SHIP: Questions for R/Hers...

[bbennett at joymail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 12109

Hi Angie, 
I thought I'd jump in and take a stab at an answer. I'd love to
hear any comments, and let me know if I'm making any sense!

"Ebony Elizabeth Thomas" <ebonyink at h...> wrote:

> First question--
> 
> One of the top arguments that R/Hers have used in the past to 
debunk HGTG is that "Harry has everything else, so Ron deserves 
something that he doesn't  have... the girl."

> Validity of the above position aside... doesn't this reasoning work 
most satisfactorily if the hero actually wants the girl, and the girl 
(you have to admit the terminology involved in this position is 
troublesome) chooses the alternate hero/sidekick over him?

I think there's been some misinterpretation as to what HGTG
means. I know I'm relatively new to HP4GU, but I've never
thought HGTG was offered to support the idea that Ron deserves 
Hermione, but as a  theory to explain why some people think Harry 
will end up with Hermione. These are not exchangeable concepts (i.e. 
saying you think HGTG is the reason people think Harry and Hermione 
will pair up doesn't automatically mean you think HGTG is the
reason Ron and Hermione should pair up). Suggesting that Ron only 
deserves to "get" the girl just because Harry is the hero
isn't rational, nor is it particularly fair to the characters 
involved. Suggesting HGTG as a reason for the defense of H/H is just 
a theory, but it can be reasonably analyzed and debated. 

> ...it seems as if this would satisfy the R/H argument that "Ron 
needs something that Harry doesn't have" to "Ron deserves something 
that Harry doesn't have *and wants*."
> 
> Since there is no canonical evidence whatsoever of Reversed FITD, 
how does Ron Getting Hermione (winces again at the terminology) 
fulfill the criteria set forth by R/Hers in the first place?

I'm not sure what criteria was set forth, and although I know
FITD is "Farmer In the Dell" (you all are so good with the
acronyms), I don't know what it means. You ask that you'd
like a better idea of the "opposite" side. Here's the way
I see it:

I read an attraction of Ron to Hermione. I do not see an attraction 
on Harry's part toward Hermione; the story is written 3rd person 
limited omniscient and we would be aware if he had feelings for her, 
much in the same way we are aware of his attraction to Cho (or his 
feelings for anyone else, for that matter).  I don't see that 
Hermione is attracted to Harry, but I do read that she's
interested in Ron, based on her reactions to Fleur, the ball, etc. 
Actually, I went into GoF with my own assumption of Harry and 
Hermione, and was surprised (and delighted, actually) when I saw that 
Ron liked Hermione and, by my interpretation, that Hermione liked him 
back. I really hadn't bothered to look for any relationship 
patterning, and I thought JKR did a great job. I'm not trying to 
argue ship either, just to tell you where I'm coming from.  I 
recognize that not everyone thinks this way, and that JKR could 
change any of the above at any time. 

> I'm not arguing my ship here.  Please help me understand.  And 
don't fear a trap!  Cassie's offline until at least Friday, Penny's 
not posting very  much, and the other H/Hers are quiet, gentle 
souls.  So here I stand, all  alone...  :::Ebony starts humming and 
singing:::

Oh, stop it.   <BG>  

> Also, yesterday in chat I asked the crowd what an extrapolated, 
paired-off  future Ron and Hermione would talk about if they weren't 
arguing.  I got  some silly responses that you'd have to check the 
chat transcripts for, but  the top three answers were:  1)  Humdrum 
everyday things... what do all  couples talk about?  2)  His work--
her work.  3)  Talk?  They'd be too busy  shagging.  ;o)  (Of course, 
all the H/H and no-shippers in the room ran away 
screaming at that point.)

I think I might have run screaming too :*). The answer depends on 
what kind of people they turn out to be.  What would Harry and 
Hermione talk about?  Who knows? My good friends very much have a R/H 
type of relationship, and they constantly challenge each other 
intellectually. They bicker, but not maliciously. They make me think 
of what canon Ron and Hermione could turn out to be, but of course, 
this is just my POV. It all depends. 

> I really want to make an honest attempt to understand the other 
PoV, but my brain is *refusing* to think along those lines. I need 
some help, please.  As I'm on leave until next Monday, that means you 
guys have one week to get me to jump ship.  Who knows?  Perhaps I'll 
be traveling on the Good Ship R/H  by March... don't look at me like 
that!  Stranger things have happened!

Well, even if you don't want to sail with us, come over and have
tea sometime. I make fabulous chocolate chip cookies.  Now, please 
get back to your story and put that leave to good use - I'm
anxiously awaiting the next chapter!

Best Regards,
B.