any fic where Harry meets a version of himself who grew up with his parents alive, and that version ends up being a disappointment?

Hi friends!!

This might be an insane post, but it wouldn't leave my head so I have to share it.

Lately I have been obsessed with Fresh Out The Slammer from TTPD, and specifically how perfectly it fits with Unlike A Sister. I was listening to it tonight and thinking about how badly I wish I could make a video montage (extremely millennial coded, I'm aware), but unfortunately making one up in my head will have to do. And then it just seemed so, so perfect that I figured some folks here might appreciate it too. So, here's the music video I directed in my head, with passages from Unlike A Sister that match up with the lyrics. I close my eyes and "watch" it like this; if anyone else is as weird as me feel free to do the same!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EKbEP2L32M

Now, pretty baby, I'm running back home to you
Fresh out the slammer, I know who my first call will be to
(Fresh out the slammer, oh)

"Thanks," he said, straightening his coat. "Would you remind Hermione we should leave at seven? Probably best to talk to them before classes start."

"Remind Her...she's—she's coming here?"

Ron glanced at him. And, almost against his will, a softness passed behind the grey eyes as he looked at the expression on the face of the Boy Who Lived.

"Yeah, mate. She's coming to you."

Another summer taking cover, rolling thunder

She was soaked through, her dress clinging to her skin. Through the thin material, he could see the outline of her breasts and, eyes trailing lower, the yellow knickers.

Before he remembered making a conscious decision, before he even knew what he was doing, he was striding towards her. Curls plastered to her face, she didn't see him until he was steps away and, for an infinite moment, they watched one another as the sky roared above. Then, she dropped the pail and he pushed her up against the outcropping of rocks that shielded the stairs from the house.

They kissed hard, teeth almost knocking together, while the rain sluiced over their bodies. Her tongue tasted of synthetic cherries and he groaned against her lips, his large hands splaying over her arse while she clung to him and rubbed herself against his rain-hardened jeans, soft, aching gasps leaving her throat.

He don't understand me

Ron grimaced. "Look, mate. I wouldn't want to go either, but four hours in a musty Muggle theatre listening to music I can't even understand? You have to help me."

Splintered back in winter, silent dinners, bitter

"Tragic?" Ron finished. "I know. They now run a ninja camp together for baby astronauts."

"Er," Daniel laughed, gripping Ron's shoulder very tightly. "What Ron means is that they run a small karate center for the children of NASA employees. 'Baby astronauts?' Oh, Ronald, you're just so hilarious."

"Well, I try," Ron replied sweetly, stretching his shoulder.

"Voh paagal hai?" Dr. Srinivasan whispered to his wife.

"Shaayad sirf ajiib. Paagal nahi," she muttered back.

Harry glanced at Hermione, who'd pressed her fingers against the corners of her eyes.

He was with her in dreams

"Then, there was the trial and...what happened...her attack...of course nothing happened then or for a long time afterwards...but, I don't know...I can't explain it. We were spending so much time together...at the shop...and working on Operation Un-Squib...we just sort of...drifted together..."

Harry could say nothing and Ron seemed to force himself to meet his eyes. Harry was stunned to see real fear there.

"You hate me. You hate me for doing this to her."

Harry opened his mouth, then shut it.

"You think I don't hate myself?" Ron said, voice breaking. "For hurting her like this after everything she's been through? When she's the fucking toast of magical society? When she's the Brightest Witch of Her Age? You have no idea what it's like being with a fucking saint."

Gray and blue and fights and tunnels
Handcuffed to the spell I was under
For just one hour of sunshine

"He said," she continued, "he said I didn't have to be so insufferable...that I was selfish, getting into all that when the dinner was so important, when the shop needed the money." A smooth ribbon of tears slid down her face. "He just wanted me to sit there. Be the supportive girlfriend. But tell me how I'm supposed to shut up about slavery, Harry! It's 2002 and there is slavery in this country. Does that not matter?"

Years of labor, locks and ceilings
In the shade of how he was feeling

"I thought I could brush it off. I was standing right next to George when it happened, after all. And you know Mum...she wasn't exactly right then, either. But while everybody was crowding around Hermione and the baby, I started stewing over it.

"When we were alone again, Hermione laid into me. She asked if I was really going to sulk on the day our daughter was born. She asked when I planned on getting over myself and growing the fuck up."

But it's gonna be alright, I did my time

They had violated the all-important Third Rule. What they were doing was never to get in the way of family obligations. There'd been many smaller infractions over the past year—being late for dinner or cutting a homework night short—but never something like this.

He felt afraid. What would she do? They hadn't discussed what would happen if they violated a rule.

"Please," he murmured, touching her curls, "this is my fault. Don't blame yourself."

Finally, she lifted her swollen face.

"It's not your fault," she said thickly, placing her hands on his chest to steady herself. "Hugo's too good. I don't deserve him."

"He loves you and he's not going to remember this tomorrow...I don't think he remembers it now."

A reluctant laugh left her lips, but a new ribbon of tears slid down her cheek. He wiped it away with this thumb.

Now pretty baby, I'm running back home to you
Fresh out the slammer, I know who my first call will be to
(Fresh out the slammer, oh)

She was there.

He barely had time to register that there were two large trunks by the door. Or that her eyes were bright and limitless and wild as she looked at him. In the next moment, she was running towards him and throwing herself into his arms in a hug that nearly knocked him flat. As he staggered back, rake slipping from his hands, he said the first words that came to his lips:

"Y-you'll stay?"

"Yes! Yes!" she cried, kissing every portion of his available skin. "I'll stay! I'll stay!"

Camera flashes, welcome bashes

As the crowd laughed at one of Ginny's teasing ripostes, Harry heard another laugh. It sounded artificially close, like he and the voice stood on opposite sides of a dome. He recognized it, of course. It was inexorable.

She stood near the dessert table, glass of wine in hand. She was in close conversation with Ron, Michael, and a young lawyer from DMLE. Though she was turned away slightly, it was his first clear look at her.

Her dress was deep violet, like the inside of an orchid. It stopped just before her knees in a swinging flounce skirt and the sleeveless bodice was perfectly structured around her breasts, though delicate lacework covered her chest like a veil. Harry eyes moved upward. It appeared she'd spent little time getting ready. Her hair was loose and free, not finely coiffed. She wore no dramatic eyeliner or false lashes. If she had applied blush to her cheeks, it couldn't quite conceal the paleness of her face. And her lips. Her lips were untouched: a dark rose that crimsoned when she bit her lip.

