Sometimes, Neville envies Harry Potter. It isn't for his fame, or his wealth, or his competence. Neville knows the fame makes difficulties, the wealth means little, and the competence merely burdens him with the responsibility of facing each new calamity.
No. Standing in the corridor, realization dawning on his schoolmates' faces, Neville covets Harry Potter's parents.
James and Lily are dead. It's tragic, of course, and everyone knows Harry doesn't have an ideal home life, but death is simple. A flash of green light and then it's over. Frank and Alice Longbottom, Aurors, Order members, parents and lovers and heroes, died by inches over hours of excruciating pain. Their bodies may breathe, and hand out bubblegum wrappers, but the people they'd been will never return.
The Longbottoms' legacy is enduring flesh, and madness, and Augusta's determined visits. The Potters, at least, are buried in actual graves.
Sometimes, Neville envies Harry Potter.