Hermione & Ron... meh

[Adam Corbett]

No: HPFGUIDX 134045

I'm sure that the Hermione/Ron relationship has been discussed to
death over the past years, but I was just hoping for a little more
from it in this book.  Sure, she's been hinting at it for ages, but I
want to see a little bit more reason for them to be in a relationship.

Yeah, each of them gets jealous when someone else enters the picture,
but where does the attraction come from?  Neither one even seems to
respect the other.  Hermione never laughs at Ron's jokes, has little
confidence in him as a Quidditch player, thinks he's a slacker, seems
to hold his intellect in low esteem, and they only seem to really bond when they need to come together to support Harry.

Meanwhile, Ron finds Hermione annoying, doesn't enjoy studying with
her, thinks she acts superior and too 'proper'.  He, also, doesn't
seem to actually want to spend time together.

I've pulled for them, because it's obviously what JK had planned, and
I think it's neat for his two opposite friends to come together... but I was really hoping to actually see a reason for them to want to be with each other.  Some connection, and not simply more meaningful
jealousy.

Speaking of things I was hoping to see... I wanted Ron to come into
his own.  We haven't seen Ron do anything really useful since his
chess match in Sorceror's Stone.  Next book has to be all about Harry
and Saving the World, so I kind've hoped 6 would give Ron something to hang his hat on, rather than the somewhat reluctant sidekick. 
Instead, we get a book where even Hermione serves little purpose.  And Ron, finally getting a LITTLE attention for quidditch (still 2nd
banana to Harry) is totally overshadowed by his younger sister who is
more talented, personable, and attractive.  Poor, maligned Ron - he's
funny, he's loyal... he deserves a chance to shine on his own.

I liked HBP a lot - it was funny, and parts were intense, and it was a great read... I think I was hoping for a little more in some areas,
though. 

~Prep0strus