Why Ron Would be Friends with Harry in ‘Wrong-Boy-Who-Lived’ Stories.
Inspired by all the Ron Weasley positivity that has surrounded me, I have decided to write this out. I’ve mentioned before in my Ron challenges about how I want to see Ron friends with Harry in a WBWL story.
Only, if you actually want to write a true, real Ron, instead just bashing him to kingdom come and back, him and Harry would definitely be friends.
Here is why, and even in multiple setups too!.
Setup 1: Harry is abused while his twin is praised and spoiled.
Now, whether this means Harry is being raised by his actual parents, or has been sent for safety to Petunia, he is treated worse and terrible either way (which, ehhhh, but we’re not going to focus on the Lily and James bashing here). here are some things.
Harry’s Brother would be a prat beyond levels even Malfoy would not be able to reach; Snobbish, spoiled rotten, and generally thinking he is Merlin’s gift to wizard kind. Why in the name of the seven hells would Ron want to befriend an arsehole like that?
Ron is his own person, he has his pride and his priorities, his own dreams and goals. He would not play lackey to anyone.
The Brother in these stories would not see Ron, he would possibly see the Weasley name and old hand me downs, while probably an access to even cooler wizards through him. he would makes nice because his parent said so, but he would degrade and taunt the youngest Weasley son, because what can he do that his brothers already did?
Ron would not take this lying down, he has the famous Weasley Temper, and he will not be used.
Maybe after an unpleasant run in with The Brother, Ron leaves after hexing him yellow (because hey, accidental magic can go a long way~) storming off till he gets to another compartment, not seeing anyone in there but some old blankets, only to accidentally sit on one Harry Potter.
(because of malnourishment, because of old bruises and dark memories, the twins don’t look at all like twins, so when Harry just says his name is Harry, Ron doesn’t pay it any mind, striking up a conversation with the new kid, finding he likes this guy so much better.)
This Harry and Ron would get on so well; both understand what it is like to be in your family’s shadow, knows how it feels to have so many exceptions on you, yet at the same time uncaring even if you make them. Understand not ever having enough attention when you really need it.
(Of course, the difference here is that Ron’s Family loves him, cares for him, so still Harry would be jealous of that warmth, that home, at least until Ron kidnaps- I mean, invites him to stay forever :D Not like the Potter family notices )
When the time for houses gets called, and Ron finds out Harry’s last name, he is shook (How is such a nice guy related to such a prat?) and sees he goes into a house other than Griffindor, those green eyes so grim as they do, and Ron can’t help but wonder and think.
(Oh, this Harry could honestly go anywhere, with the courage to go on even as things are terrible, a work ethic most would dream to have, the intelligence to know when to stay and when to disappear, along with the ambition for better in his life... Thing is, the house of the brave was never for him, not as long as his brother was there.)
Ron’s decision is made when he see The Brother with the lions, and decides ‘anywhere but Griffindor’.
(The hat doesn’t mind at all, Ron would do just as good in any other house as well, what with his mind of strategy, a loyalty of someone willing to die and kill for a loved one, bravery to do so, and an ambition to be better... Shame about his choice, he would have been an amazing Lion.)
So yeah this is how it starts, in whatever house that isn’t of the brave Lions, Harry and Ron friends despite whatever house they ended up in. They have holidays at Ron’s house, birthdays there too, most summers as well.
(I want them to somehow get Neville and Hermione as well, maybe they stop bullying or something? Oh, that would be cool if all four of them are in different houses, with the one who is a Lion usually sleeping in the other’s dorm to get away from The Prat/Brother.)
Setup Two: Harry isn’t beaten but Neglected/forgotten
Okay, going to preface this; This Is Still ABUSE. Neglect is Abuse. It’s just specially terrible in the face that no one notices, not until it is too late :/ . So yeah, Harry gets his three meals by house elf, gets the clothes and gifts, has his picture taken when needed.
But there is no love. No one to play with, no one to care with, no one to ever show any of your successes with, all because his brother is more important, and will always be more important in everyone else’s eyes. (Heads up, there is going to be some overlap with the previous setup here.)
This Harry is going to be more possessive then others, his things are his things, and you can’t touch them (He will end you).
That said, if he actually makes a friend, a real, true blue friend, oh Merlin, he will spoil you.
(The only way he knows to show love is by giving things, and maybe, maybe if he keeps doing it, you won’t ignore him.)
(on a side note, I can see Harry loving every present any friend gives him, because while they may not be the most amazing or expensive, each and everyone of them shows that his friends not only care about him, but have also paid attention to him and what he actually likes.)
In a way, it is very lucky Harry made friends with Ron first; met like in canon, on the train ride to Hogwarts, Ron is someone uneasy with ‘charity’ so Harry can only go all out on special occasions. (though he has learned that food is an interesting grey area, only he doesn’t get to use it until Hogsmede visits.)
these two would especially bond over the feeling of being in their siblings’s shadows, always ignored over them, seeming to always be last to get anything. (of course, this Ron will still kidnap Harry for summers and Christmas.)
On the other hand, I can see these two get into so many misunderstandings, Ron not feeling comfortable with so many expensive and extravagant gifts, feeling like he owes his friend after every one. Meanwhile Harry doesn’t understand what about them Ron hates so much, does this mean he doesn’t want to be friends anymore, does he hate him?
These two boys would be so worried and insecure, awkward as they try and talk it out, at least until someone takes pity on them and locks them in a broom closet. (where they proceed to have a long drawn out shout match that dissolves into tears as Ron say Harry is his best friend, that he doesn’t need to buy him, his company it more then good enough then any stupid broom or poster could be. Harry, on the on the other hand, say he doesn’t know any other way to express how much Ron’s friendship means to him, has no words or any other actions he knows to do to make other’s happy besides buying things that they want or need.)
The two come to a compromise after some time; Harry can go all out on his birthday, but any other present the boy has to hand/wand make himself (Cue Harry going to Hermione to learn obscure spells just so he can make Ron a broom or something)
Setup 3: Harry’s Family is actually a family, loving both twins.
So here we go, Lilly and James are probably in character here, loving their boys so much, training them and raising them to be the best they can be. The Brother probably has different training here, because of the exceptions on them, but Harry is not to be outdone, he can be just as good too.
Here is the only one where Ron can make friends with both Harry and The Brother, kinda becoming the Lee Gorden to the Potter twins. (The common sense and occasional inspiration.)
They are Trouble, with a capital T. kinda like someone mixed the Golden Trio and the Marauders together, and got their adventures.
(So, more hijinxs, dentions, and Forbidden Forest than Ron, Hermione, and Neville asked for.)
They make it out okay, they manage it alright, and even in time for exams too! :D (there parents would probably kill them otherwise)
This is the group most likely to accidentally destroy a horacrux.
This is the group most likely to give everyone grey hairs.
This is the group most likely to accelerate the Defense Curse :D
I like to think that out of the group, those who are best friends are as follows:
Ron & Harry- because they bond over crazy brothers and shadows they leave.
Hermione & Neville- because they are the only sane ones in the group.
The Brother & Peeves- because they are chaos incarnate
For holidays, who’s house they end up at could be anyone’s guess, though everyone is on their best behavior whenever at the Granger’s (her parents are terrifying.
And thus, this is a thing. Hope you all enjoyed it my ranting notes~
