Because so many of us have been so upset at the recent blow to our beloved ship, I thought this was a nice, though angsty, way of sharing our saddened feelings. I don't mean for this thread to become a place where we rant about what had happened. I want to just share a bitter-sweet moment with everybody. I mean, our hearts can still be touched, even after such an upsetting event... right?

Well, here goes. My fond H/Hr memories, outside of canon:

I remember when I first became a H/Hr. It was such a marvelous, happy time then. They were only 11, but I knew there was something special about them. She was something he needed, it seems. My H/Hr-ness grew stronger as I read more of the books, but not as much as when Hermione had kissed Harry. I was so giddy, that I had to looked around to make sure nobody was watching me, and did a little jig

I went online afterwards to find out more about the 5th book, if there were any info at all about it. Then, I stumbled upon the WB boards, with fanfic and groups, and whatnot. After reading a few fanfics, (the first one was Voldie doing baaaaad things to Hermione, and Apparating at Hogwarts, tee hee. Yeah, it was disturbing, and I'll never be the same again ) I decided to give it a try for myself.
I wasn't an experienced writer, you see. But the people were so nice, leaving me their posts and bumps, and visiting often. I didn't even have proper chapters (WHAT chapters?? lol )
My first ever Harry/Hermione story (Harry and Hermione - How Love Can Grow) had reached hundreds of pages, and thousands and thousands of replies (which was due to the many bumps/chats between each story post).

inserted link to fic. - gal-texter, 2008

I, of course, got R/Hrs that bashed me, saying how utterly ridiculous H/Hr was, and that I needed to see the light I'd see these everywhere since I viewed other threads.
I kind of saw my Harry/Hermione pairing as this teeny, adorable, furry, defenseless puppy that a big, mean, vicious, and bullying dog was barking at, and I was holding the scared little puppy in my arms.
But even through those awful taunts/insults/mockery, I had found friends. Close friends, in fact. Life-long ones, no doubt. That, I'm incredibly thankful for
Then came the wonderful sites, and the amazing essays, and the many squeeable movie moments and pictures.
I was so sure H/Hr would sail
More than anything, Harry and Hermione inspired me to write, to pay attention in English class so that I would be better at writing, to look deeper into relationships, to understand what it is I want in mine.
I remember day in and day out that I would come to my favorite H/Hr sites, and forums, and just talk about H/Hr all day. There was no end to their possibilities. I remember fanfics that made me laugh out loud, made me angry, made me as giddy as a schoolgirl, and tugged at my heart.

I remember all this. Such happy times.

What do you remember?


Mods, I'm sure this looks inappropriate for this thread, but I coudln't post it anywhere as this is post-HBP, and you said I couldn't post any post-HBP things anywhere but here Hope you don't mind ...

That was very, very, very sweet...it made me have tears in my eyes. Sigh...I also remember. I remember reading Book 4 and jumping up and down when Hermione kisses Harry at the end of the book. I remember watching the movie and seeing Emma and Dan have their conversation on their chessboard. I remember going to those same WB boards before Book 5 and arguing for hours on end with OBHWF shippers who were supremely confident in their victory. We were always outnumbered there but we fought on. I remember The Order of the Phoenix. I remember all the H/Hr moments that set my heart on fire and brought a smile to my face. I remember finding Portkey the day after that happy, joyous day and making posts and discussing the seemed inevitability of H/Hr. I remember making friends on this forum, spending hours on this place doing nothing else but discussing HP with the best people in the world. I remember Friday night, just twenty minutes before HBP went on sale, confidently stating to one of my friends that H/Hr was a given and that there was no way Rowling would not get it right. I remember rereading the HP books just to remind myself what love was truly about. Thank you to all of you, you wonderful Pumpkin Pie shippers. We will continue to sail on, in the waters of fandom if we cannot have canon...

*smiles weakly at jackryan * What a beautiful thing to post. Especially the last sentence. And waht a great memory. Cheers to you, dear

I never read the books before the movie came out. When I watched it, I fell in love with the last scene of H/Hr before Harry goes to get the stone from "Snape." After that, I read the books and H/Hr captured my heart. I was only 10 when the first movie came out. Yes, you may think it's impossible for a 10 year old to recognize true love, but I did. Harry and Hermione helped me mature in a way. Reading about them made me fall in love with the books and see what a great friendship can be. I think they prevented me from becoming a HP fangirl, which I am glad I am not. I am proud to be a mature H/Hr Shipper. No strings attached.

I remember reading OotP, my heart swelling when Hermione "died." I nearly fell apart, as did Harry. Now HBP has come and I have to say, I'm an even stronger H/Hr shipper than I've ever been. I know JKR has something in store for us, and I'm not willing to give up on her yet. Hermione may have changed a little, but she was back by the end of HBP, the Hermione we all know and love came back. I was relieved so to speak. My devotion to love, Harry and Hermione, and this ship has grown even stronger than it's been in years.

For me, when obstacles get in the way, I have always risen to the occasion to be even stronger. I think that started for me back in Grade 5 when I did read Harry Potter. It was my first year for volleyball in school and I was excited to start. I was just hoping to be able to play. Losing games was hard on me, but every time we lost a game, we came back and won the next match. I myself, felt it was my duty to play even better than ever after I would lose. Then we entered the playoffs, and I was named captain of the team. I was so excited. Then in grades 6 and 7, I was named captain for both years even before the playoffs. I knew being captain would be another challenge, so I challenged myself again. I wanted to be a leader. I consider myself a good volleyball player, but I knew it wasn't all about myself just because I was the captain, I let myself aside and helped my other teammates. A challenge in itself, to let your pride go for others.

Harry and Hermione are going through some rocky grounds right now, and instead of giving up, it's making me even stronger. Persevering to see my final ship come together. I know H/Hr will end up together. I know and believe it with all my heart, mind and soul. They are the best characters I've ever read about in a book and I will NEVER give up. Not now. Not later. Never. H/Hr Forever.

