re Ron and Hermione in OOTP

[Gregory Lynn]

No: HPFGUIDX 64411

Peter Shea says:

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?

And me:

I must disagree.  Actually that's not true, I suppose I choose to disagree.

First, on the Ron/Hermione relationship angle, there isn't much development there, but there is some.  They constantly argue like an old married couple to the point where it annoys the heck out of Harry.  And on at least one occasion it's mentioned that their interaction resembles that of Arthur and Molly Weasley.

But the best bit, imho, is right before the first quidditch match.  The Slytherins are all wearing their "Weasley is King" badges, and Hermione sees this and warns Harry not to let Ron see them.  Then when they get up to leave, Hermione gives  Harry and Ron both a little kiss on the cheek.  Ron gets confused as all hell and Harry does not.

Obviously, Hermione wants Ron to succeed and that in itself doesn't further the romantic angle at all.  However, Hermione's actions clearly indicate that she understands what's developing between them (a fact that is hammered home by her advice to Harry re Cho).  She knows what's developing, she knows that an innocent little kiss will confuse the heck out of Ron, and she uses that to protect him.  It's a brilliant bit of characterization.
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Gregory Lynn


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