[HPforGrownups] Re: Shippers and Non-Shippers

[Penny & Bryce]

No: HPFGUIDX 28128

Hi --

Kanna Ophelia wrote:

> 
> It's not any mention that concerns me, it's the "forcing it down our
> throats" that I'm dubious about.  What's wrong with wanting to keep
> the focus on the books on the magic of Hogwarts, friendship and
> fighting the baddies than on pre-adult fumblings?

I'm not sure where the "forcing it down our throats" notion comes from. 
  Is it that people believe JKR was heavy-handed with the romance 
subplot in GoF (Ron's developing crush on Hermione)?  I trust that 
she'll handle that aspect of the books with her usual finesse and I 
doubt that anything will seem forced.  I've never said that I expect or 
even want the *focus* to be romance-related.  I just think it will be 
there in some measure, and I welcome this.  It would seem unrealistic 
for it to be otherwise.  I also think it's plausible that the romance 
angle could be more than just a diversion ... there are realistic 
scenarios that tie it into the main plotline.  The position of some of 
the more militant no-shippers seems to be that the romance has no place 
at all in these books, and it's a point I don't get since JKR clearly 
thinks otherwise so far.

> 
I said: > I would, as I mentioned above, be far more annoyed if JKR
>  >were to try & sell us that these characters who will be adults (UK
> age>of consent is 17?)
> 
> Kanna-Ophelia said: 17 may be age of consent, but it's hardly adult.  Of course, when I
> was 17 I thought I was terribly adult and mature, but now... <g>

Well, sure 17 isn't nearly as adult as 25, but 17 is alot more adult & 
less child than 12.  I would think most people would surely concede that 
the characters won't be *children* at the conclusion of the series 
(neither chronologically nor emotionally since they will have just gone 
through a war).  I may be in the minority, but I think they'll qualify 
as adults at the end of the series.

> 
> (a) R & H becoming a couple for some period of time at
>  >least, (b) Hermione declaring that it's Harry she wants & FITD, (c)
>  >Hermione rejecting Ron on other grounds (Krum for example),
> 
> Hmm... the only reason you give for Hermione wanting to be just
> friends is another romantic entanglement... Why is simply not being in
> love with anyone not an option?

I said "Krum for example" meaning that this was but one of the grounds 
on which Hermione might reject Ron.  Yes, I agree -- not being in love 
with anyone is very much an option.  :--)

> 
> I do want to restress that I'm not anti any relationship development
> in HP, I just really don't want to be beaten over the head with it.
> And if it's there, I want, in books that are so terribly much a part
> of children's popular culture at the moment, tehre to be space where
> *all* children can identify themselves, not just those obsessed with
> finding an opposite sex boy/girlfriend.

I couldn't agree more with that.

Penny (post-canon or canon H/H, anti-OBHWF, Draco-can-be-redeemed, 
Snape-might-be-a-vampire, pro-1980, small-Hogwarts, 
HP-are-not-just-childrens-books, avid member of P.I.N.E. & S.C.H.A.B.B. 
who wouldn't join C.R.A.B. for any amount of money)

Looks like our only overlap, Cindy, is with P.I.N.E. <g>