ships, Ron, etc.

[bbennett at joymail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 11508

  
Cassie wrote (re: SugarQuill):

>  There's a middle ground between Weasley-bashing and utter 
Ron-worship, and I get the feeling that even that middle ground 
wouldn't be tolerated. >

Well,  I hang out there and I it's known that I *obssessively* 
follow your stories AND have recommended PoU, so if they 
tolerate me, it can't be too bad, can it? :*) Really, There's been a 
lot of interesting conversation at Sugarquill, and Ron is most 
definitely not hero worshipped (ok, maybe a joking comment or 
two. And talk about the Weasley's pretty red hair. But that's it - I 
promise). You mentioned you got this impression from posts to 
HP4GU, but I see very few  SugarQuill "regulars" who are active 
here (Kathy and Zsenya aside. Hi Kathy! Hi Zsenya!).  You should 
stop back to visit sometime - it's a great site.


Penny wrote:
> Thanks Cassie!  There's definitely a middle-ground, and that's 
where I fall.  I don't think it qualifies as "Weasley-bashing" to 
consider the theoretical possibility that Ron's jealous insecurity 
& obvious desire  for wealth and recognition might make him a 
very vulnerable target for Voldemort & the dark side.  But, 
anything short of "Ron would *never* betray his friend Harry, not 
under *any* circumstances" seems to be labelled as 
"Weasley-bashing." >

I don't think that's Weasley bashing either, and it's an interesting 
theory.  I personally don't see from the books that being jealous 
of his consistently in-the-limelight-famous-best friend, coming 
from a poor family and wishing for more money, or being one of 
seven children and feeling overlooked is indicative he'll betray 
his friends - all of those reactions seem normal for a kid with 
those kind of things going on, and I think he's handled his 
emotions reasonably and realistically well (albeit after acting like 
- what's the phrase Cassie's Draco uses? - a speccy little git). 
But I suppose I could be wrong :*) 

Penny also wrote: 
> I was just noting that R/H types don't have any
 problem criticizing other characters but they seem to fairly bristle 
at the slightest criticism of Ron.  This criticism that gets dished 
out to the other characters from R/H types extends not only to 
Harry (everything from boring to inconsiderate/selfish) and 
Hermione (bossy know-it-all hen-pecking shrew, who 
nonetheless "should" be paired up with Ron (inexplicably)) but 
also to Sirius and a wide variety of other characters.  I know I can 
be touchy about Hermione, but I usually support what I'm saying 
with reasoned arguments from the canon (as to why she isn't 
bossy still, etc.) or at least that's my intent.  Don't  get me wrong: 
it's perfectly fine for people to think Harry is selfish or Hermione 
is bossy & to post their reasons why.  But, I just don't understand 
why *any* criticism of Ron should be met with such emotional 
"how dare you" reactions from people.>

See my  "speccy little git" comment above. Ron can definitely be 
a brat, and so can Harry (I can't criticize Hermione because I 
sympathize with her and I think she's right to boss Harry and Ron 
around - honestly, they need all the help they can get). I've read 
the same sort of "how dare you" reactions regarding criticism of 
Harry here and on the PoU list, so it's not an exclusive trait.  
You're right, Penny - we can all get a little too wrapped up in the 
process of defending our favorite characters.    

> > Cassie said:
> > > >I see no H/G in the books (i.e., indications that Harry has 
feeling for Ginny
> > Kathy: And I see no evidence that he likes Hermione, but that 
doesn't stop people  from believing in H/H either.
> > Cassie: And I see no evidence that Hermione likes Ron, but 
that  doesn't stop people from believing in R/H.
> Penny wrote: 
> Thanks Cassie!  <eg>

I agree with Cassie - I haven't seen evidence in the books that 
Harry likes Ginny, either, and as it's been brought up here before, 
her character simply hasn't been fully fleshed out enough yet. I've 
enjoyed reading fan-written interpretations of her very much, and 
it'll be interesting to see what's done with her in the next book. As 
for Hermione and Ron, the reason I've personally written things 
with a R/H slant is because that's what I picked up from the book 
(he likes her and vice-versa, although he's more obvious).  The 
books are written from Harry's POV, and since we know how he 
feels about other characters, it seems we would also know if he 
likes Hermione as more than a friend.  I suppose there's no 
reason that won't change (that JKR said there's something going 
on between R&H aside), but I haven't seen evidence of that yet. 

Of course, I also understand some think that because Harry 
notices Ron's bare ankles he's hot for him, so maybe all of the 
R/H H/H people are in for a surprise.  :*)

Regards,
B.