Mr. Weasley, I take my hat off to you.

[Katie]

No: HPFGUIDX 174113

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "npod4291" <npod4291 at ...> 
wrote:
>
> Among all the complaints about what should have been, I would like 
> to take a moment to give our friend Ron Weasley a pat on the 
back.  
> He has really out done himself in this, the last and IMO best, 
novel 
> of the epic tale of Harry Potter.
> 
> Starting with the more obvious, congrats Ron, on bringing both 
> lightheartedness (?) and (even more and better) humour to the trio 
> that would have been (and was for a little) lost without you.  
<<<<<SNIPPAGE>>>>>> 
> More importantly, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Weasley, 
for 
> FINALLY maturing and growing up.  Of the other male characters, 
> (mainly Harry, Neville, and Draco to an extent), you were last, 
but 
> not the least, to make the transition from being a boy to a man.  
<<<<<SNIPPAGE>>>>> 
> Anyway, please post your thoughts and impressions of Ron, who came 
> out better in DH than in all of the previous books combined.
> 
> Nate, a frequent lurker and not so frequent poster

********
katie replies:
Within the Trio, I see this: Hermione = BRAIN
                             Harry = MUSCLE
                             Ron = HEART

Ron has always been the emotional heart of the group. Fiery, prone 
to reckless anger, and recklessness in general, he always keeps us 
(and Harry and Hermione) laughing and feeling cheerful. Ron has long 
been my emotional favorite of the group, and I always felt he was 
the glue. 

I enjoyed seeing Harry and Hermione spending time together and 
bonding without Ron, which I felt they hadn't done in a while. It 
was nice to see them relating to each other as adults and leaning on 
each other...BUT, I really missed Ron. He brings the important 
emotional element to the group. 

In DH, I felt Ron's turning point was his breaking the locket with 
Gryffindor's sword. For the first time ever, Harry handed all the 
power over to Ron. Ron has always felt that he stands in Harry's 
long shadow, and it was important for Harry to pass the torch. Ron 
definitely gained confidence after that point. 

I agree that Ron finally grew up in DH. I think a lot of it had to 
do with the realization of his love for Hermione. Before HBP, they 
had crushes on each other...the tragic events in HBP made their deep 
friendship, combined with those crushes, turn into a deep love. 
Hermione is such a reasonable and mature person, it seemed to kind 
of rub off on Ron. He knew she wouldn't go for his immature 
shenanigans. What I really liked is that he grew up without losing 
his personality. He was still Ron - silly, smart-alecky, and not a 
little bit kooky, but the maturity settled on those characteristics 
well. 

I love Ron. He is easily my favorite male character in the books, 
sometimes even instead of Harry. I join you in your salute to our 
Mr. Weasley! Cheers, Katie

>