Ron and Maroon/Ginny and Crushes

[Risti]

No: HPFGUIDX 45024

Ok...I've been quiet for the last little while observing all these 
discussions, and I've decided to weigh in.  Both of these 
observations come from the fact that while *technically* I am an 
adult, I'm really not that far removed from the life and thought 
processes of a teenager.  Therefore I'm basing my arguements on my 
thoughts towards my parents and boys while I was a teenager.

First of all, as far as clothing and maroon go, I was always just 
under the impression that Mrs. Weasley *liked* maroon, and that 
possibly this color had some symbolism(although don't ask me what).  
Maybe maroon was the coor of Ron's first robes as a baby, and she's 
just always liked it on him.  Maybe she just thinks red heads look 
good in maroon(which at least one one of my friends, is true.)  Now 
as far as Ron not liking maroon, well, I disagreed with my mom on 
points of fashion growing up as well.  I was actually quite vocal 
about it.  In the end, however, when I was thirteen, and my mom was 
paying for my clothes, the fact that she thought 'classic fit' jeans 
were more flattering then the 'flares' that I wanted won out.  So 
much to my embaressment, I was the teenager walking around in pant 
that hugged my ankles when most of my friend's shoes could barely be 
seen their pants were so wide at the bottom.  Do I blame my mom for 
this?  Well, maybe partially, but as a teenager I chalked it up 
to 'Mom doesn't know fashion,' not 'Mom doesn't love me enough to get 
me what I want.'

As for the dress robes, well, think about a Muggle second hand 
store.  While more casual clothes may look pretty basic, even when 
their second hand, swing your mind over to the 'formal' department.  
What your left with are fuscia bridesmaid dresses with big huge bows 
and prom dresses from the 1970's.  For guys it's not much better with 
the classic baby blue, ruffled tux.  I'd always pictured Ron's maroon 
lace dress robe to be the equivilent to one of these.  There honestly 
wasn't much selection, especially when you take into consideration 
that he's a 14 year old boy, and therefore finding the right size 
could be tricky.

Now onto Ginny, and her crush on a boy she barely spoke to.  Well, 
first of all, I don't see this crush as being purely a 'star struck' 
issue.  It may have been in the first book and the beginning of the 
second book, but now Ginny is living in the same 'house' as Harry, 
and has certainly observed alot about him.  For myself growing up, I 
had lots of crushes on boys that caused me to become rather tounge 
tied and not myself when they were around.  That didn't mean that I 
knew nothing about them.  Teenage girls, at least myself, are 
wonderful at using observation.  Without going all scary-stalker 
like, it is still possible to find out what their class schedule is, 
sit a few seats away from them during lunch and observe the way they 
interact with people, notice from across the room what their study 
habits are, etc., etc.  Now, I also had a couple of these 'from a 
distance' crushes turn into friendships.  Once you've gotten used to 
the fact that they would actually *talk* to you, it is possible to 
interact with them.  In fact, from all your observations, you know 
exactly how you should interact with them.  Your observations should 
have also told you after an extended period of time that even the 
object of your affection has faults.  This is the state I see Ginny 
reaching in GoF.  Harry is no longer just 'the boy who lived,'(have I 
ever mentioned how much I hate the emphasis put on that phrase, but 
that's a completely different discussion.) but rather the best friend 
of one of her annoying older brothers, and a normal guy.  I see Ginny 
at a point where she can start acting like herself around Harry, and 
truly be his friend, no matter what emotions might still swirl around 
inside of her head.

~Risti