Why so dissatisfied? H/G

[sienna291973]

No: HPFGUIDX 136009

Cindy:
So, I can certainly understand the
feelings some folks have about being disappointed, however, if there
was some severe editing, it only reinforces the fact that Harry's
relationships will not be key in his success or failure to defeat
Voldemort.

Now Sienna (stepping sheepishly up to her soapbox):
Hem hem... the question is then, why a H/G subplot at all? Why not 
lone-Harry? I know people will say its all about growing up and, yes, 
realistically Harry would have a relationship with *someone* and 
probably in a very teenage way, but what does this add to the plot? 
I'm reading the story of Harry Potter's defeat of Voldemort not `A 
day in the life of a teenage love machine'. ;)

The questions I want answered *in canon*: What does the H/G 
partnership bring to Harry's character development and quest? When 
did Ginny become the perfect woman? Why is she the perfect woman? How 
come she understands him better than his two best friends when she 
hasn't shared a tenth of what they have with him? Will she have some 
role to play in Voldemort's defeat? If not, why is she there? Why is 
she paired with the hero? 

Sorry, but this isn't a matter of difference in preference of 
partner, it's a matter of good versus bad writing. It's a matter of 
poorly crafted story. A subplot needs to feed the main plot. It is 
there to show one side of the wider thematic argument. In this way 
the author builds their argument to it's ultimate conclusion and 
brings *us* along for the ride. 

What is Rowling's argument here? What is the thematic link with the 
role love will have to play in defeating Voldemort? Or is this just 
another coincidental topic she touched upon that is planned to go 
precisely nowhere? And if love *is* the thing that will defeat 
Voldemort, then how can *anyone* argue that Harry's relationships 
will not be at the centre of that, especially romantic ones? And if 
they are at the centre, then the author absolutely *cannot* leave the 
characters main LI, his `perfect' woman (on that I think I'll just 
have to take her word for it), to the reader's imagination. 

I know I'm on my high horse a bit here (sincere apologies), but the 
whole section of the Emerson/ Melissa interview where Rowling talked 
about Ginny being a gifted-witch (seventh daughter of the seventh 
daughter or some such jazz) and the perfect girl for Harry, was 
utterly appalling for me because I didn't have the foggiest idea what 
she was talking about. And I didn't have a clue because she didn't 
show me. And bat-bogey hex doesn't cut it. I've never actually seen 
her perform the silly thing. Ever. (I know I'm not Einstein, but I 
*can* read a book darn it)

So
 my point
 (albeit long winded)... it's one thing for Harry to 
slowly realise Ginny is the perfect girl for him but as a reader I 
need to have realised that she was it much earlier. The shipping wars 
alone are testament to the fact that Rowling didn't do her job 
properly. By the end of OotP it should have been game over – Ginny is 
the perfect girl for Harry, she is a gifted witch because we've seen 
her in action even if the hero hasn't processed the information yet. 
She understands Harry better because we've seen her understand Harry 
better - repeatedly. All that's then left is for us to wait with 
baited breath for Harry to realise it (ala Emma/Knightley). Not 
because I prefer Ginny and can identify with her or like the best 
friend's sister scenario or think it's sweet but because the author 
has made it abundantly clear that she's *it*.

Luna was at least as likely as Ginny in terms of potential 
compatibility at the end of OotP, in my opinion. In fact, at the DoM, 
we only saw Hermione and Luna in action. Wouldn't it have been the 
perfect chance to show off Ginny's powers? Give us a look at her bat-
bogey hex? But no, Luna is the last woman standing in her little 
trio. Ergo, reader decides, Luna has some power. Luna then shares a 
significant moment of understanding with Harry – more significant 
than chocolate eggs in my opinion - so the reader is left thinking 
that Luna might be compatible with Harry also. This, combined with 
the fact that Hermione was a stronger contender in *some* readers' 
minds and that Harry had a realistic choice of 3 or more girls at the 
end of OotP, is evidence enough that Rowling did *not* do the job 
well.

I think those that argue that we had clues to Ginny's compatibility 
with the hero before HBP forget that there were an equal number of 
clues to his compatibility with others, despite the fact that in 
hindsight those clues appear to be dead ends or red herrings.

Sienna
*Finally taking a deep breath <grin> and hoping that it will all make 
sense in the end*