Ron & Harry Fight

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 4878

Hi --

eggplant88 at hotmail.com wrote:

> You're giving reasons why Ron was an ass, perhaps your theory is
> correct, perhaps not, it doesn't matter, he's still an ass, he still
> unjustly called his best friend a liar. I happen to think that's a
> very big deal, I think it would permanently poison most friendships,
> it's just lucky for Ron that Harry has a forgiving nature. Few people
> are fortunate enough to have a friend as good as Harry and Ron almost
> threw it away.

I really don't think it was as serious as all that!  Yes, Ron's
accusations are serious but probably not enough to "permanently poison"
their friendship.  I mean . . . yes, I agree that Ron was the one
largely at fault for that fight.  I do think that since Hermione picked
up from the look on Harry's face that he didn't submit his name into the
Goblet, Ron should have come to the same conclusion.  I also think it's
possible that Hermione said, "Hey look!  Harry didn't put his name in
the Goblet, and he's really worried that someone has it in for him."  If
that's the case, then Ron's stubborn insistence on not making up with
Harry is more serious.  On the other hand, I have the distinct
impression that Hermione was spending virtually all her time with Harry,
so maybe she made no real effort to try & explain things to Ron.  She
did seem to think it was something they should work out between
themselves.  I still think she largely chose sides to some extent by
spending all or most of her time with Harry.

But, in general, they were both at fault for prolonging the
estrangement.  Ron did start the fight but Harry contributed to it being
strung out.  I think it's reasonably understandable why Harry prolonged
the fight (Ron had just interrupted his conversation with Sirius, the
only person outside of Hermione who he's able to confide in & possibly
his only chance against the dragon he thinks).  His outburst of anger at
Ron at that point is definitely understandable IMO.

So, my take on it is: (a) Ron was a prat for starting the argument, (b)
Ron should have known himself or through Hermione that he was being a
prat, and if he did, then he's more stubborn & insecure than we thought,
(c) Harry contributed to prolonging their fight with his outburst at Ron
and his refusal to try & talk to Ron.  They're *both* stubborn.  But, it
wasn't, IMO, ever as threatening to their friendship as eggplant
asserts.

Penny



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