Hurt-Comfort and Comfort-Hurt--There's a Reason They Call Us "Bent."

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 57051

Kriselda asked:

> Pardon me if this is an inappropriate question, but what does 
> "Hurt-Comfort" mean?

Nah, it's not inappropriate *at all.*  In a thread long, long ago, 
Elkins posited "Hurt-Comfort" as a reason female readers crush on 
certain HP fellas.

Derannimer, bless her, did the research to find the old thread and 
wrote:

>The Brilliant Elkins, in Message Number 39083, wrote rather a nice 
>description of the Hurt-Comfort dynamic. (The message is primarily 
>about Draco Malfoy, but you'll get the idea.) 

So, Kriselda . . . 

Care to join us?  ;-)


Meanwhile, Eileen goes weak in the knees over her love interest, 
Crouch Sr. . . .

>How can one not be touched? 

How?  

Because Crouch *doesn't really mean it,* that's why!  He's just out 
to save his own miserable hide in that scene.  He just wants to cut 
a deal there.  He won't reveal the critical information he knows to 
Harry.  Noooo!  He has to wait for Albus Dumbledore, doesn't he?

Doesn't the redemption have to be, er, consumated for it to count?  
Crouch Sr. failed, and now Voldemort is back.  


Eileen continued:

>But you've excluded Avery from the list Cindy, why?
>He's tortured on screen. And he's an emotional wreck.
>And he's suitably docile to respond to the directions
>of the hurt-comfort fixated.

Why, you know, you're right!  I did somehow overlook Avery.  I think 
that's part of Avery's problem.  He's practically invisible as a 
character, isn't he?  Oh, sure.  This list has breathed life into 
his wretched soul.  But in canon, there's just nothing there.

But I must admit . . .  I like the way Avery *begs.*  ;-)

Cindy -- wondering if guys crush on the HP female characters, and if 
not, why not