Ron and Hermione are two of the best and most well-known characters to come out of the Harry Potter series. Beyond loyal friends and fierce Gryffindor though, they also found themselves becoming something more, something that still divides the fandom: friends-to-lovers.
While there are many who still believe Romione is the inferior of many Hermione ships, their canon relationship is undoubtedly very developed, sweet, and slow-burning throughout. However, there is one installment in the series where their feelings peak in of complications and meme content: The Half-Blood Prince.
It's Complicated
Readers of the books will know that there are many confusing and ill-handled feelings on both sides of the Ron and Hermione relationship, especially in the penultimate book. This makes sense, especially in the context of their adolescence and their much larger issues, such the impending war they have to struggle with.
That doesn't make the sorting out of their feelings any easier for either Ron or Hermione. As shown by Redditor Anshikaaaaaaaa, the two have a complicated relationship in sixth year, with there being an obvious attraction, but things like their differing personalities and Hermione's overall annoyance with Ron posing as hurdles.
Romance > Morals
Hermione Granger is initially portrayed as a real stickler for the rules and doing things the noble and right way, openly condemning others for doing the opposite, such as in The Chamber of Secrets when she roasts Malfoy for becoming a seeker based not on merit but bribes from his father.
Fast-forward to The Half-Blood Prince, and fans see Hermione hexing Cormac McLaggen and helping Ron win. Although seen as one of Hermione's best decisions, Redditor curseofablacklion points out that this hypocrisy primarily comes from Hermione's feelings for Ron, which are culminated especially in the sixth installment. Despite her high sense of morality, she is willing to bend the rules herself and go back on her words when it comes to Ron.
Just What Hermione Ordered
While the fandom may still be divided when it comes to who Hermione should have ended up with, there's no doubt that Ron and Hermione's relationship thrived on the subtleties of their friends-to-lovers arc. Romione fans have become especially attuned to analyzing the smallest yet most relevant of moments between the pair.
Such as Redditor skeetmuffins, who noticed the minor detail of Hermione ordering some ginger along with their butterbeer - a hilarious and foreshadowing choice, given Ron's signature head of ginger hair as well as her comment about them snogging coming soon after.
Banding Together Against Harry
While Ron and Hermione may not have seen eye-to-eye for most of The Half-Blood Prince, there was one thing they both seemed adamant on: rolling their eyes at Harry's Snape and Malfoy theories, as hilariously depicted by Redditor zltlalwll.
Although Harry turns out to ultimately be right, Ron and Hermione band together throughout the events of their sixth year to constantly doubt him. With all the tension between them, it was both frustrating to see them doubt Harry, but also nice to see them agreeing on something.
Harry In The Middle
With all their unresolved tension and messy teenage relationship drama, it's clear why Ron and Hermione spent a large part of their sixth year at odds with one another and their feelings. Unfortunately, this made things very uncomfortable for their mutual best friend, Harry.
Harr consistently tried to avoid any conflict with either of them, as highlighted by @iamdatemike. Although it may not have been the best approach, it really showcased how awkward Ron and Hermione's relationship was throughout this year and how complicated things could've been had they not sorted out.
Ron Ruining A Good Thing
For many fans - Romione shippers especially - the build-up of Ron and Hermione's relationship was obvious from very early on in the trio's dynamics. Sadly, it wasn't as obvious to the duo who were at many times confused or - in the case of Ron - oblivious to what exactly they had between them.
Which is why this meme shared by Redditor Englishhedgehog13 is so funny and accurate; despite having a good thing (albeit puzzling and slow-burning) thing going with Hermione, he decides to go for Lavender in one of Ron's most frustrating decisions for fans and to the heartbreak of Hermione.
A Jealous Hermione
Hermione's actions in The Half-Blood Prince are not her finest moments and prove many unpopular opinions about her. From fixing Quidditch try-outs to attacking Ron simply out of hurt to taking McLaggen to Slughorn's party, she very much so reverts into the role of a woman scorned, as captured in this meme by Redditor Wavever.
While her actions may have been wrong, her feelings of jealousy are valid given her and Ron's history. That does not negate the fact that Hermione still spends a large chunk of the sixth installment being annoyed, envious, and petty towards Ron and Lavender.
Hermione Coming Through!
There have been several hints about Ron and Hermione's blossoming feelings for one another throughout the series, and The Half-Blood Prince finally sees the two acknowledging and accepting them. This is a thrilling moment for both of them, and Hermione's side of things is captured accurately in this meme by @danjradcliffe.
After spending so much time pining and watching Ron make out with Lavender Brown, Hermione finally gets to step into her Ron Weasley spotlight as he calls out to her in his sleep, solidifying what she means to him.
Hermione Talking To Harry Vs. Ron
The trio having different dynamics with one another is nothing new; each of them has proven to have a separate relationship with one of their friends than the other. This stands especially true for Hermione and Ron, as epitomized in The Half-Blood Prince.
As Harry finds his best friend in Hermione, Ron gets a much more short-tempered and blunt Hermione as he constantly tests her patience and tolerance.
Double Standards
Hermione and Ron's relationship in The Half-Blood Prince is a point of contention for many Harry Potter fans. While some see it as a necessary development arc for the pair, others think the insertion of Lavender is unneeded and a wrong move on Ron's part. However, this meme shared by Redditor speakerfordead5 highlights the hypocrisy of the latter argument.
It's undeniable that, just as Hermione was allowed to reciprocate and act on Krum's interest in her, Ron too should be allowed the same courtesy with Lavender. More than anything, this meme showcases the complexity behind Ron and Hermione's relationship in sixth year and how both need to be judged as the frustrating teens they were.
