Hermione SHIP question

[samnanya]

No: HPFGUIDX 79495

Emily says in message 79467
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{Sam - My apologies for the heavy snipping here but her original post 
is well worth the read .... }
Well, I would consider myself very much a H/Hr shipper. And it's 
often hard for me to admit, though I have always admitted it, that 
Ron and Hermione are more obviously attracted to each other and I'm 
pretty sure that they will get together. But, hey, a girl can dream 
right? Now, while Ron and Hermione are the obvious couple, I believe 
(doesn't mean that it's true) that there are very, very subtle hints 
in the series that point to the possibility of Harry and Hermione as 
a couple. Bear with me, however, as I tend to stretch possibilities 
and clues, take it as you will. But please lets not make this into 
an argument over who should end up with who, in fact I'd be fine if 
Ron and Hermione get together. 
One thing that I noticed most throughout the books are the gifts 
that Hermione gives to both Harry and Ron. So far, she has given 
Harry pretty wonderful gifts, while she has given Ron rather simple 
ones of candy and what not. Specific examples:
In their second year, Hermione gives Harry a luxury eagle-feather 
quill. From that point on throughout the books it seems to be that 
JK Rowling has made it a point to mention Harry pulling out that 
same eagle feather quill at least once to write with it. In PoA, 
it's used in the beginning (sorry can't remember what page) In GoF 
it's also in the beginning on p 22 of the American hardback edition. 
It's mentioned somewhere in OotP I think though I'm not sure exactly 
where, also somewhere near the beginning of the book.
Other gifts of note that Hermione has given Harry include his Broom 
Servicing Kit, which he uses to this day. And the Quidditch Teams of 
Ireland and Britain. Basically, she has given him gifts that are in 
a word, perfect, for Harry. And he still uses all of them. What she 
is offering him and giving him is lasting.
Moving on, another clue that I found that is extremely, extremely 
subtle occurs in Book 4. This is in Charms class when they are 
practicing Banishing Charms. On p 481 of the American Hardback ed of 
GoF it goes as follows: 
"I just want to know what Snape did with his first chance if he's 
on his second one," said Harry grimly, and his cushion, to his very 
great surprise, flew straight across the room and landed neatly on 
top of Hermione's.]

Me {Sam} -
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Didnt catch the quill gift but did notice the broom.. Points well 
made... The cushions ..... wellll  I caught that too -- she just might 
have thrown that in there to tease the adult readers -- but as you 
say, you never know with JKR {what a trickster! lol}
When reading what follows, try to visualize the scene in your mind's 
eye and get the emotions behind the words -- JKR does use adverbs and 
adjectives very effectively.
First somewhat subtle clue, even though most guys are kind of thick in 
the way of relationships, Viktor Krum expresses maajor concern about 
Harry's relationship with Hermione during his walk with Harry (GoF 
552-553 am ed)before they are interrupted by Crouch. Viktor - greatest 
quidditch player with young ladies fawning all over him - would NEVER 
have been so concerned about Harry if he hadn't noticed something in 
Hermione's manner. He also doesn't believe Harry's initial denial
and is almost threatening towards him before Harry issues his firm 
denial. Even then, Krum only looked slightly happier. Nothing major 
but very very subtle...
Second clue, though it happened earlier in GoF, is more telling. Look 
at the description of Hermione after she and Ron see Harry after the 
first task -  (GoF 358)  "there were fingernail marks on her face 
where she had been clutching it in fear"  - thats a pretty strong 
reaction -- then when he is focusing on Ron's aplogy - "Hermione burst 
into tears. "Theres nothing to cry about!" Harry told her, bewildered. 
"Yoou two are so stupid!" she shouted, stanping her foot on the 
ground, tears splashing down her front. Then, before either of them 
could stop her, she had given both of them a hug and dashed away, now 
positively howling." 
Pretty severe emotional reaction for someone who is only a freind...
but once again, nothing specific, to indicate a SHIP potential, not on 
Harry's part anyway.
Finally, there is Hermione's ecstatic reaction from her erroneous 
belief that Harry had become prefect {instead of Ron} - look at the 
wording carefully - "The door banged open. Hermione came tearing into 
the room, her cheeks flushed and her hair flying. There was an 
envelope in her hand. {emphasis mine} Did YOU get -  did YOU get -"
She spotted the badge in Harry's hand and let out a shriek. "I knew 
it!" she said excitedly, brandishing her letter." ME TOO, HARRY, ME 
TOO!"   Her first thought is of Harry not herself. Their both being 
prefects is a recognition of their accomplishments and a SHARED joy...
.. which of course is dashed when she finds out that it was really 
Ron...

Those are the ones that come to mind, although there are more ....
but that being said ..... Luna Lovegood is introduced in the next 
chapter, and the meeting of Harry and Luna most probably never would 
have happened if Harry was made prefect....  


In the end, Emily put it best ...

Right now, none of the Ships are wrong or right...yet. Until we have 
a definitive in your face answer (no not from Rowling's lips, 
themselves, b/c I've learned NEVER to trust what she says in an 
interview)in the TEXT, I mean, is the only time we will truly know 
who is to be with whom. And until then, I'm still gladly lounging on 
the HMS Pumpkin Pie and I have a feeling that I always will! :-P
Emily~ 

Me again -
I always had a feeling that Harry would end up with Hermione {if he 
survives} but think that at least in the short term his destiny is 
with Luna ....... and of course similar arguments can be made for 
Ginny as well...
And that is of course why JKR is so brilliant of a writer and plotter 
-- the story can take many turns, all of them satisfying if she 
follows through with her convictions, whatever they may be.
Happy writing JK ! &
Happy shipping !
Samnanya