[HPforGrownups] Harry and someone (romance pairings) and narration

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 1808

Hi --

Simon Branford wrote:

> I am only convinced at this outcome if it occurs as it does in PoU. By
> this I mean that for Harry and Hermione to happen then Ron will die
> first. Are the poll results in for this question (was it here or on
> PoU that the question was asked?)?

It was asked on PoU -- only about 11% of the members have voted but
maybe that's the final outcome.  Low voter turnout.  The results thus
far are 47% favor H/H no matter what, 30% favor H/H as long as Ron is
dead and 9% still favor R/H.

> Penny wrote: "1.  Balance"
>
> Does a couple need to be so totally balanced?

No.  Not always.  This argument makes alot more sense when combined with
the arguments *against* R/H -- that they are too imbalanced.  Ron has
always been overshadowed in all spheres of his life so it seems.  He's
the 6th boy in a family of successful over-achievers, and he's keenly
aware of the what he thinks he needs to live up to for his family.  He
doesn't come out ahead when matched up against his best friend, Harry.
He doesn't come out ahead when matched against his friend Hermione.

I would imagine that when he chooses a romantic partner, he probably
won't want to play second-fiddle in yet another aspect of his life.  He
may not want to necessarily be a *dominant* partner but he probably at
least would want there to be some semblance of equal footing.  I don't
see that happening in any romantic relationship between Ron & Hermione.
Their fighting & squabbling, which looks so cute & Spencer
Tracy/Katherine Hepburn-esque to so many people right now, would, IMO,
degenerate into some really ugly arguments & jealousies on Ron's part.

We've talked alot over the last couple of weeks about Ron's
jealousy/envy, pride, insecurities, etc.  I think any romantic
relationship where those aspects of his personality are triggered on a
routine basis is doomed to fail.

This does *not* mean that *every* romantic relationship must be
perfectly balanced.  But, in Ron's particular case, I think it probably
ought to be.  So . . . . saying that Ron & Hermione are imbalanced
doesn't necessarily mean that Harry & Hermione are perfect for each
other.  But, she's clearly capable of holding her own with him, and he
could rely on her book smarts & common sense.

I'm also not arguing balance vis-a-vis the Trio itself.  Clearly, if
Harry & Hermione were to have a romantic relationship, this would
*unbalance* the Trio is some very fundamental ways.  I agree that Ron &
Hermione dating probably wouldn't have the same devastating effects.
But . . . . my balance argument doesn't relate to this aspect at all.
<g>

> Penny wrote: "and won't inspire a huge circle of arguments."
>
> Having had lots of comments made for one of my FAQ's, I can now see if
> I can develop some messages for everyone else FAQ's!

Fair enough!  <g>

> Firebolt wrote: "Here in continental Europe, platonic friends kiss all
> the time as a regular form of greeting. In fact, I believe the number
> of kisses varies country-to-country, and all that. No idea what the
> custom is in England, though."
>
> It is unusual to greet, or say bye to people, in this way in the UK.
> The
> influence of Europe is growing in the UK and so this type of greeting
> is
> becoming more common.

It strikes me that it would be a bit unusual to do this in the UK
(basing this on the stereotypical reserved Englishman).  In any case,
JKR says it's something Hermione had never done before.  Yeah -- it
could be platonic.  But, as far as we the readers are concerned, Ron
didn't even get a platonic kiss good-bye.  My feeling was just that
there was some subtle emphasis there on JKR's part, and it will be Book
5 or later before we know for sure if meant something or nothing at
all.  And, in any case, the final tally so far is one kiss for H/H and 0
kisses for R/H.  <g>  Sorry, couldn't resist.

Penny


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