It's time to defend Ginny!

[jenny_ravenclaw <meboriqua@aol.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52359


> Pippin wrote: 
 
> > I wonder if the  urge to put down Ginny may be a bit like the urge  
to create Evil!Cho, rooted in the readers' desire to consider Harry  
romantically available rather than on her portrayal in the text 
itself.> 

Okay, I think Pippin nailed it here.  I could never understand any 
criticism of Cho and while I agree that Ginny is not a developed 
character, I can't criticize her either.  Really, I think Ginny is a 
nice kid.  In fact, I think she has been since we first met her.

Ginny's crush on Harry: She's what, 10 years old when he first stays 
at the Burrow?  How do we expect her to behave?  I remember being 
completely tongue-tied around the boys I had crushes on when I was 13.  
I can only imagine how hard it must have felt for Ginny to be seen by 
Harry while she was in her nightgown.  Isn't that the ultimate 
nightmare for many kids when they have a crush - for the object of 
their affections to see them looking their worst?  

Even Hermione is guilty of superficial attractions and she is usually 
known to think things through quite rationally.  Ginny's crush on 
Harry is, at least, directed towards someone who is also (IMO), a nice 
kid.  Lockhart is a jerk from day one.  If I was a Hogwarts student, 
famous or not, I'd also have a crush on Harry - dark hair, bright 
green eyes, skinny... when I was that age, he would have been just my 
type.

I haven't seen a single thing in the series that paints Ginny as a bad 
person.  She doesn't sulk (and certainly could, when it comes to used 
books or Ron embarrassing her on the Hogwarts Express in front of 
Harry).  She isn't rude (though her brothers can be at any given 
time).  She doesn't only look out for herself (I sure would have 
wanted to drop Neville as my date in exchange for Harry and would have 
danced with glee at the chance to expose Percy and his girlfriend).  
In CoS, I can excuse any questionable behavior on her part because I 
think Tom Riddle put her through hell.  She's been an excellent friend 
to Hermione, and I think at that age, that says a lot.  She could have 
easily fessed up to Ron and Harry about Hermione and Krum (if only to 
impress Harry), but she chose not to.  Keeping secrets at age 12-13 is 
pretty impressive.

Of course, I am also biased because I was the girl who always had the 
crushes.  I want Ginny to win one for me.  It would be very satisfying 
if Harry starts to notice Ginny in a different way.  Even if he 
doesn't, though, I still like Ginny and would like to see more of her 
character in OoP.  I'd like to see her prove herself, once and for 
all.

--jenny from ravenclaw ****************