SHIP: The Four Loves: Why R/Hr is preferred to H/Hr

[Jim Ferer <jferer@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50220

Eileen:"I think that R/Hr is also much  better suited [than H/H] to
the subversion of the romantic  paradigm.

"In the end, as much as we like to talk about  Avery, Snape, and
Crouch, it?s all about Harry. What  JKR would do by choosing R/Hr over
H/Hr is giving  primacy to the philos relationship over the eros 
relationship."

This is about 180 degrees different from my thinking.  This is why:

We agree that the friendship of the Trio is founded on philos, and
that all three love each other.  Ron's feelings toward Hermione appear
to be transforming from philos to eros, and I only can see eros
gaining ascendancy.  Obviously that's arguable. What is clear is that
Harry and Hermione's relationship is strongly based on philos and - I
don't have a better word - comradeship.  They are connected and
connecting in mind and purpose.

Their shared experience will always be the most intense of their
lives.  Even if Harry and Hermione marry and have five kids together
their relationship will still have its roots deeply embedded in the
philos and comradeship and sharing of their quest, as if their names
had been Frodo and Samantha.  Eros will not drive out philos.  

Hoping that the philos remains untainted by eros is somehow medieval,
a sort of the Lives of the Saints thing, and doesn't seem to have
faith philos can stand the competition.  Harry and Hermione are not
being driven together by couplethinking; if they fall in love, it's
because they choose it.  Actually, they won't "fall" in love.  Some
day they'll look at each other, and

Harry: "Hermione, did you know that we're in love?"
Hermione:"Honestly, Harry, you really *are* dense, aren't you?"

Jim Ferer