Was Ron Weasley Supposed to End Up with Hermione or Harry Potter?
The question of whether Ron Weasley should have ended up with Hermione Granger or Harry Potter has been a point of debate among fans of the Harry Potter series. Author J.K. Rowling has provided some insights into her initial intentions and why the characters ended up with the partners they did.
Rowling's Perspective on Ron and Hermione's Relationship
J.K. Rowling, the creator of the beloved characters and their magical world, has revealed that she initially intended for Hermione Granger to be with Harry Potter rather than Ron Weasley. In an interview, Rowling explained her reasoning behind the initial writing of the characters' relationships:
"I wrote the Hermione/Ron relationship as a form of wish fulfillment. That's how it was conceived really. 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."
She further elaborated, saying, "I know I’m sorry. I can hear the rage and fury it might cause some fans, but if I’m absolutely honest, distance has given me perspective on that. It was a choice I made for very personal reasons, not for reasons of credibility. Am I breaking people’s hearts by saying this? I hope not."
?.Are Fans Happier with Hermione and Ron?
Despite Rowling's wishes, many fans are not satisfied with Ron and Hermione's relationship. Some argue that Ron may not have been the right match for Hermione. A commenter on a popular Harry Potter fan site, 'militant delusionalist,' expressed concern, stating, 'Hermione deserved someone better. Ron would have been insecure and it would not have been a healthy relationship. Harry had always said good things about Hermione, and both of them being powerful wizards and brought up as muggles would have made them compatible.'
The Role of the Epilogue
The pairing of Ron and Hermione was confirmed in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007) epilogue. In this section, it is revealed that Ron and Hermione have two children, Rose and Hugo, and they lived happily ever after. However, just two years ago, Rowling admitted that she had seriously considered killing off Ron altogether due to her own unhappiness.
In a conversation with Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the films, Rowling reflected on her initial plot plans: "Funnily enough, I planned from the start that none of them would die. Then midway through, which I think was a reflection that I wasn't in a very happy place, I started thinking I might punish one of them off. Out of sheer spite. In my absolute heart of hearts of hearts, although I did seriously consider killing ... Ron."
Conclusion
While J.K. Rowling's initial intentions for Ron and Hermione's relationship may have been based on personal reasons, the culmination of the series and the public feedback have shown that many fans are not satisfied with the romantic path of these characters. The discussion around Ron and Hermione's pairing continues to be a subject of debate and interpretation among Harry Potter enthusiasts.