SHIP: RE: Krum and the Second Task (was semi-formal...)

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 11798

Hi --

naama_gat at hotmail.com wrote:

> <sob> I feel very picked upon (or as Jane Austen would say, "ill-used").
>
<pats Naama on the shoulder reassuringly>  I'm sure no one meant for you
to feel "ill-used" Naama!  :--)

> My dear (dear) Ebony and Penny,
>
> Allow me to do something that is normally not done and quote myself:
>
> "I do not agree with Charlotte about the "much", BTW. From my
> experience the flattery factor certainly has an effect but I wouldn't
> say its a major factor in how (and if) the romantic
> relationship evolves. That has to do with suitability on many
> different levels." (msg #11731)
>
> Have you actually *read* what I wrote or did you just concentrate on
> finding disjointed sentences and expressions that can be easily made
> to seem ridiculous? Did I imply that Hermione would be the sort who
> fits "into the role of a woman who would be unduly swayed by the
> Flattery Factor"?

But, reading your original message (#11618), you did say that R/H was
more probable because one of the conditions (R liking H) was met.  You
said that was just simple logic, and then you added the psychological
considerations, namely that "How often has it happened (especially to
women) that they ended falling in love with a guy they hadn't even
noticed before he showed interest in them?"

Forgive us if we've misinterpreted.  Your next message (#11731) did
clarify things quite a bit, but I had the impression that you still
believed the Flattery Factor worked in Ron's favor.  I guess my take is
that the Flattery Factor will only work in Ron's favor if Hermione has
some smidgeon of romantic interest in him.  If she does (and she might),
then the Flattery Factor may well be enough to get it going, spark the
relationship.  But if she doesn't, then I don't think the Flattery
Factor will cause a relationship to happen between the two of them.  I
guess, at base, I think the Flattery Factor is probably only useful for
communicating that initial spark of interest to the other party, who is
also likewise communicating a spark of interest.  I don't really see a
spark from one party starting the fire of romance between them so to
speak -- seems to me that you need 2 sparks or potential sparks for the
fire to eventually start.  I suppose that's because I still disagree
strongly with the idea that people (especially women) are inclined to
fall for someone they'd never before considered just because a man shows
interest in them.

Which brings me to your last point, which is where I think we meet
common ground ....

> The *only* effect the Flattery Factor has is in producing a heightened
> awareness regarding the person showing interest in you. Can I say it
> any clearer than that? It does not make a relationship happen, it has
> nothing  to do with the dynamics of the relationship. Its like a spark
> - if there is nothing that can burn, the fire won't start.

I think we agree here!  I just maintain that "heightened awareness" of
Ron's interest on Hermione's part is likely to result in a compassionate
let-down rather than a romance (but that's because I don't think there's
any romantic interest on her side).  <g>  Make sense?

Penny
(who often feels "ill-used" and misunderstood ... so she has sympathy)


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