| Half-Blood Prince |
So let’s take this from the beginning, shall we? Harry first
arrives at the Burrow to be welcomed into Mrs. Weasley’s loving
arms, the only mother he’s ever known. Then he gets greeted warmly
by a purring Crookshanks, which informs him of Hermione’s presence
(which he seems delighted by). The next morning he’s woken up by
his best friends.
However, Harry doesn’t trust Ginny enough to inform her of the
prophesy. It was foretold that Harry would tell his “nearest and
dearest”...does the future love of his life make that list? No.
How odd.
So other than being at the Burrow, no thoughts of Ginny. She does
spend more time with the Trio than usual. They all play Quidditch
together: Harry and Hermione vs. the Weasley Siblings. And at some
point, Harry and Ginny share a moment as Ginny abuses poor Fleur
behind her back and calls her ‘Phlegm’ much to Harry’s amusement.
This is not the first time Ginny has spoken nasty words behind a
supposed friend’s back. Last year, she gave an unflattering review
of Luna to Hermione, it’s just that then when had no hard
evidence. Here, we are witness to it. She’s a spiteful, callous
girl. Catty comments spoken only when the victim is no where in
sight is not generally considered classy or, you know, nice.
As this is her Fifth Year and there was no celebration or prize,
we can only assume she was not made prefect. Too much like the
twins, I guess. The summer passes quietly and soon they are
boarding the train to Hogwarts. Since Hermione and Ron must attend
to their prefect duties, Harry asks Ginny if she’d like to sit
with him.
She declines the offer saying she’d like to spend time with her
boyfriend, Dean. The act of ignoring the boy once he’s finally
paying some attention to you is a common ploy and cry for
attention into which many girls fall.
Though it may get his attention, in the long run if you’ve had to
reduce yourself to cheap antics to get him to notice, he probably
wasn’t the guy for you in the first place.
This calls attention to herself in a new light, one Harry may not
have paid any attention to before – she’s a girl. A desirable girl
other boys want to date. For some reason, humans like the idea of
some else labeling or validating things before one steps out and
agrees.
For instance, it is much easier to get a story made into a movie
once you’ve sold the book rights. The publisher has given the
story credit and said that it can make money, so then Hollywood
feels safer buying the rights and producing it. (That’s just a
little random tidbit for you.) Or the age old saying, women want
what they can’t have – once the boy is married, everybody who once
ignored him now wants to be with him.
Every instance we see of her at school she is making a spectacle
of herself in one way or another. I.e.: touching Harry’s arm,
giving him compliments, defending him, giving permission/approval
of taking Luna to Slughorn’s party, bonding with Harry during
Quidditch while Hermione is stuck alone at Slug Club gatherings
(mocking her in front of him while they laugh at how bored she
must be alone), making out with Dean in a place she knows they
will be found, flying into the commentator’s box, insulting
Hermione...etc.
She has no role outside of being a lustful obsession. There is no
growth as a principal character. I mean that in the sense that
she doesn’t go from being a tertiary character to a primary role.
Nor does she exhibit any qualities that would show she grew as a
person, no new maturity, no compassion. She does, however, show
she can play a man like a fiddle.
And maybe I’m not the only one who noticed this. After all, she
was never entrusted with the prophesy and at no point was she told
of what Harry was learning with Dumbledore. Correct me if I’m
wrong, but she even delivered a message from Dumbledore to Harry
about the meetings and she still wasn’t told.
Now, isn’t that saying something. Or is that more of a subtext
thing? And Lord knows if it’s not falling from the sky imprinted
on the behind of an anvil, we don’t pay any sort of attention to
it, obviously.
Never mind the subtext that was Severus Snape. Or the subtext that
was Sirius before the truth of his story was outed. Nah, that’s
crazy. Anvils are where it’s at. No suspicion in that anvils are
what led everyone to think Snape was trying to kill Harry in the
first book...which was proved wrong, incidentally. But, I
digress...
arrives at the Burrow to be welcomed into Mrs. Weasley’s loving
arms, the only mother he’s ever known. Then he gets greeted warmly
by a purring Crookshanks, which informs him of Hermione’s presence
(which he seems delighted by). The next morning he’s woken up by
his best friends.
