Mistake? *spoiler warning*

[pudupudu]

If you have not read the final book STOP READING NOW, you won't understand my question if you haven't

Right- here goes- in the 'Flaw in the Plan' chapter of DH, it says the following "in one swift, fluid motion Neville broke free of the Body-Bind Curse upon him; the flaming Hat fell to the floor and he drew from its depths something silver with a glittering rubied handle-"

Right, fair enough, he then uses the sword to kill Nagini- but how on earth did it get there? It was last seen in the hands of a goblin who wasn't going to give it up without a fight so how did it come to appear (somewhat white rabbit-esque) out of a hat? If I missed something and there's an explanation then I would be very glad if someone would give it to me

[beMMADfabulous]

Well, didn't Harry get the sword out of the hat as well in Chamber of Secrets when he had to defeat the basilisk? That's what I assumed... That it happened the same way for Neville as it did for Harry.

[pudupudu]

But when Harry got it out of the hat, it had been in the headmaster's office along with the hat and Fawkes, this time it wasn't, it was with a goblin

[revolutionaryetude]

I didn't think of this because I immediately had COS flashbacks. Harry pulled the sword out of the hat because he was a true Gryfindor, "only a true Gryfindor" could have done that. The sword magically appeared in the hat, even though it was, until that time, sitting in Dumbeldore's office. I think that just because the goblin had it doesn't mean that it is his. The sword is simply a possession of Hogwarts. Remember when Dumbledore tried to leave one of the Trio the sword of Gryfindor the M.O.M said he couldn't have it because it wasn't Dumbledore's to give. I think that no matter where the sword is if a "true Gryfindor" is in need of the sword it will appear to them.

[beMMADfabulous]

Okay, so if anyone's still wondering, JK confirmed today on the chat (don't get me started...) that there is a direct connection between the hat and the sword. A true Gryffindor is the one that can use the sword when he/she needs it. Godric G. did not steal the sword, and it wasn't the goblin's to keep.