Silver lining and where to find it.

[Steve]

---  "zanooda2" <zanooda2 at ...> wrote:
>
> --- "Steve" <bboyminn@> wrote:
> 
> > I don't think this is intended for deep analysis
> 
> 
> zanooda:
> 
> I don't intend to analyze it, I just need to translate it, LOL! Or rather, to help someone else to translate it :-). I can't think of the exact same idiom in my language, plus the "I was looking for" part is rather confusing, so I need to find a way to say it differently. What would it be: 1. "This is my only consolation". 2. "This is what I wanted to hear". 3. "I knew there must be something good in all this" or something else :-)? One more thing: do you guys also think she says it a little ironically, or is she dead serious :-)?
>

I agree with others, 2.) and 3.) sound best to me. Though 3.)
could also be written, 'I knew there must be some good in all
this'. Though whether that's better of not, I'm not sure. Still,
I think 3.) captures the tone and reads smoothly to my ears. 

Number 2.) seems almost too lighthearted, and 1.) seems a little to 
formal for the situation. 

But you seem to understand it well enough, to have come up 
with fair and reasonable alternatives. 

As to what Ginny's tone is, I think there is an underlying
element of seriousness to it. She serious is worried that at 
some point in the future, Harry will have moved on. 

But, within the conversation, they are being lighthearted in 
a serious way it that makes any sense. The undertone is 
serious, but the overtone is humorous. Again, if that makes
any sense.

As to alternative to what you have already suggested. You
could make some reference to the 'bright side' if that is
a commonly understood phrase in your native language. 
Something along the line of, -

"That's the bright spot I was looking for."

"That's the bright side I was looking for."

Still, I think you've already captured in nicely.

Thanks for the many provocative discussions of language, I
find them very entertaining as well as educational.

Steve/bboyminn