Some SHIP comments & Draco's Potential for Redemption

[Penny Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 38006

Hi all --

Mercia wrote --

<<<But I do think JKR is pointing us towards the possiblity of relationship between Ron and Hermione, almost precisely because they are both so blind to it for much of GoF while it is becoming increasingly clear to the reader 
that they are interested in each other. In other words this isn't a 
crush and indeed both may go through crushes and flirtations with 
other people before they seriously waken up to the nature of their 
feelings for each other. In one interview JKR did confirm this by 
saying that there was something going on between Ron and Hermione but 
Ron, typical boy, didn't know it yet.>>>>>

Actually, since we had a *long & tortured* debate about the meaning of the word "between" in a previous Shipping war on HP4GU, I thought I'd just point out that when I looked at the *actual* wording of the chat question & answer at some point during the debate, I determined that JKR doesn't use the word "between" *at all* in her response and she doesn't mention Hermione at all.  This suggests it is at least possible that it is a one-sided situation, with Ron crushing on Hermione who doesn't return his feelings.  That's my interpretation of the situation and the chat response below does nothing to alter my opinion.  

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Q: Is it just me, or was something going on between Ron and Hermione during the last half of GOF? I love your books, btw, and two of them I've read stright through cover to cover in under 24 hours.
jkrowling_bn: well done on the reading speed!
jkrowling_bn: yes, something's 'going on'...
jkrowling_bn: but Ron doesn't realise it yet...
jkrowling_bn: typical boy

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Jo serenadust wrote:

<<<<I've read all the posts exploring the possiblity of Draco's 
redemtion, and am utterly unconvinced my any of them.  His character 
has been consistent from the first moment we meet him, and has 
steadily gotten more malignant.  By the time the kids are on the 
train in GoF, he is probably 15 (or nearly so), and has clearly 
chosen his path.  I agree with lucky kari that he has crossed an 
important line, and would not find it believable or likely that he 
would change his position after this.  Like it or not, most people's 
basic characters are fairly well fixed by this age.>>>>

Well, others have commented on this already, but I'll just say that I would find it terribly disappointing if a series that is all about *choices* portrays a *child* who is irredeemably evil from the age of 11 onward.  He's only 14 in GoF.  Severus Snape apparently was able to make a life-altering change at a much older age, so why not Draco?  Why is it not believable that an author who uses a theme of free choice so readily would set it up so that a character, once seemingly on a set path but then later exposed to the true nature of evil and its implications, might make different choices on his road toward maturity & adulthood?  I suspect Draco is just following the party line (his parents or at least Lucius).  Once he's actually put into a position of seeing the real-life consequences, he *might* make a different choice.  I also don't buy that everyone's basic character is fixed by the age of 14.  It's my experience that most people do a tremendous amount of changing & growing after they leave home for the first time -- generally college or first job or whatever, ages 18-29 are times of huge change for many people.  So, I remain optimistic that Draco *can* be redeemed.  The possibility is there, but of course, it's anyone's guess as to where JKR might be going for certain.

Penny    



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