Romance in the Half-Blood Prince

[CedricBlack]

hehe Won-Won and Lav-Lav ya that was ok i suppose
The editors werent joking when they said Love was in the air
Harry/Ginny
Ron/Lavender
Hermoine/Ron/McLaggen sorta? more of the rebound thing
Fleur/Bill which i could see coming especially with them at Gringots together
Tonks/Remus wow thats a good one i'm loving it

[r+h4ever1]

Hi I'm back...I'll get to quoting you guys in a second...I just never finished my initial points...where was I? Oh, yes, boasting... jk.

Harry on Ron and Hermione:

Again, he doesn't know. This is not a yes or a no, so don't go writing his admission off quite yet.

HBP American Version p.283

It was not as though he was really surprised, thought Harry...he had an inkling that this might happen sooner or later. But he was not sure how he felt about it...What if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up? Could their friendship survive it? Harry remembered the few weeks when they had not been talking to each other in the third year; he had not enjoyed trying to bridge the distance between them. And then, what if they didn't split up? What if they became like Bill and Fleur, and it became excruciatingly embarrassing to be in their presence, so that he was shut out for good?...Although Harry watched his two friends more closely over the next few days, Ron and Hermione did not seem any different except that they were a little politer to each other than usual. Harry supposed he would just have to wait and see what happened...

1. He doesn't object to them together...HE ACTUALLY OBJECTS TO THEM APART...he hates it when they won't talk to each other...so if they like each other and let it out, it may help them all.

2. Harry is afraid it will become awkward for them to be around, and he'll be left out. However, I doubt that Ron and Hermione will get mushy...I can't see that of them at all. Plus, they'll both know how Harry would feel and keep him in mind. All in all, he just waits it out...but I don't think he'll be disappointed in the end.

Ron on Harry and Ginny:

Deep down, Ron was always for H/G...there were so many subtle hints that he did. But now that it's actually happened, his brotherly, overprotective tendencies still apply to Harry. I think the whole idea of his best friend and his sister is positive and negative to Ron...

Positive: Ron knows who Harry is. He knows that he'll put him before Ginny in a heartbeat, but he knows he'll take care of Ginny. Them together, Ron is also aware that he'll really be part of the family. Also, he trusts Harry more than anyone, which is important.

Negative: Along the lines of Harry's thinking on R/Hr, I think Ron is considering if they broke up and things got ugly between them. I don't think he wants to be thrown into the middle of that. Also, anyone, NO EXCEPTIONS, who dates Ginny should be closely examined simply because she is his sister. So it is nothing personal, but Harry couldn't help but feel that way.

All in all, I think Ron likes them together, he's just got to work out his protectiveness of Ginny. (He's so cute!)

HBP American version p.533-534

Harry looked around; there was Ginny runningn toward him; she had a hard, blazing look in her face as she threw her arms around him. And without thinking, without planning, without worrying about the fact that fifty people were watching, Harry kissed her.

After several long moments...they broke apart. The room had gone very quiet...Harry looked over the top of Ginny's head to see Dean Thomas holding a shattered glass in his hand...Hermione was beaming, but Harry's eyes sought Ron...For a fraction of a second they looked at each other, then Ron gave a tiny jerk of the head that Harry understood to mean, Well- if you must.

1. Anti-H/Hr...Hermione was thrilled! And he did not care.

2. I think Ron will ultimately be okay because he knows that Harry sought him out before really proceeding with it. He chose to really ask Ron...he gave his blessing, no matter how you look at it.

This is the stuff of bad fanfition, right?
WRONG!

A lot of this book was like reading bad fanfiction. Maybe JKRowling is just giving the public what they want? I have no idea.

In any case, I wasn't satisfied with the whole Harry/Ginny thing. Harry all of a sudden had all these feelings for Ginny! LAME! I liked the subtle Ron/Hermioen stuff... Like Ron whispering her name in his sleep... it was cute. But the blatant Harry envious of Dean was too much.

... BUT HARRY BROKE UP WITH HER! HA!

