While I'm all for Harry standing up for himself and taking a stand against being Malfoy Machinery's spokes-model, I don't think he's really out of the woods in the actualization department, yet. Btw they still haven't lifted the Lover's Face Curse (assuming that's what it is), yet, have they?
I know we've had a short back and forth about Harry's relative inexperience in real relationships and I think while this is a major step, I'm just not sure what he's taking away from it. The obvious benefit of not capitulating and tempering some of his insecurity regarding the impact of a fight on the long-term prospects of his being with Draco are certainly positive, I'm not sure that walking away and then keeping Draco out, are the best things he could have done. When Harry said, prior to walking away, “If you don’t like it, that doesn’t matter,” I was chagrined at the casual dismissal. It read like 'your feelings don't matter,' and I just couldn't reconcile that with the short conversation they had just had.
All Draco seemed to be looking for were coherent and simple explanations and Harry simply refused to discuss the matter further. While Draco had certainly built mental sandcastles about all the advantages Harry's occupation could provide to his company, getting back at Lucius, etc., he wasn't trying to trap Harry into anything. He was honestly sharing some of his dreams and ambitions and was surprised by Harry's reluctance, but he wasn't bombastic or out of line, imo. I see that Harry's aversion to conflict and confrontation being more of the driving force in the situation than anything else.
And at least Draco is coming clean with his dreams and desires. Harry is still holding out on the Pensieve (and who knows what else). It still comes down to communication at the end of the day. Does Harry trust Draco enough to tell him the whole truth? And is he going to want that help to reintegrate more than he's doing by himself, especially considering his friends are probably not going to be terribly inclined (given his positions)?
I can't believe I wrote all the above without at least mentioning the patience-building homo-erotic coupling. Suffice it to say, that I loved that part, too ;-} I did notice that there might have been some things when Harry surrendered himself that he might have later regretted, or at least saw differently in the light of day. Haven't really got much further on this, however.
I guess I'm feeling the denouement of this epic as well and am being perhaps a tad morose tonight. But please remain assured that I continue to enjoy this novel immensely!
CotG 43 (aka Lovers' Spat)
I know we've had a short back and forth about Harry's relative inexperience in real relationships and I think while this is a major step, I'm just not sure what he's taking away from it. The obvious benefit of not capitulating and tempering some of his insecurity regarding the impact of a fight on the long-term prospects of his being with Draco are certainly positive, I'm not sure that walking away and then keeping Draco out, are the best things he could have done. When Harry said, prior to walking away, “If you don’t like it, that doesn’t matter,” I was chagrined at the casual dismissal. It read like 'your feelings don't matter,' and I just couldn't reconcile that with the short conversation they had just had.
All Draco seemed to be looking for were coherent and simple explanations and Harry simply refused to discuss the matter further. While Draco had certainly built mental sandcastles about all the advantages Harry's occupation could provide to his company, getting back at Lucius, etc., he wasn't trying to trap Harry into anything. He was honestly sharing some of his dreams and ambitions and was surprised by Harry's reluctance, but he wasn't bombastic or out of line, imo. I see that Harry's aversion to conflict and confrontation being more of the driving force in the situation than anything else.
And at least Draco is coming clean with his dreams and desires. Harry is still holding out on the Pensieve (and who knows what else). It still comes down to communication at the end of the day. Does Harry trust Draco enough to tell him the whole truth? And is he going to want that help to reintegrate more than he's doing by himself, especially considering his friends are probably not going to be terribly inclined (given his positions)?
I can't believe I wrote all the above without at least mentioning the patience-building homo-erotic coupling. Suffice it to say, that I loved that part, too ;-} I did notice that there might have been some things when Harry surrendered himself that he might have later regretted, or at least saw differently in the light of day. Haven't really got much further on this, however.
I guess I'm feeling the denouement of this epic as well and am being perhaps a tad morose tonight. But please remain assured that I continue to enjoy this novel immensely!