Wow, my stories start back when Harry Potter first came out. I was lying on my bed in fifth grade, reading some small book. I'm always reading. My mom came in my room and handed me the book and said at the doorway "It just came out today, and I had to get it for you. You might like it, it looks good". I flipped the book over in my hands (I remember this so well) and right then started reading it. Harry was my age, and I liked that. I saw him meet Ron, and I thought the twins were funny when they found out he was Harry Potter. Then Hermione came in the compartment, and told Harry that she knew about him already, fixed his glasses, commented on the on-going joke of something on Ron's nose. I said outloud ( I remember this part ) "I bet she ends up with Harry". My mom came in the room and smiled at me reading the book, and I soon became obsessed with it (not unlike half the world, quite a few months later). I've been a Harmony shipper since day one. When the third book came out, I was 13. I started to get on the internet more. I found out that I wasn't the only one that wanted Harry and Hermione together, I was so happy. I never knew how many people were into this book! I heard that Harry liked Ginny. I was like.. ".. What? People want characters to get together that AREN'T Harry and Hermione!?" I was completely baffled; I never thought that anybody couldn't see Harry and Hermione's relationship. I thought that it was the authors intent to show H/Hr romance in the book. Then.. Ron and Hermione? I had to laugh.

Harry and Hermione helped me through my parent's bickering, and later their divorce. It showed me that relationships didn't need bickering or fighting, that it was in communication, love, and respect. Three things that the Ron and Hermione ships never showed for me.


But now, everything has changed so much. It just hurts to know that after all these years and all my investment, love, and devotion put into Harry and Hermione- particularly Hermione- that my canon would be raped in the sixth book.

I also remember the time I first stepped foot on this ship...

I really liked the PoA movie, and decided it was about time I read Harry Potter. Guess what, I devoured the books, and couldn't help but feel a little helpless knowing there was still a long way to go until HBP came out.

Back then I did not sail any ship, though I had a hunch it may end up R/Hr (GoF). And it left a bad feeling whenever I thought about it. I started rummaging through the internet, to see what other people thought about R/Hr and I entered a R/Hr forum to see if they could leave some of that bad feeling behind. Eventually I found out about the WARS and discovered there was a H/Hr side of the fence. Just the name of it seemed right to me. I found out a H/Hr headquarters at portkey and dwelled into this world where I truly felt at home.

I dived into this head first and quite frankly I am not the least sorry for it. I remember being somewhat cautious at first, because I really didn't think H/Hr had any chance, but reading all the theories, the heartfelt coments on how true love and healthy relationships should develop and the awesome fics made me a proud H/Hr shipper.

Portkey and all the H/Hr sites and fics made me feel like Harry towards Hogwarts, like I had an electronic place I could call home.

"No strings attached". Hear, hear, Harry_n_Hermione_4ever . What a great story.

I sympathize, exhaledeeply. You must be the first Harry/Hermione shipper here *bows to you* You're right, it does hurt... the years of happy memories, lost..

Beautiful words, Eristoff-icE. I couldn't have said it better. Just like Harry towards Hogwarts... inpiring, even.

Thanks, everyone, for replying. You've made me feel so much better. I hope I can return the favour...

I'm still not sure to this day why I ship H/Hr. It's probably because my boyfriend, James, who coincidentilly runs portkey.org (H/Hr shipping site, of which I have to be supportive) Reminds me a lot of Harry, and to him, I remind him a lot of Hermione. Our relationship was built on several years of close friendship, and I can't see H/Hr anything other than extreme love and friendship.

To tell you the truth, I started out as a H/G, R/Hr fan, which is probably why the books don't disturb me as much as it should.

Wow, thanks for sharing these memories, everyone. I was similar in that I never read the books until after the third movie. I don't think I really considered it all that major until then.

I distinctly remember thinking of Harry Potter as a kid's book when it came out - I was in high school at the time. Little did I know that it would eventually rank up among my favorite book series.

Like Harry, I went to a boarding school, and know very well what it feels like to find a place like that you can call home (no matter how hard it may be). Unlike him, I never had anyone as close to me as Hermione and Ron.

Now that I'm older, and I understand more about what goes into good relationships, I'm very frustrated to see him miss what's directly in front of his face. The best romantic relationships our founded on rock-solid, close friendships (which are very difficult to establish with the opposite sex). I remember fondly back to reading PoA for the first time as these themes were just starting in the books and thinking hopefully that maybe his view of Hermione would start to change.

How wrong I was.

Needless to say, I was very disappointed with HBP and sincerely hope that JKR knows what she's doing. I realize that they are her characters and all, but one would think that she would at least put some plausible explanation and reasoning behind her now apparent pairings.

I actually was in fourth grade when I first read Harry Potter.
Amazing really, that I can still remember it.

I had just gotten out of school for the holidays and I was sitting on the livingroom couch watching tv. My mother comes by and hands me the first two books. Her being a teacher, there was a book fair at her school earlier that day. I remember being skeptical about it. My mom has never been the type to know exactly what I looked for.

Boy am I glad I read it. Oh, the minute I was introduced to Hermione, I knew that she would be perfect for Harry. Perhaps one of the most endearing moments in that first book for me was when all the first years walk down the Great Hall and Harry hears a shrill voice above all the others pipe up about the ceiling. I was a H/Hr shipper before I even knew of the term H/Hr.

When GoF came out, I was so excited about it. I was lucky enough to have stumbled upon Harry Potter right before it came out. When Harry was asking Cho for the Yule Ball and turned down... I smiled. I was for sure that he would suddenly realize that Hermione was right there. And of course, from then on move in the direction that I knew he ought to. It didnt quite turn out that way, but I kept a stiff upper lip. It was always my opinion that the Yule Brawl held nothing.

And so I waited for- how long was it- three years? It seemed like forever. It was then that I discovered the internet. I never really had much support from my friends who read HP. They're all R/Hr's (cept for one, credit me for getting her to jump ship)... Portkey... oh how I loveth thee! The essays were amazing. People put into words what I had been trying to string out for so long. With these weapons in hands I made it my mission to convince others to look at the big picture.

OotP was a blessing. Never did it blatantly say H/Hr but in not saying it, my conviction became even stronger. So many things in that book that made sense with H/Hr.

Now with this feeble sequel to OotP, I find myself knowing that OotP's purpose was to give faith. CoS was a smaller dose of this... But look at how PoA followed it.