As far as Remus and Tonks... Random, JKR... RANDOM...

Bad fanfiction? That's a bit harsh Jess, don't you think? I would be horribly upset if say H/Hr randomly happened since it has no canon, but I would not just discard the whole book as bad fanfiction. Yes, Dumbledore dying for no reason and Snape killing him after Harry said for seven years he was evil sucked. And though you hate H/G, I still don't think the whole book would be disappointing to you!

H/G aren't over, sweetie. I've said my piece on that. But all the R/Hr stuff was just undeniable...I can't wait until I run across a H/Hr shipper. As for R/T...yes, it may have been random, but I feel so proud of Will and myself! Lol.

Ginny/Harry: Since when did HARRY like her? I remember him distinctly thinking all about Hermione ALL in the fifth book. He didn't hardly care for her! JKR was SOOOOOO UNCREATIVE!!!

I find it very disappointing that shippers who did not get their way suddenly think JKR did it to please fans or that she's lost her touch. This book, reguardless of shipping and romance, was AMAZING! And though you may be upset about some outcomes, it shouldn't effect the book as a whole.

I found some things disappointing like Harry NOT going back to Hogwarts in Book 7! I was like..."HUH? Could you run that by me again?" And I was a bit ticked off at Hermione for confusing McLaggen at the tryouts. Though it was nice of her to want him to be on the team, and though Ron made those saves BY HIMSELF, I find Hermione doesn't have much faith in either Harry or Ron. She's always second guessing both of them...as though they're incapable of anything without her.

Ginny, I should note, was described by Harry to have accepted what Harry did or wanted. She had enough confidence in him to trust him completely...letting him go. JKR's words, not mine.

Hermione said Ginny had given up on Harry. That's different to getting over someone. However, I do feel perhaps the H/G line wasn't written as well as it could have been; Harry seemed to get feelings for Ginny from nowhere.

Not exactly nowhere, but I can see what you mean. I was a bit surprised, but us hardcore H/Gers did round up other clues...subtle they may be...from previous books. I guess if you didn't work to see the canon, it would come out as random.

I think we (R/Hr shippers) expected too much. And, as a result, were severely disappointed with the Ron/Lavendar thing. Seriously, this sounds sad, but when he started kissing her I felt so upset I could've cried. I was yelling at the book, "NOOOOOO! DON'T KISS HER. KISS HERMIONE."

Lol. Speak for yourself! I've said all along that tension will build in HBP, but the actual relationship will begin in the 7th book. I honestly was expecting LESS than I got. I found the whole R/Lav ship very amusing...because it was so obvious he wanted to prove Ginny wrong and to make Hermione jealous.

Anyway, I only cried through the last three chapters and when I thought Ron was going to die. I swear to goodness that if JKR kills Ronald Weasley, I am going to hunt her down and...and...I don't know, but I'm going to bawl my eyes out! Though I forgot about Vane's love potion, so when Ron said, "I can't stop thinking about her," I, unlike Harry, thought he was talking about Hermione. I got so excited, but then I was laughing so hard when it was Vane.

There is this one line where both Ron and Harry are seemingly in love with Hermione. Somewhere in the middle of the book.

Could you find it and quote because I found NOTHING to even indicate H/Hr.

Madam Pince/Filch, haha, did that really happen?

LOL. Oh yeah! I forgot about that! LOL. I loved that! I thought it was funny...but sweet. They're both annoying gits, so they're perfect for each other! Lol

The Ron/Lavender 'relationship' was also quite amusing, although it did leave limited time for the Ron/Hermione relationship to develop.
And when Ron said "I love you Hermione" my heart melted, even if it wasn't quite in the way i wished it would be.

Lol. But Ron/Lavender did EVERYTHING to heighten R/Hr, did it not? It brought out Hermione's real feelings, didn't it? And H/Hrs claim it was one sided. HA! As for Ron saying "I love you," my heart was goo then too! I LOVE HIM! Though when he said her name in his sleep, I almost died!

realize Ron wanted to kiss who will now be his future aunt?

