[HPforGrownups] Re: OoP: Filch (Was: Reassessing the Dead Sexy Blokes list)

[Wendy St John]

No: HPFGUIDX 65156

Star Opal wrote (regarding Dead Sexy Blokes):

"Filch. Okay this is getting a little harder than I expected. If there's
one 
thing I've learned in various fandoms - EVERYONE has at least one fan. 
Someone, somewhere, finds Filch sexy even if they're afraid to admit it, 
mark my words. Honestly, though, the only thing I could think of was, "Whip 
me, beat me, hang me up by the ankles with chains!" I feel dirty now, ew."

Now me (Wendy):

Ha ha! Okay, first of all let me stress that I AM NOT COMING FORWARD as the
"someone, somewhere" who thinks Filch is sexy. I DON'T. No, no, no. I've
still got it bad for Snape, and if he manages to get himself killed, with
any luck Lupin will still be around (evil or not) <g> Side note: I've found
that at this moment in time I don't much care if my very favourites turn
evil, as long as they're still ALIVE. Poor Sirius has given new meaning to
the term Dead Sexy. But as I doubt that both Snape and Lupin will survive
the series, I imagine I'll be hurtin' sooner or later. Maybe sooner AND
later, if she kills 'em both.  :-(

But, I'm getting off the subject which was . . . oh yeah, Filch. Well, I
find myself a bit disappointed in him, now. Although I never found him sexy
(can I repeat that enough? I don't want that rumour to get started around
here. It was bad enough when I spent a bit of time last year as the sicko
who was trying to ship Voldemort). Anyhow, never found him sexy (and no,
I'm not just afraid to admt it. I really don't <G>), but I did actually
LIKE him. Like if I were a Hogwarts teacher, I think I'd be friendly with
him (not friends - but on good terms). Sure, I can see why the students
aren't fond of him, but that hardly makes him a bad guy. I've always found
him very sympathetic - he has a tough job to do, puts up with a heck of a
lot of cr*p from the students (and you know how horrid 15-year-olds can be
<eg>). He seemed genuinely distressed by what happened to Mrs. Norris in
CoS, and he's put up with Peeves all this time. He's had the Weasley twins
to deal with (and heaven only knows what James and Sirius might have done
to him in their day, when they were bored, you know). Plus, being a squib
in that environment must be difficult - hard not to be bitter. I do wonder
why he doesn't just go somewhere else where he might be happier, but
perhaps it is difficult for a squib to make this break. After all, Arabella
has kept ties to the WW in spite of her magic-less state. We just don't
know. It may be that he still has hopes of becoming a wizard
(correspondence course, and all). 

So, during the first four books I have managed to find a respect and
affection for Filch which was, frankly, dashed by OoP. I really thought
those comments he made in earlier books about wanting to return to the "old
punishments" were just for dramatic effect. But no, apparently he really
wanted to use the whips and chains. Hanging students by their ankles and
such. Oh, Argus. What a disappointment! Of course, just the fact these were
the "old" punishments implies that at some point in Hogwarts' history,
corporal punishment was used. So maybe Filch (like all those nasty little
Slytherins learning their parents' prejudices) is just a product of his
environment. Even so, I had higher hopes for him. Maybe he just needs a hug.

Is there anyone else out there who actually likes Filch (or liked him,
anyway)? Can he be redeemed? 

:-)

Wendy St John
hebrideanblack at earthlink.net

Who doesn't find Filch sexy (did I mention that?) <G>