Get the matches, toss the ashes off the ledge

Harry breathed in again, the smoke filling his lungs more smoothly the second time. He released a stream of smoke and watched it disappear in the swirling snow.

"I didn't know you were smoking again."

He smiled grimly.

"I'm not," he said, taking another drag.

He heard her shut the door quietly behind her.

"Then you wouldn't mind if I had one?"

As I said in my letters, now that I know better
I will never lose my baby again

Wiping his hands, he went to the door and pulled it open.

And she was there.

She was there.

Her skin was very tan, curls streaming behind her in the strong wind. There were two bags at her feet and her eyes were very wide.

"I've...er...come back early."

Harry stared at her, even as a great warmth rose inside of him, filling every part of him.

"Well," he finally grinned, leaning against the door frame. "Come in, then. I'll put a kettle on."

My friends tried, but I wouldn't hear it

Harry chewed a crisp slowly. Maybe that was a fair point. Maybe that's what Ron would want him to say to her. But...he said what he felt was true.

"I think it's different. With her, it was sudden. You and Ron—no offense—always seem to have problems."

She laughed dryly. "I guess I'm pretty stupid."

Watch me daily disappearing
For just one glimpse of his smile

"So, I reckon we have to try again," she said softly. "But we have to mean it this time. We can't let something like that happen again." She released a slow breath. "And...I'm going to fix things with Ron."

All those nights you kept me going

He laid her carefully on the bed (after nudging away a few more books) and pulled the covers over her chest.

"But Headmistress..." she mumbled. "I don't wanna go to Paris."

Harry bit his tongue hard to keep from laughing. He touched her hair.

"Then don't go," he whispered.

She nuzzled the pillow. "I won't," she murmured back. "I'll stay."

The color rose on his face again and the older Harry remembered. He remembered.

In that moment, he had thought her beautiful.

Swirled you into all of my poems

And suddenly Harry was looking at a seventeen-year-old Hermione in the same marquee. She was wearing a lilac dress instead of a white one. She was beaming at him and her eyes were full of tears.

Now we're at the starting line,

So, gently—but very deliberately—Harry lifted her arm and touched his lips to the scar.

"It...it doesn't bother you?" she breathed.

He looked up and met her wide eyes. He gave a half-smile.

"Scars aren't so bad."

A surprised laugh left her lips but, in the same moment, her eyes filled with tears.

He shifted and brought her wholly into his arms again. She burrowed into his chest like it was a safe place and a deep warmth seem to grow inside of him from that spot. He lowered his head and kissed her again.

"Harry..." she whispered sometime later.

"Mmm," he mumbled, eyes closed.

She said nothing, so he opened his eyes. And there was something to her eyes, something he'd never seen before—fearful and hesitant, but also bright and limitless and wild.

"I love you."

His lips parted.

I did my time

She was quiet for a long time, as though calling upon some deep reserve within her. When she opened her eyes, bright beads clung to the lashes.

"It's too late," she whispered and her voice broke in that high, fine timbre he knew as a younger man. "Maybe...maybe there was a moment for us...when it could've happened...but we lost it and now it's too late."

Now, pretty baby, I'm running

She was by the doors to the corridor. Stepping forward, the crowd absorbed him into their ranks, bodies swarming and heaving around him. He kept his eyes trained on her and she watched him. Passing under the illuminated Eye, the bead of heat—that dark pulse—stretched out across the expanse between them like a fine thread.

Closer now, he saw something in her eyes. That bright and limitless quality he was coming to love, but also something else. Something very much like...

Hunger.

For an unbroken moment, they watched one another. And then, deliberate, she turned and stepped into the corridor.

To the house where you still wait up, and that porch light gleams

Harry didn't know what to do with himself. He didn't. He was starving and there was no food in the house, but he was too afraid to leave. He'd never envied Muggles their food delivery apps more. After some searching, he found a box of his old protein bars that was only slightly past its expiration. He stuffed two in his mouth and waited.

When would she come?

He made the bed. He cleaned the washroom. He made tea. He strode out into the garden, then back inside. He tried to read one of her books, tracing his fingers over the notes she'd left in the margins. He fixed the clock on the mantle, which hadn't been adjusted for daylight savings. He stared at the clock.

When would she come?

To the one who says I'm the girl of his American dreams

"I, Harry, take thee, Hermione, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."

He slipped the ring on her finger.

Then Emi was there, passing another ring to Hermione.

And Hermione looked at him, the brightness in her eyes wavering now like the surface of a brilliant pool. Brown with reflected gold, revealing something of immeasurable worth.

And no matter what I've done, it wouldn't matter anyway
Ain't no way I'm gonna screw up now that I know what's at stake

He found another, from Norway. She wore a thick jumper and a heavy coat but, even as she watched the galdr chanters in awe, she tore her eyes away and looked at the camera. Her fingers hovered over her throat.

It couldn't...

His heart was beating so fast his fingers shook as he spread the whole stack over the bed, searching. Finally, he found it. The photograph from Havana. She wore a thin camisole, her scarred skin glistening in the damp night air. As the bruja spun her around, Harry watched and watched until the light struck her at just the right angle and he saw it, almost invisible in the glaring street lamps:

His necklace...the winged victory necklace...the small sapphire cradled between two silver wings...

The one he'd given her before a strange dinner party, the one she wore to an opera, the one she touched to steady herself throughout the Callahan trial and every trial since...the one he'd seen her carefully remove countless times before she lay in bed beside him...

The bruja released her and Hermione, laughing, moved back to her seat. But before she sat down, she looked at the camera and touched her fingers to the necklace...

Harry lowered himself to the bed, holding the paper numbly in his hands.

Here, at the park where we used to sit on children's swings
Wearing imaginary rings

He was riding a hippogriff in the darkness, her hands tight around his waist.

He was in the Hospital Wing gazing into her petrified face. It hurt to look at her and he was sick with worry.

