You know, ahaha, it occurred to me I would be perfectly fine with the fics' prevalent obsession with 'why Draco gets to Harry' especially post-HBP if they seemed to actually understand why, really :D I don't deny it but it's precisely that greater subtlety [more subtextual nature? or something] which seems to trip people up & they turn it into something overt & sexual which drives me crazy. I can see how people went way over the top with Draco before, but since we knew so much less about his inner life, it didn't seem as egrerious of a mischaracterization, or something [especially since Draco-in-denial is much more believable as being obvious/over-the-top just 'cause Draco's more melodramatic, too]. Of course I'd -prefer- if it wasn't just the in-denial stereotype for either of them and have some fics [any fics! please! someone!!] more showing where the soft/vulnerable spots are :>
I think a lot of fics just transform Draco into a sex-god or a smooth Slytherin fiend [or something] in order for Harry's crush to make sense (that's if they even try to have it make sense, which... a number of people don't, post-HBP), maybe... but... Harry doesn't feel 'jealuz' of Draco's Slytherin cunning or masterful elite wit skillz or gorgeous body/dress-sense or whatever, y'know? That's just laughable. I think it's more to do with his position in the Wizarding world, the way he rubs family in Harry's face, the way he claims to have things Harry wants and is actually insecure about. You have to sort of deal with Harry's self-image issues, right, rather than how others perceive him in canon or in fandom [which is difficult considering a) he's the pov in the books; b) Draco/Slyth-fans have this idea like Harry's exactly what Draco claims he is, elite and coddled and adored and lucky and/or a loser who'd look up to Beautiful Sexy Draco, etc]. I don't think you could get Harry if you focused on how he's beaten either Draco or Voldemort or gotten girls or whatever... 'cause he doesn't get pride/self-satisfaction out of the things other people would think he does, or something. He's happy he's good at Quidditch and fighting and getting the girl he likes [vs 'girls', the way Ron or Draco would be] & he takes a lot of things just for granted and he just dislikes other things that some people would think are positive, too.
So yes, Harry isn't immune, of course, but most people have literally no clue how not to go from 'not immune' [or vulnerable] to 'emotionally submissive' or something. Invulnerable!Harry is actually one of my major pet-peeves [because a number of Slyth fans see him that way or just refuse to see/recognize his vulnerabilities & only see 'weaknesses' or 'flaws' instead].
Anyway, I think a year later, I'm finally starting to come to terms with Draco's um, estrangement from Harry in HBP & Draco's growing up as well :)) I really hate seeing characters grow up, ahahah, but it would be even odder if they didn't, I suppose :D That's a great point about self-centeredness giving way to wanting to make/show something of himself. I definitely always wanted to see 6th year H/D fics deal with Draco's desire to prove himself! [And of course none did... *growls bitterly* heh] When you say 'coming-of-age necessity', though, you make me think of boy-scout!Draco doing stuff like traipsing through the wilderness and having sex with older women :D :D :D
no subject
I think a lot of fics just transform Draco into a sex-god or a smooth Slytherin fiend [or something] in order for Harry's crush to make sense (that's if they even try to have it make sense, which... a number of people don't, post-HBP), maybe... but... Harry doesn't feel 'jealuz' of Draco's Slytherin cunning or masterful elite wit skillz or gorgeous body/dress-sense or whatever, y'know? That's just laughable. I think it's more to do with his position in the Wizarding world, the way he rubs family in Harry's face, the way he claims to have things Harry wants and is actually insecure about. You have to sort of deal with Harry's self-image issues, right, rather than how others perceive him in canon or in fandom [which is difficult considering a) he's the pov in the books; b) Draco/Slyth-fans have this idea like Harry's exactly what Draco claims he is, elite and coddled and adored and lucky and/or a loser who'd look up to Beautiful Sexy Draco, etc]. I don't think you could get Harry if you focused on how he's beaten either Draco or Voldemort or gotten girls or whatever... 'cause he doesn't get pride/self-satisfaction out of the things other people would think he does, or something. He's happy he's good at Quidditch and fighting and getting the girl he likes [vs 'girls', the way Ron or Draco would be] & he takes a lot of things just for granted and he just dislikes other things that some people would think are positive, too.
So yes, Harry isn't immune, of course, but most people have literally no clue how not to go from 'not immune' [or vulnerable] to 'emotionally submissive' or something. Invulnerable!Harry is actually one of my major pet-peeves [because a number of Slyth fans see him that way or just refuse to see/recognize his vulnerabilities & only see 'weaknesses' or 'flaws' instead].
Anyway, I think a year later, I'm finally starting to come to terms with Draco's um, estrangement from Harry in HBP & Draco's growing up as well :)) I really hate seeing characters grow up, ahahah, but it would be even odder if they didn't, I suppose :D That's a great point about self-centeredness giving way to wanting to make/show something of himself. I definitely always wanted to see 6th year H/D fics deal with Draco's desire to prove himself! [And of course none did... *growls bitterly* heh] When you say 'coming-of-age necessity', though, you make me think of boy-scout!Draco doing stuff like traipsing through the wilderness and having sex with older women :D :D :D