Ron Weasley Character Analysis in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry's best friend at Hogwarts. Ron's family is extremely poor and, because they're all wizards, Ron knows little about muggles and how to use muggle technology. This results in his botched telephone conversation with Uncle Vernon, during which he yells into the phone. Though Ron has previously acted unimpressed with his pet rat, Scabbers, he becomes very protective of his rat when Hermione adopts a cat, Crookshanks, who does his best to catch Scabbers. This means that Ron is often at odds with Hermione, and he spends much of the novel not speaking to her. However, they also fight for a variety of other reasons, including Hermione's dislike for copying homework (which Ron and Harry do often) and Ron's sense of utter betrayal when Hermione reports Harry's Firebolt to McGonagall. When they are speaking, Ron often gives Hermione a hard time about all the classes she's taking, which he does in part because he's an unmotivated student. While he shares Harry and Hermione's distaste for Divination, his childhood in the wizarding world means that he takes Trelawney's Grim sightings and Harry’s having seen the black dog very seriously, as one of his uncles died after seeing a Grim. Despite the supposed danger posed to Harry by Sirius Black, Ron fully supports Harry’s sneaking into Hogsmeade with the use of the Marauder's Map. Ron proves himself especially loyal and heroic as the school year draws to a close. After making up with Hermione, he takes on the bulk of the research for Buckbeak's trial, and when the black dog tries to drag Ron and Scabbers into the Whomping Willow, Ron tries so hard to resist that his leg breaks. He doesn't believe Lupin and Sirius Black at first that Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew but when he sees that they're right, Ron takes the loss of his pet as a personal betrayal. His broken leg means that he's unable to accompany Harry and Hermione back in time.

Ron Weasley Quotes in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban quotes below are all either spoken by Ron Weasley or refer to Ron Weasley. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

"We're witnesses," said Harry. "You said hippogriffs attack if you insult them. It's Malfoy's problem that he wasn't listening. We'll tell Dumbledore what really happened."

"Yeah, don't worry, Hagrid, we'll back you up," said Ron.

Related Characters: Harry Potter (speaker), Ron Weasley (speaker), Rubeus Hagrid, Draco Malfoy, Buckbeak

Page Number and Citation: 121

Explanation and Analysis:

"It's very lucky he picked tonight, you know," said Hermione as they climbed fully dressed into their sleeping bags and propped themselves onto their elbows to talk. "The one night we weren't in the tower..."

"I reckon he's lost track of time, being on the run," said Ron. "Didn't realize it was Halloween. Otherwise he'd have come bursting in here."

Related Characters: Ron Weasley (speaker), Hermione Granger (speaker), Harry Potter, Sirius Black

Page Number and Citation: 163

Explanation and Analysis:

"Didn't they want to help, sir?" said Percy.

"Oh yes," said Dumbledore coldly. "But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am headmaster."

Related Characters: Albus Dumbledore (speaker), Percy Weasley (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Sirius Black

Related Symbols: Dementors

Page Number and Citation: 165

Explanation and Analysis:

"Anyone?" Snape said, ignoring Hermione. His twisted smile was back. "Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between--"

"We told you," said Parvati suddenly, "we haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on--"

"Silence!" snarled Snape.

Related Characters: Professor Snape (speaker), Parvati Patil (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Professor Lupin

Page Number and Citation: 171

Explanation and Analysis:

"But you were innocent!" said Hermione.

Hagrid snorted.

"Think that matters to them? They don' care. Long as they've got a couple o' hundred humans stuck there with 'em, so they can leech all the happiness out of 'em, they don' give a damn who's guilty an' who's not."

Related Characters: Hermione Granger (speaker), Rubeus Hagrid (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley

Related Symbols: Dementors

Page Number and Citation: 221

Explanation and Analysis:

"Well, isn't it obvious?" said Hermione, with a look of maddening superiority.

"If you don't want to tell us, don't," snapped Ron.

"Fine," said Hermione haughtily, and she marched off.