He was deep beneath Hogwarts. They'd solved the riddle of the potions and they would have to separate. She embraced him. She called him a great wizard and he said, "not as good as you." And she had laughed with a maturity beyond her years. "Me! Books! And cleverness! There are more important things..."

He was on a train. A girl with bushy hair entered his compartment, already wearing her school robes. He said his name and she said, "I know all about you, of course..."

But it's gonna be alright, I did my time

Slowly, he removed a single Muggle photograph. It had been carefully folded into quarters, the edges soft and worn.

On the back, in her neat, delicate hand, were the words:

Harry. Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, July 2019

He unfolded it very carefully and stared down at the image intersected by a cross of hairline fissures where she'd folded and refolded it, again and again. Then, smiling faintly, he replaced it. He found her wand in the other pocket and, putting it between his teeth, climbed the stairs with two cups of tea.

Harry should definetly have great symphaty for house elves. So in fourth year he starts Spew or a simiilar organization. Hermione is of course his biggest supporter.

Harry And Hermione goes back in time and uses her knowledge to become rich together with Hermione's parents and almost at the end of the story Ron returns to stop them but the Undersecretary does not let him.

So I just read an interesting head canon somewhere that Crookshanks was originally the Potter’s cat that is mentioned in Lily’s last letter to Sirius? Any fics that touch upon this? It would be fun to read a connection between Harry and Hermione via the cat 😃

So I'm back again here! My studies have gotten even more tight and yet this brilliant plot... Bunny (why on Earth do you call it that?) popped into my head, and I thought, through my abysmal writing and weird storylines, someone might get impressed by my work.

It is a story of voices and duality, a story where Harry's battle is staged within him instead of out in the world, where one might not wake up where they thought they slept, where there is 'another' — who wants your control.

If anyone wants to have a go at it: And my Demons Left Behind — It's on Wattpad and Archive Of Our Own

The drabble (a bit long) that started it all:

A risky trip of five Gryffindors through the twins' invention Disillusionment Diadems later, a party was started for a 'green-eyed superstar' 

Who liked to remind his 'fans' quite forcefully the exact words they oh so lovingly threw at him while he was leaving for his task. And disappeared without another word to who knows where.

But those words weren't directed for one pair sitting on their table to the corner of the room, one bushy haired member of which was staring blankly into nothing.

"You... You know... Him?", the red headed one asked. Hermione got the hint, although she wouldn't want Ronald to think his abysmal vocabulary would be enough for a declaration of eternal love.

"What Ronald? I don't really 'know' him as you are saying? Like really, who does know him?", she asked to the air around her, hoping that someone would guide her to them.

Because if what she thought was true, then...

"Indeed Miss Granger, who does?", she got startled by the third voice, which was barely a breath than an actual voice, and was shocked to see a slight rim of a clearly invisible Headmaster before even that got invisible.

"Who does, except the boy himself. But it pains me to even call him that...", the old wise man continued.

"Because he's never been just that, is he?", Ron completed the sentence for him.

"Firewhiskey's out everyone! Grab a pint for your champion!", and the original pair were afraid of the new addition's reaction to that, but when they turned to see, he was gone.

"Damn. Why do batty old wizards have to be so... Batty?", Ronald frowned.

Hermione rolled her eyes to the ceiling. Here was one side of her life, the stable, the fun and the normal.

And there perhaps stood the other one waiting. The new, the sad and the exciting.

And it felt like she had to leave one over the other. But why?

Who exactly was this enigmatic hero of the world Master Harry James Potter?

She really wanted to find out. And she will. Maybe.

Hey, fellow Potterheads!

Here’s the thing: I’m hunting for those hidden gems. You know, the ones that don’t get a lot of attention but are absolute masterpieces. I’ve read my fair share, but I feel like there are rare, lesser-known fics out there that need some love. I’m looking for completed stories (no WIPs, pls!), ideally set sixth year and beyond. The juicier the plot, the better!

If you know any fics like this, even if it’s something you think no one else has read, drop the title/author/link and lemme know why you loved it. Let’s give some underrated stories their moment in the spotlight!

Thanks a million, and can’t wait to see what you all recommend! 😊

I've read Strangers on a Train, and can not get over it as it filled a void in my heart. I'm really sad it got discontinued so I would like to know if there's anything like it. I mean like 1st year all the way to after 7th year.

Hey y'all! I'm looking for any fic where one or both of Harmony gets drunk and confess their feelings! Any recommendations would be appreciated!

After exploring various essays, discussions, and exchanges of ideas within the community, I noticed that many people comment on why Harry and Hermione should have ended up together at the end of the saga. They share opinions about double-edged dialogues (or not so much), interactions between the two (which aren't typical between siblings), symbols (such as when they fly together on a hippogriff in Prisoner of Azkaban, an animal that symbolises love), and even seemingly small situations that, if interpreted more deeply, could suggest there was always something more between Harry and Hermione.

However, after so much time reading and rereading different points of view, I’ve never seen anyone comment on how philosophy might help to better understand this couple. I believe philosophy could show that, even in the social sphere of great thinkers, Harry and Hermione are more than compatible—or at least, they should be, since, according to JKR, she aimed to create characters as realistic as possible.

You don’t have to agree with me, as we know philosophy doesn’t deal in right or wrong, only in different interpretations of how we see our relationships and the world around us.

And I don’t even need to say that no, JKR probably wasn’t thinking about philosophy when she wrote her novels; bear that in mind. I’d like to make it clear that, while I did my best to keep the phrases as close as possible to the original, not everything may be 100% exact, as English isn’t my native language, and I may have translated some meanings differently.

ARISTOTLE

“Perfect friendship is that between people who are good, and alike in virtue, for these wish well alike to each other as good, and they are good in themselves. Now those who wish well to their friends for their sake are truly friends, for they do so by their own nature and not incidentally.”

Starting with the good old Greek philosopher Aristotle, in Nicomachean Ethics, he speaks of three types of friendship, and it’s within these categories that romances can develop.

1. Friendship of Utility In my opinion, this is the most generic type of friendship and probably the weakest. It is based purely on shared interests, where the individuals involved benefit from something. These friendships are superficial and transitory, meaning they don’t last very long.

Example: Most of the members of Dumbledore’s Army (DA) might fall into this category. They wanted to learn to defend themselves and have DADA lessons, and Harry needed allies to fight against Umbridge and Voldemort. The common interest was, therefore, protection.

