SHIP: Harry and Cho

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 75590

feetmadeofclay wrote,"Contrary to popular belief in the
Potterfanverse, teenagers are capable of both compassion and rational
thought as well as of selfless behaviour. They do not universally
treat each other like dirt. I don't ask that Harry be a saint only
that he behave as he would like to be treated. That he understand and
accept that Cho is a girl with feelings. His choice to see her as
nothing at all, is his own"

I feel you're somewhat harsh here.  Let me start out by saying I was
annoyed at Harry about fifty times in the course of OOP for just the
kind of things that you don't like - lashing out at his friends,
moodiness, petulance, insensitivity - but I also realized Harry was
under stress so fantastic that many adults would crack under the strain.

Voldemort's continuous attempts on Harry's life weren't even the worst
stress Harry faced.  More immediate, and more stressful, was
Umbridge's persecution, but the worst was the disbelief and hostility
he faced from his fellow students and the public.  Add the natural
stress of OWL year to the mix.

I also cut Harry some slack because his natural instinct, over the
years we've known him, is to be nice to people.  Many people recognize
it and stick with him even when he's unlikeable at the moment.

His treatment of Cho was bad, but not inexcusable.  He was insensitive
when she cried for Cedric and was resentful of Hermione's closeness to
Harry, but he could apologize and move on.  He still can, actually. 
As far as unloading on Cho over her sneak friend Marietta Edgecombe,
he damn near got expelled or even tossed into Azkaban because of that
betrayal.  Cho had to expect to take some heat over it.

I think Harry's stress is very much reduced now that he is vindicated
and no longer has Umbridge's enmity to deal with. He could perhaps
even reconnect with Cho if he wanted - she blushed the last time she
saw him on the train - but I don't think he will.  He's over her.

So you're not wrong that kids can and do act compassionately and
responsibly, but we've seen Harry do it before.  Heck, we see the old
Harry emerging again with Luna and her lost possessions. So, after
what he's been through, he's the first one that deserves compassion.

Jim Ferer