I wondered, on reading the chapter where he follows Harry to Quidditch practice, about Colin's obsession with Harry. And this lead me to form the following theory:
Colin has latched onto Harry as something to help him get through these massive changes in his world. From being the son of a milkman (working class, very real and grounded job) to being thrust into a boarding school for wizards (more middle class, obviously the opposite of grounded and normal), his head must be spinning around madly.
I suspect that a famous young boy, who knows the Muggle World, and who is only a year older than Colin, would make a compelling and comforting figure to hold onto.
If all that makes sense.
Anyway. On this reading, Colin didn't bother me at all. In fact, if that's the case, then I'm really impressed by Rowling's understanding of human behaviour.
Colin has latched onto Harry as something to help him get through these massive changes in his world. From being the son of a milkman (working class, very real and grounded job) to being thrust into a boarding school for wizards (more middle class, obviously the opposite of grounded and normal), his head must be spinning around madly.
I suspect that a famous young boy, who knows the Muggle World, and who is only a year older than Colin, would make a compelling and comforting figure to hold onto.
If all that makes sense.
Anyway. On this reading, Colin didn't bother me at all. In fact, if that's the case, then I'm really impressed by Rowling's understanding of human behaviour.
*MySmiley*
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
This message last edited by Rebekah on 23/07/2010 at 10:14:49 PM
The Great Harry Potter re-read: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
19/07/2010 09:32:22 AM
- 2465 Views
Chapters 1-3
19/07/2010 09:32:52 AM
- 1691 Views
Dobby
19/07/2010 02:39:06 PM
- 1639 Views
I hate Dobby.
20/07/2010 11:32:58 AM
- 1759 Views
Stuff
20/07/2010 05:54:26 PM
- 1689 Views
The Dursleys.
23/07/2010 11:35:31 PM
- 1723 Views
Chapters 4-6
19/07/2010 09:33:18 AM
- 1628 Views
Another character we love to hate!
Gilderoy Lockhart. Plus Weasley vs Malfoy.
20/07/2010 03:29:39 PM
- 1683 Views

I can't remember how much I hated him the first read
21/07/2010 03:44:15 AM
- 1756 Views
You're right. It's not as bad the second (or third) time around with him.
21/07/2010 01:54:01 PM
- 1576 Views
My problems with Dobby are very different from my problems with Lockhart
21/07/2010 07:02:55 AM
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More stuff
21/07/2010 07:00:04 AM
- 1612 Views
This section really brought home to me how well Rowling writes about love and relationships.
21/07/2010 07:22:43 PM
- 1688 Views
That last remark made me check out the names in the French translation...
26/07/2010 05:18:36 PM
- 1715 Views
Don't get me started on the Norwegian translation.
26/07/2010 09:52:09 PM
- 1638 Views
That is indeed genuinely awesome.
27/07/2010 12:24:07 AM
- 1643 Views
Re: That is indeed genuinely awesome.
27/07/2010 09:07:35 AM
- 1638 Views
McSnurf? MCSNURF?? WTH? *NM*
27/07/2010 08:47:55 PM
- 979 Views
Chapters 7-9
19/07/2010 09:33:44 AM
- 1602 Views
Colin Creevey.
22/07/2010 06:55:17 PM
- 1655 Views
Re: Colin Creevey.
23/07/2010 10:13:33 PM
- 1610 Views
Even more stuff
23/07/2010 10:10:39 PM
- 1673 Views
Chapters 10-12
19/07/2010 09:34:13 AM
- 1504 Views
Three good chapters
22/07/2010 02:28:20 PM
- 1581 Views
Yup.
23/07/2010 11:32:03 PM
- 1623 Views
I agree. And plain jealousy that Harry's hogging the spotlight time and again.
26/07/2010 05:28:09 PM
- 1703 Views
Chapters 13-15
19/07/2010 09:34:50 AM
- 1385 Views
Heh. I'd forgotten how near the end of the book the spiders are.
23/07/2010 11:26:43 PM
- 1467 Views
"Goodbye friends of Hagrid..."
26/07/2010 01:58:25 PM
- 1468 Views
Chapters 16-18
19/07/2010 09:35:20 AM
- 1555 Views
Overall thoughts
19/07/2010 09:36:06 AM
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Thoughts on the movie quality
21/07/2010 04:15:20 AM
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I always felt that the first two movies were the best, and the others bungled the atmosphere. *NM*
21/07/2010 03:08:29 PM
- 897 Views
I wonder if Rowling ever looks back and wishes she could change some stuff
21/07/2010 06:44:41 PM
- 1502 Views
Suggestions for the re-read?
19/07/2010 09:37:32 AM
- 1456 Views
Do we want a wee break before the next book?
24/07/2010 10:47:07 AM
- 1432 Views
we need an impatient smiley that taps its foot while looking grumpy. *NM*
27/07/2010 08:51:30 PM
- 876 Views
It's not Wednesday yet!
*NM*
27/07/2010 09:26:21 PM
- 795 Views

But it was a question:
27/07/2010 10:25:27 PM
- 1452 Views
Yes, but the two possibilities in Rebekah's post were either Wednesday or next Monday.
27/07/2010 10:33:10 PM
- 1795 Views