[HPforGrownups] About Ron again

[Amber ?]

No: HPFGUIDX 34578


>From: "meglet2" <mercia at ireland.com>
>
>Thanks to everyone who replied. Some very interesting points but I'm
>still a bit worried. The betrayal by the friend who is closer than a
>brother (as Ron is for Harry) is particularly tragic and was thought
>to be the case with James and Sirius. Since we now know that to be
>false it could be that it will be a reality for Harry and Ron. I
>still very much hope not and want Ron to have the strength of
>character to resist any temptations to evil but it would be a very
>strong theme.

I don't think Ron would be swayed by any temptations by Voldemort. People 
think that he could be gotten through his embarassment of poverty, which I 
find ridiculous. Yes, Ron hates being poor and complains about it. However, 
I see it as merely complaining. We all complain about things that we dislike 
or find uncomfortable. If faced with the choice between Harry and "riches", 
I think Ron would laugh his head off and choose Harry without a thought.

His jealousy is another thing and more dicey. Jealousy is a tough emotion, 
one that is horribly destructive. Especially when it's directed at friends. 
I do think that his upbringing, however, would prevail. People sniff at the 
statement "They can't turn bad, they're a Weasley" but I do think it has 
merit. How one is brought up has a tremendous influence in their life. Ron 
has been brought up his entire life to believe that Voldemort is "bad" and 
the Light Side is "good". I have a hard time seeing him abandoning his 
upbringing just for the sake of a bit of fame. But many people disagree with 
me on that point.

So. I don't see Ron voluntarily betraying Harry or Dumbledore's side. I do 
see him as the most susceptible of the Trio for being tricked into betraying 
Dumbledore's side, due to his rash temper. He could easily be provoked into 
revealing information hastily, as Draco has provoked him consistently 
throughout the books. But it WOULD have to be a trick and when Ron realizes 
his mistake, I believe he would go through hellfire to correct it.

Of course, he could be tricked in other ways, namely someone polyjuicing 
themself as someone he trusts. But everyone could be tricked that way, even 
Dumbledore as was evidenced in GOF. Damn that polyjuice! Surely there has to 
be a spell that would reveal if someone has taken some, like a drug test...

>I don't think Hermione would be susceptible in the same way because I
>think she a) has more insight into herself and others, b) has more
>strength of character and c) is too unshakeable in her loyalty to
>Harry. But I may be overly biased in her favour. I have a lot of
>fellow feeling for Hermione.

*grin* I don't think you're being biased at all. I personally see Hermione 
as one of the strongest characters in the HP-verse. The mere fact that she 
has no problems resisting peer pressure to do what she thinks is right just 
astounds me. I wish I were more like her.

Hermione does seem less susceptible due to her observance of rules (which 
she drops when absolutely needed) and relative security of self. I have a 
difficult time trying to imagine what could sway Hermione; she doesn't 
appear to lack for anything. Although, I do note, that she could have a 
burning desire for something but if she does, Harry hasn't noticed. Perhaps 
her love for knowledge could sway her but I doubt it. While she puts 
tremendous stock in learning and knowledge, her Gryffindor side saves her 
from being too obsessive about it. While she has faults, she seems 
remarkably balanced for someone her age.

Golly, I could go on and on and extoll the many virtues of Hermione Granger 
but will refrain, as most people on this list know them already!

~Amber

********
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'My nerves are bad to-night. Yes, bad. Stay with me.
'Speak to me. Why do you never speak? Speak.
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'I never know what you are thinking. Think.'
- excerpts from "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot

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