The thing they would miss most.

[arielock at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 97799

Del wrote:
"As for Fleur and Gabrielle, I remember being flabbergasted when I 

read about them the first time... (Hermione and Cho)are just the most 
important 

persons *at Hogwarts* ! So why *ever* did the High Authorities go 

and kidnap Fleur's sister all the way in France (or wherever she 

lives, which is not Hogwarts) ? The only solution I see is that 

Gabrielle spent that year in Hogsmeade, and Fleur saw her often, and 

then Gabrielle was indeed the thing Fleur would miss most at 

Hogwarts. But there's no hint whatsoever that Fleur visits anyone in 

Hogsmeade."

Arianna replies:

    In Fleur's case, it struck me as extremely significant that it was her 
sister (also part veela) who she would miss the most.   She *does* have peers 
from her school (boys and girls) visiting at Hogwarts, too.   Why weren't any of 
those people the person she would miss the most?    
     Let's see:  She is stunningly and preternaturally beautiful.   She's not 
just pretty, she's part veela.  Guys are magically drawn to her, *entranced* 
by her.  But she has to have figured out that it has nothing to do with them 
genuinely caring about her as a person.   Hence, a boyfriend was not who she 
would miss the most.  For a relationship to be meaningful, there has to at least 
be the potential for an emotional connection.   She may have loads of men who 
fancy her, but they appear to be so mesmerized by her beauty that they don't 
hear a word she is saying.   Didn't Harry notice that during the Yule Ball?
    While the guys are fawning over her, they are ignoring every other girl 
in the room.   She is a threat to her female peers whether she wants to be or 
not (see "Survival of the Prettiest" by Nancy Etcoff).   She is also ostensibly 
the most magical/powerful/talented person in her school (as she was chosen by 
the Goblet to compete).  I am assuming (no proof here) that she is a Seeker 
for what ever team her school/house/whatever has, as the other three champions 
are Seekers, too.   If most of her female peers (high school aged, let's not 
forget) aren't painfully jealous of her (to the point of strongly disliking 
her), I'll eat the sorting hat.   
    On top of all that, she complains *a lot*.  She makes disparaging 
comments constantly, about Hogwarts, the food, the temperature, the decorations, 
Harry's age, etc.  She probably behaves exactly the same way at her school.   Even 
if she had a female peer who wasn't intimidated or threatened by her, her 
attitude alone is enough to alienate others.  Even our beloved, rational, 
Hermione dislikes her almost immediately.
    The choice of her sister instead of a peer showed something rather 
poignant and sad: For all her beauty, talent and ability, she appears to have no 
friends.  None.  And she must be very lonely.  
    
Arianna