[HPforGrownups] Shippers and Non-Shippers

[tillrules at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 28087

In a message dated 10/23/2001 6:00:55 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
cynthiaanncoe at home.com writes:

<< I have been thinking of asking this question for a while, but I have 
 never figured out exactly how to phrase it.  So forgive me if this 
 comes off as a little awkward.  It isn't my intention to offend.
 
 As we all know, to date, there has been only a small amount of overt 
 romantic activity described in the HP series.  There is almost none 
 in the first three books.  In GoF, there is "The Unexpected Task" 
 and "The Yule Ball."  Those chapters were played mostly for laughs, 
 IMHO.  Occasionally, we see Harry or Ron be smitten with a girl, and 
 Hermione had some rather muted interest in Krum.  That's about it.
 
 Nevertheless, there is rampant speculation on the list about Ships, 
 and development of Ships in future books is one of the most eagerly 
 awaited developments.  Entire discussion groups exist to discuss 
 Ships.

 I must admit I have no interest in Ships (or Slash) among any of the 
 adult characters.  If Sirius and Snape became rivals over a woman, I 
 would just melt away and die, I think.  If Lupin hooked up with Mrs. 
 Figg, well . . . I think I'd be turning those pages mighty fast.  
 Even for Harry, Ron and Hermione, I would prefer that they stick to 
 the knitting and not have significant romantic relationships until 
 post-Book 7.  I have no idea why this is, but perhaps it is a feeling 
 that the next three books should be fast-paced adventures, and Ships 
 would steer the books toward being romance novels?  I really don't 
 know.
 
 So then, the question:  Does most people on the list look forward to 
 more ships?  If so, why would Ships enhance the books for you?  Do 
 the Shippers greatly outnumber the non-Shippers?  
  >>

I think romance has to be a part of the equation.  These are early teens and 
soon to be teens.   There would be romantic entanglements invovled in their 
interraction.  They should not be the dominant theme, but as a side plot they 
can be fun and are a part of the story.

The reason I like the idea of relationships is that JKR has handled the 
feelings of the characters so well thus far. Who cannot relate to how Ginny 
pines after Harry and thinks she's not good enough for him?  Or Harry's 
infatuation for Cho?  Or Hermione's frustration wiht the boys over the Yule 
Ball?  JKR makes the realtionships scenes fun and important, without making 
them central to the plot.

Also, there is the desire for a happy ending for all concerned.  Human nature 
is for us to want the people (and int his case characters) we like to have a 
happy ending.  Especially Harry.  It seems he deserves that for all he's 
suffered so far.  He's spent and will continue to spend his young adult years 
as the most important person in the world and fighting the most evil wizard 
ever, every year.  I would seem that he at least deserves to have a girl 
friend.