Banter and other SHIP subjects

[Penny Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 50534

Hi --

Pippin, commenting on my belief that R/H and/or H/G is not foreshadowed in PS/SS, said:

<<<<Perhaps you aren't familiar with the screen-writing term "cute 
meet" ? One of the  things I was taught in my basic 
screen-writing class was that the romantic-comedy couple 
should meet under embarrassing/amusing/unlikely 
circumstances. I think searching for a toad qualifies, as does 
acting half one's age. Arranging for a cute meet between your 
characters is a signal  that romance is to come, and part of the 
fun, of course, is that the  characters haven't a clue about it.>>>>

Actually, I've never heard the term, so, no, I'm not familiar with it.  If it's a screen-writing thing, it comports with my notion that "bickering couples falling in love" is a very Hollywood thing.  :--)  

It may well be that JKR intended it to be a "cute meet" and that she intends R/H and/or H/G and maybe she'll confirm that years from now.  I just personally don't see it though.  We're just down to arguing about authorial intent, which is pointless at this juncture.  

<<<<Whether Rowling plans to observe the "cute meet" convention here or stand it on its head, she's obviously not ignoring it.>>>>>>>>>

She could be, if, like me, she's never *heard* of the term or the convention.  IMO, it's very possible she didn't intend that effect at all.   

<<<<I fully expect that Ron will no longer be poor at the end of Book 
Seven. We have JKR's word that Hermione will not get pregnant 
at Hogwarts. And I certainly expect all the survivors to finish 
school, including Ginny, which means that if an H/G marriage 
takes place, it will be in the epilogue. Besides that, I don't think 
JKR is obligated to have a character pop up and explain that 
early marriages are hazardous any more than she has to have 
all the Quidditch players wear helmets.>>>>>>>

Perhaps I haven't been clear enough.  Or maybe we just disagree.  :--)  I'm not saying that JKR would marry them off at age 17/18 in the epilogue.  She might well let them be early 20s or what have you.  But, unless they only marry after they've dated some other people, the message would still be that a first-time romance between teens ("first love") can develop into a successful marriage.  I'm not saying that's a *bad* message, in and of itself.  I just don't think it's very realistic these days....... and my impression from JKR's chats and interviews is that she wants to convey a certain amount of realism about the characters' adolescent experiences.  She doesn't want to be so realistic that she's forced to address illegal drug use or teen pregnancy (and presumably not teen sex either) ...... but I also just don't think she's going to depict two pairs of teenagers who never date anyone else seriously and end up getting married in their late teens or early 20s.  It sounds too sugar-coated to me.  Then again, maybe that's just me.

I said:
>The only thing I know is that Neil Murray bears a rather striking 
resemblance to what an adult Harry Potter might look like.  <eg> 
<

Pippin quipped:

<<<Um, you wouldn't be implying that because he *looks* like Harry 
Potter, he must *act* like Harry Potter? That would be judging a 
person according to appearance. That, as we all know, is a very 
evil despicable thing to do, which no right-thinking H/H 'er can 
condone or forgive.  Right? <vbveg>>>>>>>>>

No, I'm just suggesting that JKR does seem to have a thing for dark-haired men.  Look how many times they pop up in the Potterverse.  Sirius, Hagrid, Snape, James Potter, Harry ...... I feel like I'm missing some.  Anyway, I just grinned when I saw the picture of him as it did strike me (and a good many others) that he bears a striking resemblance to what an adult Harry might look like.  Which is.....er........*interesting* when you consider that Hermione is her self-professed surrogate in the series.  

And, no, you misunderstand.  I don't think that Ron is despicable or evil, nor do I think that Hermione couldn't or shouldn't "forgive" him for tactless remarks.  I'm just suggesting that her *reaction* to him is anger over his sexist remarks .....not anger because he's failed to ask her to the Ball.  

<<<<<Sorry about the sarcasm, but that's the other thing. You see, we 
sarcastic people know that sarcasm has to be practiced 
constantly. Yes, sharp wits must be honed. In fact we, um, well, 
we sort of *enjoy* being sarcastic, you see. So we think that 
when Hermione goes acid, well, she gets a charge out of it, just 
like we would.>>>>>>>>

Well, no, I don't enjoy sarcasm (either using it or receiving it so much).  I don't, however, think that Hermione does either.  Who is she sarcastic with *besides* Ron?  I really don't think she is a sarcastic person.  I think Ron is, and I think he likely gets a charge out of it.  But, I don't think she is, hence I don't think she's enjoying her interactions with Ron as much as the R/H'ers think she is.

<<<<For the first time, Harry isn't there for the  reconciliation. 
*Something* must have happened, because one minute Ron 
and Hermione are standing ten feet apart and screaming, and 
the next morning--well, I'll let Harry tell it:

====
Ron and Hermione seemed to have reached an unspoken 
agreement not to discuss their argument. They were being quite 
friendly to each other, though oddly formal.
=====

Oh, that 'seemed' -- that covers a multitude of assumptions, 
doesn't it. We'd know a lot more about the status of Ron and 
Hermione's relationship if we knew what had  *really*  
happened. Did he apologize? Did she forgive? Did he? Did Ron, 
in fact, do what Ebony accuses him of lacking the magnaminity 
to do, and wish Hermione *bon chance*  with Krum?>>>>>>>>>

Well, it's always struck me that they didn't say anything at all to each other actually.  I've never considered that there was a conversation that morning, before Harry saw them.  If there was, I wonder why they would be "oddly formal" with each other afterwards?  Can you give me the potential scenario there? 

<<<<Or, and I guess this is the H/H assumption, did Hermione just 
swallow her pride for Harry's sake on Boxing Day? Putting that in 
black and white, I can't believe it. In fact, I'll go further. If she
did that, Harry can have her. She's not good enough for my 
Ron.<g>>>>>>>>>>

I'm totally not following you here, so I'm unable to say whether you've got the "H/H line" down or not.  Did Hermione swallow her pride about what on Boxing Day?  As I said, I suspect she and Ron didn't discuss their fight at all.  :::: looks puzzled::::::

Penny



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