Harry and Ron's Argument (was Marty's Devil's Advocate Post)

[Ebony]

No: HPFGUIDX 7609

--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, "naama " <naama_gat at h...> wrote:
> 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.

I thought this too upon first read.  Here's the quote:

*****
"I didn't start this," Harry said stubbornly.  "It's his problem."

"You miss him!" Hermione said impatiently.  "And I know he misses you-
-"

"Miss him?" said Harry.  "I don't miss him..."

But this was a downright lie.  Harry liked Hermione very much, but 
she just wasn't the same as Ron.  There was much less laughter and a 
lot more hanging around in the library when Hermione was your best 
friend."

--from GoF, pp. 316-317, 1st Amer. ed (Scholastic)
*****

I don't take this as evidence that Hermione is not his best friend 
too.  In Chapter Two, "The Scar", he first imagines Hermione's 
reaction to the pain in his scar.  Then, "And so he tried to remember 
his *other* best friend, Ron Weasley's, reaction..." (21-22, emphasis 
mine)

Our biases definitely color our readings.  To be fair, it seems from 
GoF and interviews that JKR is setting up R/H.  But I don't think H/H 
sentiment will disappear from the fandom... I still don't think 
Laurie and Amy were suited in *Little Women*, and will never believe 
that they were.

Perhaps after Book 5's publication, we H/H folks will have to hear a 
lot of "I told you sos" though.  That'll smart... I hate being 
mistaken.  We'll just reply, "Good... let the relationship run its 
course... we know what's coming next."  :)

--Ebony