Geek Rant: Harry Potter and the Combining of Strengths.
You know what bugs me? This whole idea that Harry was just a jock Voldemort detector, Ron was a clown and Hermione did all the heavy lifting.
First, and this comes from someone who can't play a sport at gun point, athletes can be just as intelligent as a scholar. Plus being a seeker requires observational skills and the ability to size up an opponent. Granted for a long time, his observational skills are situational, but he is a kid through much of the series.
Second, All of the main three are intelligent.
Harry isn't a brilliant student, he's average. That was probably a deliberate writing choice. After all, a character is most relatable if they are average because readers can see some of themselves in them.
Ron uses humor a lot, sure, but he didn't treat everything as a joke, he was always there in a pinch. He was also a bit of a mother hen. Telling his mother when Harry wasn't going to have Christmas presents the first year, resuing him from the Dursleys. He's also very intelligent, simply an indifferent student. Was he insensitive and immature at times? Yeah, but what kid isn't sometimes? He's another character that readers can relate to, anyone who cut corners at school from time to time, anyone who maybe wasn't the class clown, but at least the class smartass. Anyone who doesn't hesitate to treat their friends like family.
Third, a big point of the series is that we are stronger working with each other. The Trio illustrates this. Hermione is level headed and able to apply things that she learns to relivent situations. Ron can strategize, can keep tension low by being aware of morale which keeps people from cracking under pressure. Harry can think on his feet, observe and develops a good amount of emotional intelligence, can read people well. Together, they can see a situation from several angles and problem solve.
This is shown throughoutout the series, but, I'll give an example or two each.
Hermione can be emotional, sure and that emotion can cloud judgement, but once she calms down she can use what she has learned effectively in practical settings. In POA she had to learn the ins and outs of time travel. A few words from Dumbledore and she was able to work out what it was that had to be done and how to keep Harry and herself safe in the process.
Ron's strategic talents are most evident when playing chess, but he uses them at other times as well. Notably when he puts together the plan to spring Harry from the Dursley's. The method of the flying car meant that there would be limited ways of that the Dursley's could stop them, the timing kept them flying in the dark to avoid being seen, he even knew his opponent's mindset enough to come prepared with a way to physically break him out of the house if necessary.
Harry, like Ron, tends to have his strengths seen when he needs them, on the Quidditch pitch or when he's in danger. However, they did serve him well multiple times. My conversely favorite, yet most frustrating example is when Harry and Lupin have their showdown over Lupin leaving Tonks, in DH.
Maybe I'm wrong, but the way I read it, Harry knew what he was doing when he was so harsh with Lupin. Harry knew that this was a "cruel to be kind" situation. He hated pointing out all the ways that Lupin was doing wrong by his family, but it was necessary A gentler rebuff, one that pulled some punches wouldn't have angered and shamed the former teacher enough to make him to rethink his reasoning and return to his wife.
This is actually a pretty complex emotional response. To know what track to take when he himself is so angry and offended at the actions of someone close to him. To understand that while what is being said is painful for both of them to hear, it's for the best. Not every seventeen year old would be able to do that. This is made clear by the fact that both Ron and Hermione question Harry's harsh words. His response is that it is worth it if Lupin doesn't abandon his family.
Add to this that Harry had to put some of his own feelings asside. Lupin is his last direct connection to his parents. He risked damaging their relationship for the betterment of Tonks, Teddy, and Lupin. This is incredibly empathetic and shows a lot of emotional maturity.
Basically, my point is that all of the main characters did their part throughout the books. Hermione read books, sythisized facts into action, Ron read situations and formed plans, Harry read people and acted quickly. Together you have a team who can use their strengths effectively and get the job done.
