Darned right It's time to defend Ginny!

[Jim Ferer <jferer@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52365

Pippin:" 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."

Jenny from Ravenclaw:"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."

A big "me too" to both viewpoints.  Ginny has done nothing wrong
whatsoever, but both her and Cho must be eliminated because they're
'in the way,' too dangerous to other potential Harry romances to be
allowed.

Evil!Cho is even more ridiculous, since we haven't heard the slightest
derogatory thing about her ever, period.  Some of those with kinder
intent say Cho will never overcome her grief over Cedric and her
association of Harry with it enough to get involved with Harry.  This
theory denies the fact Cho is fifteen or sixteen and ought to have the
resilience that goes with that age.

A corollary that you see in fanon is pairing Ginny with the likes of
Draco Malfoy. For Ginny's sake I'd rather feed her to the giant squid,
but all of the anti-Ginny anti-Cho stuff is done for the same purpose:
to get them out of the way.

I frankly get impatient with those who criticize characters for acting
their age.  As Jenny says, Ginny's ten years old when she forms her
first crush on Harry, and acts like it. We don't see much of her, but
she's always kind and loyal when we do. Cho is as nice as you can
imagine every time we see her; I've never been rejected that nicely.

It's impossible to be anti-Ginny or anti-Cho, IMO.  OTOH, it's
difficult to be pro-either one; we just don't know them well enough to
know how well they'd be suited for Harry.  I also believe Harry is
going to be too preoccupied with studies, his Trio-mates, and keeping
himself alive to notice much of anybody, except maybe Hermione, who's
right next to him constantly. I've said it before, but Ginny's best
chance will be at the Burrow, not at Hogwarts.  Cho? I don't know. 
I'd like to think Harry can get to go out with her and have a few
laughs.  He's gonna need them.

Jim Ferer