However, Harry doesn’t trust Ginny enough to inform her of the
prophesy. It was foretold that Harry would tell his “nearest and
dearest”...does the future love of his life make that list? No.
How odd.
So other than being at the Burrow, no thoughts of Ginny. She does
spend more time with the Trio than usual. They all play Quidditch
together: Harry and Hermione vs. the Weasley Siblings. And at some
point, Harry and Ginny share a moment as Ginny abuses poor Fleur
behind her back and calls her ‘Phlegm’ much to Harry’s amusement.
This is not the first time Ginny has spoken nasty words behind a
supposed friend’s back. Last year, she gave an unflattering review
of Luna to Hermione, it’s just that then when had no hard
evidence. Here, we are witness to it. She’s a spiteful, callous
girl. Catty comments spoken only when the victim is no where in
sight is not generally considered classy or, you know, nice.
As this is her Fifth Year and there was no celebration or prize,
we can only assume she was not made prefect. Too much like the
twins, I guess. The summer passes quietly and soon they are
boarding the train to Hogwarts. Since Hermione and Ron must attend
to their prefect duties, Harry asks Ginny if she’d like to sit
with him.
She declines the offer saying she’d like to spend time with her
boyfriend, Dean. The act of ignoring the boy once he’s finally
paying some attention to you is a common ploy and cry for
attention into which many girls fall.
Though it may get his attention, in the long run if you’ve had to
reduce yourself to cheap antics to get him to notice, he probably
wasn’t the guy for you in the first place.
This calls attention to herself in a new light, one Harry may not
have paid any attention to before – she’s a girl. A desirable girl
other boys want to date. For some reason, humans like the idea of
some else labeling or validating things before one steps out and
agrees.
For instance, it is much easier to get a story made into a movie
once you’ve sold the book rights. The publisher has given the
story credit and said that it can make money, so then Hollywood
feels safer buying the rights and producing it. (That’s just a
little random tidbit for you.) Or the age old saying, women want
what they can’t have – once the boy is married, everybody who once
ignored him now wants to be with him.
Every instance we see of her at school she is making a spectacle
of herself in one way or another. I.e.: touching Harry’s arm,
giving him compliments, defending him, giving permission/approval
of taking Luna to Slughorn’s party, bonding with Harry during
Quidditch while Hermione is stuck alone at Slug Club gatherings
(mocking her in front of him while they laugh at how bored she
must be alone), making out with Dean in a place she knows they
will be found, flying into the commentator’s box, insulting
Hermione...etc.
She has no role outside of being a lustful obsession. There is no
growth as a principal character. I mean that in the sense that
she doesn’t go from being a tertiary character to a primary role.
Nor does she exhibit any qualities that would show she grew as a
person, no new maturity, no compassion. She does, however, show
she can play a man like a fiddle.
And maybe I’m not the only one who noticed this. After all, she
was never entrusted with the prophesy and at no point was she told
of what Harry was learning with Dumbledore. Correct me if I’m
wrong, but she even delivered a message from Dumbledore to Harry
about the meetings and she still wasn’t told.
Now, isn’t that saying something. Or is that more of a subtext
thing? And Lord knows if it’s not falling from the sky imprinted
on the behind of an anvil, we don’t pay any sort of attention to
it, obviously.
Never mind the subtext that was Severus Snape. Or the subtext that
was Sirius before the truth of his story was outed. Nah, that’s
crazy. Anvils are where it’s at. No suspicion in that anvils are
what led everyone to think Snape was trying to kill Harry in the
first book...which was proved wrong, incidentally. But, I
digress...
