Clues for SHIPS and for the plot

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 98870


I, Del, asked :
> > It's the second time tonight that I come accross that "Fleur kisses
> > the boys" scene. But I just can't remember it ! Can you point me to
> > it ?
 
JR answered :
> I don't have my books with me so I can not give you an exact page
> number but I remember that when they come out of the lake after the
> second task, Fleur gives Harry a kiss for saving her sister than she
> says something to Ron like "Oh and you helped too."  And she gives 
> Ron a kiss.  And then it says something about Hermione scowling.  So 
> the scene in question is at the end of the second task.

Del replies :
Ah, thank you !!

So let's see : GoF, hardback British edition, page 439 :
"Look after Gabrielle," she told her, and then she turned to Harry.
"You saved 'er," she said breathlessly. "Even though she was not your
'ostage."
"Yeah," said Harry, who was now heartily wishing he'd left all three
girls tied to the statue.
Fleur bent down, kissed Harry twice on each cheek (he felt his face
burn and wouldn't have been surprised if steam was coming out of his
ears again), then said to Ron, "And you, too, - you 'elped-"
"Yeah," said Ron, looking extremely hopeful, "yeah, a bit-"
Fleur swooped down on him, too, and kissed him. Hermuione looked
simply furious, but just then etc...

Huh, well, I'm not sure we can use that scene as evidence for either
SHIP. I would agree with those who say that Hermione is simply jealous
of *Fleur*, not because of either boys. And by the way, I'd like to
add that I'm surprised that Hermione wouldn't have learned during her
holidays in France that kissing on the cheeks doesn't mean much for
French people. Fleur wasn't doing anything more than saying thank you
in the best way she knows. When I'm offered a gift, I say thank you
and kiss the person who gave the present to me, whoever it might be.
It doesn't mean anything. I'm in fact surprised that oh-so-smart
Hermione didn't see it coming :-) Fleur *had* to go and kiss Harry,
she was supposed to in order to be polite, so she would probably have
done it even if she hadn't felt true gratitude towards Harry.

Del, who loves it when Hermione lets her emotions rule over her brain
once in a while :-)