But it isn't just the familiar and disappointing relationship dynamic between Ron and Hermione that is cause for worry.By presenting a character we admire in a situation like this, it makes it more acceptable in the mainstream and in our own lives.As a child of the '90s, I learned a lot from Harry Potter 's Hermione Granger that I will forever hold close to my heart.
I was 11 years old when I wrote my first fanfiction, which was, of course, as #basic as fanfiction gets.
It was about the daughter of Harry Potter, set sometime in the distant future of a series that was at the time still years away from ending.
I learned the moral responsibility to speak up for people who don't have a voice of their own.
I learned to be brave, to be relentless, to be fierce, and to value my relationships with people for the precious things that they are.
And allowing for this kind of behavior — the "he's mean to you because he likes you" cliche that I mentioned earlier — isn't just harmful for its own sake, but also for serving as a gateway for further abusive behavior.
To be clear, by no means am I accusing Ron Weasley of being an abusive character, nor do I think he ever could be.
He rage-dated (and used) another girl to make Hermione mad.
In his worst moments under the influence of a Horcrux, he didn't just lash out, but directly accused Hermione of choosing another man over him.
And, had I not been careful, I also would have learned something quite dangerous from her: to settle for someone who recognized these desires in me, and actively used them to tear me down.