Defending Ron WAS Re: Hermione

[ffimiles]

No: HPFGUIDX 85528


> Erika:
> The infamous Firebolt argument is indeed a telling example. 
Hermione's willing to risk her friendship with Harry in order to try 
to protect him. She did what she felt was necessary even though she 
ended up quite miserable as a result. Thus, even a the age of 
thirteen she's willing to put what's best for Harry before what's 
best for her. The same is true in GoF and OoP in smaller ways. She's 
willing to set aside her own studies in order to help Harry prepare 
for the third task (GoF 528 UK), and, again, in OoP believes that the 
DA is more important than schoolwork (OoP 291 UK). This represents a 
fair bit of progress on Hermione's part (Remember book one? "killed --
 or worse expelled" (PS 120))-- progress she's made in large part 
because of her friendship with Harry.
> 
>     And Hermione continues being the best friend she can be whether 
her efforts are appreciated or not. Harry is quite aware of Ron's 
importance in his life, but he rarely seems conscious of how much he 
relies on Hermione. He's never been without her aid; even in CoS when 
she is petrified, the note he finds crumpled in her hand gives him 
the information he needs to solve the puzzle. The time turner in PoA, 
Accio in GoF, the interview with Rita Skeeter in OoP- Hermione's help 
is key to Harry's success.
> 
>     Yes, Ron's friendship is important. He's there when it comes 
down to it, at the Shrieking Shack or the MoM, and he provides moral 
support for Harry. But Hermione's tendency to "pester" Harry is also 
rather important and he might be better off if he listened to her 
pestering once in a while. For example, she thought it was a bad idea 
for Sirius to accompany Harry to the train station, and it was as the 
Malfoys ended up recognising him. Also, at the end of OoP she told 
Harry that the vision about Sirius at the MoM had to be a trap, and 
look how that turned out...
> 
> Just my two knuts
> 
> Erika (Wolfraven)

I agree that hermione si teh one who tells Harry to stop being so 
moody with her and Ron, when they're doing their best to support him. 

Also, Ron doesn't know how to handle Harry when they overhear 
people's suspicions about Harry's state of mind after experiencing 
the snake's attack on Mr Weasley - everyone just freezes and waits 
for Hermione to arrive to talk to Harry straight and calm him down.  

She is definately the stronger, more practical friend who can more 
accurately guess how Harry's feeling, and gives him valuable advice 
and information he doesn't get from anyone else.

Howevr, we need all kinds of friends - and given the stresses Harry 
faces, having a friend who'll talk sport and have a laugh with you 
is, in many ways, equally as important, if only for Harry's own 
sanity.  Also, after repeatedly finding Harry colapsed in agony due 
to his connection with LV, I think ron's coming to appreciate what 
Harry goes through, though I still think Ron's the weak link in terms 
of possible imperius curses/temptation.  

but, in the end, it comes down to the fact that I like him as a 
character faults and all.  

Ffi