Wow, you guys. They're all such touching stories.
We have to thanks James, then, for getting you to come aboard, Sarah I'd come across your posts about James, and it's all so funny and cute, and not at all in a bad way

You're right, SoulFire. He has miss what's right in front of his face. It's his loss. Funny, though, we're the only ones that seem to mourn it.. I remember how I'd ask my friend who they think would end up together. They said R/HR, of course, then I'd say, "But Harry needs Hermione badly, you guys! And, and, she's always been there for him even when Ron hasn't!" They'd then say, "Hey... you're right. But Ron and Hermione is cuter." Sigh.

Three long years, you're right, krisharose. We had spent it on debating, reading fanfics, essays. chatting with our fellow H/Hrs, and just loving reading about H/Hr in the books. It hasn't even been 3 days yet, and already it seems so long ago. We should still keep a stiff upper lip. Who knows, eh... Maybe someone can do the unexpected twice.

Thank for sharing your memories. I really appreciate them, and smiled when I read, although bitter-sweetly.

I remember clearly how I became a H/Hr shipper...I used to live in the Philippines, a country who unfortunately can't affored to publish the books.

I have never heard about Hary Potter or anything to do with him anyway...

That all ended when, my mom and dad thought we go and live in London where life is easier...

So that came true, and when I came to London in 2003 aged 15, my cousin said to me that I have been missing out in a lot of magical stuff that he can't expalin by words only...

She said that Harry Potter was the only book he would read for 5 hours straight, I remember her saying that if I read the first book I would love it. But I still refused to read the books, because I remember having a motto that Books about witches and wizards are complete rubbish...

When book 5 OotP came out I was never able to talk to her as I was able to before...simply because she was reading for like the whole day. So I decided to read the first book and figure out why the books were so important to her.

And soon I realised why. Harry Potter was simply the best!!! I remember clearly after book 1 reading book 2, 3, 4 and 5. After Book1 I was already saying that Harry and Hermione are meant to be for each other, while my cousin kept on saying that Harry has a gf in OotP (he was still reading it, she had school which was the reason why it took her more than 2 weeks to finsh the books...by then I was already finsh with GoF)...

Still I refused to believe her, then all of a sudden she came to me and hugged me like she never did before...she said that she used to like R/Hr together but because of me always going on about H/Hr she finally saw what I meant about them meant for each other...

So after that, I finally got introduced to the internet at the age of 16...I started searching for sites that have the same views as mine...I remember finding this R/Hr site, which I can't name because I forgot the name of the site...

But the arguments I had with all the R/Hr supporters was really unbearable...I would usually write H/Hr supporters where are you??? after each post.

I remember being called names by a vast number of R/Hr and H/G supporters. But I never gave up, I continued to argue in what believe in, and they continued to argue back...until one day a girl came on and posted that she was also a H/Hr supporter who was hiding on that site everyday...just watching me argue everyday. She said she was now ready to argue along my side with the vast numbers of R/Hr supporters...so she did, we were still outnumbered but it was better knowing that someone was there for support.

Unfortunately she eventually turned into a R/Hr supporter saying that my views didn't make sense anymore...

It was only a few weeks ago that I found out about Portkey. I used to vist HarrylovesHermione all the time and participate on their tag-board until the owner of that site thought she would ban me from their boards...still don't know why...lol...

Anyway I found this site...and I didn't sign up just yet. I read everyones post, and I saw how positive everyone was. So I signed up, and now here I am, the place I should have been ever since.

Now I have been seeing H/Hr supporters losing their faith saying nasty things about JKR...

Again like I always say...don't lose faith, remember she was the one who introduced us to such a magical world...Book7 ain't over yet, the ride has just begun...H/Hr all the way!!!

EDIT: the girl who decided to help me against all those R/Hr supporters and eventually turned her back on me and became a R/Hr supprter turns out to be my cousin who introduced me to the books...knew she would become one of them agin...oh well...I still sticking to what I believed was right since Book1!!!

Goodness, where do I begin?

I'm not sure exactly when I became a Harmonian, but I know that it happened in the course of PS/SS. I was reading it when I was about 9 years old and in the 5th grade. By the time Hermione had that "talk" with Harry before he went on to fight Voldie, I was definitely a H/Hr shipper.

I think it might have been that I identified with Hermione so well. I'm extremely fierce about my studies but when I'm loosened up I can be the most fun person to be around. She was easily my favorite character in the series.There was just never any doubt in my mind that H/Hr would not get together. Their relationship was simply ideal. It was my vision of what true love would be.

I remember squeeing about the kiss she gave him at the end of GoF, and I remember reading OOtP and squeeing at all the H/Hr parts. I can't exactly remember when I started going to shippy sites, but it must have been when I discovered fanart and fanfiction on the net. Somehow I just stumbled upon Portkey, and I must say, it's been a blessing. It took me a while to de-lurk and start making a few posts here and there, but Portkey was just such a haven for me after I realized that all of my friends who were interested in HP were Herons.

Haha, really, you all don't know how much you mean to me. I remember being awed by the essays written here and the wonderful debates that brought up good points from all the shippers (R/Hr included). Of course, there are nasty memories as well--getting trolled and flamed isn't exactly what any shipper wants, is it? But really, even though I didn't post that often here, I felt so close to each and every H/Hr shipper. Really, I could give all of you a big hug! *big cyber hug*

The Herons and Chocolateers may have won the biggest battle, but the war is not over. Keep shipping, dear Harmonians!

Guys, this has got to be the best thread on here right now. What a wonderful idea.

Before I tell my story, lemme say this: I have shipped 3 couples (Lois/Clark, Dawson/Joey and Ross/Rachel) before H/Hr and it just so happens that they're all of the "best-friends-fall-in-love" sort. I can't say why I never really liked the bickering couples...I guess it's because I really always have been a believer of harmony at heart. I always thought that relationships based on a close friendship are much more powerful, meaningful and most importantly the ones that usually last. Now on to my story:

I never really got what all the Harry Potter hype was about. My sister and my mother were obsessed. I guess I just couldn't imagine what was supposedly so great about a book about wizards. Anyway, they never succeded to make me read the books. When the first movie came out, they practically dragged me into the cinema. So I sat there, listening to both of them going "Oh, that must be Dumbledore and ah, there's McGonagall". I was bored out of my skull and slept through most of it. So I missed the 1st film. In my defence, I was very tired in the first place.

