who Harry's not afraid to cry in front of and its implications for shippers...

[polscphd2b]

No: HPFGUIDX 32972

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "alhewison" <Ali at z...> wrote:
> I certainly agree that Harry's age and sex rule out crying in front 
> of his male peers. (He could probably get away with it in front of 
> Hermione). I also believe that he's had years of forced practice of 
> hiding emotion - as it would definitely have been used against him 
> with the Dursleys.

Newbie to this list, so I hope this hasn't been gone over before 
ad nauseam...

Despite the fact that Harry doesn't want to be seen to be crying, he's
a very sensitive boy and at least occasionally feels the urge.  At the
end of GoF, "[h]e could feel a burning, prickling feeling in the inner
corners of his eyes.  He blinked and stared up at the ceiling . . .
[n]ow the burning feeling was in his throat, too.  He wished Ron would
look away." (p. 714, US edition)

It's interesting:  the other characters with Harry at the time are
Mrs. Weasley and Hermione.  But it's Ron he doesn't want to see him
crying.  He takes Molly Weasley as a mother, so one might expect he
wouldn't be afraid she would perceive him as weak.  What puzzles me is
what we should read into the whole Harry-Hermione dynamic as a result
of his not seeming to fear HER seeing him cry.

No puzzlement at not wanting Ron to see him cry -- it's a guy/guy
thing.

Seems to me both the H/H shippers and those favoring some other
combination could have a field day interpreting this.  Those who favor
the Harry-Hermione combination would say Harry sees Hermione as a
confidant, a comforter, and who better for him to end up with?  Those
opposing this pairing (R/Hers, etc) would say he feels so comfortable
with her it'd be impossible for him to ever take her as a romantic
partner because the sparks would never fly.
 
In any case, it'll be fun to watch 'em slug it out.

Don.