J.K. Rowling may believe that Hermione should have married Harry instead of Ron, but I must disagree with the beloved author. The relationship of Hermione and Ron is one of the strongest in Harry Potter, even if the same can't be said for other couples in Harry Potter, who were either completely toxic or just had their fair share of some really unhealthy moments. When you've got raging hormones going down at Hogwarts, a little romance never truly hurt anybody (that is, of course, unless Romilda Vane was involved), but some couples might have been better not getting together while they were understandably distracted battling either for or against Voldemort.
The theme of love is strong in the Harry Potter franchise and no one can say that wizards don't like a good romance, even when it is to their detriment. Back in 2014, my world was almost shattered when HP author Rowling announced that Hermione and Harry should have married instead of Hermione and Ron. While Ron and Hermione's relationship is far from perfect (I blame Ron), I had been a Ron and Hermione 'shipper from the get-go and Rowling herself used to not disagree with the fact that Harry and Hermione 'shippers were delusional.
The talented author has been busy regretting one of the best relationships of Harry Potter, but I think maybe she should reevaluate some other far more toxic pairing she created for the Harry Potter universe. As I still haven't fully recovered from the author's 2014 revelation, here are 12 couples from Harry Potter far more regrettable and toxic than Ron and Hermione.
1. Ron Weasley & Lavender Brown
Lavender Brown was used in the books to strictly become a make out partner for Ron until he became mature enough to realize his true feelings for Hermione. These kids were a hot mess and Rowling showed how merciless she can be when it comes to toxic relationships by killing poor Lavender off in Deathly Hallows.
2. Hermione Granger & Cormac McLaggen
Hermione's response to Ron dating Lavender was to bring the handsome, but stinky-breathed Cormac to a Slug Club party as a way to make Ron jealous. The relationship didn't go much further, but their date was truly a disaster.
3. Hermione Granger & Viktor Krum
Viktor Krum genuinely liked his Herm-Own-Ninny and the pair themselves weren't too toxic, but Ron's jealousy toward them certainly was unhealthy. There was no way their relationship could have ever worked out with Hermione being so close to Ron.
4. Rodolphus & Bellatrix Lestrange
Although Rodolphus isn't heard of much in the books (or the films for that matter), anyone married to Bellatrix must be toxic. The couple's form of fun was torturing Frank and Alice Longbottom to institutionalized insanity, so I think it's safe to say their relationship is not one to emulate.
5. Harry Potter & Cho Chang
Harry Potter's first love was Cho Chang and while Cho provided HP with his first kiss and first heartbreak, Cho was an emotional wreck. I do have some sympathy toward Cho since she had been conflicted about her feelings for Harry and Cedric Diggory, but maybe she shouldn't have dated Harry so quickly after Cedric died??
6. Harry Potter & Ginny Weasley
Dare I say that Harry Potter's ultimate relationship was not that great? I totally believe Harry and Ginny deserved to be together like Ron and Hermione, despite what Rowling herself says, but Harry did seem to deserve a better love interest than Ginny Weasley — at least in the movies. Their relationship in the books is far superior to their relationship in the movies, but these kids had some strikes against them, including the incestuous fact that Harry was already like a member of the Weasley family by the time they hooked up.
7. Remus Lupin & Nymphadora Tonks
Like Harry and Ginny, this is one of my favorite couples of the series, but that doesn't mean that they didn't have their issues. Remus Lupin abandoned the pregnant Tonks for fear his werewolf status meant he wouldn't be a good father. The young Harry had to give Lupin a severe talk to make him return to his family, but shortly after, the courageous pair were killed. What kind of message is that, Rowling?
8. Dobby & Winky
Although Winky received no love from the movie version of Harry Potter, she was a prominent elf in the book series. While Dobby and Winky may not have had a true romantic relationship, she never shared Dobby's desire to be free and ended up becoming a drunk when she was let go by her master. A classic case of two people (errrr elves) wanting very different things from their lives that led to the deterioration of their relationship.
9. Lucius & Narcissa Malfoy
Narcissa ended up redeeming herself in Deathly Hallows since the love of her son Draco triumphed over her devotion to Voldemort. Yet, when your marriage to Lucius leads to Voldemort using your home as his main headquarters, then you know your relationship is far from healthy. Although, props to the couple for seemingly being genuinely in love.
10. Severus Snape & Lily Potter
Unrequited love often lends itself to some terrible consequences and Severus Snape is the premiere example of that. Fueled by jealousy, his intel led to Voldemort killing Lily and James Potter. But can I really stay mad at the Potions professor when he spent the rest of his life protecting Harry since he "always" loved Lily? Excuse me while I go cry about it.
11. Tom Riddle Sr. & Merope Gaunt
Well, the parents of Voldemort clearly have to be one of the most toxic couples. The Muggle Tom Riddle was not a nice man, but the abused witch Merope Gaunt used her magical powers to bewitch him into falling in love with her and marrying her. She became pregnant with his child, but when the magic wore off, Tom abandoned his wife and unborn child. The wizarding world has every right to be mad at this couple and their toxicity that led to He Who Must Not Be Named.
12. Albus Dumbledore & Gellert Grindelwald
Perhaps the most toxic of all Harry Potter relationship goes to the one that was confirmed by Rowling after her books were finished. As Rowling stated in 2007, the great Hogwarts headmaster was in love with his friend and rival Grindelwald and it severely affected his judgment, even leading to the death of his sister. While it's wonderful that Rowling created a gay character in the Harry Potter universe, I do wish that Dumbledore had found a more successful love.
After reviewing that list, can HP fans everywhere agree that Ron and Hermione aren't looking so bad as a couple after all?
Images: Warner Brothers; Giphy (12)
