Draco and Harry initial meeting WAS : Re: JKR's lesson on prejudice

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 180552

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Sharon Hayes <s.hayes at ...> wrote:

Sharon:
> Honestly guys! Isn't it obvious that all that apparent hatred, angst and rivalry between 
Harry and Draco is masking sexual tension? Dumbledore isn't the only one who's gay if 
you ask me. It's so obvious ;-)

Geoff:
Actually it's not. I agree that the sort of confrontation we see could 
be masking sexual tension but (a) they're too young and (b) speaking 
as a male, it isn't necessarily gay.

Unless things have changed dramatically since I was in my teens, we 
used to become aware of our sexual drives and needs when most of 
us were entering what was then the Third Year (Year 9 in modern UK 
education speak). So, on that count, I would rule that out for the 
exchanges between Harry and Draco at this point in time.

Regarding sexual tension between them, I was a pupil at a single-sex 
secondary school from 11 onwards. Now, it still may be the case, but 
we often explored our sexual feelings with other friends by getting 
together to bring each other to satisfaction, usually through 
masturbation. There was no deeper physical connection because 
homosexuality was illegal at that time and there was no way that we 
poor semi-innocent mid-teens could find out any more.

But that didn't make us gay unless that rocked our boat. I can see the 
possibility for that sort of exploratory relationship between the guys 
at Hogwarts but I believe that our personal ideas about sexual 
orientation develop a bit later. Mark you, the idea of Harry and Draco 
as an item is an intriguing one. I have read some interesting fanfic 
going along this when I get into a "What would have happened if?" 
frame of mind.