Why is everyone afraid of Luna?

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 84238

Annemehr wrote:
> So, why was Luna introduced <snip>?  When she first appeared, my 
>immediate reaction was to think, uh oh, here's that annoying 
>character who's supposed to add interest or comic relief or 
>something, but is just going to be spouting nonsense that's 
>completely off the point. By the end of the book, I was completely 
>taken with her.  She is a completely new voice in Harry's world.
> <snip>
> I think she's represents acceptance of the "unconditional" that 
>Harry has never known.  <snip>  She also seems to exhibit an 
>unconditional acceptance of life.  People's comments disappear into 
>the pool of her tranquility without a ripple.  She can see the 
>thestrals, speak of her possessions disappearing or being 
>called "Loony" with perfect calm. I don't mean to imply that she's 
>indifferent to all this, just that somehow she has a very effective 
>way of processing it, or something.  Harry, on the other hand, has 
>a more volatile, reactive personality <snip>.
 
> Just at Harry's darkest hour, Luna is the balm to his wounds and 
> the ray of hope.  Dumbledore couldn't be that.  Ron, Hermione, and 
>the others could be no help, and neither for once could Hagrid, 
>though he tried. <snip> Only Luna could lighten his burden, and 
>only after that could he bear to be with the others.
<snip> 
> I think Harry is going to need the security this would provide him 
> in the years ahead, and I believe Luna could be the one to help him
> achieve it.  I don't necessarily mean this to be a romantic
> relationship at all, although I wouldn't rule it out eventually.
> 

Now me:
What a wonderful post!  I must admit that when I first encountered 
Luna I thought **exactly** what you've said here about the annoying 
character!!!!  Unfortunately, when the book ended, I STILL wasn't 
won over.  Why?  Probably because I'm "protective" of my own vision 
of who I think should be in Harry's life and, even, with whom he 
should start a romance.  Probably also, if I'm being honest, because 
her wackiness still makes me uncomfortable.  I'm not sure I would 
like Luna as an *active* participant in Harry's life.  I'm not sure 
I really want to see him expand his circle any further.  I certainly 
hope LUNA isn't the one with whom Harry develops a romance.  (Ick.)  
She's still too "out there" for me.  

I agree with everything you've said about her incredible ability to 
process and to accept peacefully...but she's still too annoying for 
me to fully accept her as a CENTRAL character.  However, as I 
mentioned in a previous post today, none of this is my call, is 
it? :-)  JKR owes me nothing.  So really, all I can say is that if 
Luna *is* going to be one of the central characters, I just hope JKR 
spends a good part of book 6 helping me feel better about all of 
that. :-)

Siriusly Snapey Susan