Character Happiness (Was SHIP - SB/RL)

[Lynete]

No: HPFGUIDX 131615

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jlv230" <jlv230 at y...> wrote:
> I think what we have here is a classic case of HoYay*. There is 
> (usually) nothing in it, but the yay! factor makes people look for 
> things 'between the lines' - because it's fun - (yay)! I think the 
> attraction of it comes from the idea that the love must be secret, 
> and secret love is intense, exciting, sexy and passionate (yay). 

MizStorge replies:

I think it's more a case of "HappyYay!" 

As some readers have pointed out, JKR's characters come from some of 
the most disfunctional backgrounds in literature, be it unhappy 
childhood (Harry, Sirius, Severus), suspicion (Remus bitten by a 
werewolf, Neville possibly a Squib, Draco failng to live up to 
Lucius), poverty (the Weasleys), parental death (Tom Riddle, Harry, 
Luna) etc. that any happiness in the books is very transitory (poor 
Harry's best memories of his parents are illusions in a magical 
mirror). 

While some may feel having a moody stranger for your erstwhile 
godchild may make up for the murder of some of your dearest friends, 
being falsely imprisoned under horrendous circumstances for 13 years 
and living on the run in dog form eating rats until you are virtually 
imprisoned in your parent's home with a surly house-elf and a bunch 
of co-workers, this version of Sirius Black's life isn't one I find 
satisfying. 

Even if it's a total illusion, I find more enjoyable a subtext that 
supports Sirius being happy in a loving adult relationship, giving 
him some stability and a reconnection to the important people in his 
past as recompense for his terrible treatment at the hands of his 
creator, JKR.

End rant!