OOP: Re: Ron and Hermione in OOTP

[gabnai1]

No: HPFGUIDX 64145

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Peter Shea <bebche2 at y...> wrote:
> Okay, I have to get this out of my system. I'm disappointed with 
the treatment of Ron and Hermione in OOTP.
>  
> I am glad Ron and Hermione were given prefect status (although why 
Ron was made a prefect is anybody's guess). However, I would have 
preferred that JKR had allowed some quality time for Ron and Hermione 
to develop. In GoF we got to see the empathy and budding political 
awareness of Hermione as well as the psychological and class 
struggles of Ron. On top, GoF offered a glimpse into a potential 
intimacy between the forever sparing Friends of Harry.
>  
> In OOTP, a year goes by without any sign of their complicated 
relationship developing. It seems extremely implausible that everyone 
around them (including Ron's younger sister) has discovered dating 
while the two of them seem stuck in a pre-GoF mode, with Hermione 
talking like a pedant and Ron solely preoccupied with Quidditch.
>  
> Comments?

Yeah, this was a bit frustrating.  There should have been at least 
hints to tension.  Even if the romantic side does not develop there 
could be a theme about relationship vs. friendship and how they 
relate. 

I am especially disappointed that Hermione's character has not been 
further developed.  Almost all other major charactes were, even Ron - 
becoming a prefect and a Quidditch star, and not so much just a side-
kick of Harry - but Hermione just continued doing what she did 
before.  The elf hats were never resolved, either.  Hermione needs to 
have the revelation that what she thinks is best for someone maybe 
different in a different culture.  Maybe JKR forgot to resolve that 
and it was supposed to be in there?

Marta