Some might argue that Hermione and Ron could also fit here if J.K. Rowling had been more honest with herself and hadn’t forced their relationship. After all, what unites Ron and Hermione is often their interest in Harry and his troubles. They don’t share many hobbies or interests, which, in my view, makes their friendship more of a “friendship of utility.” Ron, for example, is attention-dependent and sees Hermione as his anchor. Hermione, on the other hand, sees Ron as a protector who looks at her differently, making it an easy relationship, even if not very... peaceful, as she herself is insecure about her appearance, which might have influenced their relationship.

1. Friendship of Pleasure This type of friendship is very common among friends in general. It is based on the pleasure of sharing fun moments together, without commitment. This friendship usually lasts as long as those involved have the same interests, but it can be fragile if those interests change.

Example: For Harry, Ron is this type of friend. He’s someone with whom Harry can have fun, share jokes, and pass the time. When they argued in Goblet of Fire, Harry missed this fun, as he made clear. However, in my view, their friendship doesn’t fully develop into a friendship of virtue (which we’ll discuss next), because Ron doesn’t completely trust or follow Harry in two critical moments of his life (the Triwizard Tournament and the Horcrux hunt); in those moments, he has insecurities about himself and his role as a friend and even in the relationship between Harry and Hermione. This is one of the factors that leads him to distance himself from them in the tent, as there’s a lack of genuine desire for the other’s well-being.

A relationship that fits into this category, in my view, is that of Harry and Ginny; they enjoy each other’s jokes and love Quidditch, but they don’t have anything deeper than that.

1. Friendship of Virtue This is the best and most enduring type of friendship, and it can easily transform into a "happily ever after" romance. In this friendship, people appreciate each other authentically, with a sincere desire for the other’s well-being. They help each other grow over time.

Example: Harry and Hermione, without a doubt, fall into this category. The loyalty and trust they have for one another are the strongest in the entire saga and only grow stronger over time. Hermione could have left with Ron or fled to Australia with her parents in Deathly Hallows, but she chose to stay by Harry’s side. She never abandoned him, and he was always there for her too. Even in Goblet of Fire, Hermione was the only one who stood by Harry without hesitation.

Despite their arguments and misunderstandings, like in Prisoner of Azkaban with the Firebolt, where Hermione reported it only out of concern for Harry’s safety, they always quickly resolve their differences and understand each other. The fact that Harry doesn’t always show the same level of dedication to Hermione in his actions is due to his constant battle against Voldemort, but he always worries about her well-being because he cares deeply for her (correct me if I’m wrong).

ZYGMUNT BAUMAN

“In a liquid, unpredictable, fast-moving environment, we need, more than ever, firm and secure bonds of friendship and mutual trust.”

Bauman, the Polish sociologist and author of Liquid Love, critiques contemporary relationships, calling them "liquid" due to their fragility and inconsistency. He argues that while relationships in the past were durable and “solid,” today they’ve become fickle, with people seeking immediate pleasures and avoiding deep commitments. Love, according to him, has become superficial and fleeting, lacking significant emotional investment or responsibility.

But how does this apply to the relationship between Harry and Hermione?

Well, the truth is that Harry and Hermione don’t need a romance to validate the connection they share. There wouldn’t be so many discussions and essays, nor fights in other communities showing that they complement each other perfectly if it weren’t so. I’d say the H/Hr community wouldn’t exist beyond the realm of fanfiction imagination (like 95% of other ships) if it weren’t for a love truly possible within canon.

When we think of examples of "liquid loves," I can highlight three: the most evident being Ron and Lavender, then Ginny and Dean, and finally Harry and Cho. Now, hold on—I know it may seem I’m exaggerating by including Harry and Cho, as they never really became serious. But from Harry’s perspective on Cho, it’s clear that his interest in her was superficial. He liked her simply because she was pretty and played Quidditch, without a deep emotional involvement. So, if their relationship had progressed, it would be, in Bauman’s view, a classic example of liquid love.

If you’ve read what I wrote about Aristotle, you’ll notice the idea here is similar. Harry and Hermione’s relationship is the contrast to the modern relationship, not only because of the trust and loyalty, but because they invest emotionally in each other and understand the responsibilities that come with that bond—even if it’s just a friendship. Neither of them chooses the easy path, yet they stay together, overcoming any difficulty or challenge.

Throughout the saga, they build a solid foundation of mutual support and respect. I believe that, in Bauman’s context, the best interpretation would be to consider Harry and Hermione’s relationship as an “unfinished solid love project” on JKR’s part. They have a strong bond, but this relationship hasn’t advanced to a romantic stage—something that is fully recognisable, although, in my view, it was not effectively realised due to narrative constraints.

SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR

“The happy couple who recognize themselves in love defies the universe and time; they are self-sufficient and achieve the absolute.”

In The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir explores the dynamics between men and women, and some of her ideas can be applied to the relationship between H/Hr. To start with some context: One of Beauvoir’s primary claims is that true love between men and women must be based on equality and mutual respect—something Harry and Hermione have in abundance. In a healthy relationship, partners should be able to express themselves freely, without constraints. Beauvoir strongly criticizes the idea that women should be submissive to men, a notion common at the time of her work’s publication in 1949.

Beauvoir also suggests that true love and friendship are born from mutual admiration (this becomes even clearer if we also consider Bauman's and Aristotle's ideas). Harry, for example, frequently praises Hermione’s intelligence and doesn’t hesitate to tell others, such as Professor Slughorn, by claiming she is the best in their year. On the other hand, Hermione consistently recognizes Harry’s strengths, often when he doesn’t see them himself, like her constant appreciation of his courage and abilities.

A genuine friendship between a man and a woman who respect each other and place no limitations on each other provides fertile ground for understanding and closeness to flourish. This opens the door for an authentic and balanced romance, similar to what we see developing between Harry and Hermione.

Hermione has always been an independent character, and while there are moments when she needs help (as we all do), she frequently proves that she is strong and capable on her own. For Beauvoir, this independence is essential to avoiding inequality in a relationship. And Harry, being who he is, is exactly the partner Hermione would need (realistically speaking). He never views her as someone who needs saving but values her for who she is. He respects her enough to allow her to make her own decisions without interference or control. This is vital for someone like Hermione, who couldn’t stand a relationship where she felt limited or undervalued.

