SHIP: Harry, Ginny and me (with *footnotes*) (was accepting Del's challenge)

[Marianne S.]

No: HPFGUIDX 136347

Larry: <snip> Along these lines, I like to think that JKR is drawing
a distinction between the shallow, transitory nature
of the Ron/Lavender ship, and the deeper, richer and
ultimately more lasting H/G ship.

Marianne S. Yes, I have said the same thing as well. We clearly
see that Ron, Ginny, and Hermione get in to relationships * that,
though they are even typical for many teens, are shallow and 
clearly not even satisfying for some of the people involved. 
Ron, Ginny, and Hermione are all unhappy in their relationships,
and find it hard to break them off (again typical for many
teens). 


Larry again: Compare this to H/G. There are no insecurities, hence
no need to verbalize the ship, there is absolutely no
need to seek reassurance as there would be in a less
secure ship. Volumes are spoken in a glance or a
touch; the very lack of any relationship blather is
JKR's indirect hint, through behavior and not
dialogue, of the rightness and permanance of the H/G
ship.


Marianne S. again: Others and I have pointed out these very things,
and even the canon we find as examples. What I find it hard to 
take, though,  is that it seems to me that people who anticipated
the H/G SHIP, saw signs and grew happily expectant of said SHIP
and then saw the H/G relationship as a positive, sweet, and yes...
mature (but age appropriate), one are stigmatized by those who
did not see it that way. 

Sure, it is fine to have an opinion, and several people have 
posted opinions if not manifestos about their negative opinions.
It seems that nothing anyone can say can change their minds. I can 
respect having an opinion... but what I can't take is what seems 
like people trying to impose their jaded and negative opinions on 
others.

When it comes to reading ANYTHING, one must take into
consideration the point of view of the author. JKR (and her editors, 
perhaps) CHOSE to write the romance this way. It is clear through
interviews with JKR that it is her intent that this relationship will
have a future. Many of us were satisfied by what we read, especially
as it made such a refreshing contrast from Harry's last relationship, 
not to mention the shallow relationships of his peers. Many of 
us were "right there" while JKR built up to it... and several were not. Fine. 
However, I wish people would not be so rancorous towards people who 
actually _got_ what JKR's point of view was  Please consider
the fact that we all read the same text... it's only our own interpretation
and experience ** and intent that create the subtext that people have
written... but for many of us it does seem that we have read this 
relationship the way JKR seems to have intended (based on her interviews),
 and many of us are therefore looking forward to see how it develops. I am 
sorry for people who can't know the happiness of this gratification, but only
ask that they please don't spoil it for the rest of us.***

Some have suggested that those of us that are H/G shippers should be
mad at JKR for not showing more. Would I have liked to see more? yes! ****  
Nevertheless, am I happy with what I saw? YES!! For all of the reasons
 previously stated in other posts, which include my reaction and those
of friends and even a student... I agree with JKR that we will see great things from 
Ginny. I believe Ginny and Harry have started a relationship based
on friendship and understanding with that extra bit that's also important --
attraction --.*** I feel Harry has been noticing Ginny more and more for years...
and for those who point out that she "had" to go to the ball in GoF with
Neville, don't forget that 3rd Years were NOT invited to the ball UNLESS
as the date of a 4th - 7th year... Harry and Ginny let go of their "relationship"
at the end, but not their feelings. So, as others have suggested, I believe
Ginny will play a huge role in the final installment. 

And hopefully this post will play a small role in ending the vitriol between
the pro and con "H/G in HBP" camps. I debated with myself about even posting
anything further, but my reaction to what has been posted is going from
bemusement to incredulity... 

Marianne S.

 * (well,McClaggen is not so much a relationship, but Hermione lies to 
her fellow 6th year girls that it is. *sigh* Hermione Should Be 
Smarter Than Trying To Make Ron Jealous, but I can appreciate
that "little miss perfect" as Umbridge called her has flaws)

** I myself have had many close male friends where we mutually did not want
to date because the right chemistry/attraction just wasn't there. On the other
hand, the best relationships I've had in each decade of my life have been with 
people that I was in a group of friends with for years before dating. 

*** I can accept that sometimes I see things differently than JKR. I personally
won't blame JKR's writing if, for instance, Snape is actually ESE! through 
and through. Certainly it is within anybody's right to be critical of 
JKR for not writing the relationship the way *they* would have wanted
to see it (which, undoubtedly for some, would have been not at all).
However, it is starting to look to me more like sour grapes here, as it
is coming out that some of these dissatisfied people were H/Hr shippers...
If they did not get the relationship they wanted, why do they have to 
try and turn people against the relationship that is REAL, that is THERE, that
has made Harry HAPPY? 

****I have already suggested that some sortof a "Ginny's Diary" to 
document many of those missing moments from a girl's point of view 
could a fun idea for a charity book.