Harry's character development: Static or Dynamic? Was: Saving Private Draco

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 183728

> Sartoris22:
> I think the most frustrating character in terms of development is
> Ron. His development is so inconsistent. For example, he shows
> courage in the first two books by helping defeat the troll and
> trying to hex Malfoy with slugs. But he then tells Hermione not
> to jinx Malfoy in POA and genrerally stops defending himself
> against Malfoy. 

Zara:
PoA has one of his shining moments of courage, though.

> PoA:
> "No, Harry!" Hermione gasped in a petrified whisper; Ron, however, 
spoke to Black.

> "If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too!" he said 
fiercely, though the effort of standing upright was draining him of 
still more color, and he swayed slightly as he spoke.

> Something flickered in Black's shadowed eyes.

> "Lie down," he said quietly to Ron. "You will damage that leg even 
more."

> "Did you hear me?" Ron said weakly, though he was clinging 
painfully to Harry to stay upright. "You'll have to kill all three of 
us!"

> Sartoris22:
> And what about his relationship with Hermione? In HBP
> he's broken up with Lavender and is consoling Hermione at
> Dumbledore's funeral. He knows he likes Hermione. However,
> in DH he hasn't even asked her out yet. 

Zara:
Surely his breaking up with Lav Lav is the least of his problems in 
that department? I think he fears Hermione will not want him. In HBP 
he's still worked up about her relationship, such as it is, with 
Krum. And I don't find this entirely impossible to believe. I'm not 
suggesting he thinks she dislikes him - they, together with Harry, 
are best friends. I think he worries she is not interested "in that 
way". Isn't this the point of the scene with the locket Horcrux?