Ron's contribution (was SHIP: JKR & Ron/Hermione, H/H converging)

[David <dfrankiswork@netscape.net>]

No: HPFGUIDX 49961

Penny wrote:

> I know we've sort of changed course what with the release news, 
but I realized I do have a few more things to say on this topic.

It's OK, Penny.  Despite being male, I will make a supreme effort 
and multi-task. <vbeg>

Penny again:

<<<<<<< I think Jim's right: Hermione is an integral part of Harry's 
success, and IMHO, Ron *is* falling behind the other two.  As one 
commentator in the Ivory Tower book I read recently said, "Ron is 
wrong so often that you can almost be certain that whatever Ron 
says, the opposite is true" (that's a rough paraphrase from 
memory).  As I've said before, I think Ron is so anxious to "keep 
up" with Harry's talents, etc. and Hermione's intellect, that he 
grasps at straws.  Can that all change?  Absolutely.  But, as of the 
end of GoF, I would say that Ron is not on equal footing within the 
Trio. >>>>>>>>

It is true that Ron is wrong so often that one tends to dismiss his 
theories because they're his.

But do you mean that Ron is not on an equal footing *across the 
board*, or just in his ability to be correct in his insights?

In terms of companionship, emotional support, magical ability, 
commitment, faith in the others, loyalty, and all those other things 
that go into friendship, do you think Ron is behind the other two, 
particularly Hermione?

David, whose untested gut feeling is that when it comes to making 
assessments based on character, Ron is no worse than the other two