No, no Ash. He wanted to kiss his future sister-in-law.

I was thinking of the Luna/Nevvy thing... but I think JK Rowling once said that it wouldn't happen

Yes, JKR denied this ship outright. I still ship it. Why? Why not! I mean if after HBP people can still H/Hr, why not N/L? They have the same amount of canon. LOL!

I'm actually surprised not many of you thought of Pansy/Draco. I actually thought that that was the only relationship Draco could have in the books...little git...I HATE THAT BOY!

[r+h4ever1]

After several years of loyal shipping to the Harry/Ginny ship, after years of debating on these forums, through all my adversaries who said H/G was no more, in the famous words of Hermione Granger 'I hate to say I told you so!'. Sorry, I will try to limit my gloating, we can't all be as modest as Harry.
I was jumping up and down when he said he could smell broomsticks from the Burrow and flowers in the love potion, then in the next scene he smells Ginny's flowery scent. He didn't even relise he was inlove with her, he missed her when she left him on the train. And the prettiest girl in school? I had no idea of that.
How sad was the ending, I'm not one to cry, but I was very emotional. She always loved him, even when she had said she had given up she still always loved him. And the thing to remember is that they both still love each other, they didn't break up because of that, they had no closure. He cares for you too much to see her get hurt, this leaves Harry with three choices: Being with Ginny after Voldemort, being with Ginny regardless of Voldemort or being alone. He loves her, and he isn't going to choose anyone else because he has her in his heart. SIIIIGH, thank you JKR, even if Harry marries Hermione (er... no!) in the next book I don't care, because she made it clear in HBP that Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley were a functioning, caring and loving couple.
Thank you JKR! THANK YOU!

WILL!!! *TACKLE GLOMPS WILL!* IT HAPPENED! IT HAPPENED! And I'm behind you all the way. They're not over. Not even close! *glomps Will again!* AND LUPIN/TONKS! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? IT'S LIKE WE'RE CLAIRVOYANT! I bow down to you for being the captain of SS H/G. You're the best!

the H/Hr's can't deny that Hermione's heart is defenetly for Ron.

*smiles with tears in eyes* Told ya so!

As for Myrtle and Draco...now THAT was random...and somewhat disturbing!

H/G, R/Hr, M/A, B/F and R/T... OBHWF, not so imposssible afterall!

Right you are, Will!

Guilty! I just can't wait to see Emma! I swear, when I read that line I thought 'wow, JKR wrote that just for me!!'.

Funny...I thought about you that moment...the whole thing! I knew Hermione was the smartest girl ever! And Harry knows it too!

And I still don't see how Fleur and Bill was a shock...it was mentioned in OotP when Bill was helping Fleur with her Eenglish! Lol. Did nobody remember that?

I HATED this book. Not just for the romance issues but they were more then a little annoying.

I'm sorry you hated the book. If you put all of the romance aside, I thought this book was the best yet...everything we learned? How it BEGAN? It was amazing! I knew Dumbledore would die...I mean, it was obvious he would after everyone kept saying how much they needed him, right? I was just shocked it happened in HBP, that way, for no reason because of the fake Horcrux and by that [fill in BIG obsenity here], Snape.

To be clear, Hermione/McLaggen...WAS NOT A RELATIONSHIP! It was one date to a party...to make RON jealous...NOTHING MORE! Ron and Lavender, though purely to make Hermione jealous, was a relationship...they were considered boyfriend and girlfriend. Though HERMIONE said Hr/McL were a couple...that was just for show...

BUT DID ANYONE NOTICE WHAT HERMIONE SAID? EVERYONE HAS BEEN SAYING THAT RON WAS MEAN TO HERMIONE. BUT HERMIONE WAS THE ONE WHO SAID THAT SHE NOT ONLY LIKED QUIDDITCH PLAYERS, BUT GOOD QUIDDITCH PLAYERS...IMPLYING FALSELY THAT RON WAS NOT ONE TO MAKE HIM FEEL BAD. Not like Hermione.

