Thoughts on Ron Weasley

[skyw1ngs]

No: HPFGUIDX 71977

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "karenoc1" <karenoc1 at y...> 
wrote:
> I've been catching up with some of the recent posts, and I thought 
I 
> needed to get something out....  Basically, I'm kind of concerned 
> about perceived weaknesses in Ron; I don't see him as weak at 
all.  
> Is he the weak link that will ultimately betray Harry to Voldemort 
as 
> Peter Pettigrew did to James?  Was he really not good enough to be 
> named Prefect?  Etc.  The short answer: no.  Ron is strong, as 
strong 
> as Harry and Hermione; Ron is a leader, as are Harry and Hermione.
> 
> When tested, Ron has proven brave and loyal and thoughtful.  For 
> example: Beating McGonagall's chess game (SS/PS); helping Harry 
> figure out where the Chamber of Secrets was and going in there 
with 
> him; warning Harry about Sirius (the perceived enemy) in the 
> Shrieking Shack at the expense of his (Ron's) own safety; helping 
> Harry practice for his Tournament tasks; and standing by Harry 
(and 
> standing up for Harry) no matter what in OotP.
> 
> Sure Ron is jovial and fun-loving, but he also has a great sense 
of 
> responsibility-- for his family and for his friends.  Personally, 
I 
> feel Ron does indeed have a lot in common with another character 
in 
> the Potter Universe: his father, Arthur Weasley.  Is Arthur weak?  
He 
> stands up for what he believes, has instilled admirable values in 
his 
> children, and has earned the respect and love of his family and 
> friends.  (Even Percy, I'm certain!)  And we have seen time and 
again 
> that Ron respects his father's opinions above all others.  So will 
> Ron ultimately turn out to be weak?  Based on the evidence, I 
don't 
> believe so.


You're right; Ron's not weak!!! He deserved Prefectship; I'm certain 
there were lots of moments where he displayed his suitability that 
Harry (and hence, we) weren't able to see. I just thought it was 
unfair that JKR suggested that Dumbledore wanted Harry but thought 
he had enough on his plate, so Ron was settled for. I don't want Ron 
to be "settled for"! I really believe in what Angelina believed in 
him: that he has it in him and that he just needs the chance to show 
it. 

Everyone has weaknesses. Kids get scared, they have moments of 
irresponsibility and low self-confidence, sure! But that's 
superficial and that says nothing of their true self and their 
potential, right? Why would Ron be a Gryffindor otherwise? When it 
matters people will show their true courage, and that's where we 
should really look for the answer.

sky.