Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe could have played a couple in the Harry Potter films if J.K. Rowling’s second thoughts had prevailed. The author revealed in 2014 that she regretted not pairing Hermione Granger and Harry Potter (via CNN).
She shared during an interview with Watson for the Wonderland Magazine that she wrote the relationship between Ron and Hermione as “a form of wish fulfillment.” She shared,
For reasons that have very little to do with literature and far more to do with me clinging to the plot as I first imagined it, Hermione ended up with Ron.
Watson also expressed her doubts about the relationship between Ron and Hermione, saying, “I think there are fans out there who know that too and who wonder whether Ron would have really been able to make her happy.” But many fans didn’t agree with what Rowling and Watson shared about the Hermione-Ron relationship.
A relationship between Harry and Hermione would’ve hardly worked in the Harry Potter franchise. Here are a few reasons why Harry and Hermione being the endgame made no sense.
1 Harry and Hermione’s Relationship Is Sibling-Coded
Not everyone might relate to this! But when Ron attempts to destroy the Horcrux in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it shows him his greatest fear of Harry and Hermione having a relationship. The scene in the movie where the evil versions of Harry and Hermione were naked and kissing still haunts many fans.
It was probably because of the fact that J.K. Rowling portrayed their relationship as more of siblings than romantic interests. While the movies couldn’t translate this dynamic entirely onto the screen, book fans probably never viewed them together romantically. There were instances where they genuinely cared for each other as siblings did.
To be fair, the fan perception that Harry and Hermione should’ve ended up together became more prominent after the movies.
2 It Could’ve Ruined Harry & Ron’s Friendship
Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe as Ron and Harry in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | Credits: Warner Bros.
Fans already saw what happened when the Horcrux created a divide between friends. When the righteous Hermione decided to be loyal to Harry and stay, Ron just left the two of them halfway through their mission. While Ron came back later, Harry had to assure him that there was nothing going on between him and Hermione.
If Harry and Hermione were ever to enter a relationship in the franchise, it would have ruined Harry and Ron’s friendship. It would have destroyed Rupert Grint’s character to see Harry and Hermione leading a romantic life.
Moreover, the only relationship Ron had outside of Hermione was with Lavender Brown, which was kind of a disaster. He would have struggled to find a loving relationship and would have blamed Harry for it.
3 Harry Would’ve Never Gained the Family He Craved
The final scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two | Credits: Warner Bros.
Harry and Hermione marrying each other wouldn’t have given them the opportunity to be part of the bigger Weasley family. Their relationships to Ginny and Ron made both of them part of the Weasleys. It is a huge deal for both of them. Harry always craved what the Weasleys had: a big, chaotic wizarding family who loved each other.
Hermione, who grew up in a small Muggle family, could also become part of this Wizarding family. Moreover, the trio will always be part of a single family, making it hard for them to go their separate ways. This wouldn’t have been the case if Harry and Hermione had gotten together. Ron would’ve probably distanced himself from them.
4 Their Chemistry May Work, But Their Personas Don’t
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone | Credits: Warner Bros.
Harry and Hermione might seem to understand each other. Like Hermione, Harry also grew up in the Muggle world and knew how things worked in both worlds. They could even tell what the other was thinking in a few instances, including the time they tricked Professor Umbridge and took her to the Forbidden Forest.
However, their personas didn’t make them compatible for a romantic relationship. While Harry clearly appreciates her as a friend, he also doesn’t think Hermione is fun. He appears to enjoy the company of Ron more than that of Hermione. Moreover, Harry rarely has his emotions under control, something Hermione wouldn’t find so attractive about him.
5 Harry & Hermione Have No Shared Interests
Daniel Radcliffe and Bonnie Wright as Harry and Ginny in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | Credits: Warner Bros.
Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter often finds Emma Watson’s Hermione Granger annoying, especially when she presses him about his studies. On the other hand, while Hermione attends and enjoys Harry’s Quidditch games, she isn’t exactly a fan of the game. They clearly don’t have the same interests or priorities.
It appears that the one thing Harry and Hermione share in common is their pursuit of Voldemort. The shared trauma from fighting the villain isn’t enough to make them a romantic couple. Meanwhile, Harry and Ginny could bond over their love for Quidditch. In the books, their relationship actually kicks off in full swing after Ginny’s successful Quidditch match.
6 Harry & Ginny Were Perfect Together
Daniel Radcliffe and Bonnie Wright as Harry and Ginny in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One | Credits: Warner Bros.
Harry Potter movies failed to capture the romantic chemistry between Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. Most of the scenes with Daniel Radcliffe and Bonnie Wright felt incredibly awkward and completely lacking in any chemistry. However, this wasn’t the way things were written, especially in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The book slowly built the physical attraction between Harry and Ginny. He was clearly attracted to Ginny in a way that he had never felt for Hermione. Harry and Ginny also share a similar sense of humor: sarcastic and dry humor. Harry and Ginny’s relationship was in direct contrast to what he and Hermione had, thus showing the platonic friendship between the latter two.
7 Ron & Hermione’s Relationship Is Built Right from the Start
Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as Hermione and Ron in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One | Credits: Warner Bros.
Ron and Hermione’s relationship begins on a bad note in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Ron immediately calls out on Hermione’s bossy behavior, even though he was too harsh in his criticism. This aspect eventually made him a better match for Hermione. He is the person who stands up to her when he thinks she’s wrong about something.
While the movie made it seem like Ron was dismissive of Hermione’s feelings most of the time, the book added more layers to their relationship. They appear to balance each other out in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. In a way, they complete each other.
When they finally got together, they knew that they could rely on each other in all aspects. They had built the foundation for a healthy relationship.
Here’s an overview of the Harry Potter films:
NameDirectorRotten TomatoesIMDbHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s StoneChris Columbus80%7.7/10Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsChris Columbus82%7.5/10Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanAlfonso Cuarón91%7.9/10Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireMike Newell88%7.7/10Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixDavid Yates78%7.5/10Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceDavid Yates83%7.6/10Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1David Yates76%7.7/10Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2David Yates96%8.1/10
What do you think of the Harry Potter-Hermione Granger relationship? Let us know in the comments below!
All Harry Potter movies are now available for streaming on HBO Max.
