Ron's queen and Harry's castle; life once again played out on the chessboard

[Berit Jakobsen]

No: HPFGUIDX 93912

OotP is steeming with small, funny and cherishable moments and one 
that I've always enjoyed is the conversation on the train back to 
London where Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny start talking about 
Ginny's boyfriends. Having read it innumerable times before, I just 
discovered a new dimension to the text:

Quote (Ginny has just told Ron she ditched Michael Corner):
"Ron looked highly delighted.
'Well, I' always though he was a bot of an idiot,' he said prodding 
his queen forward towards Harry's quivering castle. 'Good for you. 
Just choose someone - better - next time.'
He cast Harry an oddly furtive look as he said it.
'Well, I've chosen Dean Thomas, would you say he's better?' asked 
Ginny vaguely.
'WHAT?' shouted Ron, upending the chessboard..." (OotP p. 763 UK Ed)

The reader immediately gets Ron's message even though Harry might 
not: In Ron's eyes there is only one boy good enough for his little 
sister: Harry. The funny thing is that the text also has a more 
subtle message that backs up Ron's words and hints at his intentions. 
Look at what Ron is doing while he's asking Ginny to find someone 
better and at the same time casting Harry that furtive look: He is 
prodding *his queen* forward towards *Harry's castle*... Ron's move 
on the chessboard is mimicking his desire to match his sister with 
Harry: He is moving the queen forward, making Harry's 
castle "quiver". Who knows? Some time in the not so far future Ginny 
might make those walls come tumbling down... with or without the help 
of Ron.

But then; Ron's matchmaking plans are temporarily upended by Ginny's 
news that she is seeing Dean Thomas...

Berit
http://home.no.net/berjakob/snape.html