SHIP: Harry and Hermione together per JKR chat?

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 92845

Jim Ferer wrote:
<humongous snip of Jim's post>
> HINTS AT HARRY'S FEELINGS THAT HE MIGHT NOT EVEN BE AWARE OF
> 
> ** The Yule Ball Scene.  He notices Hermione, really notices her as 
> a girl, and hasn't forgotten it.  It can easily surface again, and I
> think it will.
> 
> ** He spontaneously blurts out "but I don't think you're ugly!" to
> Hermione.  I think we should notice that and take it for a hint at
> Harry's feelings.
> 
> ** Harry is integrating parts of Hermione into himself. He hears her
> voice, feels her presence.

Susan:
Jim, even though I tend pretty strongly to R/H & H/G, I did enjoy 
this post quite a bit.  My one quibble is with your statement that 
Harry "spontaneously" burst out with "But I don't think you're 
ugly!"  I *really, really* do not think we can read too much into 
that remark.  Remember the scene.  It's over the Cho debacle, and 
Hermione is trying to show Harry what he did wrong.  He should have 
told Cho, says Hermione, that he thinks Hermione is ugly.  To which 
Harry **replies,** "But I don't think you're ugly!"  

First, I Hermione likely isn't ugly at all, so Harry is simply 
stating a fact.

Second, a girl has just "called" herself ugly.  Wouldn't most people 
make the considerate remark and protest?  Even though Hermione 
doesn't believe it herself--or even think that Harry does--she's 
trying to TEACH him how to deal w/ a girl...and let's face it, Harry 
isn't getting it all.  I think this situation was part of his "I 
don't get girls" thing, and he focused on Hermione's "you should have 
told her you thought I was ugly" rather than on her **plan** of how a 
guy convinces a girl he doesn't like another girl.

Hoping that makes sense,
Siriusly Snapey Susan