"She doesn't know," said Ron, staring resentfully after Hermione. "She's just trying to get us to talk to her again."

Related Characters: Ron Weasley (speaker), Hermione Granger (speaker), Harry Potter, Professor Lupin

Page Number and Citation: 236

Explanation and Analysis:

Hermione burst into tears. Before Harry could say or do anything, she tucked the enormous book under her arm, and, still sobbing, ran toward the staircase to the girls' dormitories and out of sight.

"Can't you give her a break?" Harry asked Ron quietly.

"No," said Ron flatly. "If she just acted like she was sorry--but she'll never admit she's wrong, Hermione. She's still acting like Scabbers has gone on vacation or something."

Related Characters: Harry Potter (speaker), Ron Weasley (speaker), Hermione Granger, Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew, Crookshanks

Page Number and Citation: 265

Explanation and Analysis:

"I'm not blamin' yeh!" said Hagrid, waving Harry's apology aside. "Gawd knows yeh've had enough ter be gettin' on with. I've seen yeh practicin' Quidditch ev'ry hour o' the day an' night--but I gotta tell yeh, I thought you two'd value yer friend more'n broomsticks or rats. Tha's all."

Related Characters: Rubeus Hagrid (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew

Page Number and Citation: 274

Explanation and Analysis:

"Malfoy's dad's frightened the Committee into it," said Hermione, wiping her eyes. "You know what he's like. They're a bunch of doddery old fools, and they were scared. There'll be an appeal, though, there always is. Only I can't see any hope....Nothing will have changed."

Related Characters: Hermione Granger (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Rubeus Hagrid, Buckbeak, Lucius Malfoy

Page Number and Citation: 292

Explanation and Analysis:

"I was terrified they would desert me the moment they found out what I was. But of course, they, like you, Hermione, worked out the truth...

"And they didn't desert me at all. Instead, they did something for me that would make my transformations not only bearable, but the best times of my life. They became Animagi."

Related Characters: Professor Lupin (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Sirius Black, Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew, James Potter

Page Number and Citation: 354

Explanation and Analysis:

"That was still really dangerous! Running around in the dark with a werewolf! What if you'd given the others the slip, and bitten somebody?"

"A thought that still haunts me," said Lupin heavily. "And there were near misses, many of them. We laughed about them afterwards. We were young, thoughtless--carried away with our own cleverness."

Related Characters: Hermione Granger (speaker), Professor Lupin (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Sirius Black, Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew, James Potter

Page Number and Citation: 355

Explanation and Analysis:

"But if--if there was a mistake--"

"KEEP QUIET, YOU STUPID GIRL!" Snape shouted, looking suddenly quite deranged. "DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

Related Characters: Hermione Granger (speaker), Professor Snape (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Professor Lupin, Sirius Black, Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew

Page Number and Citation: 360

Explanation and Analysis:

"Of course," Lupin breathed. "So simple...so brilliant...he cut if off himself?"

"Just before he transformed," said Black. "When I cornered him, he yelled for the whole street to hear that I'd betrayed Lily and James. Then, before I could curse him, he blew apart the street with the wand behind his back, killed everyone within twenty feet of himself--and sped down into the sewer with the other rats..."

Related Characters: Professor Lupin (speaker), Sirius Black (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Professor Lupin, Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew, James Potter, Lily Potter

Page Number and Citation: 363

Explanation and Analysis:

Ron Weasley Character Timeline in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The timeline below shows where the character Ron Weasley appears in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Harry is already on thin ice with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia: his best friend Ron tried to telephone early in the summer, but being a wizard, he'd never used a... (full context)

...the Daily Prophet's Grand Prize Galleon Draw. The accompanying photograph shows all nine Weasleys and Ron's pet rat, Scabbers, on vacation in Egypt. In a letter, Ron apologizes for the phone... (full context)

...kicked out of the wizarding world and laments that Hedwig is gone—he can't even ask Ron or Hermione for help. Realizing he also has no muggle money, Harry wonders if, since... (full context)