I don't know how they did it, but they also got me to see the 2nd movie. I stayed awake. I watched. And I fell in love. Not with the magical world, not with all the unusual things, but with two people: Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. While they were obviously too young for me to ship them, I was immediately drawn to what seemed to be developing into a strong bond between 2 people. Harry and Hermione had my full attention throughout the movie. When Harry sat by Hermione's bedside and stroked her hand, I just melted. They were so young, yet there just was something between them that I was sure would later on become something most married couples would dream to have. It was the way they were able to look at each other, say nothing but still talk. It was Harry's quiet strength and natural kindness paired with Hermione's devotion, loyalty, intelligence and love that just captured me in many ways. Then when Hermione hugged Harry in the Great Hall, I found myself smiling broadly. It was just the cutest thing I'd ever seen between two people this young.

Anyway, so we walked out and started talking about the movie. It was fine until my mom and my sister started to gush about R/Hr's not-so-much hug. I was completely gobsmacked that they would even think that these two would be right for each other in any way. I suddenly found myself defending Harry and Hermione vehemently and to my surprise, a little more hot tempered than I usually would have been. I brushed it off, though. And I still never started to read the books.

Then the PoA movie came out. And as soon as Hermione turned around and they smiled at each other, I was gone. Someone took my heart, locked it in a box with H/Hr and threw away the keys. They had grown up. And I guess the reason this was it for me was because it suddenly felt okay for me to ship them since they were older now. Anyway, the whole 3rd act with H/Hr going back in time was like cloud 9 for me. That's when it really hit me that these two were the heart and soul of this mysterious series that I had yet to discover in its fullness. They were the dreamteam to me. Like Scully/Mulder. Or well, Lois/Clark. They were equals and they treated each other that way. They respected each other and clearly admired each other, even if it was in a non-romantic way, but they still did. And it baffled me that they were so young, yet so mature in their own way.

I don't know, whenever they were on screen and looked at each other, it seemed to me like they were in their own little world that noone was privy to.

I would be lying if I said that Dan and Emma's amazing on screen chemistry didn't influence me in some way, because honestly, you cannot watch these two actors interact and not be heartened by it in some form. It just...doesn't work. They make Harry and Hermione even more beautiful than they already are.

Anyway, I watched PoA with a friend and after we left, I suddenly felt overcome with the urge to know just about everything about Harry and Hermione. So I started asking questions and such. As soon as I got home, I grabbed "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".

I read all 5 books in 8 days.

And after that I was more in love with H/Hr than ever.

No matter how this series turns out: no relationship has, nor will it ever, outshine the bond that Harry and Hermione have.

Physical attraction fades away. True Love however, is timeless.

Nora

I was in fourth grade when I was first introduced to Harry Potter. The library at my school was being remodeled, so instead of going there once a week our librarian came in and read to us. She had this book, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, and said she was going to read it. In the few moments it took for us to get settled, my best friend turned to me and said something along the lines of "It's a really good book. I've already read it. He's a wizard!" And that was it. For one hour every week, I heard about this boy's adventure in this wizarding school, and I was hooked. The library was finished before the book was, so my fourth grade homeroom teacher took on the task of reading to us instead (which was more fun because he did all the voices and everything much better than out librarian). Sad thing is, the school year ended before we finsihed the book.

But then I saw the book at a store and finished it up (much to the annoyance of the clerk, I'm sure). And I thought the book was great.

Then a miracle happened: I found out there was a sequal! I couldn't believe it. So I started reading CoS, and I can remember the precise moment that I became a H/Hr shipper: when McGonagall retrieves Harry to go see Hermione in the hospital wing. I knew it was Hermione, and I was thinking "Yes! Tell Harry what happened! Hurry up! Hurry up!" And when McGonagall sees Ron and says he should come too, I was like "Oh yeah...Ron..." And I've been shipping H/Hr ever since.

I didn't discover the fandom world until after I had seen the first preview for the third movie. Finding Portkey was amazing. I couldn't believe there were so many other people that felt the way I did. I loved it.

I don't know what to make of HBP. I'm still in a state of shock.

Omg, I'm crying and this is really stupid. It's only supposed to be a book right? But why do I feel so horrible about HBP. It's like Hermione's completely lost and we're all trying to find her. And I'm wondering whether all our theories and everything were just welll nothing and we just imagined everything.

One of my favorite moments is when Hermione tells Harry that He's brave and loyal and ...

And she doesn't finish the sentence and I felt she would finally get to finishing the sentence but she never did. And now she's after Ron and it's so confusing...

Aw, come here, dear.
*gives Hermione's Phoenix a warm Harmonic hug*
It'll be ok. If JKR sinks our ship entirely in book 7, we'll still have fanfiction to cling unto for dear life, and keep Harmony afloat.

Wow. Who knew what McGonagall said would be so powerful it made someone a shipper? That was really a great memory, messed It was wonderful to read.

You just made my day, Nora. Thank you for appreciating this thread. I was near tears reading your memory. You're great

I am not usually the kind of guy that gets emotional or cries. But your posts memories made me feel...I dunno.
Ya ever get that feeling of..mix of sadness and happiness at the same time? Or when you feel queesy and on top of the world at the same time?

I got the same feelings from your memories, which reminded me of my own memories of H/Hr. I felt nothing when reguarding the "relationship" between Ron and Hermione.

I had the same feelings the night before HBP came out. Hoping it would be the sailing of our ship. How I would love to have that feeling again.

I want to say I still have hope 100% for HArmony in book 7. But its so long away (most likely) and I need to know now.

Wish there was a way to email Rowling, the publishers, or someone for proof that the ship wars are over or if they are still ongoing.

What a scary coincidence... I wanted to surprise you guys. I was actually going to see if more people would post their memories here, and then, I'd mail the publishers, or maybe give them a long-distance call, or something. Try to get them to listen to what I had to say. I mean, I don't want to change Rowling's mind, or rant to her. Of course not. I just wanted her to see that us H/Hr aren't all bad, and for her to understand how we fell in love with our couple. Then, maybem you know, she could write us an alternate ending... but the alternate ending is just wishful thinking... Still.. to let JKR how passionate we really are about our ship, and not just debating for it, would be reward enough.

