He does everything wrong that Hermione does right when he doesn't show vulnerability
That's pretty much the explanation for every single one of Harry's peer relationships (whereas the adult ones all seem to divide into Tormentor and Rescuer.)
Neville and Luna need no explanation.
Hermione offends the boys in the same way Draco does, by knowing more than they do, but then becomes acceptable when she's snivelling in fear while they're the macho rescuers (and more importantly, she recognises this then, almost asks for their forgiveness - especially with the end's 'books aren't important!' rejection of her values in favour of 'bravery and friendship', their own; and becomes their helper. So it becomes okay for her to know more, since she's using it in their service and because they're then more secure and can reject knowledge as something only losers concern themselves with. I know a lot of people love the Trio's friendship, but I don't think it's ever moved on from PS - Hermione assists practically but is always on the edge of being pushed out, Ron bolsters Harry's ego but is less secure than him and wins him over by being his second in both meanings of the word, and Harry's king.)
Ron wins Harry over instantly by being admiring of his celebrity status (which I think is something Harry most definitely values. The way the second Draco introduction is worded almost plays with that, where Draco's much more interested, which is obviously supposed to be a swipe at him sucking up to celebrity, when of course, he was asking tons of questions before. Like, Malfoy's bad for faking liking Harry for his own benefit, but he's also behaving much more appropriately if not sincerely by showing Harry's story and fame the proper respect.) without requiring anything from Harry (I'm getting off strict canon now, but I'd almost say it's interesting that Ron approaches and fanboys in a private compartment, whereas someone like Ginny or Colin is almost asking for a show of allegiance or acknowledgement with their public fussing. If Harry recognised Ron as a social inferior like Neville, he's lost nothing by getting along with him here, like he might with say, Neville himself, who's running all over the train.) I mean, I think it's very important that Ron (like Luna later, or even Young!Snape) shows himself as someone who Harry can sympathise (to his limited extent) with - later I know they bond over money, obviously Luna and Harry have both been bereaved (although Luna's loss is less, since she's lost one parent, just like Ron's background is both less dramatically tragic but also less dramatically happier, too - for instance, they can bond over the money thing, but that's already in the past for Harry.) while also remaining someone he can feel better than.
And obviously Ginny was the ultimate in vulnerability, both by fangirling Harry and then being saved by him.
Draco has plenty of vulnerability, but he doesn't show it first off and he's never in a position where he needs to be aided by Harry (I'd like to think PS!Harry would have saved anyone from the troll, although I doubt even CoS!Harry would, let alone HBP - although even then the structure is fascinating, so Ron and Harry lose no face for going to save Hermione, since she's already shown yet more vulnerability by crying all afternoon after their insults.) - even the Sectumsempra and Snape's arrival means that Harry doesn't have to choose to do anything.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: In which I go off on the robe shop...
Date: 2006-11-13 12:39 pm (UTC)That's pretty much the explanation for every single one of Harry's peer relationships (whereas the adult ones all seem to divide into Tormentor and Rescuer.)
Neville and Luna need no explanation.
Hermione offends the boys in the same way Draco does, by knowing more than they do, but then becomes acceptable when she's snivelling in fear while they're the macho rescuers (and more importantly, she recognises this then, almost asks for their forgiveness - especially with the end's 'books aren't important!' rejection of her values in favour of 'bravery and friendship', their own; and becomes their helper.
So it becomes okay for her to know more, since she's using it in their service and because they're then more secure and can reject knowledge as something only losers concern themselves with.
I know a lot of people love the Trio's friendship, but I don't think it's ever moved on from PS - Hermione assists practically but is always on the edge of being pushed out, Ron bolsters Harry's ego but is less secure than him and wins him over by being his second in both meanings of the word, and Harry's king.)
Ron wins Harry over instantly by being admiring of his celebrity status (which I think is something Harry most definitely values.
The way the second Draco introduction is worded almost plays with that, where Draco's much more interested, which is obviously supposed to be a swipe at him sucking up to celebrity, when of course, he was asking tons of questions before. Like, Malfoy's bad for faking liking Harry for his own benefit, but he's also behaving much more appropriately if not sincerely by showing Harry's story and fame the proper respect.) without requiring anything from Harry (I'm getting off strict canon now, but I'd almost say it's interesting that Ron approaches and fanboys in a private compartment, whereas someone like Ginny or Colin is almost asking for a show of allegiance or acknowledgement with their public fussing. If Harry recognised Ron as a social inferior like Neville, he's lost nothing by getting along with him here, like he might with say, Neville himself, who's running all over the train.)
I mean, I think it's very important that Ron (like Luna later, or even Young!Snape) shows himself as someone who Harry can sympathise (to his limited extent) with - later I know they bond over money, obviously Luna and Harry have both been bereaved (although Luna's loss is less, since she's lost one parent, just like Ron's background is both less dramatically tragic but also less dramatically happier, too - for instance, they can bond over the money thing, but that's already in the past for Harry.) while also remaining someone he can feel better than.
And obviously Ginny was the ultimate in vulnerability, both by fangirling Harry and then being saved by him.
Draco has plenty of vulnerability, but he doesn't show it first off and he's never in a position where he needs to be aided by Harry (I'd like to think PS!Harry would have saved anyone from the troll, although I doubt even CoS!Harry would, let alone HBP - although even then the structure is fascinating, so Ron and Harry lose no face for going to save Hermione, since she's already shown yet more vulnerability by crying all afternoon after their insults.) - even the Sectumsempra and Snape's arrival means that Harry doesn't have to choose to do anything.