CHAPDISC: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Ch. 19: The Silver Doe

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 182782

Charlie A. wrote: 
> Harry had to let Ron destroy the Horcrux. He no doubt felt Ron was
truly sorry about leaving and not being able to return as soon as he
(Ron) cooled off. Harry also knowing Ron's feeling that he is always
in Harry's shadow, always "never good enough", was smart enough to see
this action would boost Ron's self esteem, besides being a big welcome
back present.
> 
> If one were to look deeper into the thoughts of Harry I'm sure one
> would find Harry thinking "Ya, Ron you kill this one, LV is mine!"

Carol responds:

Ron had retrieved the Sword of Gryffindor (as Harry failed to do) and
he had saved Harry's life. That alone earned him the right to use the
Sword to destroy the Horcrux. I don't think that Harry was thinking
about giving Ron his turn to prove that he was good enough or that he
was thinking about Voldie being his. He simply knew that Ron's act of
valor and chivalry had retrieved the sword, and the sword was now his,
not Harry's, to use against the Horcrux. (As Rufus Scrimgeour had
pointed out, the sword "may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor"
under certain conditions; it was not Harry's despite DD's will and
despite Harry's once having pulled it out of the Sorting Hat, DH Am.
ed. 127.) Yes, destroying the Horcrux does prove to Ron once and for
all that he's not second best despite Harry's being the Chosen One and
that he has no reason to fear that Harry will take Hermione away from
him, but Harry has no way of knowing that it will force Ron to do
battle with his demons. He simply knows that Ron has earned the right
to use it and that it's "supposed to be [Ron]" who uses it.

Carol, glad that Harry understands, at least in this instance, that he
doesn't have to do everything himself and that some things are better
done by others