Anyway...

I remember when I first read the Harry Potter books. It was Memorial Day and I was really bored, so I looked into my sister's bookcase and saw SS/PS and CoS. I decided to read them and as soon as JK introduced Hermione, I knew that she and Harry were going to end up together. I mean ... I thought it was really cute that Hermione read every single thing about him and knew more about him, than
he (Harry) did himself. I then got PoA and GoF and was squealing in joy when Hermione gave Harry that kiss. Lols

OotP made me support h/hr even more. I still support that ship even though HBP says otherwise (Ginny eugh ) Even if H/Hr doesn't happen... there's always fanfiction ^^

Here is my Harry Potter and H/Hr story:

I had refused to fall into the Harry Potter mania when it first set out...I usually am like that...din't like Jagged Little Pill when it came out, like it now...Didn't like Metallica when I was younger, like them now, etc.

However, my friends were going to go see the second movie and I was really wanting to spend sometime with them, so I decided to go...which prompted my best friend to sit me down and watch all of SS (American here), and my lord did I fall in love with these movies. Now by watching the movies, I had an inkling they were hinting at R/Hr, Harry was the hero so the sidekick gets the girl sort of thing.

I still refused to read the book however, and decided I would be a movie fan, like Iam with LotR (I still can't get past the second chapter). However, after a discussion one Vegas weekend with friends, I promptly went down to target and bought all four book that had been released...and my heart started to quicken a little and I began to wonder "what if" with Harry and Hermione as soon as she was the only one who stood up for him with the Goblet of Fire debacle. I soon found Portkey and felt I had found my shipper home, a place where I could read stories and stories of lovely shippery moments...some not so well written, and some that were amazing. Finding other people who saw that the connection, the bond, between the orphan and the muggleborn, could lead to something deeper and more poignant, was like a godsend.

Maybe I'm seeing things because I'm a sucker for the best friends turned lovers cliche, which, yes, could apply to Ron and Hermione if you think feel that Ron and Hermione would be friends without Harry around...I don't think they would because Ron wasn't all that perturbed by the fact that he had hurt Mione's feelings, but Harry was.

Maybe I'm biased because I love Harry and I love and relate to Mione so I want what is best for them and to me that's each other.

If Jo ends the shipper wars in book 7 and my dreams of an H/Hr canon are smashed, so be it...as with Roswell where Max and Liz get married, but I am still a polarist, or the hand holding at the end of Dark Angel, well I still ship Max/Alec and love my NunswithPens (the Max/Alec equvilant to PK), I will still ship my Harry and Hermione, ALWAYS! I can't stop because someone else says, "See, you were wrong now you have to jump ship!" Sorry, but I would rather swim with the fish then abandon what is true in my heart.

"I am not usually the kind of guy that gets emotional or cries. But your posts memories made me feel...I dunno.
Ya ever get that feeling of..mix of sadness and happiness at the same time? Or when you feel queesy and on top of the world at the same time?"

My thoughts exactly, blake_burna. Gosh, anything H/Hr just sets me off right now. I wrote a story and put it on Portkey (it's not very good) but I cried while I wrote it. Harry and Hermione are true love...and I will always support them no matter what JKR says or does. Even if she does shoot it down (very nervous for the TLC interview---they'll ask proper questions)...and thetrueship (isn't your name Dani---I think I knew you on the WB boards...I was jackryan23, lol, you probably don't remember), that's a great idea to send these memories to JKR. Forget e-mail, if someone would like write them all down and mail it to Rowling, maybe if she read it...that would be something.

Dani, my young friend (and you know I mean the word friend *gives bow*) What are you looking at? You know I have allergies *sniff* .

It's been over 3 years now since you started 'How Love Can Grow'. I had such a wonderful time. I even started my own fanfic after you finished 'How Love Can Grow'. The Dark Phoenix has not been finished and true to your word you were my number one fan. That is until you finally found the love of your life. Things change, I expected it. And somehow I expected Rowling to match up Ginny with Harry even though in my heart I know he would be better off with Hermione.

Still, I owe Rowling a debt of gratitued. I would not have met the friends I have without her story. And when I say meet - I really have met two of them this past weekend. I flew from Kansas to Pennysylvania to be in line in front of them. I was dressed as Dubledore. I had the robe, the wig, the beard and the pointed hat and the wand. I must have looked pretty good. They announced that Professor Dumbledore had just entered the store and I was the only one dressed as Dumbledore. I had a group of kids following me around. Their parents were following them and taking pictures. It was loads of fun and it was quite a surprise for my tow Harry Potter friends -I loved every moment of it.

Someday, I hope to meet you in person as well. Only time will tell.

Memories of why I ship on the Harmony.

As all of us probably already know, the Harry Potter series has inside its pages lessons of life that we should learn. About courage, loyalty, tolerance, compassion, and most important: love. Not just love for one another, which are shown in many places. But the love between two individuals that can appear so strong. A true love that is free of any negativity, or abuse or scandal. This love cannot be found in front of you. That would make it too easy. There is no such thing as easy love. It cannot be found by the eyes or the brain. But solely by the heart.

That is why I believed (and still do, even after HBP) that a Harry and Hermione pairing was right. OF all of her friends that Hermione Granger has ever had, or ever will have, one person stood by her the entire time they have known them. He has never ridiculed or thought ill of her, has always tried to be her protector. He defended her, when others close would not. I am talking of course of Harry Potter.

What really bothers me are the recent developments in HBP, where Hermione has supposedly shown feelings towards Ron. First of all, I have nothing against him. But when looking over the series I have seen many things that I am not proud of.
Over and over again, Ron has shown juvenile behavior and treatment of not only those around him but even of his “love interest” Hermione. Name-calling, belittling, and overall mistreatment. One of the more sickening showings of Ron at his worst is as follows, from the HBP:



I distinctly remember another character doing something so horrible to Hermione: Draco Malfoy. Yet pages later Hermione is still trying to get back closer to Ron. She gets hurt but keeps going back for more. DOES THIS SOUND LIKE LOVE?