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It is important to note that even when sequestered at the Burrow
for the larger part pf the summer holiday Ginny is still ignored
in preference to the Trio. Oh, they do spend time all four of them
together playing Quidditch and eating their meals. But she never
becomes inseparable, never breaks through the walls, never gets
any closer to them then ‘little sister.’
There really isn’t much of her until after Harry’s been sitting in
front of Amortentia for an hour and then sniffs her perfume and
realizes she smells like the flowers he had in his room at the
Burrow. And even then, he only really notices her when she is
around. When she comes up to him to touch his arm, to speak to
him, to grab his attention, he very rarely wonders what she is
doing on her own or even seeks her out. Strange behaviour for boy
in love, or even in a fair amount of lust for that matter.
In this book she becomes more of an obsession for Harry, not even
the conscious Harry, more the hormonal ragings of his curious and
overwrought subconscious. Fixating on her relieves him of having
to deal with the real issues at hand: his lack of
preparation/knowledge to face Voldemort and the still recent death
of Sirius.
He even admits as much to her when they break up. She was a
distraction, like living a dream of someone else’s life...A
distraction, an escape, but never the reality, never the future.
After all, dreams may be nice, but you can’t live a fantasy; you
can’t live in the escape.
can’t...we can’t...I’ve got things to do alone now.”
I could go through this chapter-by-chapter, but I won’t we have
the Summentary for that and as you can see there, Ginny really
only comes about when she’s physically present or Harry’s rambling
about some torrid daydream.
There is never any talk of how well they know each other, what
good friends they are, how close they’ve become over the summer.
They don’t really know each other at all. And that seems very sad
to me.
Ginny deserves someone who will love her for who she is, not some
hormone ravaged boy who thinks he’s about to die and better jump
at any chance of snogging he can get before he’s snuffed.
Harry deserves someone who loves him for the grumpy little brooder
that he is, not someone who idolizes him in blind hero-worship.
Neither of them have that in this pairing, neither of them match –
they are not equals.
Evidence you ask for...and I shall provide, or more accurately...
JK will provide. Just before we get into all that, let me just
pose the question: who is it Harry chooses to confide in all the
information he learns about Tom Riddle and his Horcruxes?
Why it’s Ron and Hermione, of course! Harry, at every given
opportunity, chooses everyone except Ginny. Now, tell me, how
could you willingly subject this poor girl to a lifetime of being
second rate and chosen last?
for the larger part pf the summer holiday Ginny is still ignored
in preference to the Trio. Oh, they do spend time all four of them
together playing Quidditch and eating their meals. But she never
becomes inseparable, never breaks through the walls, never gets
any closer to them then ‘little sister.’
There really isn’t much of her until after Harry’s been sitting in
front of Amortentia for an hour and then sniffs her perfume and
realizes she smells like the flowers he had in his room at the
Burrow. And even then, he only really notices her when she is
around. When she comes up to him to touch his arm, to speak to
him, to grab his attention, he very rarely wonders what she is
doing on her own or even seeks her out. Strange behaviour for boy
in love, or even in a fair amount of lust for that matter.
In this book she becomes more of an obsession for Harry, not even
the conscious Harry, more the hormonal ragings of his curious and
overwrought subconscious. Fixating on her relieves him of having
to deal with the real issues at hand: his lack of
preparation/knowledge to face Voldemort and the still recent death
of Sirius.
He even admits as much to her when they break up. She was a
distraction, like living a dream of someone else’s life...A
distraction, an escape, but never the reality, never the future.
After all, dreams may be nice, but you can’t live a fantasy; you
can’t live in the escape.
- “It’s been like...like something out of someone else’s
can’t...we can’t...I’ve got things to do alone now.”
- She did not cry, she simply looked at him.
- Chapter 30
Page 646
I could go through this chapter-by-chapter, but I won’t we have
the Summentary for that and as you can see there, Ginny really
only comes about when she’s physically present or Harry’s rambling
about some torrid daydream.
There is never any talk of how well they know each other, what
good friends they are, how close they’ve become over the summer.
