Harry Potter's two closest friends since the first installment in the series, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," also share one of the saga's most strained relationships. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger may embody predestined puppy love more than any of their Hogwarts classmates, but the bombshell kiss that Ron shares with Lavender Brown in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" threatens to drive a permanent wedge between them, even as the darkest threat the series has ever seen descends on their school.
Born into one of Hogwarts' largest families, with five older brothers having enrolled there, Ronald Bilius Weasley's father was committed to the fight against Lord Voldemort as a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Both Hermione and Harry initially encountered Ron during their first-year trip on the Hogwarts Express, and though he would grow closer to both of them over the course of the series, as his immature impulses that early on sparked catty spats with Hermione also came to characterize their relationship.
Rupert Grint may have had one of the most unique entry methods into the now-famous "Harry Potter" cast. The previously inexperienced actor reportedly submitted hip-hop lyrics describing his character, which in turn earned him a screen test. The preteen freshman star was enthralled when he first saw "The Sorcerer's Stone" put together, calling the special effects "wicked" over and over again, in stark contrast to the maturing international star he has since become.
While Grint has matured, however, Ron Weasley's boyish mannerisms and shenanigans have lingered on. Even as Ron blundered, failing to impress Hermione when he invited her to the Yule Ball in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," she remained reservedly charmed by him. Her enduring patience will be tested, though, when Ron latches on to Lavender.
Even if Ron's antics have finally put him in the doghouse with Hermione, his constant screw-ups at Hogwarts have gone a long way to launch Grint's career. Easily one of the most successful acting novices to emerge from Chris Columbus' "Sorcerer's Stone" recruits, Grint earned a role shortly after his part in the first film, alongside Stephen Fry and Paul Giamatti, in the family comedy "Thunderpants." Meanwhile, between his work on two "Potter" films this year, he has still managed to appear in the U.K. release "Cherrybomb," in addition to director Jonathan Lynn's new film "Wild Target," which also features Grint's recently revealed costar in the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," Bill Nighy.
Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."
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