In my life I have seen many good friends fall into a relationship similar to Ron and Hermione’s. Each one mind you, has resulted in tears and anger. I myself am included in this, finding love in the wrong places.

In our world today the belief that when a couple argues a lot, insults each other, and makes the other cry is the signs they are in love. That mistreatment of another was a level of flirtation or showing you are attracted to them. This is shown in television, movies, books, EVERY form of entertainment. But unresolved tension is not what love should be based about.

My favorite memory was about being a H/Hr shipper is that I saw them as a true showing of what love should be. Something based on trust and compassion. Where the couple do not insult or injure the others’ physically OR verbally. Books 1-5 gave me hopes of seeing a true love story, like those before the advent of sexual frustration or tension. A love found within, not without.

I just hope that both Hermione and JKR come to their senses and see that what I saw in HBP is not right. Harry needs Hermione. And Hermione needs someone that doesn't put her down or make fun of her.She needs a true friend. Hermione needs Harry.

And when/if they do get together in book seven, I will have too new fond memories.
One, my ship will sail and make me feel like I myself was in love again.
Two, that deep, compassionate, trusting, KIND love is the only love worth living about, worth writing about, and worth reading about.

That was beautiful, Blake...You are so right. I have argued with my friends many times that Ron and Hermione were precursors to divorce and fighting. THe reason they believed in it was because they had been taught fighting was attraction. I don't believe in that. Love grows from friendship, care, trust, and respect. I am glad to say the love of my life has been best friend for six years and we have dated for the last two. Love is not a game...and love is not what Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione have. JKR can ignore it and we may have to live with it, but it's okay. As long as Harry/Hermione have taught us lessons for our own lives, I think it has been worth it. The more of us continue shipping H/Hr, we'll apply this to our own lives and the world will be better off for it.

I was only in first grade (I think) when the first Harry Potter book. And I remember vividly when it became a smashing hit, and me saying very petulantly to my mother, "I don't want to read that, it looks stupid!"

Well, the only reason I said that was because I wanted to be different. So I stood in the corner with my Narnia and my Lloyd Alexander (you see, I was a huge fantasy girl, I just refused to read HP because everyone else was).

Eventually, I caved about two years after the release of the original. I think the first three were already out. I started it, and loved it. (Of course, I would never admit that to anyone. I'm never wrong!)

I read the fourth one in one day. One day. Yeah, my little act ("Harry Potter isn't that great, it's just something to read,") was up. My mom saw right through me (lol) and I'll never forget that...smirk.

I think around the fourth one was when I became a real shipper. H/Hr of course. And I was positive it was going to happen. It was just a matter of when. Hero gets the girl, right?

Then the Ron and Hermione sexual tension thing started happening. I was crushed. I mean, I hadn't even realized that Ron was there for any other reason than some well-timed comic relief. And suddenly he gets the girl? I felt a little betrayed, to be honest.

But I still had hope. I read the fifth (which filled me with more hope) and around that time discovered Portkey.org. Excellent site, I love it. Everyone here is absolutely wonderful.

I lurked for a while, and just recently signed up. I read lots of good stories, with made me excited for the sixth book. I was pretty naive.

I went to the bookstore and my head was buzzing with the theories that I had read over the years. And I read it. Took me three days. And I've never been so upset at people that I didn't know in my life. I mean, it felt like your parents getting a nasty divorce. And then they tell you that they never loved each other in the first place. And then your mom starts acting weird, and totally different, and you don't like the change.

Yeah, kind of like that.

Well, I came here to express my outrage. And found boundless support from all the wonderful people here. Aw, now I'm getting all teary eyed. But seriously, the kindness! And positivity! And hopefulness! It was overwhelming.

Anyways, I'm just glad I found Portkey. I love it. And if our ship sinks, there's no way I'm jumping it. I'll stay on till the end, and still visit Portkey regularly.

Lauren

"If you strike me down, I will only become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."~Obi-Wan Kenobi.

I think this definitely applies to us. We have become stronger, getting over the initial sorrow and anger. We are more united than ever and even if our ship does not become canon, we will always be on this ship to the end.

I've been reading harry potter since i was eleven. I've grown up with harry potter and it has become a part of my life. I read all the books in one day not being able to part myself from them. I'm almost ashamed to admit that i was a r/hr fan in the beginning well lets say the 4th book. I thought they were funny and then I guess I matured and of course saw what real relationships were like and then OotP came out and I realised harry and hermione were perfect for each other. since then I have re-read the books over and over again finding h/hr moments i had missed and all the things I love so much now about hp. I will never change my ship and will never forget the impact they have had on me. They are like the perfect role model couple. The respect and deep understanding they have for each other is enough for me to hope i get the same. I really hope they end up with each other in book 7, because to me r/hr is a bad thing to show to children to follow. How can you portray that being mean to the one you love and hurting their beliefs etc will show you care. Why not show respect and protect them, love them and care for them. This is why I ship H/hr and always will. There are other things I could say but i don;t really have the calm right now, since i am so upset

i also used harry potter to get thru mi parents divorce.... most people think when you go through somethign liek that u are more likly not to believe in love but harry potter also helped me relieze that there where people who had it worse and that not all relationships end badly.ever since i first started reading harry potter i was hooked and have been since. i went onto the internet looking for some fan sites of harrypotter and came upon portkey. i hav avidly been reading poeples stories and have beeen a true believer in h/hr for like ever.i liked these characters together best becuase they jst seemed to understand echother so well .. ne ways thats mi two cents


H/Hr D/G R/L

I'm getting all sappy and emotional, but I really do enjoy this thread!

My story is... wierd. At first when Harry Potter mania was beginning to take hold, I was determined not to join in. Then I got my first part-time job at a coffee shop and became best friends with one of my co-workers. She was always reading this books during her break, and was completely enthralled with them. Big surprise, they were Harry Potter. After she loaned me the first book and I had read it, I went out and bought all the books that were out. (I think at this point GoF had just come out.)

