Subject: Re: "Delicate" Harry

[jenp_97]

No: HPFGUIDX 43047

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "dembeldei" <ajl at h...> wrote:
> Richelle Votaw:
> "Madam Pomfrey: "Yes, he's all clammy. Terrible things, they are,
and
> the effect they have on people who are already delicate--"
> Harry: "I'm not delicate!"
> So my point being, what is meant by delicate?...
> I suppose it could be taken to mean "emotionally delicate" which I
> would agree to." 
> 
> I thought this was an example of more effects from Rita Skeeter's 
> influence on readers in GOF-  Molly Weasley and Viktor Krum
initially 
> believed the article that he had been dating Hermione; because of
the 
> article suggesting he was disturbed/dangerous/deranged, students 
> started steering far of Harry and Fudge discounted his graveyard 
> account.  So it seems Madame Pomfrey has also bought into 
> the 'emotionally unstable' story.
> 
> Dembeldei

While I'm not saying that Harry hasn't had articles written about his
"emotional delicacy" in the past, I have to take issue with
Dembledei's references.  Because the quote above is taken from PoA,
and we don't meet Rita Skeeter (and see her influences) until GoF,
it's not a wise idea to use her as your "proof".  We have no idea if
Skeeter was the author of any stories prior to GoF about Harry
(although IMO, it's pretty likely), so if you're going to go with
examples from canon to back up your story, you're going to have to
find something else.

Personally, I think Madam Pomfrey is just a concerned person who's
seen Harry a few too many times for her pleasure, and who is probably
just overreacting (because of her dislike of the dementors) in this
situation... her mouth is just spitting out her "running commentary"
on the situation.

Just picking nits...

JenP, who should be in bed right now...