JKR and the boys (and girls)

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 162137

> Betsy Hp:
> Huh.  See, I didn't think Ginny and Hermione spent all that much time 
> together during the QWC (not even a full night, right?).  

Pippin:
 Canon says Hermione was at the Weasleys for a week after the QWC, 
and doesn't say how long she was there beforehand. You may be
thinking of the celluloid thingy, which has the timeline you suggest.

> Betsy Hp:
> I agree that this is where we're falling down.  You see this as an 
> example of Ginny's closeness to Hermione.  While I think it comes 
> down to Hermione's date for the Yule Ball not being that important a 
> bit of information.  I doubt anyone other than Ron cared.  Annoying 
> Ron was the only apparent reason for secrecy, and Ginny knew about 
> Krum before Hermione decided to keep it a secret.

Pippin:
ROTFL! Hermione's date may have been a matter of no importance
to anyone but Ron, but Viktor Krum's date would have been news on
the international level. Krum had to decide to keep it secret too, or
the news would have been out in no time. That gives me a theory:
the reason Viktor still  didn't know how to pronounce Hermione's name
was that they did most of  their prior communication by owl to
avoid being seen together.

> Betsy Hp:
> I blame JKR.  Realistically, you're correct.  A girl with no interest 
> in hair, make-up, and fashion does not suddenly, with no help 
> whatsoever, turn out as poised and pressed as JKR has Hermione.
> 
> But JKR wrote the belle of the ball scene without any suggestion that 
> older Gryffindors girls (or other sort of fairy godmother) helped 
> Hermione in anyway.  

Pippin:
"I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student 
embarrasses the school in any way." --Professor McGonagall,
GoF 'The Unexpected Task'.

She was talking about deportment of course, but also, one
may be sure, about proper attire and grooming. That's not
to say that JKR handled the preparations for the ball realistically.
Opening couples *rehearse* for heaven's sake, so of course
Harry would have known who Krum's partner was.

But I see no reason that Hermione, and all the other students
at the school, could not have had the benefit of professional
or magical fashion advice, not to mention that Hermione
is perfectly capable of seeking that out for herself.  (One
might guess that Ron would be too embarrassed to complain
about his dress robes, and that Ginny secured hers by
threatening to take advantage of whatever funds are available
for indigent students if Mum and Dad didn't cough up.)

Anyway, just because a girl doesn't  routinely spend an hour 
and a half every day primping doesn't mean she can't doll up 
when the occasion requires. You wouldn't recognize *me* 
from my prom pictures, I can tell you that <g>. I will admit 
that moving gracefully in a gown requires practice, but as I said, 
JKR dodged the whole business of rehearsal.

( Not that rehearsal always helps. I will never forget the real life
Christmas ball  where I saw an unfortunate ball opener
catch her heel in the hem of her gown and fall on 
her elegantly attired rear end,  her ceremonial Christmas rose still 
clutched in  hand. Alas!)

Pippin
hoping that wizarding dress robes are enchanted to prevent
such accidents