I'm halfway through the last Harry Potter book and can already tell that the series' massive slash/yaoi following is NOT going to be pleased.
For those who don't know, “slashers” are fans who read between the mainstream story lines and find openings in the plot for a homoerotic twist. (I'd go into detail, but I've written about this once before.) So the whole Harry/Ginny love affair Rowling champions is countered with tales of forbidden love between the boy wizard and Severus Snape (rowrr) or Ron Weasley or Draco Malfoy . . . whoever fans see fit. And before you get on your high horse about underage shenanigans, note that most slashers age the characters so it isn't icky.
But back to the new book. Every other installment has given slashers reason to cheer. Harry and Snape bump into each other in a dark hallway. (Insert slashy segment.) Snape gives Harry “detention.” (Slashers have a field day.) Harry and Ron share a room. And so on and so forth. But book 7? No such luck. (Unless I haven't read far enough.)
Rowling is well aware of her slash following. Guess she doesn't like 'em getting creative with her creations. The underage fan art must have struck a nerve. . . . Either way, the slash community is going to have to get REALLY creative to break into her narrative and spawn their own.
It's going to be an interesting next few months to see what they come up with.
