OOP: Love Triumphant? (spoilers)

[ladyofmisrule2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 66914

To the victor goes the spoils; to the person who reads on goes the 
spoilers...

You've been warned.



Hey, All!

I was just thinking about something, and wanted some feedback before 
I strayed too far off the canonical path. 

If the theme of JKR's series really is that love conquers all,
has 
she picked a somewhat unlikely hero?

Granted Harry Potter has demonstrated that he is quite capable of 
acting when love—not anger or duty or ambition—is his primary
motive. 
For example: 1) I believe Harry's desire to rush after Sirius
when 
Sirius was in trouble was a result of Harry's affection for his 
godfather. 2) Harry refuses to ever voice criticism of Hagrid because 
he likes the big guy. 3) I thought the scene when Harry guided Ron 
through the morning of his first Quiditch match and then anxiously 
monitored his progress during the game was quite cute. 4) The ability 
to correct a know-it-all like Hermione without acting superior or 
losing patience I think is a sign of great friendship; and for the 
first time in OOP, we read of Harry "quietly" putting
Hermione right.

(I notice this group is great with lists. Perhaps this is a good 
subject for one: On what occasions has Harry best demonstrated his 
great heart?)

But at the same time, Harry has never told somebody how he feels 
about him or her. Maybe I'm being unreasonable on this point. 
Perhaps, "I don't think you're ugly," is genuinely
the best 
compliment a teenage boy is capable of. Or maybe a speech where Harry 
says "I wouldn't have made it this far without you,"
would push the 
mush-o-meter past 10. Plus, as it has been pointed out on this site, 
Harry really hasn't had a good example when it comes to
expressing 
emotion. I think the closest someone has come to telling Harry he is 
loved is Dumbledore blaming himself for caring too much. 

While it is important to feel love and express love, it is also 
important to accept love. And Harry could probably grow a lot in this 
area too. I think part of the reason he is blamed for acting the hero 
is he is takes action when he is reluctant to ask for help. However, 
if he knew how much he was adored, he wouldn't be so hesitant to
let 
someone know when he's in need. As another—more
trivial—example, I 
can't remember Harry asking for career advice even though he
could 
probably use some guidance since he grew up with Muggles. 

Finally, with large numbers of people listing the hunks and babes of 
Hogwarts, I just want to know how long it will be before this forum 
gets its own fashion consultant. You know, "A billowing black
cloak 
is very chic for Professor Snape. But McGonagall should trade her 
tartan plaid for something with more whimsy. And the Weasley twins 
should note that because dragon hide is not a fabric that breathes 
well, it is definitely not a *summer* fashion statement."

-Lori, who admits to being disturbed by all the talk of who's hot
and 
who's not in the wizarding world
but even more disturbed that
there 
are girls who don't have Charlie Weasley on their list of most 
impressive hotties