SHIP: Holding the Tiger's Tail

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 92932

Jim (me):" 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. 

Susanne: "Uh, frankly, how do you know that's what Ron wants or needs?"

Of course I don't know, but I believe it.  He's always the follower in
the adventures, not the principal actor, and he always acts in the way
an ordinary person would, except that he finds himself in
extraordinary circumstances and sticks by his friends.  Ron always
seems uneasy with Hermione's constant state of action, and she's not
going to stop.

I agree with you Ron isn't hurtful at all, at least intentionally. 
He's not more fallible than the rest of us, and Hermione does give back.

Susanne:"For some reason, Hermione is seen by many readers as this
perfect person, who "deserves" the "best" guy, which is, of course,
Harry. "

It's not a question of deserts with me; I've said before why I think
Harry and Hermione are so well suited to each other.  They all deserve
to be happy. It's not The Hero Gets the Girl to me, either; Hermione's
not some passive damsel waiting to be won.

And why is Harry the "best" guy, anyway?  He's likely to be severely
damaged goods by the time this is over, physically, emotionally and
psychologically hammered, tortured, maybe difficult – he was pretty
unlikable for large portions of OotP – maybe a young woman would be
better off with Ron.

Jim Ferer