She was my "Harry Potter mentor" so to speak, but she shipped R/Hr, which I found out while reading CoS. I asked her "So do Harry and Hermione get together?" to be told "No, he gets a crush on someone else in the next book, Ron and Hermione are going to get together." Since she knew so much about it, and I was just a fledgling HP fan, I figured, she must know what she was talking about, and I found myself aboard the Good Ship. I finished the four books, and haunted the R/Hr sites, but there was always something missing. I always read and re-read the H/Hr interaction, and found myself disliking the R/Hr fanfiction I was reading and the essays. Not because of the lack of quality, I read some very good stories, but I didn't like the pairing.

I adored how Harry and Hermione had a sort of connection that no other characters had. In high school, I had been dating someone who reminded me of Ron and Hermione's relationship: he belittled me, mocked me, all in all, he didn't understand me. It wasn't nearly as harsh as some of the R/Hr interaction, but it got me thinking that I deserved something a lot better. I'm not saying that Harry Potter has changed my love life completely, but it certainly influenced it. Not in the way sappy romance novels do, but in a more realistic way, even though the characters are younger and in difference situations than I am.

Finally I found H/Hr sites after a few months "shipping" (because, it was more going with the flow) R/Hr. I was home! Through reading essays and fanfiction, I realized that this was what I wanted in a ship all along. I've been on this ship almost five years now, and I've never regretted it for an instant!

Aww, this is making me happy. Hopefully, I'll finally get some sleep tonight (Which I haven't since HBP came out) Ugh. Insomnia, depression, lack of colour in skin (roffle), and bad posture...all due to the HBP...moving on.

- When I first watched the first movie. Sighs. It was love even back then.....sunriiiise...sunset....sunriiiiise....sunset...

- When I read my first fanfic

- When I wrote my first H/Hr fanfic....SQUEE. (homigawd...that's my first squee in DAYS!!)

- Watching CoS for the first time @ the movies...

- and the second...

- and the third...

- and the fourth...XD

- Reading the GoF....I don't care what any R/Hr shipper says..I found that book a H/Hr book!

- watching PoA for the first time at the movies..

- and the second...

- and the third...

- Lining up at midnight for the OoTP

- pushing people out of my way in order to get the OoTP ....XD

- Coming home and squeeing at the pumpkin pie moments.

- PoA coming out on DVD.

There are probably some more...but I can't think of any more at the moment. Must go to work tomorrow morning. My boss wants to borrow my copy of the HBP....not bloody likely. I'll just pretend I forgot she asked me


Now, hopefully, tonight, I can get some sleep.

First of all: *hug* It'll be OK...

It's perfectly understandable to feel this way. One of the reasons books (and stories in general to include movies, games, etc) are so appealing is that it gives us the opportunity to know someone on a level with which we could never know even our best of friends. After you've seen through someone's eyes and walked in their shoes, how can you not care what happens to them?

Even though they are not 'real' per se, wouldn't you agree that fictional characters like Harry and company can have as much of an impact on your life people that you know and talk to every day? Think of how different you are as a person (even if it's just in how you look at the world) because you've read these stories. Could you even say that you are a better person for it?

It's only natural to want the best for 'someone' you care about, even if they only exist in your head. It's why we cry when a hero dies a tragic death, it's why we cringe when the heroine is in danger. Realize that while the stories may not turn out the way you want them, the fact that you feel this way says a lot about you as a person (and I mean good things!).

Well, I don't write, I don't say much ... but everyone has their own memories, so why don't I just add my own?

I'm no good with English when I got my first Harry Potter book (now I'm MUCH better at English), and my dad made a mistake that I would call horrible. He bought me the second book instead of the first, so I was confused when I started reading CoS. I gave up within two minutes.

When I was in fourth grade (a year after I got CoS), the first movie came out. My mom persuaded me to watch it, because she said "I would understand the second book better." I didn't really care, and the more ads I saw about the first Harry Potter movie, the more excited I was about the movie. When I started watching the movie, I was slightly confused. I liked Harry's character already. Then we come to the scene where Hermione makes her first appearance, and I was thinking, "And that's going to be Harry's girl." I usually have a soft spot for girl characters (and it's not because I'm female, it's because I don't understand males sometimes) and I "fell in love" (so to speak) with Hermione's character immediately. She was, and still is, my favorite character of all the books I've ever come across. By the time I finished the movie, I became a HHr shipper. I couldn't wait to read the rest of the books.

I thought I was the only HHr shipper that I can reach (I'm not allowed on the Internet back then). Everyone in my school said that "Ron and Hermione are the perfect match." I was didn't like those times.

I don't even know exactly WHY I'm shipping for this ship, and not some other ship. And I know that most people would think "What do I know about love, when I'm only thirteen right now?" Well, I just kind of saw it. I definitely love Harry and Hermione and their friendship. I don't think I'm exaggerating here.

I remember looking for websites that deal with Harry Potter when I was allowed on the Internet. The first shipper stuff I found was on the WB boards. Then I found mugglenet.com. Then on one of the news on Mugglenet, I found harryloveshermione.com, my favorite place for H/Hr stuff.

I also remember debating with my friend whether it would be R/Hr or H/Hr ... just this afternoon

The way I came a proud Pumpkin Pie shipper is kind of odd, though in a funny way. I read the first book after I recieved it for my ninth birthday. I had never heard of Harry Potter or anything like it, so I decided to give it a chance. I tried to read the first chapter and got bored, so I skipped it altogether and then read the rest of it. That summer, my family wen to visit my grandparents (both sets), who at the time both lived in the same state.

The grandmother who had given me the first book, immediatly presented me with the second book after she was informed I had finished the first. From then on, she sent me the rest of the books as they came out.

My other grandmother read the first one after I had finished with it, and a few years after that summer, she and I were having a conversation about it. Me, being the innocent child I was, didn't think anything romantic was going on at all. My grandmother looked at me and said, "Of course there is. Between Harry and Hermione!" After that, I looked at the series again, and became a devoted H/Hr shipper! It had since been strengthened by several websites, arguments with a Heron friend, and entirely too much fanfiction.

