Ron's talents

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 96998

celletiger wrote:
I want Ron personally to give me something to chew on now, not in
the (slim?) chance he does get to sacrifice himself for Harry. If
he does get to perform this ultimate sacrafice, as forshadowed in
PS/SS, my argument is that he's offered nothing in between (except
an attentive ear?).


vmonte responds:
I've already posted my thoughts about Ron. In a nutshell I think
that Ron is going to dramatically change in the next few books. I
think that he will be forced to grow up quickly -- I'm almost 
positive that JKR will kill his mother, forcing Ron to take a more 
active role in the war. I think that Ron is a natural leader, it's 
just that his particular skills have not yet been needed.

I think if you look back at the first 5 books there are clues about
Ron's future role. The first clue is the chess game.

Ron has been the most difficult for me to figure out. Every one of
the characters has a strength particular to themselves. For a long 
time I saw Ron as just being the sidekick to Hermione and Harry. Then 
I realized that JKR lets us know right away (in book 1) what Ron's 
strengths are. He is a great strategist!!! THE CHESS GAME!!! 
(In fact, Dumbledore is so impressed with Ron's game at the
end of SS/PS that he awards points to Gryffindor house!)

The second clue is that the game is symbolic for the war that is to
come (like other fans have mentioned).

Ron really takes charge at the end of SS/PS. He has no problem
telling Harry and Hermione that he knows what he is doing, and that
they need to listen to him.

(page 282, U.S. version)
Ron turned to the other two. "This needs thinking about..." he
said. "I suppose we've got to take the place of three of the black
pieces..." Harry and Hermione stayed quiet, watching Ron think.
Finally he said, "Now, don't be offended or anything, but neither of
you are that good at chess--" "We're not offended," said Harry
quickly, "Just tell us what to do."

Ron knows that he is the strategist, and so do his friends. When is a
strategist most needed?, during a war of course!

The third clue is that Ron is always watching out for Harry -- even
when they were mad at each other during GoF, Ron still went
downstairs to check on Harry (when Harry was talking to Sirius's
floating head in the fireplace).

I also think that Ron is willing to sacrifice himself to save Harry; 
we see it during the chess game:
"That's chess! snapped Ron. "You've got to make some sacrifices! I
take one step forward and she'll take me -- that leaves you free to
checkmate the king, Harry!"

Is this foreshadowing? Will Ron sacrifice himself to Belatrix?

Maybe, maybe not...