Ron takes one for the team

Ronald Weasley is the most obvious example of the coming of age story. Throughout the series he has not only helped his friends Harry and Hermione but also helped himself by developing his true goal in his life. We see in the first book when he looks into the Mirror of Erised, that he wants to be better than his brothers by having fame and fortune. But throughout the course of the series, we see Ron’s priorities change.

            As stated earlier, we meet Ron as he is just coming to Hogwarts as an 11 year old kid. But as he goes through the next seven years of school we watch as he figures out what is right. He learns that loyalty and friendship come before fame and fortune. We see Ron support Harry in the first three books as he is faced to all of this new danger such as mass murderers, dementors and Basilisks.

            But Ron’s true loyalty is tested in the fourth book, when he and Harry have their first fight over Harry’s fame in the Triwizard Tournament. There is a point after the fight that you think that Ron might not come through for Harry but sure enough by the end of the book, he is right back by Harry’s side putting aside his own feelings to help his best friend. Even through the 5^th and 6^th book we see him break into the ministry and   even help Harry in the Quidditch pitch. This breaks everything that Ron was against in the first book and I think that shows that he is serious about his friendship with Harry.

            Ron Weasley has gone from a nervous and attention-seeking boy to a loyal and fierce friend by the end of the 6^th book. Throughout the series, I have always looked up to Ron for his loyalty and self-sacrifice that he had given to Harry and Hermione. So if you ask me, he is the perfect example for the coming of age story Rowling is trying to portray.