Harry Potteris not the most romantically-inclined series. Most of the storylines and subplots that flourish are entirely unrelated to romantic relationships. The franchise features a few main pairings over the years, with franchise-ending relationships between Harry and Ginny and Hermione and Ron at the forefront. Harry and Hermione each ended up with a Weasley sibling, cementing them into the Weasley dynamic as permanent members in addition to the honorary status they already held. But, more than a handful of times, the franchise teased that Harry and Hermione’s romantic conclusion may be with each other rather than the people they ended up marrying.
Although Hermione and Harry never claimed to see each other as anything other than platonic friends, their relationship was called out numerous times by others, including ending up in tabloids. Their loyalty to each other, especially in the movies, is far more firm than what either is shown to have with Ron, even if that is due to some alterations from the books. Whether it be others commenting about or questioning their relationship or scenes showing they are clearly on the same wavelength more than anyone else,Harry and Hermione’s relationshipcould have just as quickly turned romantic to become the franchise’s central couple.
Harry Remembers to Save Hermione from the Troll
Although they are far too young to have a central romantic plot line during their First Year, Harry remembering that Hermione is in grave danger and rushing to save her, even though they are not friends yet, could have been the work of foreshadowing. Ron, who ends up becoming Hermione’s love interest, may have been the one to eventually save the day, but Harry was the one who remembered she was in danger and did not hesitate to rush to help her.
Shared Muggle Background
Unlike Ron, Harry, and Hermione grow up in the Muggle world. Although their experiences of family dynamics are pretty different, they shared a mutual feeling of loneliness and bullying, even if it was for separate reasons. They shared discovering the wizarding world for the first time together.
Ron could not relate to growing up in a non-magical environment, and he had enough siblings not to be lonely all the time. Ron could never grasp the excitement and intrigue that Hermione and Harry had toward visiting Diagon Alley for the first time.
Constant Loyalty
One of Hermione and Harry’s most significant conflicts comes because Hermione wants to protect Harry after the Firebolt arrives as a Christmas present. She believes him when Harry sayshe did not put his name in the Goblet of Fire. Hermione never abandons him during their Horcrux hunt.
Although Hermione has to fight or talk some sense into Harry occasionally, her motives are always coming from a place of wanting to be there for him. Although Harry has not always treated her as well as he could have, he never instigates harmful fights with her.
Related:Harry Potter: Why Hermione and Ron Should Not Have Ended Up Together
Other Characters Questioned Their Relationship
Dumbledore, Cho, and Ron have all wondered about the truth of Harry and Hermione’s relationship. Rita Skeeter used an out-of-context hug to suggest a love triangle brewing between Hermione, Harry, and Viktor Krum. With how often Harry and Hermione’s relationship was in the spotlight, it would not have been the biggest surprise to see those rumors and quandaries end up meaning something.
Ron’s Jealousy Hurts Them All
Ron shows signs of jealousytoward Harry and Hermione’s relationship, and when he finally lets it get the best of him, it hurts them all. Wearing the Horcrux brings everyone’s darkest sides and biggest insecurities to the surface, and Ron’s uncertainty about Hermione’s feelings for him tends to have him concerned that she and Harry have a mutual interest in each other.
Ron’s dislike of feeling left out of their dynamic, and feeling as if Hermione and Harry are growing romantically closer, plays a role in having Ron leave. When Ron returns and destroys the Horcrux, the Horcrux shows Ron his worst fears, including Harry and Hermione getting together.
Cho’s Jealousy Toward Their Friendship
Harry’s short-lived romance with Chohas one glaring conflict. Cho is jealous of Harry’s friendship with Hermione. While Harry and Cho were on a date, Harry mentioned he was supposed to meet up with Hermione later that day. He never was able to discuss Cedric’s death with Cho, but his relationship with Hermione was far deeper, and he had fewer issues discussing more intimate details with her.
They Have Bigger Moments
One of the most distinct things about Harry and Hermione’s relationship is that there are massive events they go through without anyone else.Hermione and Harry’s time travel schemeis a two-person job, as Ron is injured. It gives the duo a chance to relive the day and bond in their strive to save Buckbeak and Sirius.
Hermione is also Harry’s only companion during their trip to Godric’s Hollow, where they find the home Harry’s parents had died in and James and Lily’s graves. InOrder of the Phoenix, Harry is horrified when Hermione gets hurt.
Related:Why Romance in the Harry Potter Movies Doesn’t Work
Parallel Love Stories with Ron and Ginny
Hermione and Harry were each mutually heartbroken and jealous by Ron and Ginny’s decisions to choose Lavender Brown and Dean Thomas over them. InHalf-Blood Prince, that offers Harry and Hermione a bonding moment as they confide in each other. Sharing heartbreak could have brought them to each other, especially as it has been debatable if Hermione and Ron or Ginny and Harry would be sustainable couples.
Dancing in the Tent
A scene created specifically for the movie, Harry and Hermione never have a moment like this in the book. Their on-screen dance is portrayed as offering a light in times of darkness type of moment. It is not necessarily romantic, but the choice to have there be even just a moment that could show such an intimate event could have been a big tell for the future.
They were alone and forced to rely on each other in a way they never had before. Showing that they could help each other smile and laugh in such dark times was a special moment.
“I’ll Go With You”
When Hermione offers to walk with Harry to his death, that was the epitome of showing how much they cared about each other. While Harry never would have let Hermione give up her life for him, she was still ready, without hesitation, to stand with Harry to the end, knowing he was walking toward Voldemort.Hermione was willing to die with Harry, and such a revelation could have resulted in a last-minute switch had Harry and Hermione’s relationship been written as romantic.
