what i needed from cursed child was neville keeping a close eye on his struggling godson, trying so hard to help him in subtle ways (so as not to embarrass albus), bc neville knew what it was like to be considered worthless by his peers. he knew what it was like to feel suffocated by his parents’ legacies, to be laughed at in school because he was different and often times the last one to get the hang of a spell or skill. worse-- neville had his only parental figure telling him he was worthless bc he wasn’t like his parents up until the battle of the department of mysteries, so he’d surely know how to comfort albus, who had begun feeling very unloved even by his family at this point (even though albus’ parents never stopped loving him with everything and were never embarrassed of him and i will fight anybody on this, give me a go pal). where was godfather neville when albus was being bullied?? where were his gentle requests for albus to help him repot some mimbulus mimbletonia, hoping that the comfort of a familiar person and the warmth of the greenhouse would help al? where were his sometimes over-eager gifts of slytherin house points every time scorpius answered something correctly (or even made a decent attempt?)? where were his quietly disapproving looks at every student he knew bullied albus??? when did he pull rose aside to say 'from one gryffindor to another-- bravery and loyalty are inherent in us all, but they are present in the highest amounts in those who stick by their family and their friends in times of trouble, no matter the personal consequences'?? when did he hold james after class to point out how alienated and alone his little brother felt? i’m sure he noticed and i’m sure he was concerned and i’m sure he was making efforts off stage, but damn i’m nosy and i want! to! see! it!