Harry's Shell

[Jim Flanagan]

No: HPFGUIDX 7493

Harry and everyone around must be aware at some level that he is 
a "marked man," i.e., that he could be killed at any time.  I think 
that this fact will continue to keep Harry from entering into deep 
relationships or giving too much of himself to another person 
emotionally. By not caring too much for another person, he doesn't 
risk hurting that person by his death. 

Personally, I think that this was his real (tho subliminal) 
motivation for telling Krum that Hermione is "just a friend."  That 
scene didn't ring true to me *at all* -- I think that even at age 14 
Harry would have developed strong feelings for Hermione, and "just a 
friend" doesn't describe them. [I can testify to this with some 
authority, since I used to be a 14 year old boy: A girl with 
Hermione's intelligence and spirit is incredibly sexy.] So he was 
actively pushing her away, even against his own inclinations.

The threat hanging over him will create sense of "unfinished 
business" that will dominate Harry's life until Lord V is finally 
dealt with. Harry won't be able to give himself completely to anyone 
until he's able to stop looking out for what might be sneaking up 
behind him.

What I would expect as Harry grows up would be for him to enter into 
relationships fairly easily, but to pull out before any deep feelings 
are established. He's already seen first hand how Diggory's death has 
hurt Cho, and I think that the memory will reinforce this pattern.

Under these circumstances, I wouldn't *want* to see an H/H-ship, 
because it will never be what it could and should be...

-Jim Flanagan