I thought it was Hagrid because he said that there was never a "good Slytherin", and Ron's all pro-Gryffindor, and he was also spouting out that Slytherin's were bad, too.
Yes, Draco reminded him a lot of Dudley, so he subconsciously chose the Gryffindor house because he didn't want to be in the same house as another bully; it would be like living in his Aunt & Uncles again.
A story you might like (or maybe already read), is called "Canon Derailed", it's on FanFicAuthors.net, and you can search for it with Google, or go to Fanficauthors.net and go to Bobmin's website. It's a story about Harry that thinks Dumbledore is "evil" and goes to a school in the US instead, effectively "derailing" canon.
Yes, Ginny is purely a fan-girl. She's basically also a Mary-Sue, and also a slut, because you really don't see the other females dating any males besides Ginny and Ron, but Ginny's been through a lot of boyfriends. Also note, that when Harry "fancied" Cho Chang, he didn't get that "monster in the chest" feeling when he saw her dating that other male, unlike when he saw Ginny dating what's his name and kissing him, he had that "monster in the chest" feeling. I honestly think the stupid broad gave him something to like her.
As for Ron in the summer before 5th year, yes, I would consider that a betrayal because he's putting an authority figure above his supposedly "best mate". If the headmaster asked me to stop writing my friend, or some shit, I'd tell him to go piss himself. But Ron didn't do that, he decided the headmaster of a school was more important than the feelings of his supposedly "best mate". That in itself is a berayal, in my opinion. Hermione did the same thing. Very not cool, on either of their parts. Hermione only did it once, the same year as Ron his "second" time by not really writing him all that much. Those aren't qualities of friends I'd want.
Author's response
Hey again, Richard.
Yes, Hagrid did say somethng like 'Ain't a witch or wizard who went bad, wwasn't n Slytherin. Unfortunately, Hagrid was screwed over by Riddle...a Slytherin, and he is not only beholden to but almost worships Dumbledore who is definitely anti-Slytherin.
Even so, it wasn't until Harry got on the train that he made his decision. Ron, had introduced himself (and immediately glomped onto his candy), when the ferret showed up. Draco had made a poor first impression in Diagon Alley, and immediately insulted Ron.../Harry's first friend/, and so, Harry instinctively jumped to defend him.
I read Canon Derailed. It was funny as all hell. Bobmin is one of my favorite writing teams.
Mary-Sue, yes...definitely. Slut? That word is highly overused. In three years she's had three boyfriends. There is nothing in canon to indicate she did anything other than some snogging. My daughter has had more boyfriends in the same three years and yet, she is still a virgin, and highly discerning as to whom she lets close.
Monster in chest: Like i said before, the only way to explain that is freelance pharmaceuticals. It's also possible that Ginny is a patsy. She's been raised from birth to be Mrs. Harry Potter. By whom? Molly. Under the instructions of whom? Most likely, Dumbledore. If anyone made, or gave potions, I'd have to suspect it was Molly trying to insure her One-Big-Happy-Weasley-Family...
Before she died, my sister FireLemming, did a cartoon where Harry was complaining about the monster in his chest. Hermione looks down suggestively and says: Harry, that's not your chest."
If I can find it, I'll post it on Kinsfire's site.
Pre-5th year Ron: OK, I can see that.
~If the headmaster asked me to stop writing my friend, or some shit, I'd tell him to go piss himself.~
How about if that same headmaster was the de-facto ruler of the country? One who could easily put his father out of work, impound his home and ensure that neither he nor his siblings never attend school again? That's just a supposition, but it is well within Dumbledore's stated positions of authority and his canon personality.
He's as unforgiving of dissension as Riddle is.
Hermione: Should and could have remembered the muggle post. She was raised muggle. Again, that was a part of her absolute trust in Authority figures.
Anyway...
Until next time...
Alorkin