothingness or sounding like an idiot. I'm not a sensitive person and I enjoy argument more than most people, so your comments made me happy

[lyras]

I certainly agree that Augusta isn't overprotective of Neville. I see (and I suppose all of this is speculation, really) this as a result of what's happened to Frank - she is projecting all her pride in what Frank used to be onto Neville, and this often manifests itself as frustration.

I think that if anything had actually happened to Neville, Augusta would have had a rather rude awakening to her feelings about him and the way she's treated him - but that's going off on something of a tangent.

[vegablack62]

I hope I haven't come off as judging Augusta to harshly, because I believe that she loves Neville very much. I was commenting on people writing opinions for her that she doesn't have. Augusta obviously values courage and the willingness to act for your beliefs very highly; this is one of the things that she praises in Harry. (From her comments and behavior I can't see Augusta as a member of any other house.) She values it so highly that she is pleased to see an only surviving child who she has previously babied to the point that he wasn't allowed on a broom and was sent to school in teddy bear pajamas risk his life. I don't think that is because she is callous it is because she has such strong personality and beliefs.

I agree with you views on Augusta and her rude awakening. I actually believe that came when he was set on fire. I can't imagine a woman watching a child she has raised set a light without being altered by the experience. I have an unedited, unbeta'd and unpublished story that deals with that.

[oddnari]

Am around if you'd like me to beta it :> Discussing the grandmother-grandson dynamic and Augusta's character with you has been soundly illuminating.

[vegablack62]

I'd love to have you beta it. It won't be ready for a beta for awhile though.

[oddnari]

As it's fanfiction, I personally am amenable to reading Augusta written as an overprotective gran provided there are reasons elucidated for her character's shift from canon, which - I am certain - is not mentioned in the fics you speak of.

In other news, I am writing an Augusta-centric fic which you may have a serious issue with because I am taking some liberties - some of her actions may seem inconsistent with her canon character. Would you care to read it and let me know your thoughts on it?

[vegablack62]

I'd love to, but let me warn you that I am opinionated.

[clionona]

Hmm...
I'm inclined to agree with you, sweetie. She certainly more concerned with Neville living up to his legacy than Neville's safety.

And I could never see her being against Neville's friendship with Harry.

Just my opinion.

:/

[ceirdwenfc]

I see Augusta almost exactly as you do. I also actually think she would soften after the war, and be less hard without having the war hanging over their heads and the responsibility of getting Neville to manhood is over for her.

She can stand back and reap the benefit of her influence as well as Harry's for that matter.

I do not agree with the comment that Harry would have missed Augusta at Dumbledore's funeral. He certainly would have noticed her hat, and made mention of it if she were there.

[vegablack62]

I agree with all your points, but especially with the idea of her stepping back and reapiing the benefits of her influence. I see her and Neville's relationship as being very different after the war. I get frustrated by people who see her as treating him as a child after the war and who see them having some big confrontation in which he is angry with her for dominating him. I think they miss the point of the letter that she has sent him. I also can't believe that she could have seen him do the things he did in the final battle without being affected by it. As a mother I can't believe that she could have seen a child that she raised set on fire without it changing her. That is a life experience that changes people period. This latter issue is more speculation.