OOP: Some shipping thoughts

[naamagatus]

--- In the_old_crowd at yahoogroups.com, "pennylin" <pennylin at s...> 
wrote:

> 
> Overall, I thought the entire absence of definite R/H development 
could be either a very GOOD Thing (from *my* perspective as an H/H 
shipper), because maybe it's a signal that it's just not going to 
happen, or a BAD Thing (because it's just a matter of time).  The 
evidence of Ron's crush on Hermione is hugely understated in OoP, 
when compared to GoF.  He gets jealous over her writing to Krum, and 
he gives her perfume for Christmas (but she seemed far more 
interested in the book Harry gave her, as I presume the perfume must 
not have been to her taste).  So, these 2 instances confirm to the 
reader that yes, Ron indeed still has a thing for Hermione.  Oh, and 
he reacts *sharply* when Hermione says that of course Harry isn't a 
bad kisser.  :--)  But, overall, there is absolutely no indication 
that things are progressing on that front.  Hermione does zilch to 
encourage Ron, from what I could tell.  And, he seems unconcerned 
about having a girlfriend himself, and, as I said, his feelings for 
Hermione seem far less pronounced and on the surface than they were 
>in GoF.   

You forget the *very* revealing description of Ron's reaction to 
Hermione's kiss. I don't have the book here, but it was something 
about him touching his cheek and looking as if he didn't quite 
understand what had happened. It was so obvious, that I felt that JKR 
was ramming "Ron is falling for Hermione" down our throats. I think 
it's a clear signal for the reader that something is going to happen, 
romantically, between Ron and Hermione. Still, I agree with you that 
there isn't a shred of evidence that Hermione is or about to 
reciprocate Ron's feelings for her. My prediction is that JKR is 
building towards Hermione slowly (or maybe suddenly?) discovering her 
true feelings for Ron, surprising herself by falling in love with him 
(and what could be more Austen-esque than that? <g>)

Naama