Ron & Hermione: Equal Best Friends or Not?

[Penny Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 38719

Hi --

Many thanks to Catherine for pointing out the LOON-y detail regarding the wording in the 2nd Task.  You're quite right; it's Dobby who adds in the adjective "most."  <g> happily at Catherine  Interesting question regarding what might have happened if Krum hadn't been dating Hermione and/or if Dobby hadn't mentioned Ron specifically to Harry before the 2nd Task began.  Very interesting.  

Jo Serenadust argues that Harry values Hermione as a friend but has a "unique" bond with Ron:

Well, sure, it's a unique bond.  You're right to note that Ron approached Harry and is his first real friendship.  They're also both boys and so share commonalities, including soon after they meet an interest in Quidditch which Harry picks up readily.  

<<<OTOH, when he and Ron are ticked off at Hermione during 
the Firebolt incident in PoA, he probably misses her, but doesn't 
seem to be in as much pain about her absence from his life during 
that period as he is about the Firebolt being confiscated.>>>>

Harry suffers from inertia in this incident IMO.  He does miss her, and he does recognize that she was only trying to help.  He does make overtures to Hermione, and he asks Ron "can't you cut her a break?" at one point.  But, he doesn't take *strong* action to intercede in the Ron/Hermione quarrel.  This is in keeping with Harry's general personality though, and I don't think it should be a reflection on how he values Hermione.

<<<Well, I really doubt that JKR will ever specifically confirm that 
Harry values Ron more than Hermione in either chat or text because I 
can't imagine that ever being necessary.  I'm sure it would be 
excruciating for any member of the trio to "reject" one in favor of 
another and I hope I didn't imply that this would happen.>>>>

Did I misunderstand your point then?  I thought your point was that Ron is Harry's *best friend,* and that Hermione was something less than that.  

<<<(I also hope that no inter-trio romantic triangle develops -- what a cheap, cheesy development that would be)>>>

Well, I've already pointed out numerous works of great literature (well, works of literature that many people consider to be great, classics) that have used love triangles to great effect.  But, I suppose it won't appeal to everyone.  I, after all, can't stomach any variant of OBHWF.  :--)

<<<It's just that the way I read the books, Harry and Ron would have been friends, whether Hermione existed or not.  Their relationship was firmly established early in SS/PS when they still couldn't stand her.  I don't see anything to indicate that either Harry or Ron would have been friends with 
Hermione without their prior friendship with each other.>>>

And, the point is ......?  Yeah, Harry & Ron became friends first.  I don't think that makes Hermione forevermore an interloper or 2nd class friend as a result.  I also thought later, after posting my first message, that Harry does consistently refer to Hermione as his "other best friend."  JKR obviously, IMHO, thinks that Hermione is on the same friendship level as Ron for Harry.

<<<<For all intents and purposes, the three of them are "best" friends, 
regardless of how they came to be so.  It's just that from Harry's 
POV, he just plain has more fun with, and more in common with Ron, 
and since his life has been completely fun-deprived before meeting 
Ron, he tends to enjoy the time spent exclusively with Ron, or with 
Ron *and* Hermione, more than he does the time spent with Hermione 
alone.>>>>>>>>

Well, sure, he's only 14.  He wants to talk about Quidditch and goof off and play chess and do things Hermione in general has no interest in.  All I'm saying is that it's perfectly natural for a 14-yr old boy to prefer to hang out with "the guys."  But, when he thinks about who his best friends are, he always includes Ron and Hermione equally.  As the kids mature, I'm confident Harry will appreciate Hermione's strengths as much as Ron's fun.

Penny
also calling 'em as she sees them -- <g>



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