Disclaimer: Blitz in no way supports the transphobic and offensive stance that JK Rowling presents. This article is written as a nod to the nostalgia of the integral part ‘Harry Potter’ played in our generation’s childhood, and as a bit of fun. Also, Spoilers!
It’s an age old question: should Hermione have ended up with Harry instead of Ron? Or do the 50k Drarry (Draco/Harry) fanfics on Ao3 hold any sway? These are the many opinions (and fanfics to match).
The most popular characters to debate and create in the Harry Potter fandom (and arguably of all time!) are the Mauraders (see “All the Young Dudes”, a 520k word Wolfstar fanfiction roughly half the word count of the actual series). However, this article instead is going to focus on the main plot of Harry Potter, but the best parts; the relationships of the golden trio.
Quick note: Please check trigger warnings on the tags of these fanfics before you go in!
First couple on the chopping block: Hermione x Ron. Also known as Romione, if you like ship names.
Strengths:
- Many people have highlighted this as a weakness but I personally love the bickering type relationship Ron and Hermione has. When it comes down to it, Ron (particularly book Ron) is still fiercely protective, but the arguing makes their friendship, born on shaky foundations anyway, more realistic.
- This reddit thread points out that Crookshanks is basically a cat version of Ron, and it’s adorable.
- Plus, I love the balancing relationship - Ron is the heart and Hermione is the head, and both grow and benefit from each other's mindset.
However, there are quite a few weaknesses to it, I will admit:
- As a good friend pointed out, their relationship, suitable for a childhood relationship, doesn’t really grow into a mature, adult love match
- In some cases (Prisoner of Azkaban, Half Blood Prince and even Goblet of Fire to an extent), Ron and Hermione bicker for half of, or most of the plot - if they were realistic, they wouldn’t last without Harry acting as a mediator
- Also, there does seem to be a lot of change on Ron’s behalf (he changes his perspectives on house elves for example, in part due to Hermione’s SPHEW campaign)
- However, I can’t recall many instances when Hermione adapts her behaviour or opinion to include Ron’s, particularly in the movies.
- She obviously deeply cares for both of the boys, but perhaps it can be argued that this is in equal measure, and platonically.
Fanfiction recommendation for this couple: the last son
One of my favourite in this series of “what if?” Harry Potter fanfics:
What if Ron was the chosen one instead of Harry? It isn’t about Romione per se, but it’s got a great depiction of their relationship.
Next couple up: Harry x Ron. Also known as Rarry? Hon?
All factors considered, this friendship has some of the most potential for a stable long term couple. I didn’t see it, but now I’m pretty convinced. Why? Let’s lay it out.
Strengths:
- Seconds upon meeting, these two are thick as thieves. They don’t need a troll or a well timed handshake; they are off the bat down to duel and die for each other.
- Ron was the one Harry couldn’t live without; his “greatest treasure”. Sus.
- They fiercely defend each other, and are both extremely loyal to each other time and time again
- Ron STANDS on a BROKEN LEG to tell (an alleged) MASS MURDERER that if he wanted to kill Harry, he’d have to kill him and Hermione as well. At 15!!! This was Ron’s line in the books and they gave it to Hermione in the movies and I’ll never be over it.
- Harry consistently relies on Ron, encourages him to get involved in Quidditch, supports him as a prefect!
- Ron breaks Harry out of his abusive home and gives him somewhere to stay the fact that the Weasleys basically adopt Harry helps this argument significantly
- And when they do bicker, mainly over jealousy, the issue is resolved healthily and with respect to the other party (unlike some Romione ones that are just forgotten, for no reason)
Weaknesses:
- Um.. none?
- The only problem I can see is that both of them encourage each other way to much for there to be any sensible proceedings in their relationship; nonsense and chaos in the Potter/Weasley household only
Fanfiction recommendation for this couple: Or the Look Or the Words
An adorable queer rewrite of the heteronormative Yule Ball; what if Harry and Ron went together?
I’m honestly surprised there isn’t much fanfiction for this couple. Anyway, moving on!
Highly debated couple: Hermione and Harry, also known as Harmony.
This is where popular opinion is divided. Some people argue she definitely should have gone for Harry, some people argue they were better as friends. Here’s the evidence and my opinion!
Strengths:
- Harry and Hermione do seem like the conventional choice, and really it’s the movies that build this effectively; she’s got the traditional and emotional intelligence, he’s the hero figure with a heart of gold, they don’t have any severe disagreements, and they have that gorgeous little tent dance to ‘O Children’ in Deathly Hallows pt 1 (favourite scene!).
- There is an ease to their relationship as a result; they can and do have light (and serious) conversations, as well as lay plans well, without the inherent challenges Hermione/Ron seem to face. My best example is Prisoner of Azkaban, when they go back in time; Harry follows Hermione’s plan without question and they work well as a team.
However:
Weaknesses:
- Working well together as a team doesn’t translate into chemistry, and I can honestly argue they don’t have it! They by all means should be perfect for each other, but I just can’t put it together.
