Ron Weasley's character has been subject of controversy, because his portrayal in the books is different from the movies. In HBP, he was as usual overshadowed by the famous Harry Potter. Nevertheless, Jo Rowling hasn't neglected the development of this interesting character.
1. Ron is still the loyal sidekick of Harry. Despite being the best friend, Ron dutifully did the Keeper test for Quidditch Team. His unwavering support is solid to the last page of HBP.
2. Ron is a normal student without much hi and low. His grade is not bad. No "O" in OWL but the rest is good. He got more OWLs than Fred and George combined! He did his prefect duties well (no bad report). He is on track to be a normal wizard in his world.
3. Ron's achievements has been undermined because his triumphs usually happened when Harry was not there to witness. Twice in two years Ron hoisted the Quidditch Cup as he rallied the team without Harry. As Harry was not there, the readers got very few descriptions of the suspense, the hard-work and the celebration. We knew that winning the Cup is not an easy task. Twice they beat Ravenclaw, a very strong team, which was often Runner-Up. His leadership as prefect to make Gryffindor problem-free House is also not much written. In fact, no news is a good news. A house without problem should be a great achievement from its prefects. Of course Hermione's part is very significant, but still she wouldn't be able to do all the work by herself.
4. Ron's love life took a roller-coaster. As a Weasley, fear of not having life-partner should not be in his mind. His family's reputation is good. His brothers are famous. He has some fangirls of his own. Nevertheless, fate has brought him to love a muggle-born who has very low social skill. Hermione is not someone easy to make friend. She was so focused in her pursuit for academic achievement that romance is not her most important priority. Sure he got all the signs that she is onto him as well. How else one can explain that a girl would rather spend long vacation in his house instead with her own parents? However, the development is not explosive. Ron doesn't need it yet as he is not a romantic type. Hermione is apparently doing it slowly as well (waiting Ron to mature). But one information touched his nerves. Ron would have dreamed to share his first kiss with Hermione, so it shocked him to know that she has had her first kiss with someone else. Ron felt betrayed. Combined with his inability to control his sister, he vented his frustration to grab the next girl willingly doing lip-locking. Apparently Lavender couldn't forget Ron's attention to see her Uranus, so she was more than happy to have Ron as her boyfriend over Seamus Finnigan who seemed to approach her since Yule Ball. Once Ron realized that corporal interaction cannot represent love, he is now mature enough to make the choice of his life. So the 17-year old Ron has already found his lifemate.
5. Ron's wizarding ability has not been mentioned too much. Many readers were still trapped into the image of Ron's clumsiness in Book 2, which was actually caused by his broken wand. Going to HBP, he has overcome Draco Malfoy several times in they encounters. He was confident in his own ability, not as prominent as Harry's or Hermione's, but he was still better than most of his peers. He knows some spells that Harry doesn't (eat slug and probably eat dung), that he was not too interested to learn spells that Harry got from the Half-Blood Prince. Apparently he has already necessary spells in his own treasury. If Ginny can make a good hex, why shouldn't he be able to? Ron must've known some special spells invented by his own family. Fred and George invented so many at Hogwarts to open their own shop. Anyway, Ron is a content wizard. He will be a good wizard even if his life doesn't cross paths with Harry Potter.
The key factor in Ron's development is that he is more able to take initiative. At the end of HBP, he boldly said that he would go to Privet Drive to accompany Harry (he said that also on behalf of Hermione, without knowingly asking her opinion, showing his confidence that Hermione will follow him no matter what). Basically Ron made a schedule for Harry in the coming months: Privet Drive - Burrow (Bill & Fleur's wedding) - Godric Hollow - Horcrux-Hunting. Harry simply followed the schedule. This may lead to what has been foreshadowed in Book 1 (chess game): in the war with Voldemort and his DE, Ron will take control and he will risk his life to get Harry through to Voldemort.

I am sure many more can be said about Ron. Hope all Ron's fans can share in this thread.

Aww, well who wouldn't like Ron? He is fiercely loyal as a friend, though he has a bit of a temper and has fallen out with Harry because of his own struggle for an identity. He has a heart of gold though his tactlessness can be hurtful And though he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, he's not exactly your average brainless, comic-relief sidekick.

He's full of contradictions really, though he always remains likeable. Even when he was giving Harry a hard time in GOF, you could sympathize with him. I think Dumbledores assesment of what Ron saw in the Mirror of Erised was the best insight into Rons character. He's often overshadowed, but his small, but brilliant light shines on!

I was glad to see a post to discuss this character. But I do have to disagree on some things mentioned.

Perhaps its just my own interpretation, but I don't see the Ron Weasley in the movies as all that different from the one in the books. For me, the first time I saw one of the movies (which in my case was PofA) Ron fairly leapt off the page and onto the screen which was one of my favorite things about the movie because I had so enjoyed Ron in the book.