They don’t really know each other at all. And that seems very sad
to me.
Ginny deserves someone who will love her for who she is, not some
hormone ravaged boy who thinks he’s about to die and better jump
at any chance of snogging he can get before he’s snuffed.
Harry deserves someone who loves him for the grumpy little brooder
that he is, not someone who idolizes him in blind hero-worship.
Neither of them have that in this pairing, neither of them match –
they are not equals.
Evidence you ask for...and I shall provide, or more accurately...
JK will provide. Just before we get into all that, let me just
pose the question: who is it Harry chooses to confide in all the
information he learns about Tom Riddle and his Horcruxes?
Why it’s Ron and Hermione, of course! Harry, at every given
opportunity, chooses everyone except Ginny. Now, tell me, how
could you willingly subject this poor girl to a lifetime of being
second rate and chosen last?
Dating Harry
Aside from a public kiss and a subsequent walk around the lake,
their relationship consists of her leaning back against his legs
as she tells him about the rumors she’s spread about them.
She pretends to seem irritated by all the school jabber about
their relationship, but in the end confesses that she’s fueling
the gossip (so it must not bother her all that much).
across your chest.”
And she makes sure to mention how socially conscious she’s become.
So aware of what’s actually happening in the world for the first
time in the book. “Look, Harry, aren’t I perfect? Pretty, athletic
and now intelligent too! Cause I totally know what’s like really
important.”
But I guess it’s about time someone remembered that there’s a
frickin’ war going on that directly involves them all.
They spend all their time as the FabFour hanging around Hogwarts
grounds until OWLs pull Ginny away from the gang.
This is the time Harry cherishes most. This calm peace with his
friends before the storm. This brief fantasy of tranquility before
the drums of war beat their way through the gates of their haven.
I really have to apologize. I thought there would be more. But,
no, that’s it. At a maximum, their relationship lasted 4 weeks,
but it seems more like two. And in all this time they have
together, all this love that blossoms between them, this
relationship that means so much to Harry...we don’t see a bit of
it. We’re not let in at all. And yet I should believe its love
enough to last them through a year of separation, a year of brutal
war, and for the rest of their lives?
Well, where’s the proof they even talk to each other, know each
other at all. Does she know him as well as Hermione does? Does he
laugh with her as much as he does with Ron? Does she keep him on
track or lead him astray? All the proof of their interactions
prior to this romantic entanglement seems to point to the contrary.
I mean, let’s look at all Ginny’s done since her major appearance
in Book 2, shall we? She didn’t confess her suspicions about the
book, tried to handle it herself by flushing the book down a
toilet and then ransacking the Second Year boys’ dorm to steal it
back from Harry so he wouldn’t learn the truth. She’s never even
thanked Harry for saving her life.
Third Year...she giggles with Hermione as Molly tells them about
brewing love potions. Umm...yeah, that it. No support or help of
any kind, emotional or otherwise.
Fourth Year...she is Hermione’s confidant, and keeps the secret of
Hermione’s date’s identity. Accepts the invite to attend the Ball
with Neville just so she could go, but then is nearly sick when it
comes out she might have been able to go with Harry after all,
because Harry was basically being a pig.
So wouldn’t she have been lucky, being Harry’s last resort, not
even the smallest option on his list for consideration. Fourth
Year we learn, if we didn’t have an idea of it before, that Ginny
has no self-respect.
Fifth Year...she throws a mean bat-bogey hex at Malfoy apparently
causing enough chaos in Umbridge’s office effectively allowing the
gang to break free and meet up with Harry and Hermione in the
Forest. So she garners herself a point there. But then is utterly
useless and a liability in the Department of Mysteries.
Sixth Year...she picks on other people, including her brother and
Hermione (her one-time best girl friend), she flies into the
commentator’s box in a desperate cry for attention, rebuffs
Harry’s attempt at sustaining their closer friendship that
developed over the summer, implants the idea that Molly wants
Tonks to marry Bill (which couldn’t be more wrong)...oh, and once
again she reminds everyone that she was once possessed by
Voldemort. (This is the second time in two different books her
possession is mentioned. I used to think that was significant,
that it would come into play again, but apparently it was just
another cry for attention.)
In Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, her brothers start in on her about
her rumored FIVE boyfriends. She shrugs it off, saying there
hasn’t been that many. This entire conversation takes place right
in front of Harry, and he is totally unfazed by it.
It is only after he’s spent a whole lesson in front of
Armortentia, sniffing treacle tart, broomsticks and a flowery
scent he smelled at the burrow, and then catches a whiff of
Ginny’s perfume...actually no, scratch that, its after he connects
the smell of flowers on her to the one from the burrow (just a
hint, but check back to Chapter 5 if you really want to know where
the flowery scent comes from) and then stumbles upon what I am
convinced is her staged make-out session with Dean, that he is
overcome with lust.
Totally and completely staged, think about it: Who snogs their
boyfriend in a hallway you know your brother and the boy you’re
really attracted to will be passing through in just a moment
because they were right behind you the entire way from the pitch
accidentally? Like you weren’t damn positive you’d get caught.
Aside from a lot of trash behavior I guess you can excuse as being
a hormonally ravaged teenager (I call it having no character),
Ginny doesn’t have much of a presence. And really, if you expected
me to believe that this relationship was the best thing in Harry’s
life you’d have to do a bit more work convincing me. At the very
least, step up her character so it’s on par with the Trio.
I mean, we were there every step of the way with Cho (save the
kiss). This time round, we get no information (except the kiss). I
guess I was too lucky to have been spared both of two evils that I
got stuck with the vomit inducing one instead of the lesser.
Actually, their kiss wasn’t half as nauseating as what happened
between my Hermione and...I’m not even going to say his name. That
one, in all honesty now (no exaggerations or hysteria), made me
sick to my stomach. There might have been a chance I could like
Ginny with Harry. Except that I just don’t buy it. It’s random and
there isn’t any supporting evidence (other than a sudden case of
the chest monster).
So in summation, Ginny does absolutely nothing of value,
experiences no growth as a person, displays no new progression of
character - in fact, shows more regression than anything else -
and winds up landing the most eligible bachelor in the Wizarding
World. What kind of moral is that?
Aside from a public kiss and a subsequent walk around the lake,
their relationship consists of her leaning back against his legs
as she tells him about the rumors she’s spread about them.
She pretends to seem irritated by all the school jabber about
their relationship, but in the end confesses that she’s fueling
the gossip (so it must not bother her all that much).
- ...“Three dementor attacks in a week, and all Romilda Vane
across your chest.”
- ...
- “I told her it’s a Hungarian Horntail,” said Ginny, turning a
- Chapter 25
Page 536
And she makes sure to mention how socially conscious she’s become.
So aware of what’s actually happening in the world for the first
time in the book. “Look, Harry, aren’t I perfect? Pretty, athletic
and now intelligent too! Cause I totally know what’s like really
important.”
But I guess it’s about time someone remembered that there’s a
frickin’ war going on that directly involves them all.
They spend all their time as the FabFour hanging around Hogwarts
grounds until OWLs pull Ginny away from the gang.
This is the time Harry cherishes most. This calm peace with his
friends before the storm. This brief fantasy of tranquility before
the drums of war beat their way through the gates of their haven.
I really have to apologize. I thought there would be more. But,
no, that’s it. At a maximum, their relationship lasted 4 weeks,
but it seems more like two. And in all this time they have
together, all this love that blossoms between them, this
relationship that means so much to Harry...we don’t see a bit of
it. We’re not let in at all. And yet I should believe its love
enough to last them through a year of separation, a year of brutal
war, and for the rest of their lives?
Well, where’s the proof they even talk to each other, know each
other at all. Does she know him as well as Hermione does? Does he
laugh with her as much as he does with Ron? Does she keep him on
track or lead him astray? All the proof of their interactions
prior to this romantic entanglement seems to point to the contrary.
