What The Hell

Basically, after Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger got together (FINALLY!), the entire Harry Potter fandom was rejoicing. Who wouldn't? After bickering about practically every single thing, they finally got married.

However, recently, J.K. Rowling said that she regrets Ron-Hermione romance and stated that Harry Potter would've been better for Hermione. She also said that Ron and Hermione would have needed  "marriage counselling".

This was a serious blow for Romione shippers. A lot of them were really, really upset about it. Some of them thought that J.K. Rowling was doing this for attention (Oh, I am serious! Some people's minds are filled with shit!). Some of them wrote "strong letters" regarding this sudden statement.

However, Harmony shippers were really happy about it.

And there are those in between - like myself - who are okay with both the ships.

Now wait a minute... what are 'ships' in the first place? A 'ship' is a shortened term for a 'relationship' in a fandom. A fandom is a portmanteau of the words fan and kingdom - so it's like a fan kingdom.

Harry Potter fandom is perhaps the most unique of all the fandoms. Almost everyone in this world (including my seven-year-old cousin and my sixty-five-year-old grandmother) knows about Harry Potter. More than three quarters of those people are in the HP fandom. It is diverse and involves zillions of ships, including creepy ones like Ron/McGonagall and Draco with an apple.

Anyhow, I was caught off-guard at first because I was rather fond of Ron and Hermione. Ron's been one of my favourite characters and their romance was raw. It was unconventional. Instead of pairing her up with the main lead, the female protagonist was paired with the second lead. Come on, Harry's rich, he's in sports and he's pretty popular whereas Ron's poor, has a large family and has not really been the centre-of-attention-kinda-guy.

Then, I thought more on it. Here's what I can conclude:

Harmony V/S Romione 

• Ron and Hermione have always bickered with each other and there's almost always tension in their relationship. Ron used to think Hermione's a know-it-all, a nerd. Hermione on the other hand, used to think that Ron was a dumb jerk.
  One must have heard about this particular law of Physics, "Opposites attract." This law applies for the subject of love as well. Ron and Hermione were like chalk and cheese and somehow, they managed to attract each other and finally get married. 
• However, one must not forget that Ron had been quite brutal towards Hermione, especially in the sixth book - just because she kissed Viktor Krum. Plus, remember the Yule Ball? It was probably one of those rare days when Hermione felt special - when she felt she was treated like a proper girl. Something which isn't possible when you hang out with two guys and your peers often treat you as an inferior.
  In that respect, I think Harry would have been much better because he was more sensitive towards Hermione. Yes, he did get pissed off when she told McGonagall about the Firebolt (Book 3) but ultimately, he was much nicer. 
• I've said this point before and I'm saying this again. There's unconventionality in Ron and Hermione's relationship. Ron's not the most popular or the smartest guy in his class. Hermione's a geeky know-it-all (and a badass on her own). Ron's from a pureblood family while Hermione's a Muggleborn.
  So, they click. 
• On the other hand, Harry and Hermione mirror James and Lily a lot more than most people thing. Yes, Ginny has red hair like Lily and both of them protect their friends (namely Luna Lovegood and Snape - although they don't have anything in common except dirty hair). However, Hermione is a smart Muggleborn (just like Lily) and Harry is a Quidditch player (just like his father). 
•  Harry and Hermione gel well together, if you think about it. Throughout the years, they've maintained a very good friendship and they don't bicker with each other constantly. 
• As for Ron and Hermione? (See point number 2) 

I know most of these points are pretty shitty. However, I'm just stating why they can be shipped. I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible. 

Almost 9 and 3/4 of the fandom is upset about J.K. Rowling's revelation, but I'm not one of those. Ultimately, it's the story I fell in love with. All the characters (yes! All of them!) are very well fleshed out and I just can't fathom why many people are hating J.K. Rowling for this. 

Don't you see, people? J.K. Rowling is a normal human being. Every normal human being's thought processes changes! It's natural! 

Besides, she's an author. I'm pretty sure 90 % of writers aren't satisfied with some results of their works. I know Ron/Hermione thing was a major blow to everyone, but you have to understand. Stop acting like a bunch of kids and hating the author for her views. It's her perspective!

More than anything else, Harry Potter books are not just about romance! Look at all the great things all the characters have done! Look how they faced every challenge! Harry Potter is about friendship! Not about some silly romance. If you all want to read some stupid romance books, then please go ahead and read Danielle Steele or Twilight. Harry Potter has got much more depth. 

Now, let's think about the entire thing from a feminist's perspective. 

Hermione's the brightest witch of her age. She concocted the Polyjuice potion at the age of thirteen. She was practically like a time-lord when she was fourteen. She was perhaps the most logical of the trio. She was extremely talented and brave. She stood by her ideals and didn't succumb to the popularity ladder - instead, she was focused on her academics as well as her few friends. She was the freaking brain behind Dumbledore's Army! She decided to stay with Harry and help in saving the wizarding world when Ron left them! She didn't go around moping for Ron and pulled herself together. 

And, and, and - she became the Head of the Law Enforcement Department in the Ministry of Magic. 

Now, what were we saying again?

I fell in love with the book series. I loved the strong characters. I loved the plot. I loved how everything was so meticulously planned. I fell in love with Romione too, but I loved the plot and the writing style much more.

So people, I implore you to stop criticizing J.K. Rowling. That woman gave most of us our childhood. She is the reason why many of us read books! Don't bash her for doubting her decisions. Everyone doubts their decisions at some point of time. Everyone is allowed to do so. Even J.K. Rowling is.

Thank you.