How Hinny Came to Be

Blog 9

It is not uncommon for somebody (especially if they have only ever seen the movies) to be quite confused when Harry and Ginny’s relationship begins. On a first read, the clues Rowling uses to hint at their coming relationship are very subtle and in the movies they’re nearly nonexistent (partially because movie Ginny SUCKS but that’s for another time). On a reread however, the hints are much easier to pick up on and it’s clear Rowling had planned for Harry to end up with Ginny rather than Rowling just having a last minute scramble to add a love interest.  

Ginny has been infatuated with Harry since they first met. While she wasn’t really in Sorcerer’s Stone too much, her debut in Chamber gave her the perfect characterization of a 10 year old with a major crush: lots of blushing, staring, being unable to speak when he’s around, and running out of the room whenever she sees him. In Azkaban she still hasn’t matured quite that much, but she at least speaks to Harry now. In Goblet not much happens, but then the real progress begins in Order.

Order of the Phoenix is where Ginny finally seems to mature. She joins the D.A. and Harry is very impressed with her spell work. He finds her hexing incredible and feels a sense of pride watching her work. She also joins the quidditch team and Harry sees that she’s quite good. While he doesn’t really comment much past that, it’s quite obvious Harry is beginning to admire Ginny and her qualities.

Rowling does a good job of maturing Ginny through her characterization without just flat-out saying, “Harry suddenly realized how mature Ginny had gotten.” For one thing, Ginny is a member of the D.A. She’s not afraid to stand up for herself and help Harry fight against Voldemort. Another small thing is that Ginny begins dating. In Order of the Phoenix she dates Michael Corner and then breaks up with him for his lack of maturity. She explained that “he didn't like Gryffindor beating Ravenclaw at Quidditch and got really sulky, so [she] ditched him.” While Harry was indifferent towards her dating Michael, he didn’t like her dating Dean Thomas. At first he didn’t care too much, but once he saw them kissing he felt the urge to rip him apart.

Rowling also uses the small scene of Harry in Malfoy’s train car to put in the subtle detail of how pretty Ginny has gotten. By having other people talk about Ginny’s looks, it lets the reader finally see Ginny as more than a little girl and Harry finally sees it, too.

On a reread, there’s also subtle hints of flirting that may have been hard to catch on a first read. For example, Ginny tells Harry not to go into the kitchen because of all the phlegm. Harry replies with a smile that he’ll try not to slip. While it’s a very small moment, it begins to hint at the fact of their blossoming relationship. They’re finally friends but maybe there’s something more. There’s also the major hint of what Harry smells in the love potion. He smelled treacle tart, a broomstick handle, and something flowery he had smelled at the burrow- all of which directly relate to Ginny.

While Harry may not have always known he was going to end up with Ginny, Rowling clearly did. She had planted several hinting factors pointing out to the reader their blossoming relationship but it didn’t mean much unless you could catch them. Ginny is the perfect match for Harry simply because of her maturity and independence. She’s not afraid to be herself anymore and she isn’t afraid to stand equal to Harry, which is something he needs. He needs somebody to challenge him and that's exactly what Ginny provides for him.