Ron, Fleur and Hermione

[dfrankiswork at netscape.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 37723

I'd like to follow up Barb's excellent analysis of the interactions between Hermione, Ron and Fleur with some commentary on the very final Hogwarts scene in GOF.

Fleur mentions to Harry that she may return to practice her English.  Ron says, in a strangled sort of voice, that it is very good already, and Hermione glowers (this is the famous semicolon, I believe).

I feel that this scene shows a significant development on Ron's part which is relevant to discussions of the ease with which he can be induced or deluded into betraying his friends.

IMO, the first thing to understand is that Ron does *not*, in the normal sense of the word, have a crush on Fleur, and never has done.  Right from the beginning, as Barb pointed out, he loses control around her, and doesn't like it.  He (partly correctly for once) deduces she is a veela.  At no time does he, when acting normally, express any desire for her as a romantic partner.  He loses control at the first feast, and then again, when he asks her to the ball.  After that, his approach is to try to avoid her, mainly no doubt from embarrassment but presumably also for fear he will commit some new solecism.

So the fact that he makes the effort to speak to her, and to say something nice, shows that as well as recognising he has weaknesses, he is resolved to overcome them.  (Asking for Krum's autograph is a similar incident.)  I believe that this shows that he is learning the lessons of the whole ball sequence, as well as of his dispute with Harry.

What of Hermione's glower?  I suggest it shows that she, too, still has a little learning to do.  If she is merely glowering at Fleur, then she appreciates her less than we as readers are being led to through the second task.  If, OTOH, she is glowering at Ron's behaviour, then I think she is missing a major trick, as it should indicate to her that she will be dealing with a new improved Ron in future, if she gives him a chance.

David


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