Harry begins looking for Ron and Hermione as the start of term approaches. He finds Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas,... (full context)

Responsibility, Morality, and Time Theme Icon

Ron pulls out a box containing his new wand and Harry asks about Hermione's bulging bag... (full context)

...that a garden rat like Scabbers will only live for about three years and offers Ron some rat tonic. Before Ron can accept it, a huge orange cat leaps onto his... (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione find Mr. Weasley in the bar at the Leaky Cauldron. Harry asks about... (full context)

...with Harry and Hermione. They discuss transportation to King's Cross Station and Mrs. Weasley sends Ron to pack. As Harry gets to his room, he hears Ron and Percy fighting next... (full context)

...right to know. Mrs. Weasley doesn't agree, but Mr. Weasley says it's for Harry and Ron's own safety. He points out that Sirius Black is mad and before he escaped, he... (full context)

...on the landing with Percy's badge—it now reads "Bighead Boy." He forces a laugh, gives Ron the rat tonic, and then shuts himself in his room. Everything makes sense now—Fudge was... (full context)

The next morning, Harry is trying to persuade Hedwig to get in her cage when Ron comes in, annoyed about Percy. Harry tries to tell Ron about what he learned but... (full context)

...steps onto the train. As soon as the platform is out of view, he tells Ron and Hermione that they need to speak in private. (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione find a compartment that's empty save for a man asleep. He looks ill... (full context)

Ron says that the Sneakoscope might be faulty and suggests that Harry get it checked in... (full context)

Hermione lets Crookshanks out of his basket. The cat immediately jumps onto Ron's lap and Hermione raises her voice when Ron shoves Crookshanks away. They go silent when... (full context)

The weather grows increasingly worse and by evening, it's dark and pouring outside. Ron is thrilled when the train starts to slow down but Hermione insists it's too early... (full context)

...in his ears, and then he hears a terrible scream. Suddenly, Harry wakes up to Ron slapping his face. The lights are on and the train is moving, but Harry feels... (full context)

Harry asks what happened, and Ron explains that Harry started having a fit. Professor Lupin approached the dementor and when it... (full context)

At the Hogsmeade train station, Harry, Ron, and Hermione hear Hagrid calling for the first-years. They follow the older students to coaches... (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione enter the castle but before they can go into the Great Hall for... (full context)

...the Gryffindor table, Harry notices that people are pointing at him. Before he can tell Ron what McGonagall wanted, Professor Dumbledore stands to address the school. He explains that the dementors... (full context)

With this, the tables fill with food. After the feast is over, Harry, Ron, and Hermione congratulate Hagrid, who seems overcome with emotion. The Gryffindors all climb up to... (full context)

...coming. George passes out schedules at the Gryffindor table and asks Harry what's wrong. When Ron motions towards Malfoy, Fred says that Malfoy nearly wet himself when the dementors stopped by... (full context)

Hermione looks over her schedule, happy to have new classes. Ron looks over her shoulder and insists that her schedule isn't right—she's taking three subjects at... (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione head off for their first Divination lesson in the North Tower. It's a... (full context)

The class is assembled on a tiny landing and Ron points to a door in the ceiling. The door suddenly opens and a ladder emerges.... (full context)

Harry and Ron exchange teacups after they drink their tea. Harry deciphers that Ron will suffer, but happily.... (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione head for their Transfiguration lesson with McGonagall. Harry sits in the back of... (full context)

After class, the Gryffindors head to the Great Hall for lunch. Hermione tells Ron to lighten up, but Ron drops his fork when Harry admits that he did see... (full context)

After lunch, Harry walks down to Hagrid's with Ron and Hermione for Care of Magical Creatures. Ron and Hermione aren't speaking, and to make... (full context)

...as the rest of the class disbands. Harry assures Hermione that Malfoy will be fine. Ron is worried that this will ruin Hagrid's confidence. Hagrid isn't at dinner, which they find... (full context)

