J.K. Rowling's Decision to Pair Ron and Hermione: A Closer Look

In the vast Hogwarts universe created by J.K. Rowling, the pairing of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger has sparked numerous discussions and debates. Emma Watson, during a candid interview with Rowling, touched upon these pairings, leading to some confusion and misinterpretation. Let's delve deeper into why Rowling made these decisions and whether she ever regretted them.

Emma Watson's Interview and Its Impact

Emma Watson, who conducted the interview, highlighted a critical moment in which Rowling seemingly added fuel to the controversy. Watson noted that Rowling did not directly justify her choices, leading many to assume she regretted her decisions. However, this was a strategic statement intended to provoke thought, not to reveal a personal regret.

Rowling's response conveyed that she enjoyed the complexity of her choices and their impact on the narrative. The paraphrased statements in publications like but thats not true. or Rowling never regretted bringing Harry and Ginny together... are misrepresentations of her actual sentiments.

Clarification from Rowling

Rowling clarified the context of her statement: Based on this she stated that in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, they are again utterly inseparably in love, if not technically in the same room. It is not a lie to say that in other ways Harry is still worse, even though Ron is an unlikely hero.

This clarification indicates that while Ron was not the hero in every sense, he was the right partner for Hermione in multiple ways. The phrase wish fulfillment refers to her initial plans for the books, not to her personal preferences or past romantic partners in book 7. Rowling would have needed to rewrite the entire series to change the romantic dynamics, a task she deemed too complex and inconvenient.

The Canonization of New Works

Two years after this interview, Rowling further confirmed her commitment to the original pairings by stating that the new Cursed Child book is canon. She worked with other authors on this, ensuring consistency with the original storylines. This canonization suggests that she sees her decisions as final and non-retractable.

The AU (Alternative Universe) storylines in Cursed Child demonstrate that Hermione can only be truly happy with Ron. Whether Ron is unavailable or in pursuit of other paths, Hermione would rather stay single than seek a romantic relationship with anyone else, including Harry. This is evident in the Cursed Child and the alternative universes where Hermione remains single if Ron is not available.

In the main universe, Hermione and Ron are a perfect match, and their bond is unbreakable. Their love is a testament to the wish fulfillment that Rowling envisioned in her original plan for the books.

Given this evidence, it is safe to conclude that J.K. Rowling never regretted pairing Ron and Hermione. Her decisions were carefully thought out and have stood the test of time, supported by the ongoing canonization of her works.