Marty's Devil's Advocate Post

[naama]

No: HPFGUIDX 7578

--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, "Flying Ford Anglia" 
<neilward at d...> wrote:
> 
> Yes.  In this scenario, JKR neatly side-stepped Harry's need to 
> make a public choice between his two best friends.  

I don't have my copy of GoF here (its out earning its living), but as 
I recall, Harry was thinking that "its much less fun, and much more 
hanging in the library" when Hermione is your best friend. That would 
imply that normally (when they're not not talking) Harry considers 
Ron his best friend.

> 
> **Could we assume that Hermione dated Krum to try to win Harry's 
> attention? Was she trying to goad a reaction from him (or, let's be 
> fair, from Ron)?

To be fair - from Ron.
 
> **Is it me, or was Harry not overly bothered that Hermione was 
> Krum's 'thing he'd miss most' after such a brief dalliance with 
her? 
> If that were me, in a parallel situation, I'd be brimming with 
> jealousy.  I suppose we should wonder whether Harry is not bothered 
> at all about Hermione or just encased in a teenaged ignorance of 
> romance (we are talking about 14 year olds, let's not forget).

He just isn't bothered. And just to remind all you H/H shippers - Ron 
was, very much so!
> 

> **How did the Tournament organisers know 'the thing you'd miss 
most' 
> in each case?  IIRC, the contestants weren't asked about this.  Did 
> the judges read their minds or did they ask the other students and 
> teachers for their views?  If the latter is the case for Harry, I 
> think Ron may well have been chosen over Hermione in a poll of the 
> Hogwarts' contingent. 

I would think that each contestant's most important thing was 
revealed through magic. Prbably through the magic of the contest 
itself.
> 
> **On balance, would Harry have decided he'd miss Cho(an unrequited 
> crush) more than Ron or Hermione, if Cedric hadn't chosen Cho? In 
> other words, could Ron have been Harry's third choice?

Someone said this on a previous post and it bears repeating - Cho, as 
a crush, is a fantasy for Harry. Ron and Hermione and real, 
long-standing friends. Think from your experience - who would *you* 
miss most?

> **Could Harry (somehow) have named Ron, because he thought Ron 
needed 
> a public affirmation of his friendship to boost his self esteem, 
> whereas Hermione did not?

Grrrr. You admitted that they were not asked about this. Besides, 
Harry was totally surprised when Dobby told him that Ron (Wheezy, I 
think he called him?) was involved.

<snip> 

Naama