I really don’t see how Ron feeling insecure about being overshadowed all his life, excuses his treatment of Harry during Goblet of Fire. Ron knew Harry was famous, obviously he was going to be overshadowed by him. He should have known that. Ron is his best friend, so he should act like it. Like Hermione. She knew Harry didn’t do it, why couldn’t Ron see beyond his own insecurity? He knew the danger of the tournament, and he still thought Harry would enter and not tell him. He must think so highly of him.
It wasn’t just because of that. In the book Harry kept trying to give Ron money. Bloody painful to read because it’s like Harry realizes how poor Ron is and although he thinks he’s helping he is actually treating him differently for the first time in four years. Having his best friend treat him like a charity case and flashing the cash…….not hard to see why the goblet thing would be the last straw.
Poor OP who didn’t read the book….
It’s one thing to buy sweets off of the trolly to share. It’s another to give up room space for your bestie to camp out with you in your attic bedroom as much as possible. It’s entirely different to have your BFF give you money because they think you need it – because it, without talking over it extensively, does change dynamics of a relationship.
So when Harry and Ron agree that they won’t enter the tournament – before Rumbledumbledore announces an age line – and then Harry’s name is pulled – Ron’s first thought is that Harry did something without him again. There’s not the thought that someone set Harry up. No. It’s that Harry did something dangerous again and Ron can’t follow and help.
It’s about your BFF going somewhere where you can’t follow – and thinking they did it without telling you – and treating you like you aren’t important.
Harry treats Ron like he is important – more so than Ron’s siblings do. Harry thinks of Ron before himself – even if he cocked up trying to give Ron money. Harry’s a generous lad – but he stepped in it.
And you didn’t notice that Ron insisted that he pay Harry back. That’s a mark of pride, that you aren’t a charity case. (*Who wants to feel that way at 14?*)
It takes serious maturity – which at 14 for guys is lacking completely – to accept that someone wants to help and it’s not that you’re a charity case. Double it for Ron who feels the poverty of his family considerably more than anyone else – including Ginny. The youngest brother – constantly picked on by the older brothers – the younger sister getting new things while he has to make do with hand-me-downs (and maybe handed down 2-3 times!) So when your best mate wants to give you money – thinking he’s going to help out – Ron’s pride kicks him in the bits to make him feel like he’s not a charity case.
So when Harry’s name is pulled – and he’s bound to compete – because Dumbledore is using him and Crouch is manipulated into keeping him in the tournament – Ron’s angry, because he doesn’t consider that Bitch set me up. He thinks “Harry’s doing it again and without me this time. This hurts.”
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