Fleur

[Torsten]

No: HPFGUIDX 50181

It seems like many peeple here dislike her a lot, which I don't really understand. I'd like 
to adress two points:

1. Fleur's abilities
She wouldn't neccessarily be a bad choice for DADA teacher. Not taking her youth into 
consideration (not that Dumbledore seemed to care about this when he appointed 
Quirrell), she is a very able witch. She was among the students Madame Maxime 
picked and/or tested as suitable Triwizard champion candidates. She was chosen by the 
Goblet. And she didn't mess up during the tasks.
At the first task, she didn't do worse than Cedric and Viktor, and just like Viktor she 
simply had bad luck. She managed to entrance the dragon, but it snored - is that her 
fault? No, and she was able and calm enough to deal with her skirt being on fire, she 
didn't panic. All in all, she put herself in less danger than any of the other champions at 
the first task, which speaks for her.
The second task: Someone said she couldn't even deal with Grindylows. True, but we 
don't know how many attacked her. Could Harry have dealt with twenty Grindylows? 
I doubt it. For all we know, she might not even have been able to cast spells while 
under the Bubble-Head charm. Also, how well would Harry have done if not for 
Myrtle's help? That lake is huge, Fleur could have searched for the hostages for hours 
without finding them. Like Harry, she took the song seriously and was dead worried 
for her beloved sister. If you're lost deep down in a dark lake, slowly panicking because 
you're afraid your sister is about to die and Grindylows attack you, it's not easy to deal 
with them.
As for the third task, we can't say anything positive or negative for her.

2. Fleur's character
So she's physically attractive. Is this a problem or her fault? No. She's probably aware 
of being beautiful, but so what? She doesn't try to use it to her advantage. Harry talks 
about her turning on her Veela charms, but that's just Harry talking to comfort Ron, and 
there's no proof for it. But even if she was interested in Cedric and tried her best to get 
him interested in her, is that something bad? Everyone does it. Do you want to appear 
ugly or not interesting to someone you're attracted to? It's not her fault, if boys start to 
act dumb around her, is she supposed to grow warts to appear less attractive?
If Fleur wanted to take advantage during the tournament, she could easily have done so. 
Bagman, for example, could easily be charmed by a beautiful young woman's interest, 
but she doesn't approach him, or Percy, or any other potential target which could help 
her win the tournament.
Next, she complains a lot. Again: so what? She's young and she's far away from home, 
her family, her friends, familiar surroundings. Voicing homesickness through 
complaining is a common fault, but surely no serious character flaw. And there seems 
to be more luxury in Beauxbatons, she doesn't make it up. HRH would be complaining 
if they were stuck in Durmstrang, among lots of strangers, in a cold, barren place.
Now for Ron: She doesn't ever treat him badly. She never makes fun of him. She didn't 
reply when he asked her for the ball, but that's no sign of arrogance, look at it from her 
point of view: You're talking to someone, when suddenly someone you don't know at 
all shows up and asks you to be his partner. Wouldn't you be somewhat stunned to, 
not knowing what to say? Unlike Harry, she just kept silent instead of spontaneously 
replying in a hurting way, not that Ron appears to have waited long for her answer 
anyway.

In conclusion: It's not her fault she's pretty and smart. She doesn't display any more 
negative traits than any of the other kids. She didn't win her 'position' as champions 
because she's good-looking, but because she is good at magic.
Real people who are beautiful, intelligent and successfull are often the targets of envy 
and anger just because they are beautiful, intelligent, successfull. To me, it seems like 
it's just the same when it comes to people's opinion of this fictional character.

Ok, now curse me for liking her. ^_~ 

Torsten