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

[pennylin]

No: HPFGUIDX 54327

Hi --

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.>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I responded with:
>>>>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.  <<<<

Pippin has now said:

<<<Well, that's just it. Intimacy and sexual/romantic love are not the 
same thing, certainly not where teenage boys are concerned. 
Harry doesn't need to be romantically involved with Ginny to 
develop emotional closeness to the Weasley family and  he 
doesn't need to be romantically involved with Hermione to 
become closer to her. In fact it might make it more difficult.>>>>>>>>>

Ah, there's one of the difficulties.  We're talking about entirely different things.  Yes, teenage boys, especially the younger teenage boys, certainly often do fight off emotional ties and intimacy.  But see, I don't necessarily forsee or even want Harry to become involved with Hermione as a teenager.  I'd prefer to see them both grow up and then realize what's been sitting in front of them all these years.  To do that, they'll each need to have some heart-aches, disappointments, failed romances and the like.  No fairy tales for my characters, thanks.  :--)  Harry has already suffered some, and if Hermione becomes involved with Ron, she's likely to suffer some heart-ache too (IMHO).  

Yes.  Harry doesn't *need* romance to become closer to Hermione, but if he *had* a romance with her, I think it's inevitable that they would become closer (at least during the pendency of the romance).  And, that is the point to the Weasley family argument.  Harry doesn't need a romance with Ginny to be a part of the Weasley family.  If he's to have a romance with Ginny, I would surely hope it's not because he wants her family.  I would hope it's because he wants *her* for who she is.


<<<<Much as I would like to see this change, I don't see Hermione as 
being the catalyst, even if Harry does develop romantic feelings 
for her. Harry's never going to feel safe sharing his feelings with 
her until she stops trying to improve him.  If  she did that now, it 
might cost him his life--he really needs her more as a coach 
than a confidante at this point. That's the one edge Ginny has. 
For all that we know so little about her, we do know this: it's 
extremely unlikely that she thinks anything about Harry Potter 
needs to be improved.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

But, Harry already has confided in Hermione!  He has shared feelings with her, and she has acted as his confidante (during the entire fight with Ron in GoF).  He also confided in her about thinking that he'd seen his dad on the other side of the Lake in PoA.  

To the extent that Hermione tries to "improve" Harry, I think it's always out of concern for his safety and well-being.  It's not because she thinks he's not a good enough person as is.  Yes, she harps on *both* boys about their schoolwork (but even that is becoming less and less as time goes on).  Her other actions with regard to Harry always revolve around his safety, not his character flaws or failings as a human being.  

I somehow doubt that Harry wants Ginny to fawn over him adoringly.  I somehow picture he'd want someone who would challenge him, someone with enough backbone to both support him but tell it like it is when need be.  If Ginny's principal strengths as a future mate for Harry are her status as a Weasley and her undying devotion to the notion that Harry Potter is perfect just as he is, I think Ginny has a tough case. 

Penny


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