SHIP: How Shippers Come to Be

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 13890

Hi --

Morsus Crustum wrote:

> What my half-assed theory was saying is thus: I think that H/Hism is
> born out of lack of anyting else. Before GoF, we don't see any R/H at
> all, not even Ron unknowingly mooning after Hermione. People who had
> to deal with only the first books (and wanted romance, no offense to
> the inner-tubers out there) and go thorough them endlessly came to the
> H/H conclusion.

Actually, I (yes, me, Captain of the H/H Cruiseliner) would disagree
here.  I saw evidence of Ron liking Hermione as early as CoS.  He
overcame his fear of spiders enough to go chasing after Aragog -- why?
Because he looked over at Hermione's empty seat & stiffened his
resolve.  He seemed very affected when she was petrified.  He cursed
Malfoy & ate slugs because Malfoy insulted Hermione (granted Harry had
no idea it *was* an insult).  His first question when returning from the
Chamber and learning that the petrified students were being revived was,
"So, Hermione's okay, then?"

PoA -- similar trends continue.  I won't detail them as I typed far too
much yesterday & my wrists are killing me this morning.

But, there's plenty of evidence of Ron's growing feelings -- starting
with CoS.

I was never R/H really, because I didn't (and don't) see any evidence of
Hermione returning his feelings for certain.  I also don't buy into the
"sparks = romance" thing either.  I was picking up on clues that
Hermione has her cap set on Harry beginning with PoA.  So, FITD,
although not labelled as such & not really clearly formulated, was
beginning to gel for me with PoA.  I read 1-3 in rapid succession last
January.  And, of course, had to re-read them countless times waiting
for GoF.  But, I think it would be incorrect to say that everyone who
read the books pre-GoF was forced into the H/H camp by default for lack
of evidence of a possibility of R/H.  Ron's been on a path toward liking
Hermione since CoS.  But, Ebony's right IMO: I think JKR has
purposefully cloaked Hermione's feelings from the get-go.

Penny



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