...him that Malfoy did this to himself—he wasn't listening to directions. Hagrid pulls Harry and Ron into a hug as Hermione dumps out Hagrid's tankard of mead. Hagrid follows her outside,... (full context)

...him if he'd come in late. Malfoy sets up his cauldron next to Harry and Ron and asks Snape for help cutting his ingredients, since his arm is in a sling.... (full context)

...tadpole. Sourly, Snape administers the antidote and takes five points from Gryffindor since Hermione helped. Ron grouses about Snape as they walk to lunch but stops when he realizes that Hermione... (full context)

One evening, Harry returns to the common room after practice to find everyone excited. Ron explains that the school announced the first Hogsmeade outing on Halloween and Harry throws himself... (full context)

Ron barely speaks to Hermione in Herbology the next day. When the class lines up later... (full context)

...for permission to go. McGonagall apologizes and says that she can't sign. In the hallway, Ron calls McGonagall names while Hermione looks as though it's for the best. Ron tries to... (full context)

On Halloween, Harry feels very morose. Ron and Hermione even put aside their argument over Crookshanks to promise to bring Harry candy... (full context)

That evening, Ron dumps an armful of candy in Harry's lap and then he and Hermione tell Harry... (full context)

After the feast, Harry, Ron, and Hermione head back to Gryffindor Tower, but the hallway in front of the Fat... (full context)

...sleeping bags. Percy shouts that the lights will go out in ten minutes, so Harry, Ron, and Hermione drag sleeping bags into a corner. Hermione and Ron note that they're lucky... (full context)

At about three in the morning, Dumbledore finds Percy near Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They pretend to sleep so they can listen. Dumbledore whispers to Percy that... (full context)

...and when Hermione tries to answer, Snape docks more points because she's "an insufferable know-it-all." Ron asks why Snape even asked the question, which earns him detention, and they spend the... (full context)

...chances of winning the Cup and then Madam Pomfrey kicks the team out. Hermione and Ron stay and tell Harry that Dumbledore was furious with the dementors. Harry is barely listening;... (full context)

...Harry by imitating Harry falling off during the match and, during Potions, he mimes dementors. Ron throws a crocodile heart at him and Snape takes 50 points from Gryffindor. Fortunately, Lupin... (full context)

...better. Two weeks before term ends, it begins to snow and feel like Christmas. Both Ron and Hermione decide to stay at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays, and everyone but Harry... (full context)

On the morning of the Hogsmeade trip, Harry walks Ron and Hermione to the doors but before he can return to Gryffindor Tower, Fred and... (full context)

...box of Jelly Slugs, Harry sneaks up the stairs and into the shop. He finds Ron and Hermione, surprises them, and then tells them about the map. Ron is enraged that... (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walk through the village and decide to get butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks.... (full context)

...nobody told him that his parents died because their best friend betrayed them. Hermione and Ron keep a nervous eye on Harry until after dinner, when Harry excuses himself early to... (full context)

Harry wakes up close to lunchtime the next day and finds Ron and Hermione in the common room. Hermione tells Harry that no matter what he heard,... (full context)

Ron tries to change the subject by suggesting they go visit Hagrid and Harry jumps at... (full context)

...mention Black, so he suggests that he can help Hagrid prepare for the case. After Ron makes tea, Hagrid starts to calm down, though he says that nobody likes his classes... (full context)

After their visit, Harry, Ron, and Hermione devote themselves to helping Hagrid prepare for the hearing. They work almost nonstop... (full context)

...Scabbers looks awful and thinks that he's likely not going live much longer. Hermione and Ron refuse to speak to each other all day. When they go to the Great Hall... (full context)

Two hours later, Ron and Harry get up from the table at the same time. Trelawney shrieks and asks... (full context)

Though Harry knows Hermione was trying to help, he's still angry with her. Ron is furious. Hermione begins avoiding the common room and Harry and Ron do nothing to... (full context)

