Ron’s Reactions at Malfoy Manor

azaleablueme:

coyotelaughingsoftly:

While doing some research for my story, I found something I thought was very interesting. Most romione shippers and Ron supporters are well aware of the basement scene in Malfoy Manor (unless you only watched the movies, and were thereby cheated out of an excellent point of character development), but I don’t think a lot of people understand just how meaningful that was. 

First, you have to be aware that Ron Weasley is not a stupid person. He may be slower about certain emotional cues, and he isn’t at the head of his lessons, but he is NOT stupid. He is able to plan and strategize, and he sees details that others miss. 

Second, although he does have fears, he is not a comical coward. He might be reluctant, but he is always right there in the thick of things, even when it has to do with something he’s phobic about.

Knowing these things, the contrast became very clear. In the first book, when he’s trapped by the Devil’s Snare, he doesn’t fall to pieces. He can’t fully relax, but most people couldn’t in that situation. But while Hermione is dithering about finding wood, Ron is able to focus enough to remind her that she can use her wand. Afterwards, he’s able to play (and WIN) a chess match with the lives of his friends hanging in the balance. And he’s only twelve.

Fast forward to the Manor. He himself is in no immediate danger, but now, now he panics. Screaming, crying, beating the walls; he runs around looking for any way out he can. He doesn’t listen to Harry, and the only time he snaps out of it is when something happens to bring him closer to getting to Hermione. He tries to Disapparate without a wand. That might not seem like much; some would say it was stupid, since you can’t perform magic without a wand. Oh, but you can. Remember Aunt Marge? It may be nearly impossible without a wand to channel it, but it can be done. And Ron, growing up as a wizard, knows how dangerous and unpredictable wandless magic is at the best of times. For something as dangerous as Disapparating is even with wands, when you can Splinch yourself, the results could be…..well. Nothing pleasant. But he doesn’t care, because it’s the only thing he can think of to get to her.

Even when Fred dies, he’s able to function better. He makes sure to help Hermione to safety, helps Harry defend them from attack, and doesn’t break down until they get away. And even then, Hermione is able to hold him back, when no one in the basement could get him to listen to reason.

So in that basement, you aren’t just seeing his normal reaction to terror; Ron is no stranger to near death experiences, and he knows how to keep his head when everyone around him is losing theirs. But all that changes when it comes to Hermione, and if you don’t think that’s one of the most moving pieces of proof of his love for her, then you might need to go back and read those books again. 

THIS.ALL OF THIS.