A new member's defence of Ron

[viewsonpotter]

No: HPFGUIDX 58116

Hi
I have been lurking on this list for over a year and just gathered up 
courage to post my first mail. (yes, the HBF can be *quite* 
intimidating <g>). There have been many discussions regarding Ron in 
the past. I just wanted to add my two bits

Jealous!Ron: There has been a lot of speculation that Ron's desire 
for wealth will lure him to the dark side. IMHO Ron wants to be rich 
(who doesn't) but there are things he values far more than money. 
His self respect for one. 
We have seen he doesn't like being beholden for the smallest thing. 
Even to his best friend. Reference, the QWC: He gathers up all the 
Leprachaun gold he can find and gives it to Harry in return for the 
omnioculars. He doesn't calculate the exact amount and keep the rest 
for himself. He chooses to be poor rather than beholden. Does that 
gel with what we know of Voldmort's followers? I think not

Imperiod!Ron: Another speculation is that Ron, being susceptible to 
the Imperius curse, may be used as a pawn by the Dark Side. 
Well, for one, I agree with the people who have pointed out, that out 
of the entire class only Harry was successful in fighting off this 
curse. In fact Harry may be the only one in the entire WW (as far as 
we have seen) who can do that. Even powerful wizards like Crouch Sr. 
are susceptible to it at the first go, building up resistance 
gradually. 
Also, I would think that resisting the Imperius is a matter of will 
power. And we have already seen at least one example of Ron's 
strength of will. In being able to resist the seductive lure of the 
Mirror of Erised, which Harry could not.
Did I hear someone say that the longing to see your dead parents is 
more compelling than the longing to see yourself as Head Boy? I beg 
to differ, the Mirror shows each one his or her deepest desire, so it 
was as hard for Ron to resist that vision of glory as it was for 
Harry to resist seeing his loving family. 
Ron overcame the temptation, Harry did not. (At least not as soon 
<g>). I believe he will find the strength to resist Imperius when it 
really matters.

Prejudiced!Ron: `Get away from me werewolf'
'giants aren't
nice'. 
Ron's comments have been discussed at length, my take on this is:  
For that one, brief moment in the Shrieking Shck, Ron is revolted by 
Lupin. But the way I read it, the revulsion is not due to Lupin being 
a werewolf, but to him being a traitor. Ron reacts to the fact that 
Lupin is in league with Black and has conspired to trap and kill his 
best friend. So he seizes at the nastiest, most hurtful insult and 
flings it at Lupin. 
However, once he realizes the truth he is fine. 
How many of Lupin's students (and I am not even counting the 
Slytherins) would allow Lupin to touch them once they find out his 
werewolf status? Not many I think. Ron not only allows the werewolf 
to bind up his broken leg, but also smiles and thanks him. He then 
volunteers to be handcuffed to him in order to lead Peter out safely. 
That is prejudice? 

As for Hagrid, Ron is the one who says: 'Well no one who knows him 
will care `cos they'll know he's not dangerous'
The way I read it, Ron believes that one should take a person on his 
or her own merit. That is, giants may be known to be viscous but if 
he finds one to be gentle and friendly (like Hagrid) he will trust 
him. Of course, he may not trust an unknown giant, but that IMHO, is 
prudence rather than prejudice. 

Well, that's all for the first post, hopes it makes it to the list

Glad to be here
Shaggy, from Karachi, who envies everyone who can get their hands on 
OoP on the very first day.