Request for opinions (Glory for Ron!)/Defense of Ginny

[Veronica]

No: HPFGUIDX 44745

>MarEprhaim said:
>
>One of the more prevalent predictions in the OoP
>Predictions Derby is that the more oft noted beloved
>of Harry who will die in Book 5 is Ron (other top
>contender, Hagrid). As Ron has always been the more
>interesting and humourous character of the cast of
>principles I found this speculation most distressing.
>(snip) Has anyone picked up any evidence from canon or
>otherwise that would support this possibility?

>Jessica Wrote:
>
>I'm of the opinion that Ron won't die -- or if it
>does, it will be at the end of the series. 

>bboy_mn:
>
>I'm going to stray from Canon which means that right now the
>moderators are probably aiming a very big cannon at me.
>
>I hope Ron does something so obviously and independantly heroic that
>no one can possibly ignore him. So heroic, that while still Harry's
>friend, he is not basking in Harry's reflectd glory.
>

me:

I have no will-power to resist such temptation. Please, don't shoot 
me either. 

I'm going to go out on a real limb here to say that I don't believe 
that any of the Trio will die.

That said, the only one I could possibly see being killed is Ron 
(please NO!!), but not until the very end. Here's why:

Beyond being overshadowed by his family and his friends, what truly 
bothers Ron? More consistently than giant spiders, it's his family's 
poverty. I am completely convinced JKR has not brought this issue up 
*repeatedly* in every book just to let it disappear with Ron's death. 
This is even more documented that speculations about a Ron?Herione 
SHIP. I believe that this obsession with money (or lack of it) will 
be seen as his Achille's heel. Sometime, probably in the 7th book, 
but maybe before, someone (Voldy or one of his henchmen) will offer 
Ron great wealth and power to sell-out Harry (an offer he can't 
refuse, or hopefully he can!). When he realizes that the material 
possessions he has so long dreamed of are nothing compared to true 
friendship, he will reject this offer in such a way that earns for 
himself fame beyond anything his brothers ever did. This *could* also 
lead to his sad demise, if that is indeed his fate.

BUT . . . I really think we will lose two or three secondary 
characters, but that JKR will let the Trio survive. Dumbledore, I 
think will be leaving us. Like Gandalf's role was to assist in the 
destruction of Sauron, Dumblesdore's purpose is to defeat Voldemort. 
Once Voldy is defeated in the end, or possibly before, we will have 
to say good-bye to our beloved Headmaster (meaning a promotion for 
McGonagall, and an opening for a Transfiguration teacher, which I 
speculate Hermione will take.) 

I think we will probably also lose Lupin (sniff, sniff!), and I am 
concerned for Sirius and Hagrid. But we (and more importantly the 
young readers), have invested too much emotional capital in Harry, 
Ron, and Hermione. I have faith that JKR won't betray those readers.


>Lilac wrote:
>
>In fact, I see little hints that Ginny is maturing throughout the 
>series.

>From me:

Yeah! Thank you for making some excellent points I was screaming 
myself (much to the dismay of my co-workers). Just look at the scene 
in GoF (I really need my books back so I can specify the page) where 
she is comforting Ron after he has asked Fleur to the Yule Ball. 
Sitting there with Ron and Harry, she seems pretty comfortable. No, 
she is not a member of the Trio, but she is a welcome member of a 
slightly extended group. Sure there is some uneasiness when she 
explains that she can't attend with Harry because she said she agreed 
to go with Neville. But, overall, that scene shows how she has 
matured, even when dealing with Harry.

Veronica
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The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man 
who cannot read them. 
		- Mark Twain