Certainly, Dumbledore was right in that Ron's greatest desire is to have some spotlight on himself and be acknowledged for his own accomplishments after living under all those brothers.

But it is also true that Ron has had some reason for attention in later books. I cheered when he carried the Quidditch cup. But I think the great things about Ron were his willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good, his lack of resentfulness towards Harry's claim to fame (Triwizard Tournament notwithstanding), his loyalty, bravery and determination to defend his friends (especially Hermione).

It's interesting, Muggleview, that you stated that Ron felt betrayed because he wanted his first kiss to be with Hermione. I haven't seen evidence that he had really given it that much conscious thought that he pictured Hermione as the first one he'd kiss.

I took his jealousy at her having supposedly snogged Krum as something he hadn't really thought about until it hit him dead on in the face: the possibility that Hermione had kissed someone else just when Ron was realizing that he himself didn't want her to go to a party (Slughorn's ) with anyone else ("hook up with McLaggen").

Had he really thought of himself with Hermione romantically before? Or was he really just jealous and angry at the sight of her with Krum back in Goblet without stopping to consider WHY he was angry and jealous ("Well - that just shows - totally missed the point.")

What will Ron's future occupation be? That I'm most curious about. If he survives, which I really hope he does.

Actually it was Jo Rowling that said she wanted Ron not to have his first kiss from Hermione, but from someone else. Make it even, huh. Thus, until HBP, Ron hasn't really kissed (not just cheek pecking), whereas Hermione has kissed Viktor (to be shown in the movie 4, not in the books).
I agree with you, PigWithHair, that Ron may not have really wanted the kiss until he heard about Viktor kissing Hermione. Harry was not keen to be kissed by Cho in OOP. It just happened for him, because Cho is much more mature and took the initiative. Ron was not unto that yet, although Ron and Hermione may have shared their closeness in other ways (playing Wizard Chess, sitting together on the best place next to the fireplace in Gryffindor Room). In this aspect, Ron probably inherits the lack of romantic intiative as his father.

Ron wanted to be an Auror, but I believe that's only for prestige. Just like many boys wanted to be heroes. I'd rather believe Ron is going into business. He has been reading about tradings in OOP. He can be a successful businessman with his highly social skill to make friends and trustworthiness.

Yeah, I think Ron just thought being an Auror would be cool like most kids think they want to be something cool. I don't see him in that role, either. The business idea is an interesting one. I'm re-reading to see if I can find some additional clues on what he might do.

Not sure why you think Arthur Weasley lacked romantic intiative. Obviously, with seven kids between them one of the Weasley initiated something.

Frankly, I think Ron would turn out to be more romantic in private which is true of many guys..especially younger ones. Once he's in private with Hermione...well, things might be different.

I would attribute his thus-far lack of initiating anything with a girl (other than Lavender who had showed interest in him first) to his age. Though not written in the books, I've wondered if Ron might have had internal struggles about any romantic notions he did have in his head regarding Hermione.

Recall Harry's struggles in his mind about Ginny. Maybe Ron was trying to deny any feelings he had because Hermione was his friend and had been for so long. Or, maybe he just wasn't conscious about it like previously mentioned.

I really laughed out loud a bunch of times while reading, mostly due to Ron.

I think Hermione should have punched ron in the face. It is none of Ron's buisness who Hermione kissed or didnt kiss 2 years ago. I thought he was behaving disgustingly. Obssessive jealousy isnt an attractive trait in a man.

I would just love for Draco to whisk her away...what a beautiful relationship that would be. Unfortunatly it wont happen. Hermione would probably become a weasley..yuk!

Chelsie, I agree with you that Ron deserved a harsh pay-back for his bad treatment of Hermione. Apparently Jo Rowling took the matter into her hand, by punishing Ron with the love potion and deadly potion on his birthday! The symbolical meaning: wrong love, lost life. In short: Karma.
Ron's condition was so critical that Hermione forgave him and Ron behaved much better afterwards.
I don't say that kind of payback always happens in the real life (it doesn't), but Jo Rowling has the privilege to give Ron any punishments in her series.
Ron must have realized how close to death he was, that later on he focused back to Hermione while staying away from Lavender.

Though it definetely showed Ron's immaturity that he started up with Lavender for the wrong reasons in the first place (Lavender was interested in him and he was angry about Hermione snogging Krum and Ginny's comments about his lack of experience), it was too his credit that he didn't want to hurt Lavender's feelings by dumping her.

That was also a sign of immaturity though as breaking up with her would have been the most honest and adult thing to do since he no longer wanted to be going out with Lavender from "Frosty Christmas" onward.

The fact that he'd gotten himself into the situation with Lavender was a growing experience in and of itself, and yes, the poisoning episode clearly helped it along.