One example of this is how Harry handles SPEW. Although he didn’t actively join in because he observed that the house-elves felt offended by the idea of freedom and were happy to serve wizards, he never opposed Hermione’s initiatives. He let her follow what she believed to be right without intervening, and that alone was enough for Hermione. This respect for her autonomy is a fundamental aspect of any possible relationship.

Interpreting Beauvoir’s ideas, it’s reasonable to say that Hermione would thrive with Harry romantically, and it was a missed opportunity not to unite them in the end. She’s the kind of character who needs a partner who supports her and doesn’t dismiss her ideas or opinions. She would never tolerate that and would argue tirelessly until she demonstrated why she was right (which some might see as determination or arrogance).

Many argue that, had Harry and Hermione ended up together, it would have been cliché. I completely disagree. The depth of their relationship, based on friendship, mutual respect, and admiration, is not clichéd. Many classic romances fail to explore this level of complexity as well as their relationship does, and with that, I believe that Harry and Hermione’s story could have been much deeper and more authentic than many people imagine (even with the direction JKR took her work).

ERICH FROMM

“Love is an activity, not a passive affection; it is an act of strength, not weakness... it is primarily giving, not receiving.”

Now, turning to the sociological view of Erich Fromm in The Art of Loving, Fromm proposes that love is a skill — a constant and careful practice, not something that simply “happens.” He sees love as a dedication that strengthens over time and bears fruit.

And what do Harry and Hermione do all the time? The love one feels for the other could even be described by Harry, according to JKR, as “brotherly love.” However, this description feels strange when we compare it to the deep and intense way they interact at various moments. In Deathly Hallows, their bond is put to the test. But, from the very beginning, they both strive to maintain and improve this friendship, putting the other’s well-being above their own.

For Fromm, true love requires more than a fleeting affection. It is an act of dedication to the well-being of the other, involving much more than protection and defense during moments of crisis: it is about being constant, being present, and dedicating oneself to the other in all circumstances. Thus, love is not just a “good” feeling or a superficial impulse. It involves care, understanding, respect, and responsibility.

It may seem like I’m repeating myself, but, in fact, great thinkers like Aristotle, Fromm, Bauman, Beauvoir, and others have different views on love and friendship, though all arrive at the same foundation: true love is a continuous construction. And Harry and Hermione, even without realizing it, follow this construction the whole time — whether through context, the innocence of the characters, or even the intent of the author herself.

In the end, words like appreciation, admiration, respect, trust, responsibility, friendship, and understanding are constants among these authors. These qualities are the essence of true love, and we see Harry and Hermione naturally apply these practices.

Do you understand where I’m going with this? These philosophers and sociologists point to a love that isn’t perfect, but is real, and includes flaws and challenges. Even in the fiction of Harry Potter, there is no perfect pair; everyone has pasts, flaws, and struggles — after all, this is what makes relationships real.

My opinion, based on the studies of these thinkers, is that the best couple in the entire saga was sidelined in favor of simplistic ideas of personal fulfillment. This is not a criticism of JKR — I love the way she wrote this story and I acknowledge that, if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t even be here reflecting on all of this, and you wouldn’t be reading it either.

But do you see where I’m going? Rowling always said she wanted her characters to act realistically. So, how can we explain that, even after all this analysis and the numerous signs of a relationship with the potential to blossom, Harry and Hermione didn’t end up as the canonical couple?

“Realistically,” they were meant to be together, to unite and have a happy ending together, but the outcome was deliberately manipulated, and this is visible.

BONÛS: FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE

I included Nietzsche as a bonus because I’m not using a specific work of his but rather two quotes from Human, All Too Human that made me reflect. These quotes can be interpreted in various ways, and since they’re presented separately here in the post, I felt it would be unfair to include them as main topics.

The first quote is:

“The best friend will probably also have the best woman, because a good marriage lies in the talent of friendship.”

This phrase perfectly describes what the relationship between Harry and Hermione could lead to. For Nietzsche, a successful marriage should not depend only on passion and physical attraction, because those elements are fleeting. Passion fades, and time changes our appearance; what remains is essence and mutual contentment.

So, what prevails? Friendship, pure understanding, and unconditional support. These are the foundations of a lasting relationship. Harry and Hermione have a strong and deep connection, which makes them ideal candidates for a truly happy relationship. Based on some research, it’s hard to say whether the canonical relationships in the saga could be as enduring (or if they are, for how long), but I’m confident that Harry and Hermione would be a happy and content couple.

The second Nietzsche quote is more controversial, and that’s why I saved it for last:

“Women can easily become friends with a man; but to maintain that friendship, a little physical antipathy is indispensable.”

What did he mean by this? It really depends on whom you ask. Some people believe that men and women can simply be friends, while others find it difficult for that friendship to remain purely platonic.

In my view, friendship between men and women is possible, but for it to work, one should not feel physical attraction for the other. This might sound strange, but just because someone doesn’t find another person attractive doesn’t mean they’re ugly — it just means they’re “not my type.”

If we look at it from this point of view, Harry, for much of the story (since we see things through his eyes), points out Hermione’s teeth when they were still prominent. But that changes as they grow up, and after Hermione magically reduces them, he spends an entire paragraph noting how beautiful she looked at the Yule Ball, where she really caught people’s attention — not just because she was with Krum.

And Hermione? I don’t remember the exact quote, but in Half-Blood Prince, she comments on how Harry is attractive, which is why he catches the attention of girls around him — and Ron even chokes when she says it directly.

These are just two examples, but there are others throughout the saga, though these were the ones that stood out most to me.

So you might be wondering:

“But Ron is also her friend.”

Yes, he is! But, considering “reality,” it would be very difficult for the trio to stay united without the strength of fiction or the greater purpose of defeating Voldemort. Rowling wisely avoided a direct romantic relationship between the three because such a relationship could affect the group dynamic. As Hermione gets older, she becomes beautiful; the same happens to Harry, while Ron… well, Harry never directly mentions whether he finds Ron attractive (as far as I remember), so we’ll never know.

However, there is an element of physical attraction between Harry and Hermione, even if subtly. And how do we know there’s attraction between them? That depends on how you interpret the work as a whole. There are many essays in the community that explore this theme in more depth — just look it up.

