The Enigmatic Origins of Neville's Sword in Harry Potter Revealed!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is filled with enchanting magical objects, many of which are securely concealed at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Within the school, the four esteemed founders - Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and the notorious Salazar Slytherin - have each left behind renowned artifacts. However, none of these are as renowned or as influential to the protagonists of the series as the artifacts of Gryffindor.

Foremost among these treasures is the Sword of Gryffindor, a blade that Harry Potter enthusiasts will instantly recognize from its appearance in the second book. But what is the story behind its origin, its creator, and the extraordinary powers that the Sword possesses?

What is the Sword of Gryffindor?

The Sword of Gryffindor was crafted in the 10th century by Ragnuk the First, the Goblin king, as a gift for Godric Gryffindor, the founder of Hogwarts. Made from pure goblin silver, the sword possessed powerful enchantments bestowed upon it by its creator. Notably, it had the unique ability to only absorb substances that enhanced its power, rendering it immune to rust and other forms of typical damage. Ragnuk, proud of his exceptional craftsmanship, falsely accused Gryffindor of theft and dispatched goblins to reclaim the sword.

In response, Gryffindor valiantly defended himself against the attackers, sparing their lives but warning them that he would use the sword to defeat them and Ragnuk if they ever tried to harm him again. Ragnuk and his people heeded this caution, but the belief that Gryffindor was a thief persisted through generations. Unlike wizards, goblins hold the view that the true owner of an item is its maker, even if it has been sold. Craftsmanship is highly valued by goblins, and they consider their wares to be loaned rather than sold, enabling them to reclaim any "gift" at any time. Several years later, during the Deathly Hallows events, the Goblin Griphook utilized this rationale when demanding that Harry surrender the Sword as payment for assisting him in breaking into Gringotts.

The Sword of Gryffindor possesses similar qualities to other legendary magical swords, such as Excalibur. It manifests itself within the Hogwarts Sorting Hat, its mythical stone, whenever a person deemed a "true Gryffindor" is in dire need and demonstrates remarkable courage. As a result, the Sword does not have a fixed location and lacks a definite owner. This enchantment is so powerful that not even a goblin can overcome it, allowing Neville to summon the Sword during the Battle of Hogwarts despite its prior possession by Griphook.

Harry Potter famously summoned the sword during the events of The Chamber of Secrets when confronting one of Voldemort's Horcruxes and Salazar Slytherin's basilisk. After Fawkes the phoenix brought him the Sorting Hat, Harry retrieved and brandished the Sword against the enormous serpent. Consequently, the Sword ingested a portion of the basilisk's venom, which would subsequently enable Harry and others to utilize it in obliterating the remaining Voldemort's Horcruxes.

How Did Neville Longbottom get the Sword?

Neville Longbottom, a true Gryffindor, displayed immense bravery when he retrieved the Sword from the Sorting Hat during the Battle of Hogwarts. During this critical encounter, there were two remaining Horcruxes of utmost importance - The Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw and Voldemort's loyal serpent, Nagini. Surprisingly, it was only when Voldemort fatally struck Harry Potter that the revelation of him being the third concealed Horcrux unfolded.

In the Room of Requirement, Harry, Ron, and Hermione discovered the Lost Diadem with assistance from the Grey Lady, Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter. Trouble arose when Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle entered the room, leading to a fierce clash that resulted in Crabbe's unintentional use of the dangerous Fiendfyre curse. The uncontrollable spell claimed Crabbe's life and caused extensive destruction, including the Diadem. Amidst the chaos, the Golden Trio and a frightened Malfoy and Goyle managed to escape.

Feeling overwhelmed by the escalating battle, Voldemort summoned Harry to the Forbidden Forest with a grim ultimatum: surrender himself or witness the further demise of his classmates. Succumbing to the Killing Curse, Voldemort unknowingly eradicated the Horcrux embedded within Harry's soul.

Unbeknownst to Voldemort, Harry's lifeless body was merely a ruse as he proudly showcased it while leading the way to the castle. In the midst of his triumphant address to the remaining students and faculty, Neville boldly challenged the tyrant, displaying remarkable courage that granted him the honor of wielding the legendary Sword of Gryffindor.

During a chaotic battle between Harry and Voldemort, which seemed to cover the entire castle grounds, an important moment occurred. Nagini, the snake, approached Ron and Hermione, cornering them with the intention to attack. However, Neville came to their rescue by retrieving the sword from the discarded Sorting Hat and swiftly beheading the snake. In the actual books, the scene was slightly different. Voldemort placed the Sorting Hat on Neville's head and set it on fire in a fit of rage, angered by the boy's defiance. This unleashed a fierce battle between the survivors and the remaining Death Eaters, with Neville successfully killing the snake amidst the chaos.

With Nagini slain, Voldemort lost all his Horcruxes, leaving him vulnerable. Ultimately, the Dark Lord met his final demise when the Elder Wand, which rightfully belonged to Harry Potter, turned against him during a final priori incantatem.

What Happened to the Sword of Gryffindor After Voldemort Was Defeated?

No specific information has been disclosed regarding the Sword's location following the Battle of Hogwarts. However, it can be reasonably presumed that the Sword remains connected to the Sorting Hat, implying that it is most probably still present at Hogwarts, eagerly awaiting the call of another courageous and deserving Gryffindor.