- I’ve always seen them as a platonic match, with a sibling like bond
- They both tease each other (Half Blood Prince has some of the greatest moments of this: Slug Club
“But I am the Chosen One” scene, for example). - Also, while they do balance each other out perfectly, they would probably drive each other crazy in a relationship without Ron - I mean, they lost Ron for a bit and spent the whole time sad. It’s not that they don’t have the potential, it’s just that the characters don’t romantically click for me. I see in their bickering my own bickering with my sister; driven by familial and platonic love, along the same ethical lines.
- Besides, Harry isn’t always logical - would he have walked to his death had Ron not been there to mediate Hermione’s disapproval? Yes, but it would have been a long argument, unsatisfactory for the both of them.
Fanfiction recommendation for this couple:
I don’t know what to tell you but I scoured high and low and couldn’t find anything decent romantically. However, platonically, there’s this great one called Baby birds and other adventures, which is about Hermione and Harry becoming friends before Hogwarts. It’s lovely, and sad.
On to the next!
Harry x Ginny. Also known as Hinny, which honestly makes me think of horses but I digress.
This is an example of an untranslated relationship from page to screen; they basically cut Ginny’s characterisation and along with it, all her chemistry with Harry. However, let’s take a look at this iconic book couple, shall we?
Strengths:
- This article outlines how Harry looks for humour in his partners (hence why Ron works so well). Harry and Ginny have some great banter in the books (hello, Hungarian Horntail tattoo quote). To reiterate, Harry uses humour and laughter as a coping mechanism, as someone deeply traumatised by basically being raised to die. This humourous connection between Harry and Ginny supports him, and gives them great chemistry (unlike the friendship/sisterly love he has for Hermione).
- Besides this however, Ginny and Harry can connect on a deeper level (probably one that occurs in the years following the war), because both have been manipulated by Voldemort to some extent. Neither Harry nor Ginny, whilst in a relationship, would be unable to understand the other person’s struggle. It can be detrimental in some relationships but here I think it strengthens them; Harry and Ginny, both characters depicted as isolated (Ginny as the only woman in the Weasley family outside her mother) and Harry (perpetually alone as the tragic hero), can find solace in each other.
- Besides, we all know Harry’s type is Quidditch players, and she’s a badass professional one. Like c’mon.
Weaknesses:
- Their children’s names. Seriously?
- Their relationship is slightly problematic in that some argue she isn’t Harry’s first choice, and thus he “falls back” on Ginny as a love interest because her crush is made pretty explicit since second year (through this love poem. If you haven’t read the books, read Chamber of Secrets just for the valentine’s day scenes. They’re hilarious).
- My counterpoint to this is, whilst yes it was written as relatively heteronormative, Harry is a brick wall when it comes to realising most things, so I honestly would believe he just didn’t recognise how awesome Ginny was until fifth year.
Fanfiction recommendation for this couple:
I have two: one short, one long.
The short one: you don't have to stay
Cute little oneshot about Harry being a supportive boyfriend to Ginny in public. Aged up to adults.
The long one: The Changeling
In which Ginny is sorted into Slytherin, joins an all female cult, and absolutely kicks ass. Highly recommend!! Plus it’s a series, if you want to read the next couple.
And of course, I couldn’t finish up my review without acknowledging:
Draco x Harry, best known as Drarry. The contemporary powerhouse of Harry Potter fanfiction.
People love this couple so much, and honestly, I can see why.
Strengths:
- The entire book series sets them up as foil characters; two sides of the same coin. It’s the classic enemies to lovers tropes that booktok and I can’t seem to get enough of.
- Harry is also obsessed with Draco, istg he spends at least 4/7 books stalking this poor guy
- Honestly, the strength of this couple depends on how much you like Draco, tbh - Did you think he was good, but manipulated by parents and Voldemort?
- Did you think he was a cry baby?
- Do you think he was inherently evil, or trying his best with the cards handed to him?
- Personally, I reckon it’s a combination, but either way, this couple is all angst, all tension, all knife (or in this case, wand) to the throat situations, and if that’s your jam, then this is the couple for your shipping dreams.
Weaknesses:
- It’s too volatile a relationship for their high school years - personally, I like relationships with a bit more substance than the obviously doomed romance they could have. Unless you fundamentally altered the plotline of HP (aka canon), Draco would be forced to leave with his parents, or kill Dumbledore, or be killed as a traitor.
- However, this relationship after the Great War? Chef’s kiss, so much potential without the inevitable tragic ending.
Fanfiction recommendation for this couple: Note: all of these are pretty angsty.
Mental: Long-ish 8th year fic where Harry and Draco accidentally use a spell that allows them to hear each others thoughts. Slow burn but so good.
Tea and No Sympathy: Set one year past the war, Draco gets stuck in a time loop, and figures Harry has something to do with it (of course). It’s like 50 first dates but with lots more angst.
My final favourites:
In canon, Harry x Ginny all the way. However, I will personally be starting a campaign to have more Harry/Ron fanfic on Ao3.
And there you have it folks, the popular Harry Potter ships, unpacked. Did you agree? Think I’ve been hit with a Confundus charm because I’m so wrong? Let me know down below. Happy reading!
Writer's Bio: Alexa Stevens is currently studying a double degree of Commerce and Arts. Self-proclaimed book nerd, she’ll read (and watch!) pretty much anything; the more gore, the better. When she's not listening to BTS or memorising random trivia, she’s writing poetry.
