SHIP: Re: Who is the boy? and Why I hate the H/G Ship

[pennylin]

No: HPFGUIDX 54277

Hi --

Fred posted:

<<<<1)My point was, Hermione was talking about her bestfriends. IMO, she 
probably talked about BOTH her friends, Harry and RON. And seeing as 
Krum was able to talk to Harry alone, he asked him first. I was not 
trying to say that she only talked about Harry, Just that Krum did 
not have time to ask about Ron.>>>>>>>>>>>

Actually, we have no evidence that Hermione talked about Ron to Krum.  In fact, the evidence pretty much points the other way.  Krum was jealous for *some reason.*  If Hermione were talking equally about both Harry and Ron (or least talking about Ron *some*), then it seems pretty unlikely that Krum would even become romantically jealous.  He would, in all likelihood, have realized that she was simply talking about her best friends.  Certainly, it's unlikely that his jealousy would have gone so far as to cause him to confront Harry about it under that scenario.  

As for your counter-argument that Krum ran out of time and might have asked Harry about Ron next, I don't know why you think he ran out of time.  They talk at least briefly about flying, before they are interrupted.  If Krum was next going to shift suspicions to Ron, why would he have "looked happier" at the revelation that Harry and Hermione are not involved?  Why wouldn't he have "remained suspicious" and immediately asked about Ron?  IMHO, that's because Hermione *didn't* talk about Ron to Krum.  Krum is happier, because a cloud has been lifted.  He suspected something between Harry and Hermione.  We've no reason to believe there is any remaining cause for jealousy.  

Shifting to the Ginny discussions, Felinia said:

<<<<<<<Harry has made an impression on her, with reason, and to lightly paraphrase Jane Austen, she's not seen a more amiable man or one with more pleasing attributes since then.  But she did go to the Ball with Neville, and that right there is evidence of a commitment to principles and a lack of any sort of dangerous fixation.>>>>>>>>>

While I agree that she doesn't strike me as particularly obsessed with Harry, I have always been bothered by the fact that she paid him no attention whatsoever on Platform 9 3/4 *until* she heard he was the Boy Who Lived.  Yes, I know she's had chances since then to realize that he's more than just a celebrity.  But, it seems an inauspicious start to a relationship to me.  And, I'm not so certain that she *has* separated the two (the celebrity and the real boy that is).  They simply haven't interacted to any great extent, other than in the Chamber.  In the Chamber when the "celebrity" has saved her life.

Calliope had said:

<<<<<What I really object to is the argument that Harry and Ginny should be together "*because* it gives him the big Weasley family".  If the argument were "Harry and Ginny should be together because their personalities mesh well together" or "Harry and Ginny should be
together because they understand and communicate well with each other" then I wouldn't have such a problem.  But to say they should be together *because of her family* doesn't sit well with me.>>>>>>>

I couldn't agree more.  The problem, of course, is that we have no idea if Harry and Ginny have similar personalities, understand and communicate with each other or have any interests in common.  Ginny is an undeveloped skeleton at this point.  Which brings me to:

Calliope again: <<<<If JKR waits too long to develop Ginny's character and then all of a sudden pairs them off, it's almost like a *deus ex machina* situation.  I would be very disappointed if she paired them off with very little development - ie, the current level of Ginny-appearances up until halfway through book 7, then in the epilogue mentioned something about them being together.  I don't think she'd do that, but...I'm still suspicious.>>>>>>>>>>>

I too would be disappointed in use of a deus ex machina in this case.  I personally think that if she waits until Book 6 or 7 to develop Ginny (or God forbid, the epilogue), it will be a problem for some readers.  We will have spent 7 books with Harry, getting to know him quite intimately.  For many readers, if he were to pair up romantically with Hermione, herself a character many of us have come to know well and love as much as Harry, it would be very satisfying.  If instead, Harry were to pair off with someone we barely know or have just gotten to know, it *likely* would not be as satisfying to those readers.  I would feel cheated.  I would wonder why she was held back as a character.  If her destiny to be Mrs. Potter has been evident since the first book (as many H/G shippers proclaim), then there's nothing for the author to gain by holding her in reserve.  It only serves to frustrate those readers like me, who would prefer to know this character who's going to pair up with our beloved Harry.  

Calliope had made the point that Harry already *has* the Weasley family, through Ron.  In response to this, Pippin remarked:

<<<<<<You know, this sort of argument works just as well for the other 
side. You could just as well say that Harry already *has* 
Hermione.  She is already a dear friend. They could hardly care 
more about each other than they do already.>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well, speaking for myself, I would certainly say that romantic/sexual love is quite a different level than friendship love.  So, I would say that actually, yes, they certainly could care more about each other than they do already.  Eros would bring an entirely different intimacy to the relationship.  

Felinia said:

<<<<<One thing you're not mentioning here is Ginny's feelings about *him*.  I, for one, strongly believe that him saving her will increase her feelings for him over time.  And I think Harry would be a sensible young man to allow someone having strong feelings for him be a factor in his returning them and coming to love someone who loves him, rather than chasing the unattainable - like Cho.>>>>>>>>>>>

Speaking from personal experience, I've had my share of unrequited crushes on male friends.  I've also been the recipient of such crushes.  In both cases, it was for the best that the other party didn't return feelings.  And, no matter how much those friends or I thought of the other person as a dear friend, you can't force romance.  Harry will be a sensible young man, as you say, if he follows his heart.  Wherever his heart may lead him.  :--)

Penny
(ever the H/H'er................)










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