Harry and Ginny - Character Development

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 145971

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "kchuplis" <kchuplis at a...> wrote:
>
> ...edited...
> 
> One, we know the previous year Ginny relaxed around Harry.
> Then Harry spent quite a bit of time at the Burrow over a 
> couple of summers. The summer before HBP he spent a huge 
> amount of time there. ...edited... Afterall, it isn't until
> they get on the train and Ginny goes to be with Dean Thomas 
> that Harry even remembers they didn't really hang out *at 
> school*. ...
> 
>  Then, in the very first potions class with Slughorn Harry 
> smells amortentia, the "love" potion. "it reminded him 
> simultaneously of treacle tart, the woody smell of a 
> broomstick handle and something flowery he thought he might
> have smelled at the Burrow" (HBP Scholastic pg 183).
> 
> But, what interested me was pg. 192 after class:
> 
> " "Hang on," said a voice close by Harry's left ear and he 
> caught a sudden waft of that flowery smell he had picked up
> in Slughorn's dungeon. He looked around and saw that Ginny 
> had joined them. "
> 
> He doesn't realize it on the conscious level there, but that's
> IMO the big trigger for his sub-concious of Ginny Is Interesting.
> ...edited...
> 
> Just some meanderings. Feel free to slash and burn. :)
> 
> kchuplis
>

bboyminn:

Well you'll get no argument for me because, even though Ginny lurked
in the background, I always felt like she was a strong character. I
mean, is there anyone in her family that does not have a strong,
determined, dare I say stubborn muleheaded, personality. Why would we
expect her to be anything other than a Weasley?

Also, let's remember that when we meet Ginny, she is 10 years old. At
that time, Harry established a mindset that places Ginny in the
catagory of Ron's little sister; just a little girl. But in the
background we see Ginny growing. At around 13 or 14, she is obviously
interested in and associating with 'boys'. By 15, she seems to be a
very popular girl, and has lots of general friends, as well as
interested boys.

I think Hermione gave Ginny a very valuable piece of advice which was
to set Harry aside and get on with her own life; to go out and learn
to be herself. And in small subtle bits and pieces we see that start
to happen. Ginny and Harry share a giggle or smirk behind someone's
back. They talk more casually and associate more freely and
comfortably with each other. 

Now Harry may at times be dense, but he's not blind. He can see that
Ginny is not 10 years old anymore. She has grown into a young woman,
but Harry, in a sense, has blocked her out by catagorising her as
'Ron's little sister'. Yet as Ginny develops a social life of her own,
establishing both friends and boyfriends, at least subconsciously,
Harry can't help but notice.

Finally, I agree that their association at the Burrow over the summer
contributed to making their relationship more free, casual, and
comfortable. Indeed as you point out, on the train, Harry just assumed
in Ron and Hermione's absents, that he would hang out with Ginny. I
think at that point the "Ron's little sister" cord was broken. Harry
saw that Ginny wasn't an extension of Ron, but an independant being. 

This happens in real life as well. At one point, my brother's best
friend never gave the slightest notice to my little sister, but as she
grew and 'developed', so did his interest. Eventually he married her.
So, at some point, perhaps in the blink of an eye or the turn of a
phrase, she went from 'little sister' to 'desirable woman'. By the
way, gentleman that he is, he asked my brother's permission before
dating my sister, and notice that Harry also seeks Ron's permission to
date Ginny. Although, I've always thought that Ron was trying to steer
them toward each other.

There are those who will say Ginny's character was poorly developed,
and will defend that position vigorously. I, on the other hand, have
no problem with Ginny developing off-page as she has with no more than
the smallest clues to her development. As I said, being a Weasley and
having 6 older brothers, how could she be anything other than what she
is, a headstrong, talented, powerful, self-determined woman. 

Also notice that Ginny's character has come to full development just
as the Twins are leaving Hogwarts. It's the perfect time for Ginny to
assert herself to fill the void left by the Twins.

I guess your reaction to Ginny is based on your expectations. Those
who expected Ginny to remain forever a simpering love-struck little
girl can't seem to fathom the change. Others, like myself, always
expected and anticipated that Ginny would be who she has become, so we
are neither surprise or disappointed.

Just a few thoguths.

Steve/bboyminn