SHIP: Harry and Hermione

[Hitomi]

No: HPFGUIDX 92241

Susan wrote:
> > And another thing you might add to your list of things standing 
in 
> > the way:  Harry's friendship with Ron.  Assuming Harry has 
caught 
> > some of the signs of Ron's interest in Hermione, he might be 
> > unwilling to pursue *that* kind of relationship w/ her out of 
> loyalty 
> > to Ron.

Hitomi:
Hey guys, long time no post.  Anyway, thanks Susan, for bringing 
this up (even though we're talking about ships, AGAIN!).  I've never 
understood how we are supposed to take all the instances in the 
books between Hermione and Harry as "clues."  (I know all the 
defenses of this ship, and I've heard how the situations between 
Harry and Hermione have been construed to look as if they might like 
one another, or at least Hermione does, because we know Harry has NO 
interest, but those situations look most blatantly as if the two are 
very close friends.)  I never once thought while reading they would 
end up together.  In Book 1, unlike a lot of the posters on this 
list apparently, I never thought because Hermione is the "heroine" 
that she should be with the "hero."  At that point, they were 
eleven, and I would have been just as happy to see her with Ron as 
Harry.  

And then, after reading Books 2-4, it was settled, Hermione and Ron 
was the ship I took for granted, and I thought every HP fan must see 
it.  Obviously, I found I was wrong upon joining the fandom, but I 
never put Hermione with Ron because I wanted to, unlike a lot of H/H 
shippers.  They just sort of... were.  And I know a lot of people 
want to think JKR is pulling our leg, because she does do that at 
times, but not to this extent.  Mostly, she is honest.  And she has, 
REPEATEDLY, said that there is more going on between Ron and 
Hermione, than Harry and Hermione, that H/H is very "platonic."  
That pretty much settles it for me, but some still argue.  In this 
latest interview, she says something along the lines of "haven't I 
given enough clues already?"  and then answeres the Krum question 
with "Ron would like to know that, too."  Ron, not Harry.  All, the 
clues, unless construed to fit a point, as I said, look as if Harry 
and Hermione are just friends.  Why would she put so much effort 
into showing Ron's jealousy, Hermione's exasperation, if she wasn't 
going to do anything with it?  Same with Ginny's having a crush.  
That's why I sometimes ship H/G, because what was the point of 
having her like him, if JKR doesn't eventually do something with 
it?  

I know some would say JKR is trying to make the school seem 
realistic (having relationships change), but then those same people 
will turn around and argue that every instance in the books means 
SOMETHING, that JKR doesn't do anything without a reason.  It's 
obvious Ron is interested in Hermione, he just hasn't realized it, 
yet.  And it's even more obvious Harry knows.  Like with what he 
thinks at the end of the Yule Ball, after witnessing Hermione and 
Ron's row.  And Harry doesn't care if anyone shows interest in 
Hermione, he has said to many that he and Hermione are only 
friends.  And we have no OBVIOUS clues that Hermione likes Harry, 
unless you want to think that is what they mean.  The clues for 
Hermione liking Ron seem far more plausible, and I'm not saying that 
because I'm some huge R/H shipper - like I said before, they were 
the couple that just WAS to me.  As far as shipping Harry with 
anyone goes, right now he is only friends with any girl we could 
mention.  But Ron does like Hermione.  Last time I checked, it takes 
two to tango.

And I'll comment on Potioncat's post by saying, I agree, I don't 
think there will be ridiculous love triangles, which is what would 
happen if Harry suddenly fancied Hermione (beside the fact, Harry 
suddenly showing interest, after knowing and interacting with her 
for so long, wouldn't make sense - another defense for the H/G 
shippers is that Harry is just beginning to know her).  JKR isn't 
going to turn this into some kind of stupid soap opera, if she did, 
I would lose all faith in her.  Another reason I detest the 
Snape/Lily theories, or the Lily/LV theories.  It isn't her style, 
and I don't think she is going to randomly change the character's 
proclivities and preinclinations, so that ships such as 
Harry/Hermione will make sense.  We've only got two books to go.  If 
Hermione is that girl that kisses Harry, alluding to JKR's latest 
interview, Ron would be very hurt.  It just isn't something I even 
remotely see actually happening.

And commenting on Potioncat's other point, about how long these 
relationships would actually last, discluding the example of James 
and Lily, since the characters are only 17/18 when they leave 
school, some do break apart, like Penelope and Percy (but honestly, 
who'd want to stay with Percy?), but others seem to truly last, such 
as Arthur and Molly, who dated in school as well.  And Ron and 
Hermione if like any other couple, are very similar to his parents.  
I don't know if JKR will let us know if the characters remain 
together, unless she gives us an epilogue, but I have a feeling 
she'll leave us with some idea of permanence, otherwise that would 
be leaving a loose end.

~ Hitomi, who will be the R/H defender among the H/H shippers, 
because she's noticed all the H/H are very adament, as if they have 
something to defend, while many R/H shippers don't even bother, 
because it just seems so... well, why bother?