[HPforGrownups] OOP: The Shipping News (spoilers, of course)

[Taryn Kimel]

No: HPFGUIDX 61529

Sirius Sam:
Long time reader, first time poster, blah blah blah.
Got the book at midnight, finished it by the next midnight, and have 
been waiting to post ever since, so without further ado (but with 
some spoiler space)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Ships:

H/R: What a let down. Nothing. After GoF I was sure that we would 
see a kiss in this book. And when they were both made Prefects! The 
stage was set, they would be spending time together without Harry, 
it was bound to happen...but it didn't. The only hint of a H/R ship 
that I could find comes on page 658, when Hermione asks Ron to help 
convince Harry not to communicate with Sirius.
   " ' What do you think about this?' Hermione demanded of Ron, and 
Harry was reminded irresistibly of Mrs. Weasley appealing to her 
husband during Harry's first dinner in Grimmauld Place"
I guess there's still a possibility, but it's looking grim for H/R.

Me:
Don't forget Ron's reaction to Hermione kissing him on the cheek before the Quidditch game, and Ron getting her perfume for Christmas. I think that about wraps up R/H moments, unfortunately. *is a definite R/H shipper*

Sirius Sam:
H/H: Here we have some definite improvements (I myself am an H/R 
shipper, so this was disappointing as well). The whole deal with Cho 
just brought Harry and Hermione closer, such as when Harry is forced 
to admit he doesn't think Hermione's ugly (which is a big deal for a 
15 year old boy). The other big hint comes at the end, but could be 
interpreted two ways. On the train ride home, when the kids are 
talking about relationships, Ginny mentions breaking up with 
Michael, and then (pg. 866):
     " 'Well, I always thought he was a big of an idiot," [Ron] 
said...'Good for you. Just choose someone -- better -- next time.' 
He cast Harry an oddly furtive look as he said it."
This can go two ways. Either he is saying "Harry, Cho wasn't right 
for you, choose Hermione next time," or he is saying "Ginny and 
Harry, you two should be together, you're good for each other."

Me:
I, for one, saw H/H shot down even more in this book. Hermione's behavior is just way too platonic. Sure, they had some nice friendship moments, but I can't imagine Hermione acting like she did about Harry and Cho (very platonically, that is) if she liked Harry at all, and I can't imagine Harry acting how he did at the date with Cho if he liked Harry at all. Harry doesn't take special means to tell Cho about the meeting with Hermione because he doesn't feel a need to. It's not a threat to Cho, as it were. Harry's feelings are so platonic that he can't even figure out why Cho is angry at him going to meet up with Hermione.

Sirius Sam:
Harry/Cho: This is over, clearly, but I had to mention how much I 
HATE Cho. She is not right for Harry at all. Here's the thing, 
there's so much potential for daring romance, imagine Harry and 
Ginny (or Hermione, if you must) defending Ron's unconscious body as 
LV draws near, and they declare their love for each other, fearing 
they could die at any minute. That's a lot more exciting than Cho 
crying all over the place.

Me:
I was disappointed with Cho. She was just...annoying. And I had liked what moments she had in GoF, as she seemed a very nice girl and was very nice to Harry. But in OotP she was...yeah, annoying. Wouldn't stop crying. I did squeal at Harry's first kiss, though, I admit it. It's an exciting event.

--Taryn

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]