[HPforGrownups] JKR's dealing with emotions (was Re: The importance of death /Harry and Cedric)

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 147398

Lupinlore:
> Chuckle.  It truly is amazing how people read totally different books,
> isn't it?  I find her dealing with Harry's grief (or amazing lack
> thereof) to be incredibly poor writing and completely unbelievable,
> especially after that blow up over Cedric.

Magpie:

Just to add a different perspective, while I do think Harry's reaction to 
both deaths is completely plot-based I had no problem with the grieving over 
Sirius since they just didn't really have a relationship while he was alive. 
There was always this idea of a relationship that they both seemed very fond 
of, but given a chance to spend time together and hang out...not so much. 
So Sirius being dead was a loss to me because I thought he was an 
interesting character, but I didn't feel any big hole in Harry's life, 
though  I could believe him reacting to it when he did.

With Cedric it seemed like Harry was dealing with a lot of stuff that had 
nothing to do with this one kid particularly dying.  He said Cedric in his 
sleep because he was perhaps reliving the whole experience (and he had to 
say something to remind *us* of the big tragedy etc.)  Not that I'm 
complaining, because Dudley's line is so 15-year-old!Dudley.

In general, I just really do expect most emotions to tie into the plot.  If 
Sirius had died at the end of GoF I've no doubt Harry's CAPSLOCK would be 
attributed to that and described as just the right way to grieve for Sirius 
by some while still annoying others.

-m