To summarize this long monologue, even in the realm of philosophy and sociology, with support from great thinkers, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger would make an excellent couple. I dare say they could even be the happiest and most realistic couple in the series.

I don’t know if any stories exist but I’m interested in reading some GOF fics where Cedric and Harry band together. I’m also looking for stories where Cedric lives and becomes a part of the order. If you guys know any stories like that, Harmony of course, I’d love to read them!

Hi everyone! So, I finally took the plunge and uploaded my first (very lengthy) one-shot on AO3, and I thought I’d share it here too! I have a bit of a tendency to let my imagination run wild, so it turned out longer than I expected—but hopefully, that just means more to enjoy. :)

I’ve already shared it here once before, but now it’s officially on AO3, and I figured… why not give it one more shot? I mean, who doesn’t need a little bit of shameless self-promotion, right?😅

It’s a story I’ve been working on for a while, and it means a lot to me. I really wanted to capture the characters, emotions, so I’d be thrilled if you gave it a read. And if anything stands out or could be improved, feel free to let me know. I'm new to fanfiction writing, so any feedback would be incredibly valuable as I continue!

Here’s the link : When Love Meets Regret https://archiveofourown.org/works/60176851

Thank you for your time and, if you do give it a go, I really hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

What’s your fav thing about the ship?

For me after a reread of the books, rewatch of the movies and aaaaall the fanfic it’s probably how they feel like soulmates since the beginning…. All the stories about how they realize they’ve been in love all along are the best

So I'm looking a fic where Harry Potter was grabbed and then marked by a dementor. Apparently this is a way for them to keep track of prisoners, or something like that. And that's all I can remember about this fic. Does anyone know what fic this is?

Voldemort's soul has a really bad day.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14758079/chapters/154156798

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12948152/61/Elfish-Welfare

I'm looking for a fic with great plot and action and focuses on hp/hr but it's not all there is to the story(if that makes sense) like i want it to focus on their realtionship but to also have space for the story.

Think of it like the original but it's harmony and their relationship starts early(and i don't like really slow paced relationship building)

Sorry if i don't make sense lol.

Please recommend stories where Harry and Hermione are an established couple or almost about to be a couple and they deal with jealousy issues.

Probably by seeing their significant other with other people and becoming jealous by it. They have a fight and later resolve the issue.

Please recommend any such fics where it occurs and also the chapter number if possible for reference. Much thanks :)

I know that he wasn’t completely ignored (I think that was just in the movie, no?), but are there any Fics where he really isn’t happy about it, maybe even some that follow more closely to the movie, where he was ignored completely (I think). Of course has to be Harmony.

Hello everyone!

Here goes nothing....

Okay, so picture this: Little 11-year-old me, arms crossed, giving the BIGGEST eye roll when my aunt hands me this book with some scrawny 'thief - looking ' kid on a dark violet cover. Like, seriously? Another fantasy book? Ugh.  (sorry, Harry! I take it ALL back now! 😭), and I was like "Ugh, whatever." I was that kid who went around telling everyone Santa wasn't real and magic was for babies. Can you even?

I was that kid who had life ALL figured out. Magic? Pfft. Santa Claus? Please. 🙄 I was way too mature for that nonsense. So naturally, I did what any "sophisticated" pre-teen would do - I let that book gather dust on my shelf like it was my job.

But oh my goodness, YOU GUYS! If only I could go back and shake my younger self! Because one fateful day, after some brutal exams (where I probably channeled my inner Hermione and memorized the textbooks), I was BORED OUT OF MY MIND. And there it was, just sitting there, judging me with its mysterious cover. "Fine," I muttered, "Let's see how bad this is.It's going to suck anyways !"

It was not, in fact, bad at all.

BOOM! 💥 First page in, and I was HOOKED. Like, completely, utterly, irrevocably ENCHANTED. And can we talk about my first fictional crush? Because hello, Harry Potter! 😍 ( Don't mind my overdramatic choice of words 😅..I can't control myself !)

Like, LITERALLY. I found myself daydreaming about him during class (sorry, teachers! 🤫).There I was, totally seeing myself in Ginny's shoes (though secretly, SECRETLY, I was shipping Harry and Hermione like my life depended on it). I had NO IDEA about the rest of the series - I was just this innocent bean living in my own little shipping world.

You know what's absolutely BONKERS? I started this whole ritual where I'd get a new book every six months. NO GOOGLING allowed! NO SPOILERS! Just pure, magical discovery. It was like Christmas every time! (Yes, from the same girl who didn't believe in Santa. Oh, the irony! 🎅). I wanted every plot twist to hit me like a Stunning Spell! I am crazy ,I know .But then... oh boy, Book 6 happened.

Picture teenage me, sitting there, reading about Harry suddenly fancying Ginny and Hermione being jealous of Lavender, and I literally PUT THE BOOK DOWN. Mid-chapter! First time ever! When Harry started going ga-ga over Ginny, I was livid !SCANDALOUS! My teenage brain was like, "This has to be a mistake. This is clearly a fake book. Someone call J.K. Rowling RIGHT NOW!" (Fun fact: I actually considered writing her a strongly-worded letter. The AUDACITY of my teenage self! Such a stubborn, angsty little thing I was back then.😂)

That's when I discovered the magical world of fanfiction and found my people - other Harmony shippers! There's this whole subreddit where I lurked for YEARS before finally gathering my Gryffindor courage to join in. And the movies? Oh honey, I saved those for after the books like some sort of self-imposed torture,( Yeah I am a crazy girl , I know ) but BLESS THOSE HARMONY MOMENTS they snuck in! 🙌

You want to know how deep this obsession goes?

So, imagine growing up in a world where fantasy wasn’t even a thing. My friends and family? Yeah, they’re all doctors, scientists, “practical” people. They talk medical stuff, diseases, and like, how broccoli can save lives, while I’m over here with my nose in Harry Potter, dreaming about wands and magic.

So, childhood me didn’t get fairy tales. Nope, my bedtime stories were fruit and vegetable books. Seriously. While kids were off imagining princes and dragons, I was getting quizzed on how many vitamins were in spinach.And I loved taht at that age too ! But then Harry Potter came along, and my world turned upside down in the best way!

