Marty's Devil's Advocate Post

[Susan McGee]

No: HPFGUIDX 7713

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

Naama says: 
> To be fair - from Ron.

I think we should assume that Viktor Krum is the first boy/man
to pay serious attention to Hermione. Harry and Ron are obviously
both too immature to do anything but have fantasies about girls.
Does Harry seek Cho out for conversation? No, he just imagines her 
face as he wins the TriWizard Cup. Ron is gaga about Fleur Delacoeur, 
but
again, this is fantasy, and a hormonal response to her obvious 
physical charms. He has no interest in her as a person. JKR obviously 
believes that girls are more socially mature than boys at this age. 
Hermione is obviously flattered by Viktor's attention.
He is, after all, an international Quidditch star. He is genuinely 
interested in Hermione, seeks her out, asks her to visit him over the 
holidays. She likes him and is flattered, but also obviously, is 
still more interested in her studies, her buddies, and fighting the 
good fight (against Voldemort and Rita Skeeter). She likes 
transforming herself so she can demonstrate that the bookworm can be 
glamorous, and it's fun going as the partner of one of the champions.
She's not trying to goad a reaction from anyone.

After Ron pitches a jealous fit (indicating her interest), she 
suggests that he ask her out first next time. They become oddly 
formal with each other; JKR says something is going on between them. 
It seems fairly conclusive to me, and I continue to be mystified that 
there is all this hoopla about it.

>  
> > **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?
> 

Naama says:
> 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.
> 

Susan says:
Of course they weren't told. It was magic. Dumbledore or someone 
ascertained what they would miss most. As I said above, Viktor is 
seriously interested in Hermione. Harry is not yet romantically 
interested in anyone; he has fantasies and desires, and as JKR says, 
about the wrong person for him. The thing he would miss most is his 
best friend....Wheezy.