[HPforGrownups] How many Rons per Hermione - numerical analysis of Ron's alleged decline

[Iggy McSnurd]

No: HPFGUIDX 81843

> Dumbledad.
> Obviously these numbers may not be accurate. My counting the
> occurrences of words in a book, or any other process one might use
> to get these figures, would be prone to error. But it does suggest
> that my reading of Ron's drastically reduced importance may be wrong.
>

Well, when Harry and Hermione missed the Quidditch match in OotP, there WAS
a rather important reason for it... And Hagrid's visible distress would
state that their loyalty to something Hagrid needed to address right then as
an urgent thing would, understandably, take some precedence over Ron's
Quidditch match.  (Much like the difference between helping a friend who's
brother may be in danger, or watching another friend's soccer game.)

As for the change in Ron being in the spotlight as Harry's main "sidekick"
(for lack of a better word here) to Harry being more in the light, it could
also be a few things:

1 - Ron has been so emphasized in the books compared to Hermione that it's
about time we saw more of her as a character.  (You noted the lack of
Hermione's presence yourself in your comments about CoS...)  It helps keep
the friendships balanced.

2 - Hermione was more appropriate to have more active in OotP than Ron was.
Rather than strain to try and make Ron a stronger presence in the books, she
went with the person who was more appropriate... Hermione.

3 - I think, in the next book, Ron and Hermione will probably have roughly
the same level of importance.



Personally, I am VERY happy that Neville is becoming a more important
character and she keeps him progressing in the books.  He was always my
favorite of their non-central fellow students.  (The central ones, IMHO,
being Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys...)


Iggy McSnurd
the Prankster


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