Ron in Shining Armor (was Re: Pettigrew parallels)

[zsenya at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 5474

Hi Gwen! I'm new too.

I like your comparison of the two generations. I agree that you can't 
really draw exact parallels and that they are dealing with different 
issues that change the way they interact with others.  I tend to look 
at Harry, Hermione and Ron as possibly much more mature in many ways 
than their parent's generation was at their age.  I know that I was 
always impressed (and I know this is a broad generalization) at how 
much more aware and responsible my youngest sister and her friends 
were (there is a 7 year gap) than I had been at her age.  I remember 
them traipsing through the woods near our house at age 8 cleaning up 
cans and trash and me thinking "At age 8 I was playing house in the 
backyard and other silly things"  So in many ways I see our trio much 
better adapted to deal with strains on their friendship and I also 
believe (as you point out) that Ron has done MORE than enough to show 
that he is a good and faithful friend to Harry.

I have to admit, after I went back and started reading the archives 
and past posts, I was soooo distressed that so many people seem to be 
convinced that Ron will roam over to the other side.  I have to keep 
telling myself "It's only a book, it's only a book" because I just see 
Ron as the most loyal friend out there.  I hope I am right.  The only 
time he wavers is in GoF and that is just a childish spat.  I think in 
that instance he was more ticked off that Harry didn't include him in 
what he perceived as some elaborate scheme to get his name in the 
goblet, than anything else.

As to why we are convinced that all of the Marauders were in 
Gryffindor... I will have to go back and read the archive to see what 
others think.  I personally always just sort of assumed that was the 
case because everything that we learn happens from a Gryffindor point 
of view and because of that, by default, I think of Gryffindor as the 
coolest house.  Also, I assume a) that since Gryffindors are supposed 
to be brave, James Potter must have been one and b) James would most 
likely be close friends with other Gryffindors.  This is how things 
operate in my world!

:)Zsenya