SHIP: JKR on Ginny, WAS Ginny is Mackenzie

[Marianne S.]

No: HPFGUIDX 136886

Pat wrote: 
Am I the only one who sees the book as being the exact
opposite of what Jo says she tried to show? I see other stunned
people, so I don't think so.

Marianne S:

No, you are not the only one. However, I do believe that many people
(myself included) did see the relationship exactly how JKR wanted us to.
We were looking forward to it happening, and were very satisfied when it
did. Many of us, including every single fan I am friends with in real life,
expect that Ginny is strong enough to know that Harry's has to do what
he must, and she probably wouldn't like him as much if his whole world
was in fact centered on her. (To me, this is a sign of the strong character
JKR meant to create... someone who doesn't need, or even like, to be
the center of someone's universe.) I believe that Ginny handled the 
split very well.. didn't make a scene at the funeral, stayed true to herself
and let Harry know that she never gave up on him, which may just
give him the strength he needs to go on. I also don't think that Ginny is
the type to give up on Harry, and I am willing to bet that book six
only showed early days of their relationship... something that I believe
JKR will let truly grow in book 7. 

The main thing I am concerned about, as a reader, is how Harry is going
to make choices and use the power of love to defeat Voldemort. The 
Harry/Ginny subplot, to me, is just that.. a SUBplot, but one that gives 
great support to the overall themes of the power of love and the choices
we have to make. Harry chose to deny himself his greatest comfort, the thing
that made him happier than he had been in years (this is what it says in 
the text, and I don't care how many people say, "don't TELL ME... SHOW ME...,"
if it's JKR's prose then it truly is canon as she only writes truthfully what Harry
feels. Nevertheless, I believe we will see a lot more from Ginny and her
relationship with Harry in the next book, and as noble as he was to let
her go... that girl is going to continue to fight by Harry's side, whether she 
physically can be there or not. The love that Harry feels for Ginny, which he 
worries puts her in danger (because I believe he feels that his love for 
Sirius is what cause his godfather's death)... he needs to realize can also
be part of his strength. I am hoping that Bill and Fleur's wedding will 
allow Harry to put some perspective on this. 

I frankly feel sorry for people who don't believe JKR did a good job with this, 
relationship.especially if it makes them not enjoy the books. It concerns me
greatly that some adults might just be LOOKING for things in the book to 
not like, and don't recognize or support or even respectthe author's point 
of view/ This concerns me not because I don't think they're entitled to their 
opinions, but because criticism of the author and HER characters is at best
something that will never make a difference in her point of view, and it 
could just perpetuate more misery. I feel like saying, "What's done is
done, what's written is written, and if you can't enjoy or accept it, please 
stop trying to spoil it for the rest of us." 

My diverse group of adult reading buddies include a magazine editor, a book editor, 
a college professor, and a couple of reading specialists and a couple of office
managers. Our ages cover a 30 year span and our educations vary from 
Bachelor's degrees to PhD. Though we don't all agree on who Snape's 
allegiance is really to, we all agreed that it was "about time" for Harry and 
Ginny and that it was handled very well. (Ron/Hermione may not have 
come out the way we hoped, but we certainly don't criticize the author for that.)
We also were not concerned by the split because Harry and Ginny
handled it kindly without making a scene AND in a way that, in our 
opinions, made it clear that they are NOT over. JKR's WORDS CONFIRM 
OUR BELIEFS... ... Ginny had her own journey as a character, and we, like JKR,
believe she is the ideal girl for Harry. They came together and split, yes,
but there is nothing in canon or even in JKRs interview to say that they 
won't reconnect. Perhaps JKR is even applying the old adage, "If you Love 
someone SET THEM FREE, if they come back -- they're yours; if not --
THEY NEVER were." Based on JKR's own words in the book, right up to the
difficult time Harry had letting Ginny go, even though he felt  he must, 
(like someone else said, that "miserable gesture" spoke volumes") we believe
that Ginny IS THE GIRL FOR HARRY! 

Moreover, we agree  that HBP left more twists and turns and questions to be 
answered in the next book than any other book has thus far. 

I wish people would stop harping on how bad the H/G relationship is and 
just accept it... 'cause it's what is written... and focus on the REAL unknowns...
where/what are the horcruxes, how is Harry going to defeat Voldemort, etc. 
But, as long as people can't accept JKR's point of view and the characters and
feelings she created, I will continue to stand up for Harry and Ginny. 

Marianne S (and the S is NOT for Shipper, something I thought I'd never
have to be!)