Now, whenever I go into full Potter-ramble mode around them, it’s hilarious. They just stare at me like I’m from Mars. Then I just roll my eyes and keep going, because… come on! It’s Harry Potter!

I literally saved my pocket money FOR A YEAR just to buy a Harry Potter sweatshirt for my birthday. One. Whole. Year.

And when I finally visited Harry Potter World? WATERWORKS, PEOPLE! TOTAL EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN! I bawled my eyes out when it was time to leave. My parents were like, "You're being dramatic.Have you lost all your marbles ?" and I was like, "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SENTIMENT, MUM!" The staffs probably thought I was some mentally retarded kid .😅

And you better believe I've got a stash of HP merchandise hidden away in my closet .

Let's talk about my bedroom performances - me, with a meter ruler as my wand, wearing my longest coat as robes, swishing and flicking like I'm about to win the Triwizard Tournament. My parents would walk by my room like, "What is she doing now?" while I'm in there living my best witch life! 🪄

You know what's really special though? Harry Potter found me when I needed it most. I lost my grandfather and father when I was really young, (9 and 12 , if I remember correctly) So Harry's story? It hit different. And Hermione? She's literally my soul sister - bushy hair, know-it-all attitude, obsessed with grades, bossy (according to my friends), and part of a trio (though mine's all girls). My friends say "If anyone know Hermione, they  know you ," I'm like "FACTS!" 📚

Look, I know I'm supposed to be a "grown-up" now, but I am still:living in my fantasy world,getting butterflies thinking about Harry (who's now technically old enough to be... let's not go there 😅),reading fanfics like they're my life source ,being that person who can quote every book and defending Harmony ship theories with PASSION.

Even now, as a supposedly mature adult, I still have this ridiculous screening process for potential boyfriends: Are you a Potterhead?Are you a Harmony shipper? And if you give off Harry Potter vibes?Bonus !

Once I even asked my date ! I am crazy ,I am telling you ! And his expression was like " You sure ...you are sane ?" Probably the worst first date ever !

Still haven't found my Harry . Sound cheesy right ?

Listen, I know it might seem childish to some people, but Harry Potter isn't just a story or anything obsession to me - it's this magical thread that weaves through my whole life.

It taught me about friendship, bravery, and love. And yes, I'm still that girl who would probably melt into a puddle if Harry ( or even Daniel Radcliffe ) walked by, but you know what? Some forms of magic never fade. ⚡

And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way! Harry Potter didn't just change my childhood - it IS my childhood. It's my happy place, my comfort zone, and honestly? The best thing my aunt ever gave me (sorry, other presents!). So here I am, an eleven-year-old trapped in an adult body, still waiting for my Hogwarts letter (it's just delayed by owl traffic, right?), and proud to be the biggest Potter nerd you'll ever meet!

Okay, now it’s your turn—how did you start reading Harry Potter, and how did your Harmony ship come to life? Spill the magic in the comments, I need to know I'm not the only one this obsessed with Harmony !😩😆

So I’m not really a dedicated shipper like most here. I like lots of different ships but do enjoy Harry x Hermione mostly through fandom edits of the movies but I’ve been working on an AU for a while now that features a grey!Harry and one thing I’m not sure about is how a friendship would work between them in this story. Which of course brought me to here.

The thing that I find tricky is due to some of Hermione’s canon core traits which would clash this version of Harry. The version of Harry in my AU has been affected by his time with the Dursleys differently than canon. Hogwarts starts at age thirteen so he (as well as Hermione) is also older too and has been attending Stonewall High for the past two years.

Harry is highly observant, has learned to question everything, and doesn’t trust any adults or authority figures INCLUDING Hagrid and Dumbledore. Hagrid shows up to give Harry his letter much like in canon but Harry is skeptical and distrustful of everything he‘s told and only believes magic is real with proof. He can also tell that Hagrid isn’t telling him everything and is clearly deliberately keeping certain things from him.

He eventually decides to attend Hogwarts if only to get away from the Dursleys for nine months out of the year but is pretty wary of magic and the magical world as a whole. He’s of the mind that it all sounds too good to be true and things are never that simple or easy for him so he‘ll have to remain on his guard and find the answers for himself.

There are three sides of magic: Light, Dark, and Neutral. Dumbledore is of course the leader of the Light who opposes Voldemort who is leader of the Dark. For this AU I’ve taken the fanon trait of Dumbledore‘a ‘the greater good’ and made it into part of Light ideology as a whole rather than something that just Dumbledore himself says/believes. The Light believe in the greater good and part of what this means if they are willing to sacrifice innocent lives if it’s in the name of the greater good. They believe the needs of the many outweigh the few.

My fic takes a lot of inspiration and elements from pjo and because of that a core part of Harry’s character (which is what makes his alignment considered morally grey within the context of this AU’s systems) is that he is the kind of person who ’to save a friend would sacrifice the world’. Harry is defined by his own personal loyalty to those he cares about. But he also cares a lot about innocent lives and isn’t willing to sacrifice them the way Dumbledore and the Light would. This along with all of Dumbledore’s manipulations in Harry’s life causes him to clash with and oppose the Light leading to him deciding to forge his own path in life.

Hermione by contrast is fairly similar to her canon self and I’m not certain how to bring her to Harry’s side/group. In canon she’s a stickler for rules, she blindly trusts authority figures, and greatly admires Dumbledore. This version of Harry would be much more resistant to that side of her. But at the same time he also is very protective of those who are bullied like Neville and Luna (both of whom quickly become two of his best and closest friends) and Hermione is similarly ostracized like in canon which could bring about a friendship between them.

Harry spends a lot of time in the library during his first year as it’s the only place he can get peace and quiet away from people like Ron Weasley (who is a spy for Dumbledore) and Draco Malfoy (who is a spy for Lucius). He’s not super quick to trust anyone who wants to be his friend because he has no way of knowing if they actually like him for him or just want to get close to the BWL.

Ultimately I would like Harry and Hermione to become best friends in my fic and become as close as they are in canon. I think she could become the Annabeth to his Percy so to speak (Harmony reminds me a lot of Percabeth). But I could use some advice from this sub (since you guys also love their friendship) on how to work out what kind of dynamic to give them and such.

