[Ron Week]: Extended

[bbennett at joymail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 16191

Heidi wrote:
<But I think Ron is, well, how do I say this nicely....I think Ron 
has a mean streak sometimes. <snip> I am not saying that merely 
getting into a fight with friends is an inherently mean or bad thing, 
but his refusal to apologize BOTH times makes it seem like JKR is 
*making a point* about him. >

Ron has definitely pitched his fits and unquestionably has a temper, 
but is JKR trying to show something more with this? I just don't see 
Ron as being that much worse temper-wise than Harry - Harry's just 
more passive with his anger. Harry may not verbalize as much as Ron, 
but many times he echoes Ron's sentiments by *not* talking – 
the "broom" disagreement being one such example. I don't
think this makes Ron meaner than Harry – I just think it means
Ron's got a bigger mouth.

Heidi also wrote:
<And even at times other than the big fight with Hermione in PoA, he 
is mean to her - yes, mostly about Krum, like when he almost makes 
her cry/does make her cry, at the Yule Ball while Viktor is off 
getting drinks (and then has the gall to look *satisfied* about how 
upset she is). <clip>

And I'd love to ring his little freckled throat for making her
cry. This is definitely inappropriate behavior, but I think it occurs 
because he doesn't consciously recognize his attraction for
Hermione and has no idea how to vent his anger, not because he just 
has a mean streak. This doesn't make his actions better, of
course, but I think it makes them easier to understand. 

<I know the guns are going to go a-blasting from SugarQuill Island 
for this...>

No, no – I accidentally threw a knife at Captain Kathy during our 
first summit (I'm not kidding here), so all weapons were
consequently banned from SugarQuill Island. Really, it's safe to 
visit, even if you don't want to live there. And you guys know
you love us - we're fun to argue with. <g>

Off to dance lessons,
B