In defense of Ron

[eggplant88 at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 4841

The only time I found Ron really obnoxious was when he had a fight 
with his best friend, a friend who had saved his sister's life, a 
friend who had demonstrated a willingness to risk his own life to 
save Ron too. I understand why he had the fight, he was jealous of 
Harry, and I understand why he was jealous, he was insecure; however 
understanding why somebody is obnoxious does not make him one bit 
less obnoxious. Harry was going through a very difficult time, he was 
scared to death he was either going to get killed in the first task 
of the tournament or even worse make a complete fool of himself, 
almost everybody at school hated him, he was depressed and needed 
moral support from Ron. He didn't get it. Harry didn't ask Ron to 
risk his life, he just asked him to be his friend and Ron refused. 
His only friend was Hermione.

It's hard for me to get very weepy over Ron's early years, everybody 
has problems growing up but it seems to me Ron's childhood was 
wonderful, as close to being perfect as anybody ever had. Harry's 
childhood on the other hand was a pure undiluted nightmare, but that 
would never make him let down a friend when he needed it most. Harry 
has forgiven Ron so I guess I should too, but he should have the good 
grace to be thoroughly ashamed of himself.