Ron being a great wizard / Will Ron die?

[jklb66]

No: HPFGUIDX 33932

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "prongsnpadfoot" <prongsnpadfoot at y...> 
wrote:
> > Firstly after re-reading PS and going over some of the previous 
> mails on whether Ron has the makings of a great wizard. I wonder if 
> any one has picked up on Ron knocking out the toll during Halloween.
> If we consider that his class had just started to learn the how to 
> levitate objects earlier that day, and that the heaviest item they 
> had used was a feather (which only Hermione could levitate). Then 
> being able to levitate a large wooden club on his first attempt has 
> to be a sign that Ron has the potential of being a powerful wizard. 
> The odd thing is that this is the only time I can remember where 
Ron 
> gets to show what he can really do, as he gets over shadowed by 
> Harry and Hermione, in CS, POA and GOF, perhaps we shall see more 
in 
> the later novels.

I know one person who has noticed that Ron gets overshadowed by Harry-
- Ron does!  It isn't until GF that it really starts to get on his 
nerves. No wonder Ron temporarily deserts his best friend at this 
point; "the famous Harry Potter" is about to become more famous.  

PA helps to set up this development by introducing the theme of 
betrayal by a friend.  In PA, Harry is torn up inside because his 
parents' betrayor is his dad's best friend! Murder is in his heart. 
When it is revealed that Peter (the tag-along) and not Sirius (the 
best friend) was the traitor, Harry is able to accept it and even 
show mercy to Peter.  (Yes, he didn't do it for Peter's sake, but he 
did spare his life.)

jklb66
And so we have to ask, could any of Harry's friends betray him as one 
of James's friends did?  Most importantly, could Ron?  I don't think 
so.  I think the temporary schism in GF gives Ron a wake up call.  I 
think Ron's devotion to Harry will end up being strengthened by it.  

Which brings me to a frightening thought.  Ron's devotion to his 
friend is likely to be put to the ultimate test.  JKR said in the A&E 
interview that there was one death that was the hardest for her to 
write.  Ron's?

To quote from PA:  "'You don't understand!' whined Pettigrew.  'He 
would have killed me, Sirius!'  'THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!' roared 
Black.  'DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE 
FOR YOU!'"  I think this sums up what a "true Gryffindor" is-- 
someone brave enough, and loyal enough, to die for friendship.