Testing the Friendship/Question re: H/G

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 11002

Ebony wrote:

> It's one thing to have the Friendship endure forever as a 
harmonious 
> entity, without any emotional or psychological tests.
> 
> It's quite another to have the Friendship endure forever after 
having 
> been tested to its very limits.  Think of what a statement *that* 
> would be--to have played together, laughed together, dreamed 
> together, fought together, grown up together, adventured together, 
> and then to come to the realization that it's all right if 
everything 
> is not absolutely perfect... to realize that you have someone by 
your 
> side who is not only your strong right arm, but knows your mind and 
> your heart...
> 
> Wow.
> 
> If *that's* the statement JKR is making in her theme of friendship 
> (which is indeed one of her major themes!), I'll be in full awe of 
> her.

This was so beautifully said that I couldn't snip it any shorter than 
that.

And if you fill in "marriage" or "family" for "friendship," I think 
you have a very wise and true statement about marriage or family 
also.  Which is to say that as much as we might long for a spot of 
romance and a happy-ever-after wedding and dinner round the table 
with the 20 Weasleys in books 5-7, the truth is that those things, 
too, endure only if tested.  Otherwise the wedding is followed in 
time by disappointment and divorce and the OBHWF isn't so H.  So 
thanks, JKR & Ebony, for the reminder that the tests themselves can 
be the key to ultimate strength and happiness.

A side note:  each one of the books is marked by serious discord in 
friendships.  PS/SS:  R&Ha don't even like Hermione 'til midway 
through.  CoS:  Harry is the pariah of the school.  PA:  Serious 
conflict btw. Ron and Hermione, and several weeks where neither boy 
talks to her.  GF:  Harry's the pariah again, plus the conflict with 
Ron.  JKR's creativity in generating and resolving problems with 
friendships is rivalled only by her creativity in imagining plausible 
ways to get rid of DADA teachers.

Amy Z