. He's seen as bumbling because the narrative disagrees with him, but in another story, I can see Arthur as being a tireless champion for helping, learning, and eventually interacting with nonmagical society more. (And a lot of frustrations at having to deal with the Muggleists in the ministry.)

Ooh, I like that. Now that I think about it, in the first few books, he's just quirky, but then the war starts up and he's suddenly a lot less bumbling. I remember when in OoTP someone's been hexing Muggle toilets to flush the opposite direction, and Arthur points out that while it may just sound like a funny story, it's not funny at all because of what that action represents.

but I recall there's at least some negative ideas about Fleur's veela heritage expressed aloud.)

I didn't see any of that in HBP as far as I can recall, but honestly, I don't doubt that was there. I also know in GoF, Harry tells Ron that when he asked Fleur to the ball, she was probably trying to get Cedric to ask her and Ron caught some of her Veela magic. Which is so gross, yet I don't think it's meant to be. (It's one of those textual things that aged very badly.)

Instead, Ron gets relegated to the muscle category, in awe of Hermione's research skills and relative ability to think situationally. (Of all three of them, Harry's actually the muscle, as described. Ron has strategy, Hermione has tactics, and Harry is the one who can put down force.)

Great point! You're right, Harry's really the muscle.