Ron Weasley - Death of a friend?

[Phyllis]

No: HPFGUIDX 111439

Spaced Out asked:

> Will Ron Weasley die? 

IMO, Ron will be one of the deaths in the last book, the 
alchemical "work of reddening."  The alchemical Great Work is 
divided "into three or four essential phases: `the work of 
blackening' (Nigredo or Melanosis), `the work of whitening' (Albedo 
or Leucosis), and finally `the work of reddening,' which alchemists 
originally separated into two complementary moments, that of gold 
(Citrinitas or Xantosis) and that of purple or transmutation of venom 
(Iosis)"  (see:  Maurice Aniane, Alchemy: The Cosmological Yoga, Part 
2: Phases of the Work, http://www. alchemylab.com/AJ2-1.htm).  In 
alchemy, the work of reddening is symbolized by the ceremonial 
meeting of the Red King and the White Queen.

I believe that, before Harry and Voldemort's final battle, Ron will 
face Voldemort (the White Queen) and die in the process.  In order 
for Harry to pass through the chessboard obstacle to reach the 
Philosopher's Stone at the end of PS, it is Ron who sacrifices 
himself to the white queen so that Harry can checkmate the king.  The 
books are also full of red references to Ron.  The first time Ron is 
referred to in PS, he's described as having "flaming red hair" (PS, 
UK version p. 69).    We then learn that Ron's mother makes him a 
sweater every year, and that his sweater is "always maroon" (PS, UK 
version p. 147)  Ron's pyjamas are even "maroon paisley" (GoF, UK 
version p. 294)  Interestingly, Ron complains that he "hate[s] 
maroon," (PS, UK version p. 149) but wears his maroon sweaters and 
maroon pyjamas anyway, which could be suggestive of his acceptance of 
his eventual fate, however abhorrent.

Moreover, Maurice Aniane maintains that "it would be better to 
translate rubedo as `work in the purple' rather than `work in the 
red.' The purple results from the union of light and darkness, a 
union which marks the victory of light. Purple is the royal color."  
In GoF, Ron hands Dobby "a pair of violet socks he had just 
unwrapped" (GoF, UK version p. 356) along with his annual maroon 
Christmas sweater.  In addition, Mundungus Fletcher "rescu[es] Ron 
from an ancient set of purple robes
" (OotP, UK version p. 110).

It will be sad for a time, but after Harry dies (which I also think 
is inevitable), he'll be reunited with Ron beyond the veil.

~Phyllis