DH Questions: Lovegoods/Ron's absence/blood status

[wildirishrose01us]

No: HPFGUIDX 188324


Carol responds:
Sorry that I misunderstood which visit to Shell Cottage you were referring to. However, we do have some clues to how long Ron was gone. First, he clearly leaves in autumn ("Goblin's Revenge"). Also, the visit to the MoM in which HRH retrieve the locket Horcrux, takes place on September 2 ("Magic Is Might"). Dirk Cresswell, who apparently has just been exposed at that time as a Muggle-born thanks to the odious Runcorn, tells Ted Tonks that he's been on the run for six or seven weeks. That would place the conversation (assuming that JKR is paying attention to the time frame) at approximately October 21 (going with the seven-week estimate). If that's correct, Ron is away from Harry and Hermione for just over two months since he seems to return on the day after Christmas.
 
Bill doesn't need to tell his family about Ron, but he does need to make an excuse for not being with them for Christmas. Ron, it seems, leaves on Christmas Day and just misses them that night.

Marianne:

If Ron was at Shell Cottage for 2+ months, I would think eventually B&F would ask Ron what he was going to do?  Lurk about their house forever, or go back to H&H.  I'm sure Ron wasn't exacly looking forward to facing the music when he showed back up to H&H, but he did anyway.  Or maybe B&F put their feet down and told him to go back.

I know from experience.  A long, long time ago, when I was very young and very stupid, I showed up with a friend at his sister's house. 2 days later they were asking when I was going home and face the music.  I realized what a heap of trouble I was in and I was scared s!!tless about going home.  I was in a heap of trouble, and I paid for it for months.

Ron faced the wrath of Hermione for I don't know how long.  Getting the wrath of Hermione would be as bad as facing the wrath of any relative.