By the end of the book, I had to cheer for Ron when he told Harry they would be with him without hesitation.

Ron's a great example of how JKR is talented at characterizations. Her characters are not bad or good...they are much more complex than that. Ron's ability to act as he did in his love life contradicts his maturity when it comes to sacrifice and helping his friends. I really envy her talent in this.

To me, Ron just seems too average. Aside from his loyalty, and his wizard chess abilities, how do you think he will be able to help Harry defeat Voldemort in book 7? Will Jo throw out something new about his character, or will Ron be another person to sacrifice himself to save Harry?

Exactly! He is average in many ways but so is Harry! That's what is so intriguing about the story - the fact that Harry is a kind of average guy who wears glasses and isn't TurboMan at 15. Same with Ron.

What isn't average is how the characters face the challenges put before them...it isn't average for a friend to sacrifice himself so his buddy can fight Voldemort, right?

Would Seamus Finnigan have done that? Uh...erm...doubt it sincerely.

Right on, PigwithHair. Ron is an average boy in many ways, so he is not threatening to Harry's own quest to find himself. Ron is okay not to be number one, although he would have dreamed to be number one also (who in his/her normal positive mind wouldn't?) as shown in the Mirror of Erised.
Ron is willing to be a sidekick, instead of trying to be a hero all the time.
PigwithHair has pointed very well that Ron therefore is a good companion for Harry Potter, who is an average boy himself (not super brilliant like his father or mother).
Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Crabbe, Goyle, Michael Corner are all average boys. More average than Ron in some ways, although they are all in the same year.

Ron is not really an average student in the sense of:
- He comes from a reputable family. How can you say a Windsor average?
Even if one is fifth cousin thrice apart from Prince William, the person is still someone who can pop up in a tabloid anytime he/she did something unusual. Ron is a Weasley. He is well-known to the wizard world, even if only from his red hair and freckles.
- He is a prefect. How many students in his year can be a prefect? 8. How many male students can be a prefect in any given year? 12. How many male students from Gryffindor can be a prefect in his year? 1.
In that sense, Ron is not an average student.
- He got Quidditch Cup two years in a row in his first two years in the team. Even Harry didn't get the Cup in his rookie year. Well, Quidditch is a team game, so Ron needed the help of his team. True, but in both years his role was very crucial, because Gryffindor had live-or-die final games in both years and both cases without the great very talented Quidditch Seeker in-the-last-100-year Harry Potter in the team. Ron got the Cup with a B-team instead of an A-team.
- He has shared great adventures with Harry Potter. How can anyone call that average events in life?

Still, Ron emerges to many readers as an average person. This is very interesting. At the same time, this shows how great Ron's personality is.
With all his achievements, he doesn't become a different person. He is still himself, with occassional moments of enjoying praises. Ron is truly a person very suitable to be a best friend: loyal, unselfish, ready to support his best friend without reserve and okay not to get much deserved credits. This is how I see Ron so far.

One thing I notice about Ron in HBP is he has shown more leadership and had more self-confidence. That's a sign of maturity. He learns slowly, but he got the grip. Basically in Harry's absence, he is the leader. He held the map and the potion during the last battle. Similarly he was the leader at Umbridge's office in OOP. I can see that Ron will direct the war as he did in McGonagall's chess game in Book 1.

Firstly I have to say, I really love Ron. He never fails to give me such a laugh and I just adore him. He's awesome in the movies too. He's such a comedian and he's very loyal. I cry just about every single time I hear him tell Harry that he and Hermione will follow him. It shows deep commitment, especially on Hermione's part cause she lived to be head girl and to finish her education but without any thought, she and Ron are willing to walk away from it all for Harry and I love that.

But, I went back and listened to the 6th book again. (only parts, I hate any part dealing with Snape possibly being bad) Maybe I'm reading too much into it but do you think it's possible that Ron might have been a smidget jealous of Hermione/Harry? It's like anytime they were alone, Ron got supscious. Anytime they conversed back and forth without him around, like them talking about Hermione confunding McClaggen (or however you spell it) he was all "What are you doing?" all suspicious like. And when Slughorn pointed out that it was Hermione that Harry was talking about in terms of being so smart, Ron jumped in with "I would have said the same if he had asked me." There were a few more evidences of this but I can't remember them all. Like I said, maybe I'm reading too much into it but maybe on a subconcious level with Harry getting "everything" Ron was afraid he and Hermione were a bit close. Especially since via Krum, we found out all she ever talked about was Harry.

Although I do have to speak slightly ill of Harry and Ron. It seems to me that anytime there is a drift, it's Hermione that is slighted. Ie Harry saying he liked Hermione very much in GOF but that Ron was his best friend and he missed him. That's all in well but what about the fact that Hermione is always helping? Always lending her brain and her feelings to help out the two of them? And when Ron and Hermione weren't speaking in HBP, you didn't see Harry doing too much to help out. Granted he did spend time with Hermione and try to keep Ron off her back but he wasn't exactly sensitive to her needs was he? He only chased her down when he wanted to tell her something about Malfoy.

