Shipping

[Robert Jones]

No: HPFGUIDX 89118

Shipping has never been a major topic of concern for me (at least 
for these books), but I would like to say two things:

First, I don't think Ron and Hermione are going to end up together.  
(Well, I think Ron is going to die, but that's another thread.)  
After GOF, like most people I thought Ron and Hermione were going to 
go out, but in OOTP Hermione seemed only genuinely annoyed with 
Ron.  He still is attracted to her (as evidence by his Christmas 
gift), but she does not seem interested in him.  And since he does 
not seem as mature as she was in OOTP (or even Harry) I'm not 
surprised.  JKR may change things in the future of course, and Ron 
may work up the nerve to ask her out, but as things stand now, I 
can't see Ron and Hermione lasting as boyfriend/girlfriend.

Second, Harry is so messed up now and so much to worry about, I have 
trouble seeing him with anyone right now.  Just from OOTP alone, he 
learned that his father was a jerk at one time, that DD makes 
mistakes, that he (Harry) thinks he has to kill someone or be 
killed, and that he thinks he was responsible for Sirius's death.  
He may get distracted by a pretty face again, but Hermione, Ginny, 
Luna, or anyone else who might be interested n him would be wise to 
steer clear of him for now.  I think one continuing tread in the 
books is that Harry and Hermione are going closer as friends, but I 
don't see anything romantic yet.  After he vanquishes LV and if he 
is still alive, he might turn around and see Hermione standing there.