Harry, Ginny and physical affection

[Freeman, Louise Margaret]

No: HPFGUIDX 135243

Some have questioned the depth of the Harry/Ginny pairing because it seems "just physical;" 
however, I don't think we should underestimate the importance of that, given Harry's 
background.  Harry had zero memories of any physical affection when he arrived at Hogwarts.  
Eventually, the wizarding world made up for all the deficiences of the Dursley house except 
physical love: he found friends in Ron and Hermione, a surrogate mother in Mrs. Weasley, father 
figures and big-brother style mentorship in DD, Siruis, Lupin and Mr. Weasley.But, with the 
exception of an occasional motherly embrace from Mrs. W. or an impulsive hug from Hermione, 
none of these people can be physically affectionate towards Harry. Apart from kissing Cho 
(which didn't work out too well) Harry's been physically embraced by practically no one except 
the Quidditch team after a victory.

Naturally, in a book aimed at children, JKR does not show us details of their physical 
relationship, for the same reasons she usually only mentions swearing rather saying the words. 
(and I don't think for a second that Harry and Ginny are getting too far down the sexual path; 
we haven't seen any evidence of premarital sex amongst Hogwarts students.) But I think Harry is 
drawing great comfort from the physical aspect of the relationship; not surprising considering 
he's lacked physical affection all of his life.  Notice that he and Ginny mostly keep it private, as 
opposed to Lavendar and Won-Won. Ron's "snogging" with Lavender was clearly to prove 
something to his friends, so it's not surprising the relationship fizzled out really quick.

As for the emotional intimacy, Harry already loved Ginny as a friend/little sister.  We didn't need 
to see an emotional bond develop between them all over again.  They can add a physical 
attraction to that friendship and have a good teenage romance, just as we're expecting Ron and 
Hermione to.  Contrast this again to Ron and Lavender.  They had little more than a speaking 
aquaintance; add physical attratcion and you get...  nothing.

(By the way, I think there are also hints of Luna/Neville: notice how they were the only DA 
members to answer the call and how Luna helped Neville to his seat at the funeral.  Neville had 
been released from the hospital wing several days prior...  he didn't help getting around.)

True, Harry does not yet have the long-term, share-everything bond with Ginny that he does 
with Ron and Hermione.  But that is not all his doing; it's DD who has told him to share the full 
prophecy and the Horcrux story only with R & H.  It's going to be interesting to see how that 
complicates things in book 7.  Are the three of them really supposed to be able to complete 
that mission without help from the Order?

Finally, for the argument that Snape can't be evil because then DD would be a complete fool.  If 
Snape's good, then Voldemort is a complete fool, which is also a bit unbelievable. I think this is 
evidence that Snape is loyal only to himself, was genuinely playing both sides as best he could 
for the last couple of years and has only now, because of the Unbreakable vow, been forced to 
choose.