My friends theory: Ron adn Hermione's relationship is not strong enough to last and that they will break up eventually causing hermione to notice harry is the one for her and harry who was really under a love spell or potion will realize he never loved Ginny and he will realize hermione is the one for him. Thats my friends thories.

Say hi to your friend for me, will you? Because HARRY WAS NOT UNDER LOVE POTION. I THOUGHT HE MAY BE, BUT NOTICE HOW THE SMELLS HE SMELT WERE WHAT GINNY SMELT LIKE BEFORE ANYTHING WAS CONSUMED! And anyway, R/Hr aren't officially together yet, so I don't think they'll get together automatically at the beginning of the book then break up halfway in and then RANDOMLY H/Hr happen. That's wishful thinking and somewhat delusional.

Ron/Lavendar- OMGSH! Shannon! That was in your fanfic! I was freaking out when I read that I was thinking Is Shannon a physic or something? Even though it wasn't exactly what happened in HBP It still freaked me out!

My thoughts exactly, sweetie! I was so freaked out!!! LOL. See? I wasn't making it up!

Tonks/Lupin-Again Shannon! This was also in your fanfic althoguh in a completely different way! Wow. You are physic man!

LOL. ALL CREDIT TO WILL! I know it was different, I knew it would happen! Lol. I'm not psychic, but...I'm a bit weirded out about myself!

Harry turns his back on Ginny and Dumbledore's tomb. he can never forget them, but he must put them in the past if he is to do what he must do.

Ginny knows this, Ginny suspected this. It is a discredit to Ginny to think that she will wait around for Harry forever, even if he dies, refusing to love anyone else. I don't think Harry would want her to live that way.

I'm hoping that JKRowling was trying to put closure on Harry/Ginny.

I think you'll be more disappointed, sweetie at the end. He didn't turn his back on anyone. He's trying to protect her. Ginny trusts him. Of course he doesn't want her to live that way, but he won't have to. H/G WILL happen.

Anyhoo...

Ron and Lavender. Come on I saw that one a mile away. If Ron needed experience kissing and having a girlfriend of course he is going to pick the girl in his house that he knows he can get. Of course the only reason he did it was because of what Ginny said to him.

I knew it would happen especially when at the beginning, Lavender took notice to him...more than usual. I thought it was obvious.

Ok since when has Hermione shown those kinds of feelings about anyone? Even Krum didn't get a bleep on the radar.

Since she's sixteen now...it's confusing. Take it from a sixteen year old. And also because I guarentee that she only really saw Krum as a friend. Ron, on the other hand...she's in love with him! Now, maybe they won't end up married, but we'll never know because it ends when they're seventeen!

Just to say YES THE RON HARRY HERMIONE DEBATE IS OVER!!!

In a way, that's really sad to think about. Poor Laura. And Kas. I love them both. Ah well...it will be nice to stop getting angry every time I come here.

H/G Forever!!!!!!!!! *fires cannons with tears in his eyes*

*glomps Ottery crying as much as him* I know, I know! And you thought D/G would happen! Lol. What do you think of Malfoy now, I wonder?

We're soooooooooooooo going to get R/Hr it's not even funny... Okay so it is funny... Okay so it's downright hilarious even...

But the last chapter was soooooooooooooooooooooooo sad. I loved how Ginny knew...she just understood, she expected it, and I kind of figured (I've read some fan fictions were this happened too) But this is canon it wasn't supposed to happen here... I still think they'll end up together in book 7 but it's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo saaaaaaaaaaaaaad.

Agreed...on all of it. Ron and Hermione will happen and everything that went on was just so funny...I didn't bother getting annoyed with Lavender because I knew why he was doing it. LOL. As for H/G...it's going to happen. We all know it. Even if some are in denial.

Okay, well it was great to see all of you again! I missed you terribly! I'll be back soon!

Shannon

[HermyG_1300]

Yes, Dumbledore dying for no reason and Snape killing him after Harry said for seven years he was evil sucked

(Just using this as an example)-I still have this gut trust in JKR that most everything in her books happens for a reason-like the "break up" between Harry and Ginny. It'll somehow drive something within Harry and give him something to look back on(i.e. "I have to get this overwith. When I do, I can be normal...at least more so). Just saying...there's a reason behind most of the major actions taken in the book.

