In the world ofHarry Potter, the centuries-old Sorting Hat determines which of the four houses of Hogwarts each student belongs to, based on their personalities and values. However, as Dumbledore once implied inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it has definitely made errors of judgment a handful of times.
While examples of Severus Snape and Peter Pettigrew do reinforce that fact, Ron Weasley’s sorting has also been under question on more than one occasion. His character evolves considerably throughout the series, but his recurring moments of weakness and insecurity have often made fans wonder if he even possesses the“nerve and chivalry” of a Gryffindor.
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Why Was Ron Sorted into Gryffindor?
Ron’s lack of confidence and tendency to defuse the tension with his dry humor gives the impression that he is more of a passive character instead of an essential part of the Golden Trio. As the youngest of six brothers, he believes his achievements pale in comparison to his siblings’ accolades, which causes him to feel quite neglected. The fact that he has to make do with his brothers’ hand-me-downs, and is deprived of finer things, only aggravates his self-consciousness (especially when he is forced to wear frilly dress robes to the Yule Ball). The feelings of inadequacy only seem to get confirmed in his mind when the Slytherins belittle him about his family’s meager amount of money.
This also reflects in his friendship with Harry; he is prone to random bouts of jealousy when his best friend receives much more attentionas the Chosen One. There is even a brief period inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Firewhen he refuses to talk to him because Harry is selected as the second Hogwarts champion in the Triwizard Tournament. His biggest moment of failure comes inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when he abandons Harry and Hermione during their hunt for Voldemort’s Horcruxes. While it may be true that the Horcrux he is wearing at the time (Salazar Slytherin’s old locket) provokes him to take such an action, it largely stems from Ron’s own shortcomings and bitter emotions. He is used to the material comforts of home, and is unable to cope with their current harsh living conditions. He is also frustrated with Harry’s indecisiveness and the seemingly limited guidance Dumbledore has given him. At some point, he might have been unsure of his own role in the quest too. The Horcrux in the locket also voices all his fears, taunting him that he is “least loved, always, by the mother who craved a daughter… least loved now, by the girl who prefers your friend… second best, always, eternally overshadowed”.
However, Dumbledore seems to have predicted this beforehand, which is whyhe bequeaths his Deluminator to Ronin his will. He knows Ron just needs to confront his own inner demons, otherwise his Gryffindor spirit will always guide him to do the right thing in the end. Even when he leaves Harry and Hermione, he immediately regrets his decision and tries to go back. This is when a ball of light emerges from the Deluminator and floats right into his chest, telling him exactly where he needs to go. When he returns, he manages to destroy the Horcrux with the sword of Godric Gryffindor – which only a true Gryffindor can hold in the first place.
Even apart from this moment, Ron emerges as a true hero several other times throughout the series. He plays what Dumbledore calls “the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen these many years” during his first year at Hogwarts, and sacrifices himself at the end so that Harry couldgo find the Sorcerer’s Stone. The next year, he accompanies Harry deep into the Forbidden Forest in pursuit ofAragog, Hagrid’s pet Acromantula, even though he is deathly afraid of spiders. He also stands up to Draco Malfoy with a broken wand when he hurls slurs towards Hermione. Moreover, he always retaliates when anyone insults the Weasley name. Despite his flaws, he redeems himself quickly and proves that he is staunchly loyal to his family and friends. Time and time again, he fights bravely — in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries,the Battle of the Seven Pottersand the Battle of Hogwarts, to name a few examples. He is also the one who devises a clever plan of extracting a Basilisk fang from the Chamber of Secrets to destroy a Horcrux. According to J. K. Rowling, Ron goes on to becomean accomplished Auror, a role that requires intensive training to be prepared for high-risk situations.
Although Ron does falter now and then, his character undergoes significant growth. He demonstrates that those who manage to conquer their deep-rooted, irrational fears are “brave at heart” after all — thus, reaffirming his place in Gryffindor.
Could Ron Have Been Sorted Somewhere Else?
With Harry almost being sorted into Slytherin andHermione also being considered for Ravenclaw, it is not unlikely that Ron could have also belonged to another house. When Rupert Grint famously took Pottermore’s Sorting Hat quiz and got sorted into Hufflepuff, fans speculated whether this could be in the case of the character he played as well.
Hufflepuffs are known to be fiercely loyal, which is also one of Ron’s core values. Before the Battle of Hogwarts begins, Hufflepuff is the first house to stand up against the Slytherins in Harry’s support. Similarly, Ron proves his loyalty to Harry and his friends numerous times, especially in the last installment of the series. Out of the Golden Trio, it can be said that Ron has the most to lose then sincethe entire Weasley broodcould be caught in the midst of the wizarding war when he is being hunted down by Voldemort’s followers. However, he still goes along with Harry to search for the Horcruxes.
While Hufflepuffs are generally modest, they can sometimes fail to acknowledge their own worth. This is also a trait that Ron possesses; he is often found in the background when others receive glory, whether it be Harry or his brothers, which causes him to question his own skills and abilities.
On the other hand, Hufflepuffs are distinguished by their work ethics, whereas Ron is rather the opposite in this context. They are also described as being patient, and they do not readily take risks. Ron, on the contrary, rushes into dangerous missions to help his friends (just like a Gryffindor would) and, even otherwise, makes spontaneous decisions without weighing the possible outcomes. A notable example is when he steals his father’s Ford Anglia to fly across the countryin the Muggles’ plain sight, just so that he and Harry could go to Hogwarts.
Although Hufflepuff would have openly accepted Ron, he would not have developed and matured like he does as a Gryffindor.
