Romantic Chaos in OotP

[Jade Rauenzahn]

No: HPFGUIDX 65731

It seems as though everything is going nutters in book five as far as relationships go. What I see, is that Harry isn't sure who he likes, Hermione seems to be confused as to wether she likes Harry or Ron better, Ron isn't really showing interest in anyone in this book, and the list goes on.

First, lets tackle Hermione's feelings. She doesn't do much on the Ron front in this book, save for the bickering, the protection of him being picked on, and that kiss on the cheek. First, I'm sorry, but I don't see their constant bickering as 'romantic' in any aspect. Being a 'recent adult' of 18, I had one good friendship with a guy I bickered with some of the time, but there were no romantic feelings about it. So it is possible for bickering to be just that. A clash of personality. I don't see Hermione and Ron having all that much in common other than having Harry as a friend. The kiss on the cheek was probably to calm his nerves, and didn't necessarily mean all that much, unless you buy into the theory that Hermione likes both Harry and Ron as she kissed Harry on the cheek at the end of GoF.

Now, Harry and Hermione. Not quite plausible just yet, but I do see something there (but that might just be my H/H shippiness kicking in. But I'm trying to be objective. Really.) I see Hermione having more than friendly feelings towards her raven-haired friend, from the interrogative method in which she asked Harry about Cho, she asked in a "business-like way." Her attitude throughout the conversation was rather abrupt and cold (US Ed. Pgs 457-8). Quite possibly that could be a hint that she wasn't pleased at all with the situation, yet didn't want it to be obvious as such. J.K. Rowling is nothing but a master at subtle clues.

Poor Hermione, however, because I don't see much interest in her coming from Harry, with the exception of him being confused as to why Hermione would think that he sees her as ugly (US Ed. Pg 572) and then when Hermione was attacked and Harry's more-than-standard fear of her being dead. His reaction to 'dead' Hermione was much stronger than his reaction to say, Ron's wooziness and bleeding from the mouth. In book 5, Harry doesn't seem to show much of an interest in anyone, as he is even rid of his crush on Cho by the end of the school year. It's just a transitional book for him and he is too busy being mad and frustrated with everyone to put much thought into dating.

Also, there must be something there to make so many people now believe there is more going on between Harry and Hermione than just a mere friendship. From Krum's walk with Harry in GoF where he asks him flat out, "what's with you and Hermione", to Cho's not one, but two arguments with Harry over his friendship with Hermione. And lets not forget Rita Skeeter's scoop from GoF. True, some might say that her scoop was to only get at Hermione, but all of Rita's scoops have some basis in reality.

Rita Skeeter. Yet another thing that made me believe Hermione has more than friendship feelings toward Hermione. Her quickly changing the subject at Rita Skeeter's interest of Harry's date was quite noted by this reader (US Ed. pg 565)

Ron seems to be confused, as is normal for a boy his age (and attitude). I see only the slightest hint of a R/H ship in the fact that he still got worked up when Hermione was writing to Krum, and his whole bit about, "Writing to Krum again? Sounds like he wants to be more than just penpals." His confusion at the kiss could have been something, so I'll leave open a real possibility that Ron has more than friendly feelings towards Hermione (but she hasn't been giving any back, really.)

But like I said, it was a confusing book. I do see a Luna possibility for Ron, a Hermione possibility for Harry (but that all depends on if Harry can get out of this raging, angry mode he is in), and a Neville possibility for Ginny, as it was Ginny that Neville was trying to save (and he who took her to the Yule Ball in GoF).

That's just my thoughts on it all. And this got really wordy, so if you're still with me, thanks! :)

-Jade



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