What Harry will miss the most/Liking Hermione

[plinsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 38753

Hi --


> Amy wrote:
> 
> > No, what made me want to scream like Penny (because (a) I 
identify  strongly with Hermione and (b) I want to see the Trio as a 
> perfectly balanced friendship) was the exact phrasing of that line:
> "There was much less laughter, and a lot more hanging around in 
> the library when Hermione was your best friend."
> > 
> > What a peculiar way to put it:  "...when Hermione was your best 
> > friend."  

She's his "best friend" because he doesn't have an "other best 
friend" at that moment.  Yes, the word "only" would make it more 
clear.  But, there's absolute 100% consistency on this issue in all 
4 of the books, unlike many other issues.  I'd say JKR has always 
approached this with the view that Ron and Hermione are both equally 
important to Harry.  I can chalk this one up to sloppy editing.    

Cindy:

> When I step back and view things from a bit of a distance, I'm 
also left with the impression that Ron is The Best Friend for 
another reason: the emotional impact on Harry when he has conflict 
with Ron vs. Hermione.  In PoA, Harry's estrangement with Hermione 
just sort of happens and, as I mentioned earlier, Hagrid has to call 
Harry's  attention to Hermione's (um, what's the word?) suffering.>>>

In PoA, the sequence of events is thus:

(a) Hermione reports the Firebolt to McGonagall and both boys are 
angry, but Ron is *furious*.  Harry, though angry, thinks that 
Hermione was acting with his best interests at heart.
(b) Hermione starts avoiding them both 
(c) After some time, the Firebolt is returned, and what does Harry 
say: "You know what -- we should make it up with Hermione.  She was 
only trying to help."
(d) Then what happened?  Harry makes the overtures to make up with 
Hermione, but then... Crookshanksgate occurs.  And *that* conflict 
is between *Ron* and *Hermione.*  Harry just goes along for the 
ride.  True enough that he doesn't want to risk alienating Ron in 
order to make it up with Hermione by himself.  But, he is 13 & would 
naturally prefer male companionship at that point.  

Hagrid calls attention to Crookshanksgate ... he tells both boys, 
but it's clear from his reference to "cats and rats" that he is 
really directing his comments primarily at Ron.

We've not yet seen a true conflict between Harry and Hermione; a 
conflict where Ron isn't involved.  The Firebolt incident really 
can't count because Ron involved himself in that matter too 
heavily.  I predict that is the next one to occur.  We had Ron and 
Hermione in PoA; Ron and Harry in GoF.  Next up is Harry & Hermione 
IMO.  Then, we'll have a true basis for evaluating whether Harry 
will miss her terribly too, when the dispute really involves *him* 
and not primarily Ron.
   
Amy:
> 
> > It's upsetting, and it's out of keeping with various references 
to > his  "two best friends" and the apparent equity between them in 
most places, but it is the way I heard that line when I first read 
it and on every reading since.  

Cindy:
> 
> But . . . but . . . why is it upsetting?  I mean, it doesn't 
bother me at all if Ron is the Best Friend and Hermione is . . . 
something else.  Why is it so important that Hermione rate with Ron 
on this issue so that the Trio is perfectly in balance?

:::boggles::::  Well, I can't recall where Cindy stands on this 
particular issue, but there are certainly plenty of no-shippers and 
others who've opined that the friendships within the Trio should 
remain romance-free, because the overwhelming appeal of the series 
is tied to The Trio and the inviolable friendships within the Trio.  
I don't agree with that so much (obviously), nor do I think it's 
realistic.  But, I do think JKR has gone out of her way to 
demonstrate that Harry has *two best friends.*  I'm just ... 
just ... just *astonished* that anyone would suggest a prioritizing 
within the Trio.  Truly.  Flabbergasted.  And dismayed.    
> 
<<<<> Maybe I have trouble seeing this because I like Ron *so* much 
more as a character than Hermione.  I mean, Ron has *Edge*, or, at 
least, > I think he does.  He's always interesting.  His dialogue is 
much more witty and snappy.  He's unpredictable.  He might even be 
Tough (he hasn't wept yet, IIRC).  I'd guess that most readers feel 
that way based on JKR's statement that everyone begs her not to kill 
Ron, but few fans plead with her to spare Hermione.>>>>>

No, on that last bit, Cindy.  JKR was *appalled* ... absolutely 
*appalled* that noone seems to ask her about Hermione.  I think it's 
more that people assume Hermione will make it.  I definitely do not 
think it's because people would prefer to see her bite the dust than 
Ron.  I think most people just figure Ron has "big target" written 
all over him and Hermione doesn't.  

You know where I stand on Hermione, of course.  And my position on 
Ron is pretty well-known as well.  :--)  
> 
> So that's the question:  Why work so hard to award Hermione Best 
> Friend status?>>>>>>>

You know one reason it bothers me?  It seems sexist to suggest that 
Hermione is less important in the grand scheme of things.  That's 
not the only reason.  I think equity within the Trio is just 
incredibly important to the overall message of the books myself, but 
the inherent sexism bothers me.  I think back to the following 
interview statement from JKR in fact:

*******************

>From The Times (30 June 2000), interview conducted by Ann Treneman:

"She breaks off and then starts to mutter. "It irritates me. It 
irritates me. What irritates me is that I am constantly, 
increasingly, being asked 'Can we have a strong female character, 
please?' Like they are ordering a side order of chips. I am 
thinking 'Isn't Hermione strong enough for you?' She is the most 
brilliant of the three and they need her. Harry needs her badly.

"But my hero is a boy and at the age he has been girls simply do not 
figure that much. Increasingly, they do. But, at 11, I think it 
would be extremely contrived to throw in a couple of feisty, 
gorgeous, brilliant-at-maths and great-at-fixing-cars girls."

*************************

So, my personal take on this is that JKR would be utterly appalled 
that anyone could interpret her works as saying that Ron matters 
more than Hermione.  I think she has taken abundant care to 
emphasize that Harry has *two best friends.*  JKR loves them all, 
but don't forget that Hermione is largely based on herself.  

> Cindy (who has wondered from time to time if Hermione is Tough, 
but isn't sure she wants to know the answer)>>>>>>

I think Hermione is Tough.  I think she is *alot* Tougher than Ron, 
even if she does weep from time to time.  Characters who are in 
touch with their emotions are typically considerably stronger 
individuals.  When push comes to shove, Hermione has the Stuff.  And 
I think we'll see that more & more & more....

Penny