And I don't think H/G was random...or poorly written! There were minor hints along the way. And of course, they are teenagers, and these feelings can just suddenly suface with out much warning!!

I also have to commment that I found Harry's inner conversations and arguments absolutely hilarious! And of course that H/G is not over and that R/Hr is only beginning!
-Erin

[PlaidButterfly]

*wanders in* Whoo, lots of good discussion here I'm sad to see there's so much fighting. Of course, I probably don't really get it because I had resigned myself to the attitude of 'whatever JK does will be brilliant', as I know what I "officially" ship is completely impossible (Hermione/Voldemort - I dunno, book 7 maybe? ;P). I thought Hermione/Ron was handled expertly, and I especially loved the aside with the Lavender relationship. It's as if JK remembers exactly what it was like to be that age, ROFL. And Harry/Ginny was handled very sweetly - the pact at the end ("breaking up") to me was just very sweet, it shows Harry cares deeply about her. I don't expect Ginny to abide by it in the end, but while reading that Han and Leia in The Empire Strikes Back popped into my head ("I love you!" ... "I know").
But if you're a Neville/Ginny or Harry/Hermione shipper, trust me, there's no reason to pout. These characters are, after all, JK's first and foremost; as fanfiction authors we only get to borrow them. Enjoy what she's doing with them, even if it's maybe not exactly what you were hoping for - there's no reason to say the book was ruined just because the wind didn't swing your way.

Remus/Tonks I was surprised a bit by though, but I think JK will play it well. I vaugely like the ship but haven't felt compelled to read fanfic for fear of finding that overused wild-girl-shows-depressed-man-"how to live again" story ripped from the latest Lifetime Made for TV Movie... but since book 7 is, of course, about Harry, not Remus and Tonks, I think I'm looking forward to what JK will do with it.

[Lupus_in_Fabula]

I'm happy with every bit of romance in HBP. I'm really really happy for Lupin.

[Hermione_loves_Ron]

Well... my auntie did a family tree and found out I'm distantly related to Scottish royalty. So am I in?

-cough- So very offtopic, but I myself am too

Anyway. I want to try and get to the bottom of why everyone seems to think this was like Bad Fanfiction, at least in the romance era.

I think people are upset that the romances just SPRANG up as opposed to sublty slipping in. But, as I have said, time and time and again, for some it might have been subtle.

Ginny/Harry, no, wasn't VERY subtle, as it seemed Harry just suddenly liked Ginny. When you look at it thought, it WAS plausible. Harry has been so caught up in "saving the Wizarding World", as Ginny said, that he hasn't had time to think of much else. Cho was startling pretty so she easily got Harry's attention- he was thirteen when he first took to crushing on her and that was okay. But, now, this year Harry had time to think. To get clear on things. And now,he's noticed Ginny. She HAS grown up, she's much more comfotable. She's not the same little eleven year old he had to rescue from the Chamber of Secrets. She is pretty, vivascious. Many boys want her. And Harry suddenly started to notice how much he did like her. Maybe he's harboured the feelings and blocked them out. And, with Ginny dating someone so close to Harry as Dean, and being caught snogging, he found his own jealous insides.

Tonks/Lupin, for all we know, has been going on for ages. It isn't like they're already together, now are they? Tonks is young and Lupin has found himself many crushes from us, so why not from Tonks? They're both much like outcasts when you think about it. And Tonks sees past Lupin's being a werewolf. It was perfectly explainable why she burst out like that in the Hospital Wing - if Fluer could still love Bill, why couldn't Lupin realize she loved him? And Lupin feels he's too dangerous for her. Too old. He sees Tonks as needing someone who's young, who's perfect in physical and mental. And Tonks, most obviously, is very much so set upon Lupin.

