SHIP: Holding the Tiger's Tail

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 92895

Neil: "Please don't point to a list of situations where Ron and
Hermione seem to be showing feelings toward each other because I've
heard them all. I've seen an equal list from H/H shippers. In my
opinion you are all seeing what you want to see. I'm not even sure
that Ron in GoF is showing a caring for Hermione as much as he is a
brotherly attitude like he did with Ginny and not wanting her with
Krum. Remember, we saw that from Harry's view point. Not once did Ron
actually say that he liked Hermione. Harry assumed."

Oh, I think Ron is attracted to Hermione.  It's an open question
whether and how much she returns it.

I agree with you that pointing to a list of situations doesn't do much
to tell us what's going to happen. I think you have to look at their
development more broadly.  Harry and Hermione are converging all the
time, working, thinking and acting together.  Ron, for all his
valuable friendship and loyalty, seems to be along for the ride.

I think Ron's an ordinary guy – a good ordinary guy – who wants a wife
he can come home to, talk to, and bring up a family with.  That's
perfectly fine if that's what his wife wants, too, but that's not for
Hermione. She will always seek challenges, tests, to stretch herself.
 It's not a life Ron would be comfortable with, but it's been Harry's
whole life.  He's held the tiger's tail forever, and he can do it with
Hermione.

What female can handle Harry - his fame, his challenges, his
complexity?  I think Ginny could, but the real answer has to be
Hermione.  She's done it already, from Rita Skeeter to Dolores
Umbridge. Cho never could have done it.