Much thanks!

Could you recommend me some fics that have the perfect balance between fluff and smut?? I love seeing how they grow as a couple and then discover themselves altogether. Thanks 💙

Hi! I'm looking for fanfics with teen pregnancy as a main theme. Any recommendations?

What does this part mean? I just found it a bit confusing to understand the context of what she meant.. (This is the part when he's telling her about his disastrous date with cho)

OotP ch 26:

“But I don’t think you’re ugly,” said Harry, bemused.

Hermione laughed.

“Harry, you’re worse than Ron. … Well, no, you’re not,” she sighed, as Ron himself came stumping into the Hall splattered with mud and looking grumpy.

🎵 Fellow Harmony shippers! Alright, y'all, I know... cue eye rolls... “Another post about Harry and Hermione songs? Seriously?” But hear me out, okay? I’m just a humble music addict here, lying down, imagining Harmony moments with these songs, and it's pure BLISS. So I've been DYING to share my ultimate Harry/Hermione playlist that I use to give myself ALL THE FEELS.I may or may not be slightly obsessed with finding songs that fit these two, and now, my friends say I have great taste in music (I mean...do they actually mean it? I dunno). You know, for those nights when you want to lie in bed and imagine what could have been... 😭 (We've all been there, right?)

So, if you're like me—one foot in the magical world, the other in your headphones—then this list is for you. Let’s get into it! 🎧✨

1. "Perfect" - Ed Sheeran

Okay, can we talk about how this is literally THE Harmony anthem?!It's like Ed was sitting there, watching Harry and Hermione growing up, waiting for them to realize they’re perfect for each other. Like, when Ed sings "Dancing in the dark, with you between my arms" - am I the only one who immediately thinks of that tent dance scene? 🎪💕 JUST KISS ALREADY, YOU TWO!

2. "I Wanna Be Yours"- Arctic Monkeys

The part where he sings, "Secrets I’ve held in my heart..."? Just... sigh. Harry’s kept his feelings locked up for ages, and suddenly this song is his confession. I can practically hear him thinking it as he sneaks a glance at Hermione across the library.Plus , the whole vibe just matches their deep connection. They're literally each other's person and YOU CAN'T CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE.

3. "You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift

Ah,classic! Hermione's POV in a nutshell! Like, hello? "She wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts" is basically Hermione watching Harry date Cho/Ginny. (Sorry not sorry! 😅)Imagine her humming this when she catches Ginny giving him those eyes(' blazing look')

It’s practically Hermione yelling, “YOU BELONG WITH ME, HARRY!” (But, you know... Hermione-style).

4. "What Makes You Beautiful" - One Direction

Y'all, this is 100% Harry's perspective on Hermione! Literally the ' But I don't think you are ugly ' vibes .Our girl is always buried in books, thinking she's just the "smart one," while Harry's over there like "BUT YOU LIGHT UP MY WORLD LIKE NOBODY ELSE" 📚✨

5. "My Heart Will Go On" - Celine Dion

ugly crying in the corner Yes, I know—Celine, why you gotta make me cry? It just fits, okay? They’ve been through everything together, and this song has me in shambles every time. If Harry had to go on without Hermione... ugh, I can’t.This one just... hits different. Especially during all those moments they could have had... Near-death experiences? Check. Epic love story? Check. Making me emotional? DOUBLE CHECK! 😭

6. "Mercy" - Shawn Mendes

Okay, controversial take...I know this isn’t exactly canon, but imagine Harry watching Hermione with someone else (Ron? Viktor Krum?), and he’s just internally screaming. "Please, have mercy!" He’d never say it out loud, of course. But you know he’s thinking it.

"Please have mercy on me, take it easy on my heart"? BRB, writing fanfiction... 📝

7. "Justify" -The Rasmus

This one’s my secret gem. It’s kinda angsty, kinda intense. I imagine Harry brooding in the common room, Hermione stressing over something in the library… This is like their mutual, “You complete me, but we’ll never say it” energy .All the times Harry’s fighting his own battles, Hermione’s there to justify every move, every sacrifice. I live for it.

The angst! The pining! The way it perfectly captures their unspoken feelings! I'm not okay! 😫

8. "Dandelions" - Ruth B

Unrequited love has never hurt so good. This song is like a warm hug for all of us who ship them. 🌼

9. "Love Me Like You Do"( I don't remember the singer but her voice was amazing)

Because sometimes you just need to imagine them finally getting together and being HAPPY, OKAY?!

10. "Die With A Smile" - Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga

That "I'll go with you" scene in Deathly Hallows + this song = ME SOBBING INTO MY PILLOW .Imagine this as Harry’s goodbye scene, when he’s walking off to face Voldemort, and Hermione's just like, "I’ll go with you." Goosebumps. Every. Single. Time.

BONUS TRACKS (because I can't count apparently 😅):

• "Playdate" (Violin Cover) - For when you want to torture yourself with tragic AU scenarios.

• "Treat You Better" - Shawn Mendes

Because watching Ron make Hermione cry for the 100th time while Harry's RIGHT THERE is just... 💔.We all know Harry TREATS HERMIONE BETTER than our Ron .

Anyone else have songs to add to my "crying about Harmony" playlist? Share your faves below!, If you have any more recommendations, I’ll probably devour them like Hermione with a fresh stack of textbooks. Let's make the ultimate soundtrack for our ship! ⚡️📚Because let's be real—I'll never have enough Harmony tunes.😅

Looking for a fic where Harry asks Hermione to Slughorns Christmas party.

Just an idea i had. Feel free to consider it a prompt or challenge.

Harry is very upset at being a parselmouth and ostracised by others similar to fourth year, so Hermione tells Harry one of her deepest and most dangerous secrets.

Hermione was also able to hear the voices but pretended not to because she had read how parseltongue was considered dark magic.

Harry is impressed with her trust in him and confides about his secrets as well. Like Dursleys abuse and his feelings for her. She returns his feeligs tenfold.

Hermione is still a muggleborn with no relation to Slytherin. She just had the gift pop up as well. Kind of like how Tonks being a Metamorphmagus despite nobdy from black line exhibiting the ability.

Started telling a friend about this stories unique way of killing his horcrux but I drew a blank about anything else and now she wants to read it.