Ron or Hermione?

[Darla]

No: HPFGUIDX 46474

  Hey group, 
   Just a point I'd love to hear your opinions on. *If* Ron or 
Hermione were to be killed in one of the books (and I dearly hope 
that doesn't happen!), which of the two characters do you feel is 
most essential to the plot of the books, the action, the chemistry 
between Harry and which ever one would survive.... etc.
   
   Personally, I love Hermione, and I think she'd be most vital to 
the plot aspect of the books as she is really J.K's window to 
providing both us and Harry with a lot of much needed information. 
   
   However, it's really Ron that gives the threesome such chemistry, 
I think. I mean, in PoA *Ron* and Hermione have heated 
discussions/arguements, in G of F *Ron* and Harry have problems... I 
think without Ron things would run quite boringly between the group. 
(eg in GofF Harry, during his not-talking-to-Ron period, comments 
about how although Hermione's great, she's not Ron).
  
   Also, if Ron were to die, what would happen to Harry's contact 
with the Weasleys? I LOVE them, lol, plus the books would be no where 
near as funny if Ron weren't there to show us the muggle world 
through his purely wizarding-no-experience-of-muggles eyes.
   
   What do you think? Which one would be most vital to the survival 
of the books?
  Darla.