Maternity in HP VII

[percival]

Careful, major spoilers ahead!



The epilogue was indeed a bit weak. Like calanthe_b, I would have liked to see more about how the magic world, the ministry, and Hogwarts were restored post-war. Was it a South African model? Were people imprisoned? We're probably not seeing more of it because Harry will be determined to stay well clear of any further conflict. As Master of the Hallows, he is also in a position where too much power might well end up corrupting him, so he won't take on a high rank in the Ministry.

What the epilogue also leaves open is what Ginny and Hermione actually do. To me, it's not clear that they are SAHMs at all. More power to them if they went down that route, but I don't think it's likely.

I can't see Hermione being much of a baby person. In fact, she'd go loopy cooped up with kids all day long. As adorable as they are, it's more than likely that Hermione works at least part-time, and that Ron does his fair share of the parenting. We have a similar dynamic chez perceval: We parent 50/50, my husband being far more playful than me. It works great. I can also understand why they had two. As an only child of two only children, I sometimes do wonder what will happen when my parents die and I have no immediate family left. Hermione probably wants some of the close bonds between siblings that Ron enjoyed, while Ron, paradoxically, might be the one who's not too keen on too large a number of kids, having suffered as sixth out of seven.

As for Ginny, I would say that the odds of her working are even higher. Since her husband fully intends to die a natural, peaceful death, I wonder whether he might not be the SAHD, while Ginny goes out and pursues a career. I think that Ginny's husband might find the SAHD role, with the odd bit of Quidditch coaching and/or playing on the side, oddly fulfilling and cathartic. I'm not sure what career Ginny has opted for, but I suspect it's the most challenging choice she can make without putting her husband in grave danger; so no auror antics. The spacing of their kids also makes sense in this context - get it over and done with relatively quickly and focus on living their lives.

Comments

[mincot.livejournal.com]

*I* think Hermione is in charge of the Department of MAgical Creatures. Ginny --- I haven't thought yet. Look at the math--her and Harry's first child was born when they were 23-25, so I think she and he had some negotiation to do :) As for Harry, I do think he should be something fun.

[narcissam.livejournal.com]

Ginny looking after the frightened and injured at the Battle scene made me think that this was really her element. I'd make her an emergency-responding Mediwitch if I were writing a fic.

[sismith42.livejournal.com]

I could soo see Harry doing the SAHD thing! Or, possibly a teacher (esp given how much he enjoyed DA). Apparently, though, he became head of the Auror department:

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/7/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript

such a boring, traditional way to go!