HBP Questions: Harry/Ginny relat., Fleur's presence, and spell on locket

[Michelle]

No: HPFGUIDX 164071

Hi, I'm Michelle from Reno Nevada(and a first-time poster), and I 
wanted to throw out some questions from Half-Blood Prince for 
comments and speculation.

1) Of all the girls at Hogwarts, why did JKR choose Ginny to have a 
relationship/love interest with Harry at this crucial point?  I 
assume Ginny will be used by LV to hurt, distract, or summon Harry.  
The Weasley's, and now esp. Ginny, are Harry's beloved "family".  I 
don't think this relationship is haphazard.

2)I also don't think it's meaningless that JKR has kept Fleur 
around.  Even though she was disappointing in the Tri-Wizard Cup, 
she still is considered skilled.  Any predictions about why she was 
kept around??

3)Close to the end of HBP after Harry and DD had gotten the locket, 
crossed the lake, and climbed out of the boat, DD says, "The 
protection was, after all, well designed...one alone could not have 
done it."  Yet, the boat was designed to carry only one across the 
lake, and DD commented on Harry's age and skill not registering.  
Who was R.A.B.'s companion, and therefore, also knows about at least 
one horcrux. This really has me intrigued!  Any other comments about 
that scene?

Michelle in Reno