Some shipping questions...Joshua & Kerri

[raolin1 at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29554

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., raolin1 at h... wrote:
> Since Ron is fairly obviously smitten with Hermione, ...


I feel kinda silly responding to my own post, but I've just had 
another flash of inspiration here.  What I said above may not be 
true, and I can think of two very good reasons why not.

Case #1: Ron as the Mother-Hen.  When Ron accuses Hermione of 
fraternizing with the enemy, and later, of even helping Krum with the 
Triwizard tasks, we generally give each other sly winks and 
say, "Riiiight, Ron.  We know you're just lashing out in fear of 
losing Hermione."  However, a good case can be made that Ron's words 
might be taken at face value.  After Harry faced the Horntail and Ron 
came and made up with him, Ron became an almost rabid proponent of 
Harry's interests, as Harry notes with some satisfaction immediately 
when Karkaroff gives him his score.  If this continues, and this view 
is taken, then Ron's accusations, while still ridiculous, take on a 
whole new meaning.  In fact, all of Ron's interactions with Hermione 
relative to Krum can be seen in this light, and nothing in the books 
that I can remember is inconsistent with this position.  The fact 
that we don't think of this automatically perhaps just means that 
we're too clever for our own good.  I wouldn't be surprised if most 
younger readers have this impression, however.

Case #2: Ron as the Status quo Defender.  In many cases, especially 
amongst younger folks (like the kid's age in GF) who are part of a 
close-knit, small core of friends react negatively to any significant 
others.  This doesn't mean that they share romantic ties themselves, 
though, simply that they feel the intrusion of a significant other is 
a very real threat to the stability of the friendship itself.  Ron is 
afraid that if Victor and Hermione get together, then their own trio 
is in danger of falling apart.

As a few final notes, in my recent re-read, I didn't catch anything 
that led to me believe Ron was interested in Hermione romantically 
prior to GF.  Even looking particularly for it, Ron's concern over 
Hermione in CS (both when she's called a Mudblood, and when she's 
petrified) certainly indicate closeness, but not necessarily romantic 
closeness.  I would react much the same for one of my good friends, 
regardless of whether or not I was romantically attracted to her.  
It's worth addressing the idea that Ron seems to take these things 
harder than Harry, but I think that is more easily explained that Ron 
consistently has his heart on his sleeve much moreso than Harry, who 
as a quintessentially British hero does a more thorough job of 
maintaining the "stiff upper lip" and all that.

Anyway, I think I've about run out of evidence to present without 
Book 5.  I'm sure I'll think of something else, though and have to 
post again...  :)

Joshua Dyal