But I did notice something. When Harry is late to the start of term feast, he has to cram himself in between Ron and Hermione. So that means they were scooted next to each other. Hint or what? I think Ron always thought Hermione would be there. He took for granted the fact that she was in the click and always assumed he would have time to be with her. But girls mature faster and when he realized that Hermione had moved on at one point ie, Krum, it shook him. Suddenly he realized she wasn't going to wait. That she and Harry had more experience under their belts. I think he wanted to hurt Hermione just as bad but after he almost died, I think even before then, he realized Lavender wasn't for him. That he wanted to be with Hermione and that it was time to get over the childish games about it. He even started showing more affection to her. Dusting her shoulders off of the snow he had created in Flitwick's class and stroking her hair during DD's funeral.

I wish those two would kiss but since the story stays with Harry most of the time, I dunno if it'll happen. But I was so in love with how Harry and Ginny kissed. All that anticipation just built up and released. Please Lord let it build up for Ron/Hermione and let them finally be mature enough (more on Ron's part, Hermione was mature since she was born! lol) to finally kiss and date!!

i love this thread and your comments are really worth reading. intresting thoughts everywhere

for me, Ron was a bit out of his character in HBP. snogging with Levander and stuff i understand that he was jealous but i dont think that it was the solution. of course teen boys tend to do stupid things when they are jealous but i think/thought Ron was different. but that is just me

in the 2nd half of the book i liked him much better. he started treating Hermione better and stopped being so jealous. at the very end, when he says that they will go with Harry i loved him(and Hermione) soo much. the best part of the series, that sentences are so heartbreaking. i shed tears every time i read them. Ron has grown up at the end of HBP

I didn't know that Ron Weasley is so popular, until I saw a Disney series called Kim-Possible. The best friend of the redhead female protagonist is Ron Stoppable, a silly but loyal guy with light hair and freckles. He has a naked gerbil named Rufus. Perhaps the writers got the idea from Ron Weasley and Scabbers?

Okay, I may have to go back and edit if I forget something as I've not figured out quoting here yet, but here it goes:

MrsProfSnape,

No, I don't think you're off on that at all. I think Ron was a bit worried about Harry and Hermione becoming close. Look at it from Ron's point of view - he's always felt he's been under the microscope from his brother's accomplishments and then here's his best friend, the most famous wizard in the world who has defeated Voldemort, was the godson of Sirius Black, is the very living epicenter of all that is going on in the wizarding world PLUS he's got a lot of galleons in the bank.

Ron, with all his insecurities and how he lets these feelings get to him, has to worry about whether Hermione will start to look upon Harry as more than a friend.

I would venture to guess that one of the reasons Ron was partially accepting of Harry dating Ginny (aside from his own Lavender experience) was the relief of knowing that Harry's romantic affections lay elsewhere.

So, I agree with your observations on that score.

Sofie,

I agree with you that the best part of HBP for me too, was the last few pages where Ron tells Harry that "we'll be there wherever you go." Great stuff! And, especially that the one thing that lifted Harry's heart on the last page was spending "one last golden day of peace with Ron and Hermione."

I loved this passage for a couple reasons. Firstly, it grabbed me that what lifted Harry's heart was not that he was looking forward to the confrontation with Voldemort being over so that he could get back together with Ginny, but rather, spending one last fun day with Ron and Hermione. I think this shows Ron and Hermione's prominence in Harry's life. He has strong feelings for Ginny, certainly, but even when he realizes he's going to the wedding at the Burrow, Ginny isn't his first thought, but spending the day with Ron and Hermione is.

Secondly, and maybe JKR didn't intend this, but I took it as a great tribute to Ron and Hermione that their names were the last words in HBP.

That's a beautiful point from PigWithHair and Sofie.
Whether or not Harry's relationship with Ginny will happen, Ron is already a family to Harry. Basically Ron's life is shaped by the presence of Harry Potter starting from the day they met on the train to Hogwarts. Ron has his dreams, but the dreams had to be adjusted to consider Harry. For example, as long as Harry is there, Ron will not be Quidditch Team Captain. Ron is okay with it. Ron may also lose the chance to be a Head Boy, now that McGonagall is the Headmistress and she may prefer Harry than Ron for the job. Anyway, Ron has been shaped alongside Harry as Harry's closest friend and sidekick.

Ron should have behaved more betterly
herm should have cast a better spell than that

i think it is going to be great seeing hr/r together they should be together and dose any sparks fly at DD Funerl i hear hermy asks ron out while she is in his arms is this true?