Character Analysis
Remember Order of the Phoenix, when Harry was super angsty and moody about being left out of plans (as well as just generally being angsty and moody)?
Well, in this movie, it's Ron's turn. And it's really no fun to watch, because he and Harry have some brutal drama.
Hey Jealousy
It seems that years of hanging out with the most famous boy wizard in the world (ever) have finally taken their toll on Ron in a big way.
First off, he's pretty tired of Harry's whole attitude that he's somehow alone in his battle against Voldemort. "Boy Who Lived" and "Chosen One" realities aside, Harry has a whole bunch of people supporting him—and Ron is peeved when Harry seems to ignore that fact and tries to strike out on his own:
RON: Going somewhere?
HARRY: Nobody else is going to die. Not for me.
RON: For you? You think Mad-Eye died for you? You think George took that curse for you? You may be the chosen one, mate, but this is a whole lot bigger than that. It's always been bigger than that.
Also, he seems to be increasingly territorial and sensitive about Hermione's relationship with Harry. Think it's crazy to think that Hermione has eyes for anyone but Ron? We do too, but Ron seems increasingly crazy these days, and he's super suspicious that Harry and Hermione are maybe more than friends.
He finally admit as much when he storms out after a fight about the Horcruxes, and tries to make Hermione choose between him and Harry:
RON: And you? Are you coming or you staying? Fine. I get it. I saw you two the other night.
That really doesn't seem like the Ron we've come to know and love, does it? Well, as Hermione says herself, that Horcrux they haven't managed to destroy is a big factor in Ron's attitude. It definitely seems to darken the mood of whoever's wearing it, and Ron is no exception.
HERMIONE: Ron. Please take—please take the Horcrux off. You wouldn't be saying any of this if you hadn't been wearing it all day.
Ron does take the Horcrux off, but only as he's storming out the door. It's like a bad dream—how can Ron be abandoning his two best friends? Yet one more way that Voldemort manages to ruin things.
Still Loyal…Just Gave Us A Scare
We have good news for you, though: Ron's little tantrum doesn't last long. In fact, he's basically over it the minute he leaves the group, but then he has trouble finding them again (since they are in hiding and all).
Luckily, Ron has this nifty thing called a Deluminator that Dumbledore left to him in his will, that gizmo somehow magically links Ron to Hermione and Harry and helps to lead him back to them.
And not a moment too soon: When Ron returns, he immediately finds Harry in mortal danger. Ron basically makes up for all his bad behavior in one fell swoop by rescuing Harry, retrieving the sword, and then destroying the Horcrux.
That last agenda item is no small feat, Shmoopers: when Harry has to open up the locket so Ron can destroy the evil within, the Horcrux releases all these horrible images that basically visualize all the fears and nasty thoughts that Ron has been having about his friends (including images of Harry and Hermione canoodling).
Ron really has to overcome some serious demons to finish the job…but he does it. So, as far as Harry's concerned, all is forgiven.
The Weakness of Ron Weasley
This little hiccup in Ron's loyalty and friendship reveals that he was probably always a bit more susceptible to being frustrated, discouraged, and jealous. And as Ron says himself, the Horcrux really seemed to capitalize on that weakness:
RON: […] that thing affects me more than it affects you and Hermione.
Hey, at least he's aware of his shortcomings, right? Also, Ron admits that Dumbledore must have been aware of those possible failings on is part as well. After all, Dumbledore's Deluminator is how he found his way back to his friends, and the headmaster somehow knew he'd need something like that:
RON: This is going to sound crazy, but I think that's why Dumbledore left it to me, the deluminator. I think he knew that somehow I'd need it to find my way back, and she'd lead me.
Sure, Ron's probably not thrilled to learn that he's a little more prone to jealousy and being discouraged than Hermione and Harry, but let's look at the silver lining: he overcomes all that. And some might say that acknowledging and overcoming your weaknesses demonstrates pretty impressive strength, right?
Ron Weasley's Timeline