The Enigmatic Love Story of Hermione Granger: A Deeper Dive

The journey of Hermione Granger, the protagonist in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, is not just a tale of magic and adventure. It is also a profound exploration of her evolving relationships and her first love. This article delves into the possibilities and details about Hermione's first love, backed by textual evidence from the books.

Who Was Hermione's First Love?

There are several theories about Hermione's first love, with adaptations and interpretations providing different perspectives. One popular notion is that Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Quidditch player, was Hermione's first love. However, the evidence within the books suggests a different narrative.

Harry Potter: A Romantic Attachment?

The relationship between Hermione and Harry is rich with romance and emotional moments. Throughout the series, there are several instances that suggest a romantic attachment, but it is never explicitly stated. For example:

In the first book, Philosopher's Stone, Hermione's behavior towards Harry suggests a crush: "Her lip trembled and she suddenly dashed at Harry and threw her arms around him." Chapter 16, Harry's Birthday.

During the Fourth book, Goblet of Fire, Hermione's enthusiasm and excitement over the results of the Triwizard Tournament reveal her feelings for Harry: "‘Did you—did you get—’ She spotted the badge in Harry's hand and let out a shriek. ‘I knew it!' she said excitedly brandishing her letter. ‘Me too Harry, me too!'" Chapter 37, The Triwizard Cup Has Been Won.

During the Sixth book, Half-Blood Prince, Hermione's expression and whispered words reveal her undying affection: "Hermione turned to Harry with a radiant expression and whispered, ‘Did you really tell him I'm the best in the year, Oh Harry!'" Chapter 9, The Half-Blood Prince.

During the final book, Deathly Hallows, Hermione’s actions and words at the Burrow reveal her deep love for Harry: "Hermione had taken his hand again and was gripping it tightly. She kissed him, and they walked away through the snow, side by side, to the dark church and the out-of-sight kissing gate." Chapter 16, The Trials of Travel.

A. A. Milne: The Literary Love?

Another fascinating theory is that Hermione's first love was the author A. A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh. This interpretation is supported by several elements:

As a bookworm, Hermione’s intellectual engagement with characters and stories is evident: "She had it bad for him from the first book to the last." Chapter 16, Harry's Birthday.

Hermione, in her inquisitive nature, would undoubtedly be captivated by the works of A. A. Milne: "Seriously, who wouldn't think that her first love would be an author?" Chapter 9, The Half-Blood Prince.

The character’s love story with A. A. Milne can be considered "real" and emotionally rich: "There are no other passages in the series which can touch those in terms of real emotional content that truly conveys Love." Chapter 8, The Deathly Hallows.

Family and Friends: From Clashes to Companionship

While her relationships with other characters like Ron and Viktor Krum are important, they are often marked by conflicts and misunderstandings. Ron's jealousy and Krum's romantic advances do not match the depth of Hermione's feelings for Harry or her literary hero.

Hermione's rivalry with Krum is evident: "It is right there in the books. Rowling wasn’t even subtle about it." Chapter 9, The Half-Blood Prince.

The tension with Ron, as seen in various confrontations, is also significant, but these do not overshadow her true love: "Ron being an asshole to her" Chapter 11, The Dark Lord’s Own Potion.

Overall, the narrative of Hermione's first love remains multifaceted, with the characters of Harry Potter and A. A. Milne emerging as the most plausible candidates based on the textual evidence provided by J.K. Rowling.