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The Latest Harry/Hermione Article From Pottermore Makes Me Long For a Break From Shipping Discourse

Please, make like Elsa and let it go.

We’ve learned a lot from Pottermore and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling as the site has evolved from a weird pseudo-encyclopedia to the source of the fact wizards used to defecate on themselves, but today invited a whole new level of conversation.

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Pottermore posted about whether or not Harry and Hermione should have ended up together, rather than Hermione and Ron. If this gives you flashbacks to all the shipping drama in the Potter fandom, then congratulations, you’ve survived some of the wildest pre-Tumblr fandom drama.

In a 2014 interview, Rowling said that Ron/Hermione was “wish fulfillment” and that Harry and Hermione would be a “better fit.” She also said “I know, I’m sorry. I can hear the rage and fury it might cause some fans, but if I’m absolutely honest, distance has given me perspective on that. It was a choice I made for very personal reasons, not for reasons of credibility. Am I breaking people’s hearts by saying this? I hope not.”

That was seven years after the final book had been published, seven years in which Harry Potter ship drama had mostly died down. Rowling’s words sparked more drama, and it is likely this Pottermore piece will also inspire a new wave of shipping discourse from a fandom that really loves their drama. Seriously, Potter drama is legendary, and if you haven’t googled the “msscribe” saga, I highly recommend reading up on that one. (Say goodbye to your weekend.)

The article itself presents pros and cons for Harry/Hermione, ranging from how they fought less to the fact that they pushed back against any dating rumors other characters spread about them. The films are the hardest point to argue, as they present a great deal of support for Harry/Hermione as a romantic pairing, especially in Deathly Hallows Part One where they share a dance together.

I’m not going to challenge whether or not this is a valid ship, because everyone ships what they want to ship and if you’re down for Harry and Hermione then more power to you. But I’m tired of Pottermore and Rowling herself bringing them up as an example of what should have been when there are far more important battles to be fighting when it comes to the Wizarding World.

I’d rather Rowling listen to criticism about Fantastic Beasts and Johnny Depp’s casting than I would enjoy reading features from the premiere Harry Potter source on why Harry and Hermione might have made the ideal couple. The books are over, and Rowling has since made her point incredibly clear with that 2014 article. All this does is dredge up ship wars from days gone by and reignite old drama.

If you want to read into Harry and Hermione’s interactions, go right ahead. But please, we don’t need any more official sources fanning the flames of the old ship wars where people were getting doxxed and using sock puppet accounts to generate sympathy.

It’s been twelve years since Harry Potter ended; let’s let sleeping owls lie and instead focus on why Rowling insists on making weird and sometimes terrible choices with her latest franchise. Anything else just seems like she can’t let her original story go, and must keep revisiting it every so often in a way that frustrates and alienates fans.

(via Pottermore, image: Warner Bros)

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Author
Kate Gardner
Kate (they/them) says sorry a lot for someone who is not sorry about the amount of strongly held opinions they have. Raised on a steady diet of The West Wing and classic film, they are now a cosplayer who will fight you over issues of inclusion in media while also writing coffee shop AU fanfic for their favorite rare pairs.

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