[HPforGrownups] Re: H/H v H/R

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 7579

Hi --

naama wrote:

> Ah, but if they weren't vehement you would have been just as
> suspicious, wouldn't you? They're in a lose-lose situation, as far as
> you're concerened: When they are vehement about not having feelings,
> its a case of "the lady doth protest too much"; when Hermione kisses
> Harry its a straightforward proof of her feelings. It seems
> to me suspiciously like the kind of desperate logic that is needed to
> uphold an unsupported prejudice (in other quarters called wishful
> thinking). <g>

Well, as a lawyer, I don't much care for having my logical skills
attacked.  <vbg>  But, let's see what I can do .... the vehemence of the
denial is actually, on reflection, more on Harry's part.  That was the
point of Jim Flanagan's post earlier this week, and a point that I found
interesting.  Note: I didn't say it was suspicious behavior, I said it
was of interest.  Jim's point was that Harry may on a conscious or
subconscious level have vehemently denied any feelings or attraction to
Hermione as a defense mechanism, a mechanism he may employ with all
other romantic entanglements until he's no longer a marked man.  I think
that's an interesting & valid point.

I have also noted that oftentimes people who are attracted to each other
(but don't want to acknowledge it even to themselves let alone the
outside world) will make a public show of proclaiming to be "just
friends."  I speak from personal experience.  This *could* be the case.
Maybe not, but maybe.

The kiss in my mind is just possibly evidence of Hermione's feelings for
Harry.  It's not straightforward by any means.  I don't think I've yet
argued that it was.  I readily acknowledge it could very well be a red
herring or just an insignificant detail that JKR threw in without any
thought whatsoever.  But,  I do believe that (a) JKR emphasized the
point (she could have just left it at "Hermione leaned up & kissed Harry
on the cheek as they were saying goodbyes" - she needn't have added the
"did something she'd never done before" bit), and (b) 14 yr old girls,
in my experience, don't often take that sort of initiative.  I'm with
Ebony's students -- I think there's more to it than "my best friend just
went through this terrible tragedy."  That might be all there is to it,
but I'll go with the 14 yr olds with that one.

> >*I* think H/H is something that will develop over time, probably in
> > adulthood after the Voldemort business is finished.  They are
> > infinitely better suited than Ron & Hermione.
>
> Are they? I think not. Both Harry and Hermione are ambitious in
> their own domains) and highly insecure. They both continually need to
> prove themselves. They would *not* be good for each other as a
> couple. OTOH, Ron's stability, cheerfulness and lack of intense
> ambition makes him very suitable to be Hermione's mate in life.

OMG -- are we reading the same books?  Ron's "lack of intense
ambition"????  He's *the* most ambitious character in the series in my
book.  We've only seen the tip of the iceberg in GoF IMO.  He's far more
ambitious than surface-level ambitious Percy.  Ron is incredibly
insecure (I agree that Harry & Hermione have their own insecurities but
Ron's insecurities are at least threefold what either H or H
demonstrate).  He's constantly trying to be better than everyone around
him ... what was it he saw in the Mirror of Erised -- himself, standing
alone, more successful & admired than any of his friends & family.  Well
.... all I can say is we have a very different perspective on Ron.  I
don't see him as stable, cheerful or unambitious.  Completely the
opposite in my book.  Ron has lots of great qualities, but a healthy
level of ambition is not one of them (IMO).

> For this reason, I believe, he is also suitable as Harry's best friend
>
> (in spite of his one episode of jealousy).

Well .... I don't at all quarrel with the notion that he's a great best
friend for Harry.  But, I think the potential for his betrayal of Harry
at some point to get the wealth and/or recognition that he so
desperately craves is quite evident.  I hope it doesn't happen, but the
signs are sure there.  Then again, maybe all of that is a red herring to
throw us all off-base.

Penny


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