...to do homework, though he still doesn't look as tired as Hermione does. One evening, Ron quietly asks Harry how Hermione is getting all her work done—it seems impossible that she's... (full context)

...his Firebolt. She tells him to try to win on Saturday before she walks off. Ron finds Harry in the hallway to ask if he can ride it, and Harry suggests... (full context)

...few subjects. Hermione looks scandalized and suddenly, they hear a yell from the boys' dormitory. Ron races downstairs with a bed sheet and an angry expression. There's a spot of blood... (full context)

Ron and Hermione are so angry with each other over what looks to Ron like Crookshanks'... (full context)

Ron takes his turn on the broom and flies until Madam Hooch wakes up from her... (full context)

...Quidditch captain are struggling to crawl out of black robes. McGonagall shouts at them as Ron laughs. (full context)

...however, doesn't join in. Though she says she came to the match, she insists that Ron doesn't want her to join the party. Ron loudly comments that Scabbers used to love... (full context)

...bed. A scream interrupts Harry's dream, so he sits up, opens his curtains, and sees Ron looking terrified. Ron says that Sirius Black was above him with a knife. Doors start... (full context)

...Harry notices that the statue of the witch that leads to Hogsmeade remains unguarded, but Ron insists that Sirius Black can't be getting in through Honeydukes. Ron becomes a celebrity overnight,... (full context)

...Howler, Hedwig nips him so he'll take her letter. It's from Hagrid inviting him and Ron to come for tea in the evening. Ron is excited to get to tell Hagrid... (full context)

...Buckbeak's case, though she often cries because she has so much on her plate and Ron is ignoring her. Hagrid says that he thought Harry and Ron would value friendship more... (full context)

When Harry and Ron return to the castle, they see that a Hogsmeade trip is scheduled for next weekend.... (full context)

In Hogsmeade, Harry finds Ron. They decide to visit the Shrieking Shack, one of the most severely haunted buildings in... (full context)

...pulls out his shopping bag from Zonko's and the Marauder's Map. He tells Snape that Ron gave him the Zonko's items as Snape picks up the parchment and starts to throw... (full context)

Lupin cheerfully takes back the map and tells Harry and Ron to follow him. In the entrance hall, Lupin says he knows that the parchment is... (full context)

...hasn't been decided yet. Hermione says that Lucius Malfoy scared the Committee into it, and Ron promises to help with Buckbeak's appeal. At this, Hermione throws her arms around Ron's neck... (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione can only talk to Hagrid during Care of Magical Creatures, as security measures... (full context)

After lunch, Harry and Ron find Hermione asleep on an Arithmancy book in the common room. She's distraught when she... (full context)

As Harry, Ron, and Hermione look at their ball, Hermione hisses that she'd be better off using this... (full context)

The Easter holidays are barely a holiday with everyone's exam preparations. Ron works on Buckbeak's appeal in his spare time, while Harry has Quidditch practice every evening.... (full context)

...and sees Crookshanks on the lawn with the huge black dog. Harry tries to wake Ron and wonders if the dog is actually an omen if Crookshanks can also see it. (full context)

...than to enjoy the sunshine. However, with exams approaching, nobody has that luxury. Harry and Ron notice Hermione's exam schedule and can't help but ask how she expects to sit two... (full context)

...Hagrid's exam involves keeping flobberworms alive for an hour, which is easy and gives Harry, Ron, and Hermione a chance to talk to Hagrid. Potions is a disaster. Harry's potion refuses... (full context)

...course that asks students to tackle the creatures they learned about. Harry receives full marks, Ron slips up with the hinkypunk, and Hermione does well until she gets to the boggart.... (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione run into Fudge at the front doors. Fudge greets Harry warmly and explains... (full context)

After lunch, Harry and Ron head for Trelawney's tower while Hermione leaves for Muggle Studies. The boys find the class... (full context)

...Tower, he wonders if Trelawney made an actual prediction. In the common room, he finds Ron and Hermione to tell them but stops when they give him Hagrid's note—Buckbeak lost, and... (full context)