I mean, let’s look at all Ginny’s done since her major appearance
in Book 2, shall we? She didn’t confess her suspicions about the
book, tried to handle it herself by flushing the book down a
toilet and then ransacking the Second Year boys’ dorm to steal it
back from Harry so he wouldn’t learn the truth. She’s never even
thanked Harry for saving her life.
Third Year...she giggles with Hermione as Molly tells them about
brewing love potions. Umm...yeah, that it. No support or help of
any kind, emotional or otherwise.
Fourth Year...she is Hermione’s confidant, and keeps the secret of
Hermione’s date’s identity. Accepts the invite to attend the Ball
with Neville just so she could go, but then is nearly sick when it
comes out she might have been able to go with Harry after all,
because Harry was basically being a pig.
So wouldn’t she have been lucky, being Harry’s last resort, not
even the smallest option on his list for consideration. Fourth
Year we learn, if we didn’t have an idea of it before, that Ginny
has no self-respect.
Fifth Year...she throws a mean bat-bogey hex at Malfoy apparently
causing enough chaos in Umbridge’s office effectively allowing the
gang to break free and meet up with Harry and Hermione in the
Forest. So she garners herself a point there. But then is utterly
useless and a liability in the Department of Mysteries.
Sixth Year...she picks on other people, including her brother and
Hermione (her one-time best girl friend), she flies into the
commentator’s box in a desperate cry for attention, rebuffs
Harry’s attempt at sustaining their closer friendship that
developed over the summer, implants the idea that Molly wants
Tonks to marry Bill (which couldn’t be more wrong)...oh, and once
again she reminds everyone that she was once possessed by
Voldemort. (This is the second time in two different books her
possession is mentioned. I used to think that was significant,
that it would come into play again, but apparently it was just
another cry for attention.)
In Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, her brothers start in on her about
her rumored FIVE boyfriends. She shrugs it off, saying there
hasn’t been that many. This entire conversation takes place right
in front of Harry, and he is totally unfazed by it.
It is only after he’s spent a whole lesson in front of
Armortentia, sniffing treacle tart, broomsticks and a flowery
scent he smelled at the burrow, and then catches a whiff of
Ginny’s perfume...actually no, scratch that, its after he connects
the smell of flowers on her to the one from the burrow (just a
hint, but check back to Chapter 5 if you really want to know where
the flowery scent comes from) and then stumbles upon what I am
convinced is her staged make-out session with Dean, that he is
overcome with lust.
Totally and completely staged, think about it: Who snogs their
boyfriend in a hallway you know your brother and the boy you’re
really attracted to will be passing through in just a moment
because they were right behind you the entire way from the pitch
accidentally? Like you weren’t damn positive you’d get caught.
Aside from a lot of trash behavior I guess you can excuse as being
a hormonally ravaged teenager (I call it having no character),
Ginny doesn’t have much of a presence. And really, if you expected
me to believe that this relationship was the best thing in Harry’s
life you’d have to do a bit more work convincing me. At the very
least, step up her character so it’s on par with the Trio.
I mean, we were there every step of the way with Cho (save the
kiss). This time round, we get no information (except the kiss). I
guess I was too lucky to have been spared both of two evils that I
got stuck with the vomit inducing one instead of the lesser.
Actually, their kiss wasn’t half as nauseating as what happened
between my Hermione and...I’m not even going to say his name. That
one, in all honesty now (no exaggerations or hysteria), made me
sick to my stomach. There might have been a chance I could like
Ginny with Harry. Except that I just don’t buy it. It’s random and
there isn’t any supporting evidence (other than a sudden case of
the chest monster).
So in summation, Ginny does absolutely nothing of value,
experiences no growth as a person, displays no new progression of
character - in fact, shows more regression than anything else -
and winds up landing the most eligible bachelor in the Wizarding
World. What kind of moral is that?
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