Christmas at St. Mungo's: A view into Neville's life

I often wonder if J.K. has favourite scenes in the books. You know, sections that she feels particularly proud of, that she was surprised by when she re-read a book years later, that she felt really worked.

Of course, that raises a second question: does J.K. even go back and re-read her own novels at all? You and I read and re-read them constantly but does she?

As you all know, I have any number of favourite scenes in Harry Potter, both in the books and in the films. And, every time I read a novel again, I find a new passage to appreciate.

I am just finishing a re-read of The Order of the Phoenix, a book that I find very difficult. Harry just endures so much in this novel that I find it hard to read.

But I have to marvel at how beautifully Rowling portrays the scene at Christmas in the Closed Ward of St. Mungo's, the one where Harry, Hermione and Ron encounter Neville and his grandmother and then, heart-rendingly, Neville's mother.

There is so much going on in this scene:

- Harry, who has known about Neville's parents for some time, trying to make the encounter as harmless as possible for Neville;
- Ron showing his genuine pleasure at seeing Neville, not understanding at first why Neville finds the meeting quite upsetting;
- Hermione catching on to Neville's discomfort very quickly but also having to deal with her own surprise and anxiety that Neville's grandmother knows all about her;
- Neville's Gran, pleased to meet his friends, attempting to remain strong in the face of the terrible damage done to her son and daughter-in-law, proud of who they were and what they fought for, and attempting to address Neville's mixed emotions about his parents and their current state;
- and finally Neville, himself, embarassed, anxious, feeling inadequate, yet still loyal and committed to his parents and wishing to prove himself worthy of being their son.

The entire scene lasts all of two pages in the book and yet Rowling succeeds in communicating so much about each character in that brief period.

All of which is beautifully brought to a conclusion with Gran telling Neville to throw away the candy wrapper his mother has given him and Neville, quietly and without fanfare, slipping the gift instead into his pocket, a treasured memento from his mom.

I think J.K. has reason to be really proud of this short passage with Neville and his grandmother. I wonder if she is able to read her books and recognise these little gems as well.