After dinner, Harry, Ron, and Hermione don the Invisibility Cloak and walk down to Hagrid's. He lets them in... (full context)

Ron, shocked, grabs Scabbers. The rat looks awful and struggles desperately. Suddenly, Hagrid sees the execution... (full context)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stand in shock for a moment. When they hear Hagrid howl, Harry turns... (full context)

...something coming and a huge black dog leaps at Harry. It knocks Harry down, grabs Ron's arm, and starts dragging him away. Suddenly, something hits Harry, and he hears Hermione shriek... (full context)

...to a landing. They hear Crookshanks purring and a moan through a doorway and see Ron on the floor. Ron moans that it's a trap and "he" is an Animagus. The... (full context)

...James, and this will make everything easier. Filled with rage, Harry starts for Black but Ron and Hermione pull him back. Ron pulls himself to standing and tells Black that he'll... (full context)

...and disarms Harry and Hermione. Then, he asks Black where "he" is. Black points at Ron and Lupin, confused, mutters that "he hasn't shown himself" and asks if they "switched" without... (full context)

Ron whimpers and Lupin starts towards him, but Ron gasps for Lupin to get away from... (full context)

Lupin says that when Harry, Ron, and Hermione left Hagrid's, he saw that a fourth person was with them. He watched... (full context)

After a moment of silence Ron says that Black and Lupin are crazy, and Harry points out that Black killed Peter... (full context)

...unregistered Animagi at Hogwarts. He breaks off suddenly as the door opens. There's nobody there. Ron says that the shack is haunted, but Lupin says that the screams that used to... (full context)

...already in trouble and then shouts at her to be quiet. Black snarls that if Ron brings Scabbers to the castle nobody will go to Azkaban. Snape threatens to call the... (full context)

...James, then tells Harry to get out of the way. At the same time, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all disarm Snape, which sends him flying back into the wall and knocks... (full context)

...it's time to provide proof that his story is true. Black asks for Peter, but Ron weakly asks how Black is sure that Scabbers is Peter. Black pulls out the newspaper... (full context)

Lupin notes that Scabbers looks awful now, and he and Ron argue about whether Scabbers's health started going downhill after Sirius escaped or after Crookshanks came... (full context)

...off and says that they can prove this by making Peter show himself. He assures Ron that if Scabbers is really just a rat, it won't hurt him, and Ron hands... (full context)

...pleads with Black and Lupin. They decide to kill Pettigrew together, so Pettigrew turns to Ron. Ron, however, looks revolted. Pettigrew turns to Hermione and then to Harry, whom he tells... (full context)

...the castle in the dark, the clouds shift. Snape's body runs into Lupin, Pettigrew, and Ron, who all stop suddenly. Lupin goes rigid and starts to shake. Sirius tells Harry and... (full context)

...Harry only stops watching when Hermione screams. He sees Pettigrew grab Lupin's wand, knock out Ron and Crookshanks, and then transform and flee. As Lupin races into the forest alone, Harry... (full context)

...listens to Snape and Fudge in the hallway. Snape tells Fudge that Harry, Hermione, and Ron were Confunded, and he suggests that Harry thinks too highly of himself and has been... (full context)

...explains that they've gone back three hours in time. She listens to herself, Harry, and Ron shuffle down to Hagrid's hut under the Invisibility Cloak and explains that her necklace is... (full context)

...around the edge of the forest until the Whomping Willow is in sight. They watch Ron fight with Scabbers and watch Sirius drag Ron through the roots. Dumbledore walks Macnair, Fudge,... (full context)

...be removed from the school, as they can't be attacking students. After the adults leave, Ron moans, wakes up, and asks what happened. (full context)

The castle is almost deserted when Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave the hospital wing the next day. They sit by the lake and... (full context)

On the train back to King's Cross, Hermione tells Harry and Ron that she's handed in her Time-Turner and dropped Muggle Studies so that she can have... (full context)