Reasons Hermione, Ron, & Harry Are The Best BFFs

I have to reread Harry Potter every so often, not just because it’s one of my favorite series, but because I feel as if the characters are some of my closest friends. If you grew up reading Harry Potter, or even recently discovered it, you probably feel the same way. Something about going on a journey with all these characters through seven books makes you consider them among your closest confidantes, especially the golden trio: Harry, Ron, and Hermione. From Harry’s stubborn heroism, to Ron’s loyalty and hospitality, to Hermione’s cleverness and leadership, these three friends perfectly balance one another and prove that literary friendship can be truly epic. Before #SquadGoals was even a thing, J.K. Rowling basically wrote a complete manual on the subject.

And honestly, they really should be called a golden quartet instead of a golden trio, with the fourth person being the reader. Because who doesn’t think of these three friends as some of your BFFs? Not only are they some of the best friends in literature, but they would also make the best friends in real life. From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, these three show you how to be the ultimate friends not just in literature, but in the real world, too.

They Got Off To A Rocky Start

Every great friendship has its ups and downs, and Hermione, Ron, and Harry prove that. Although Harry and Ron click almost immediately, Hermione isn't exactly welcomed into the trio with open arms. It isn't until the three defeat the loose troll that they realize what a great team they are. It's obvious after the troll incident that these three aren't just superficial friends — they're in it for the long haul.

They're Like Family

From the moment Harry meets Mrs. Weasley, she welcomes him as she would another son. She does the same for Hermione, and Ron always invites his two best friends to the Burrow for summer holidays. Ron is quick to "adopt" Harry, even though Harry is incredibly popular and Ron is once again in someone else's shadow. Harry is so beloved by the Weasleys that he even gets a Weasley sweater. *not crying*

They Share Whatever They Have

From the moment Harry meets Ron, he is so excited just to have a friend to share everything with, and immediately buys as much candy as he can for them to split while on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione, on her part, shares her knowledge — she's always helping Harry and Ron with their homework. And Ron, as said before, shares pretty much his entire family by welcoming Harry and Hermione with open arms.

When They're Solving Problems, They Rely On One Another's Strengths

Harry and Ron know how intelligent Hermione is, and they're always calling on her wealth of knowledge in their time of need. Ron and Hermione know how brave and skilled at defense against the dark arts Harry is — their encouragement is the reason he's able to teach the D.A. And Hermione and Harry rely on Ron's constant loyalty when they know he'll always be by their side, no matter what. Their individual strengths make up the perfect trio.

They Cover Each Other When They're In Trouble

...and not just with the invisibility cloak. Let's go back to the Troll Incident: Hermione Granger, who's the epitome of a "teacher's pet," lies to a professor so Harry and Ron won't get in trouble. This cover-each-other's-backs mentality continues throughout the golden trio's friendship, and even though they sometimes get caught in their hijinks, for the most part Harry, Ron, and Hermione are able to keep each other out of trouble.

They Support One Another's Interests

Ron and Hermione are always at Quidditch matches, cheering Harry on. And when Ron makes the team, too (with Hermione's help), she's right there to support him. Ron and Harry are always supportive of Hermione's endeavors, and Ron even comes around for the cause of S.P.E.W.

They're Honest

This trio isn't afraid to tell it like it is, when they know it's for the best. Hermione isn't afraid to call Harry out when he is acting like a "hero" in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, even though Harry refuses to listen. They support one another's strengths and interests, but they also speak up when one of them is acting like an idiot.

Even When They're Fighting, They Still Love Each Other

Like any friend group, Harry, Ron, and Hermione fight. A lot. Sometimes they don't even speak to one another. But even when they're going through a rough patch, they still love and stick up for one another, and it's that love that always brings them back together again.

Ron Is The Thing Harry Would Miss Most

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the thing Harry would miss most is: Ron. His best friend is the most important part of Hogwarts, and if that doesn't bring a tear to your eye, what will? Plus, Harry stays underwater and forfeits first place in the challenge, because he wants to make sure Hermione (and the rest of the people underwater) get out all right. True friendship.

They Don't Underestimate One Another's Talents

Harry, Ron, and Hermione aren't afraid to ask a lot of one another, because they know how talented they all are. After all, they take on Voldemort in the first book! Harry might be the hero, but he knows that he never could've succeeded in most of the challenges he faces without Ron and Hermione's help. And he never underestimates how much they truly contribute.

If There's An Adventure, They're All Going

There's no question that Ron and Hermione are going with Harry to search for the Horcruxes, because these three always stick together. From book to book, they're always going into chambers or trapdoors or breaking into banks — together.

They Always Come Back

Ron's put-outer is the perfect metaphor for his, Harry, and Hermione's friendship. There are times when things are tough, and it looks as if the friendship won't last. But these three will come back for one another. Always. And that's the mark of true friendship.

Image: Warner Bros.