Relationships

[phoenixgod2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 132363

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mad_maxime" <mad_maxime at h...> 
 
> Max responds:

> The fact of the matter is, Cho dominated Harry's romantic view 
scape
> for the past three books. There was no chance of another girl 
giving
> him butterflies. With Cho now seemingly out of the picture we have 
no
> idea who might attract his attention next.

I would agree. Where we apparently disagree is that I think it 
widen's Harrys and JKR's choices while you think it narrows them.  
As somone who likes to write, it seems like Ginny would be the most 
boring choice of a LI for Harry. She's just another Weasley and just 
another Gryffindor. No spice. Somewho who could show us the world in 
a different way to look at the world like Luna, or a different house 
like Susan, or even a different mindset like an unknown slytherin 
girl seems like a much more interesting way to go.
 
> What makes the most sense to many readers though, is that the 'next
> girl' will be someone whose personality we are already fairly 
familiar
> with. There are only two more books. The story arc will need to 
start
> consolidating and winding towards the conclusion. Imo, it is 
doubtful
> that Rowling will introduce yet another female character for us to 
get
> to know when we have three perfectly good possibilities already
> developed and present.  A Harry romance with anyone other than 
Ginny,
> Luna or Hermione(or even Cho, for that matter)would seem to the 
reader
> like he's being paired with a stranger.

I think the fact that Luna has become a dark horse contender for 
Harry's affections after one book and a handfull of scenes with him 
speaks to the fact that a well drawn character, no matter when 
introduced, could be satisfactory LI for Harry.

Personally, as much as I like the idea of Harry/Luna I am beginning 
to think that Luna is going to play a strong role in the 
Ron/Hermione romance. I can easily see her and her seemly obvious 
crush on Ron as the catalyst that gets those two off their behinds 
and in the broomcloset where all that sexual tension belongs :)
  
> Max responds:
> 
> I suppose it's all a matter of opinion, but I just don't see it. I
> think JKR could convincingly portray an H/G relationship without 
pages
> of agonizing exposition with various members of the Weasley family.
> It's not like he's some stranger that the Weasleys would want to 
get
> to know. They're already all quite comfortable with him.

I dated my best friends sister once. Trust me when I say that dating 
someones sister or daughter is a whole different animal of trust.  
And I also think that Harry insecure enough around women that he 
might *think* it would be a big problem, even if it isn't one to the 
Weasley's.  
 
> Max responds:
> 
> From the story arc point of view the question is not - how long 
did it
> take Harry to develop a crush on Cho - but how long was the crush
> developed in terms of the storyline?

I see what you are saying, but I disagree. Look at how young Harry 
was when the crust started. A shrimpy 13 year old is going to take a 
long time to screw up the courage to ask out the pretty, older, and 
popular athlete girl. I would hope that a sixteen year old Harry 
Potter would be able to move a whole lot faster.

 There is
> simply not enough time with the story winding down to repeat a 
similar
> scenario. Therefore, it will need to be someone for whom the
> groundwork has already been laid.

Maybe you are right. I do not dismiss the possibility of a H/G 
romance, I just think it would be a mistake. I also think that we 
are going to get the answer to that one way or another in the next 
book. Ron's not at all subtle hint at the end of OOTP about who he 
thinks Ginny should pair with could be another in a long line of end 
of book hints about the themes of the next book.

Of course since Harry missed the hint entirely, my faith maintains :)

phoenixgod2000