Ron/Lavender Ron never liked her. For all we know, Lavender might not have liked him that much, though I think she really did. It was almost a physical attraction at first. Ron got with her because he could make Hermione jealous. He could prove he's wanted. He could finally snog someone. It was part Ginny's fault. But he was stupid enough to do it. And you guys get ANGRY at Hermione for what she did? She was HURT. Devastated. Ron did this and feigned ignorance to how it hurt her. Yes she was angry. Vengeful. Would you really talk to someone you REALLY liked if they were eating faces with some ditzy annoying girl?

Ron/Hermione Its been hinted at through out the series. Moments have been added into the Third Movie that never happened between them. Why would they add moments like that for no reason? Hermione of course has now basically admitted to liking Ron. I think she meant to do something about it this term - she DID originally ask him to the party. As friends, yes, but that's the base to it, isn't it? And we know Ron has liked Hermione for ages. The way he despises Krum. The little "I'm tall!" kind of comments through out the book, trying to impress Hermione.

The kids are sixteen. Rampant hormones. Some are new to being in an actual relationship; a working one. Some are yet to be in one. Of course it's going to seem like it just sprang up. When you get into your own relationship, it's usually the biggest thing in your life, the thing you think most about.

So, when you diss this book as being much like a bad fan fic, think about what I said up there. They all had their own basises, they're own formations.

[Lilly Potter 127]

Whew, lots of romance, wasn't there?

I've been all for H/Hr for a long time, but the concept of H/G was undeniably cute in HBP. I have accepted it, I think. However I didn't really like how JKR set up the coupling, with pretty much instantly Harry having feelings for Ginny when she had just been a friend. I suppose them being friends and getting to know each other was supposed to be a build up for that, but it seemed like you blinked and suddenly Harry was raging mad to see Ginny kissing Dean. I'm not complaining though, it was fine.

I was disgusted with the Ron/Lavender thing. What was Ron thinking? I mean sure he is a teenage boy with hormones, but please, Lavender? That made me mad. Thank god it sizzled out.

There is no denying that JKR subtly pointed to the beginnings of a R/Hr relationship. I have never been for it, but I can accept it...in the end, Rowling knows best.

And I was pretty much euphoric about the whole Lupin/Tonks thing. That was a total shocker that made me happy after the death [sob]. I couldn't think of a guy who deserves more happiness than Lupin. He's a wonderful person and one of my favorite characters.

[princess of*hp*]

I kept pointing the middle finger at Lavenders name during the book! Harry/Ginny was totally awesuhm! I was suprised that Ron and Hermione didn't get together in this book. I thought they would.

[quote=hpfreakout]Not happy about harry/ginny, not happy about that at all.

yeah!i thought someone new would come and be harry's girl friend!!!but i knew r/hr would be together.tonks/Lupin was pretty weird yet sweet.tonks loves lupin whatever he is and whatever his age is.that was REALLY sweet.the ron/lavander thing was sorta ok cause Ron just wanted to make hermione jealous which was a success.but i never knew hermione kissed Krum!! I knew bill and fleur will be together since i read the 4th book. and pansy/draco was coming cause it was really obvious from the start!

[jenpen1013]

The romance was expected, but it was written differently and better than I could have hoped. Harry and Ginny will be together again, I am sure of it.

[~*HermioneGranger*~]

Originally Posted by HP_Gem54

I've talked with a few of my friends who are H/Hr shippers and lets just say they aren't giving up. My friends theory: Ron adn Hermione's relationship is not strong enough to last and that they will break up eventually causing hermione to notice harry is the one for her and harry who was really under a love spell or potion will realize he never loved Ginny and he will realize hermione is the one for him. Thats my friends thories.

*dies* HOW can they think that?! Time to give up on it methinks. I am just so happy, all the r/hr avatar ideas are just spilling through my brain. By the way are we allowed HBP avies and siggs yet?

[Cursed Puppet Head]

YAY... Ok, just my two cents, don't attack me or anything.

Saw Malfoy/Pansy coming by the 3rd book, with her simpering about his "hurt" arm, and then in the 4th when they went to the Yule Ball together.

