One of the most interesting facts about fans loving the moment between Harry and Ron fighting over a Potions textbook is that the short interaction cannot be found in the novels but was actually added to the movie, as Reddit commentator u/nuhanala points out, “This is one of those little scenes that I actually forgot wasn’t even in the book until I listened to all the audiobooks recently.” The producers’ decision to pop this moment in proved to be a solid choice for many “Harry Potter” fans, each with their own reasons. Some loved the struggle’s aftermath more than the fight itself.
Over on YouTube, @ohkaygoplay enjoyed not only the physical part but also the moment following with, “Ron and Harry fighting over the nicer textbook, Ron winning, and Harry smacking the book in his hand out of spite while Ron still grins in sheepish victory is the most realistic and relatable high school boy best friends thing to do ever. ” The discussion also turns to how Ron won this friendly battle over Harry, the only wizard to survive a Voldemort attack. U/Fossekall believes, “Got practice fighting for things against brothers, makes sense he’d win.”
One fan, @silasgreaves6134, believes that in addition to the lesson itself, Professor Slughorn knew what he was doing by sending the boys to the cupboard by posting, “A teacher setting a friendly competition in front of his students for a tidy reward, which directly or indirectly gets them to learn.” Whatever the reason this particular movie-only moment was added, it clearly brought out a positive reaction from many fans, allowing them to connect with these characters who experience a friendly struggle that plenty of at-home Muggles are familiar with.