The boy in the mirror

In this section of our readings from the novel Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, we get introduced to many of the main characters of the book. For example, we get a first glimpse of Draco Malfoy and his partners in crime Crabble and Goyle. But more pertinent to the discussion of this blog,we get a a very close look at the legend that is Ron Weasley.

Ron Weasley, the sixth and the youngest red headed brother in a long line of red heads(five brothers before him), has a lot to live up to- or at least that what he keeps thinking to himself as he sets off for his First year at Hogwarts. He has a younger sister as well but thankfully he does not have to compete with her for the time being in the "living up to" game that is constantly going on in his head, for she is still not of age( and possibly wisdom).

To be fair to Ron his feelings of insecurity are not entirely a figment and or creation of his fertile mind. His older brother Percy, whose Prefect Badge is always competing to replace his heart for the perfect location, is rewarded by his parents with new robes and other accessories (such as an owl) while he Ron gets hand me downs and used items. For someone in Ron's position it is quite natural to be nervous about his performance at Hogwarts- after all it will quite literally show itself to the observer.To be fair to the parents they have to reward the achievements of their son and that is also equally expected but for a family with seven children that means someone else has to go without some other necessity. Ron being the youngest naturally gets the short end of the wand more than he wants to admit.

Ron knows that because of this he is starting off at a disadvantage at Hogwarts. For example earlier in the book we find out that it is very important for a wizard to have the perfect wand. The wand chooses the wizard and the connection between them is essential for magic to happen. Unfortunately for Ron, he is stuck with an old weathered wand -possibly a hand me down from a brother( actually its Charlie's) that performs no magic for him. He tries to change Scabber's coat color to yellow "to make it more current ( as the Amerian Idol judges would say)" and fails.

To add insult to injury, some muggle born comes in and informs him that she tried some spells earlier and all of them worked for her. Hermionie Granger, the muggle born in question, is also going to Hogwarts for the first time and Ron develops a slight distaste for her. She has a bossy attitude that is quite unflattering and just like Percy she had her Hogwarts robes on as soon as the train started. To Ron he has enough overachievers in the family he does not need one as a friend. But one should never count their friends before they are matched(by fate).

When Ron meets Harry for the first time- he tries to play it cool and tries not to stare at Harry and make him uncomfortable as instructed by his mother. However, he is all to aware of the story and legend of Harry Potter, the one who put he-who-must-not-be-named out of commission, and starts to prod him with questions of what he can remember of that fateful night. From the very beginning they become close, attracted by that what each perceives in lacking in their respective lives. Harry is pulled towards Ron not only for Ron's obvious with and charm(irony), but also becoz Ron has something that Harry does not have and longs for - a loving family. Ron is interested in Harry obviously for his fame and instant recognition something that he feels that he needs in order to live up to his parents expectations. In short they complete each other.This fledgling friendship is solidified when they join their forces against a common foe , Draco Malfoy.