I wanted to add on to this thread how I became a Harmony shipper. First off, I had heard of the books and minor details (like that Harry had a lightening shaped scar on his forehead, one of the books was called Goblet of Fire, and his enemy was Voldemort) from news reports but I was convinced that I did not want to read the books. I had already read one fantasy series when I was young about wizards (I read and loved all fourteen of the Wizard of Oz books) and I had liked those children's books that just fine, don't want to read anymore now that I am in college, thank you very much, was what I said when people told me I should read the books (I have been a lifelong reader and my cousin, a mutual friend of ours, and the woman who was in charge of the dorm I lived in freshman year all told me I should read them). The first movie came out and I still had no interest even after hearing my cousin describe the Quidditch scene, which sounded really good. Then I went back to school after winter break and one thing I was involved in with my dorm was the council that set up events. Like we planned a Halloween party, a luau, a DDR night, decorating for Homecoming, basically fun activities for everyone who lived there. One of the things that got planned was free movie night for the people who lived in the dorm to go see the movies they screened in one of the lecture halls, usually movies right after they had left the theater. The night that was chosen was the night that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was shown at the school. I went, since I figured, hey, it's free and you'll get to see that Quidditch scene for yourself and I have never regretted going. I was fascinated by the story and the actors. Hermione was someone I could relate to so well and I loved how she was with Harry.

Then when I went home on spring break like a week or two later, I went with the mutual friend above to the mall and we went to the bookstore. I bought the books despite him telling me I could borrow his. I read the first four books rather quickly and then passed them on to my brother. I remember looking for Harry Potter stuff on the internet and being SHOCKED that everyone thought that one day, Ron and Hermione would have a relationship. I decided I would keep my interest in the series rather causal, although I bought book five the morning it came out and read it that day between having to work. I still loved how Harry and Hermione were in that book and Ron and Hermione still hadn't gotten together but I didn't really think about it anymore until I heard that book six would come out. I re-read the books and then went looking on the internet again this time searching for Harry and Hermione fan fiction. I was not disappointed when I found this site and several others, which I visit daily. I love it here, everyone is nice (unlike some other sites, which I won't name), and I think some of the essays I read were more brilliant then the things I had read in the books.

It was like a punch in the gut for me then when I read the spoilers here about what happened in HBP (I flat out refused to believe any of them) and then when I read the book for myself. I have gone back and forth on the book, believing there was something more in the book that everyone is missing or it all should be taken at face value. When I feel really depressed, I think back on PoA and just how sweet everything was in that book or in GoF and I cheer up some (I am still looking forward to that movie). All in all though, I refuse to give up on Harmony, it's something I have seen since I saw the HP world for myself.

~Mariah

Wow, this is a nice thread.

It's hard for me to say where my H/Hr shipping really started or why I chose to go this way. I first read the books around the time CoS was released in theatres. Whether it was before or after the movie, I ended up reading the first four books in five days and becoming an instant HP fan. Where my ship preference was at during that time, I can't really say. I know at the end of GoF, Harry got his first kiss from someone his own age. That kiss was from Hermione. That planted the seed for me. After OotP was released, I found a HP board at IGN. Through that, I was introduced to the shipping debate. Through all the debates I went through there, I became a die-hard H/Hr supporter, and maybe the biggest one there. Harry and Hermione appealed to me because it showed me two people who honestly respected and cared for each other and were always there for each other. Even through their arguments, they could see what the other was trying to tell them.

The moments of H/Hr I will aways remember are the Time Turner sequence in PoA, the kiss at the end of GoF, Hermione's crazy hug in OotP when Harry gets to Grimmauld Place, and Harry and Hermione in the Department of Mysteries. IMO, these two are just special when they are together in a way that no other ship can even get close to touching.

I watched the movies first. And I was only 5 or something when HP and the Philosopher's Stone came out on VHS here in Sweden. I started shipping(Yes I started hipping H/Hr when I was that little) H/Hr because Harry was the main guy and Hermione was the smart girl. (I've always liked smart people XD) Then I heard there were books and I wanted to read them but I always forgot to ask my mum. Anyway, yeaaaaaaars later on my hm.. 10th(Or 11th) birthday I got..: DH. I was so angry at my mum for buying the last book and not the first. XD(Btw, I couldn't buy it myself 'cause I don't have any own money) But I am really curious so I just had to know if Voldemort died. XD So I read the last chapter(the epilogue) and was like "WHAT?! Ginny?! Why would he marry her?" and then I started a thread about it on a website I used to visit and everyone were like "You thought it was H/Hr?!" and told me I was crazy. And then some days later a R/Hr shipper commented on a H/Hr vid. She/He said "H/Hr shipper only ship H/Hr because of the movies. There are no H/Hr moments in the book" so I didn't want to read the books any longer. But many days later I read that there actually were H/Hr so me and my mum bought all the six books I didn't have. Then I read HP 1, HP 2, HP 3, HP 4 and I was reading HP 5 until I lost the book. So now I'm reading something else. (Septimus Heap)

I'm sorry you didn't ge the opportunity to read the books first,HippogriffLove. Otherwise you would have seen how much evidence there was before the sixth novel came out,that H/Hr's relationship was the most solid in the entire series. JKR realized by the end of OOTP that it was so far away from her intented epilouge,she forced OBWF to happen,by introducing a ridiculous love potion sub-plot,to explain why H/Hr would never become a couple. I started reading the books at about the same time some members here on our site,began to write some of the most memorable essays on alchemy and why H/Hr's relationship works better than any of the others in the series. I have to admit the only reason why the HP series still appeals to me is because of the strong reseach on alchemy,our fellow members have gathered over the years. Other than that,I've discovered that there are better writers like Phillip Pullman and Stephenie Meyer,who know how to appreciate and write believable storylines for the alchemy hero/heroine.

WOW, that's a wonderful thread!

It's really great to read how H/Hr has influenced our lives and our approach to relationships in a good way!
I absolutely believe that H/Hr is a wonderful role model for a healthy, profound, deep and longlasting love relationship!
Thanks to all who participate in this thread for sharing your great insights and experiences with us here !

blake burna, I absolutely agree to your thoughts!
I guess that in the end people who look for a relatonship like H/Hr will be more happy than those who look for one like R/Hr!
Poor R/Hr's....well, then they must learn it the hard way