SHIP: Ginny VS Harry...

[Marianne S.]

No: HPFGUIDX 135790

Cindy wrote: 
> Why? To me, their relationship evolved appropriately for most 15/16 
year olds. Spending time together, exploring physical and emotional 
 aspects of being together--and kids that age can get pretty 
desperate for each other in their own heads in an extremely short 
ammount of time. That being said, I don't think JKR wrote anything 
near a break-up of soul mates. Harry and Ginny didn't get dramatic, 
 Ginny didn't even cry. Neither of them talked about a "what if" 
 scenario for the future, but both of them have experienced Voldmort 
 first hand, and both know they could be used against each other. A 
very grown up decision by two kids who had been friends first and 
 going through the beginnings of a romantic relationship that just 
 ran out of time.

Marianne S: I think you hit some very important points that I should have mentioned in my last post, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/135761

The fact that Ginny didn't cry but expected and accepted this break doesn't at all make it a permanent break up, but it shows (and even states) that Ginny perfectly understands Harry and can accept what he must do... she even likes him all the more for it.  I also think that their interraction throughout was completely appropriate for MOST 15/16 year olds, and frankly it is really nice to see a character like Harry, whose life and happiness most of us readers has really grown to care about, have a chance to experience this normal and healthy kind of relationship (unlike the one with Cho, which I thought was more educational than healthy) that is able to bring him somuch comfort and happiness. It is a perfect complement to JKRs themes of love and choices. Perhaps JKR even meant this relationship with Ginny can even be a subtle message to young readers.  That is, it is normal to have these kinds of feelings; a relationship with someone you've been friends with and grown to have stronger feelings for will be more satisfying than something that is just physical for the sake of having a girlfriend/boyfriend (like Won Won and Lavender); any relationship that is really worth holding on to is one that can also stand the test of time and letting the other person go. This, my friends, was only the beginning of what I think will be a beautiful relationship. 

Of course, this is my opinion, influenced by my own interest and enjoyment of the books as well as my appreciation of them to educate and inspire younger readers.

Marianne S