I wasn't very pleased with the Harry/Ginny thing either. I mean, I pretty much figured they'd wind up together (cuz I looked at the pictures in the beginning of the chapters before I actually read the book X3), but his feelings seemed really rushed and underdeveloped. I dunno if I like the ship or not... I just... can't... PICTURE them together, y'know? That has nothing to do with anything, but still. But I DID think the "If I don't break up with you Voldemort will come after you" thing was cute... like in Spider-Man! ^^

I agree, the Tonks/Lupin thing was quite unexpected... but I couldn't help squealing. It's so cute, especially in the hospital scene where she said she didn't care that he was a werewolf... ^^ Ever since the 3rd movie where Lupin hinted he used to like Lily (that's what my mom thought, anyway, even though I found no previous evidence of that and don't know WHERE the scriptwriters got that, unless the line was not meant to be romantic and any sense), I thought he needed himself a girl. ^^

Ok, I must be the only one who didn't catch the Pince/Filch thing... but then again I was rushing through the book because I had to get on a plane the next day. *goes off to read it again*

Bill/Fleur... well, Fred and George obviously said they were together in the 5th book. Bill/Fleur was a bit... ew... at the beginning, but the end when she didn't care about his scars, that was adorable.

Ron/Hermione... I expected them to be snogging by this point but I guess not. ^^ I shall be patient, though, I'm sure they'll get around to it sooner or later. ;D

And ack, that Romilda Vane... o_o;;; *shudders disgustedly* Creepy stalker woman...

[Simple Muggle]

Originally Posted by princess of*hp*

I was suprised that Ron and Hermione didn't get together in this book. I thought they would.

true. but they're like a step away from being a couple.
I dunno. maybe the 7th book will just declare that they're together.

[Tao]

I don't have time to look at all the posts. As much as I love to read, I am not a speed reader, so I'm clearly behind, but that's okay. LOL

Loved, loved, LOVED the R/Hr moments. The book settled, imo, the shipping war. There is no denying who Hermione fancies. Girls don't go around attacking guys with birds after catching them snogging another girl unless they like them. LOL

Ron using Lavendar... This had everything to do with Ginny, but a huge part had to do with Hermione. Being a stubborn guy, he took Ginny's words to heart and didn't ask Hermione at all. Instead of realizing that he was going to the Christmas party with Hermione and it didn't matter what she had done previously, he wanted to hurt Hermione because he felt hurt. Of course, he had no right, but he's 16...

Hermione using McLaggen... obvious here. She was doing the same thing Ron was doing. To get back at him for hurting her. Again something that wouldn't happen unless Hermione liked Ron.

R/Hr pre and post Lavendar/McLaggen... absolutely lovely moments. The subtle jealousy she showed around Fleur! And even her subtle jealousy with Rosemerta (which was the foreshadow in PoA!) Their arguing of course! And how nice they were to each other when Hermione invited Ron to Slughorn's Christmas party. Even Harry got it. Harry knew they'd get together, he was just waiting for it. And yes, he was afraid of being left out, but he was more worried about them spliting up then being together. But I digress... So, to the post moments... Hermione's reaction over Ron having been poisoned! But better yet, he mumbled out her name in his sleep. And how much Hermione was smiling when Ron and Lavendar broke up. ROFL! When he got the snow off of Hermione, and how Lavendar caught them coming out of the boy's dormitory - even though Harry was with them. And then the end... with the funeral. He held her as she cried... awww!

Ginny and Harry... I don't think this is out of left field, as some say. I think it was just a case of someone right under your nose that you don't detect until something hits you. In the case of seeing Dean and Ginny snogging. Made sense. It awakened a 'beast' in Harry. And I also think that after OotP, Harry stopped seeing Ginny as a little girl, and as someone in league with he, Ron and Hermione.

Tonks/Lupin... aww! Okay, never saw it coming. I just thought it was crazy fanfic. But it was beautiful!

Fleur/Bill... we knew about them, but the wedding was a shock, but I was extremely happy when a seemingly vein woman (and maybe she is) was willing to marry Bill despite what had happened to him.