[HPforGrownups] Defensiveness

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 10611

Hi --

Kathleen Kelly MacMillan wrote:

> Well, Penny, I always get the impression that it's shocking and bordering on
> sacrilege to suggest that Hermione could possibly end up with anyone less than
> Harry (and since my feelings about Ron are probably pretty clear at this point,
> you know why I have more than one problem with that idea).

Speaking for myself here: Actually, my argument has never been that Harry is a
better person than Ron and therefore more deserving of Hermione.  I truly believe
that Hermione has romantic interest in Harry.  Now, whether or not she'll decide
that Harry is just a crush & that Ron is really the one for her is debatable.
<g>  I also believe that Harry and Hermione are more well-suited to be
romantically involved, but that goes more to my perception about relationships in
general (I can't imagine a marriage where the spouses fight & bicker all the
time).  That doesn't mean I think Ron doesn't "deserve" Hermione.  I just think
they are incompatible over the long-haul and that Harry & Hermione's strengths and
weaknesses complement each other nicely.

Like Cassie, I do admit that Ron is my least favorite of the 3 main characters.  I
don't relate well to him, and like Ebony, I started out liking him quite a bit but
grew to have more & more doubts about him as the series progressed.  Perhaps Book
5 will put those doubts to rest though.  In any case though, *my* thought has
never been that Ron is a "lesser" person who doesn't "deserve" Hermione.  I don't
necessarily think that's been the position of any other H/H'er, but it's
definitely not mine.

My basic position has to do more with (a) better-suited, and (b) Hermione's
feelings (which I interpret as being for Harry, even though I readily concede that
it's debatable at this point).

> But I think kimberly makes a very good point:  both sides seem defensive to the
> other.

Perhaps that's all it is then.  :--)

> No, I think you've got it, at least as far as I can tell.  (Like I said before,
> I obviously don't feel the reluctance to post that most R/Hers seem too, since
> H/H-baiting is one of my favorite hobbies!).  But the impression I get is that
> some people feel that this list is overwhelmingly H/H and that
> their comments will just be ignored.

Well, the poll should put those thoughts to rest, eh?  And, don't forget my tally
of the H/H posts versus R/H posts from last month.  It was dead even, guys.  The
list is not pro-either ship.  The raw evidence doesn't support that at all.

> Awww, now look, we've scared the no-shippers.  That's not right.  I think the SS
> H/H and the Good Ship R/H need to sign an armistice right away.  Think of all
> the poor innocents down there in their inner tubes who could get hurt!

As I said last night, I originally said "Party Boats"!!  Somewhere along the line,
it got changed to battleships facing off in the open sea -- a far cry from my
original nautical vision of 2 large party boats, where we could all wave at each
other from our respective decks.

> And don't worry, everybody.  Even if the H/H and R/H do fire on each other
> sometimes, rest assured it's just friendly fire.  :)

I agree completely -- it is nothing more than friendly fire.  :--)

Penny