The Harry Potter Fan Theory That Changes Everything About Ron And Hermione's Romance

The "Harry Potter" movies are notorious for making changes to characters and interactions that had come from the book series (via Insider). Of course, J.K. Rowling and the various directors that have worked on the series did their very best — and it's fair to say it worked. Many would argue that even the golden trio (Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley) are perfectly cast with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, respectively. The actors noted in the "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts" special on HBO Max that something clicked about their energy together during the screen tests that landed them their roles.

Grint, in particular, has discussed how much of himself remains in the character of Ron (via People). Ron has considerable growth throughout the film series after meeting Harry and Hermione in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." He shows that although he may be fearful, he has a remarkable ability to overcome and channel bravery when the trio needs it. He also develops an admiration and love for Hermione after initially degrading and making fun of her in the early films. The pair, of course, end up getting married in the Epilogue and share a kiss during the events of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."

However, some "Harry Potter” fans are starting to think that the progression of Ron and Hermione's romantic relationship seems a little off. One theory even changes everything we know about the iconic romance.

In a recent thread on Reddit, one "Harry Potter" fan has a hot take that Ron Weasley is not the sweet, caring, and brave young wizard fans see in the films. They believe he uses the Imperius Curse on Hermione Granger to force her into falling in love with him. U/EmperorDeathBunny initiated the conversation by listing their theory of Ron using the Imperius Curse with an incredibly long list of evidence. Overall, they argue that given the abrupt change in Hermione's feelings toward Ron after the constant insults, mistreatment, and distaste Ron shows her throughout nearly every film except both "Deathly Hallows" movies, he must have used an Imperius on her. 

Based on all the "evidence," this Redditor thinks Ron used the Imperius Curse on Hermione at some point during "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," given that her behavior supposedly changes after Ron opens his Christmas present at the beginning of the film. However, many other fans like u/Shangar44 saw some issues with the theory. "Major problem with this theory is the trace. The Ministry would know immediately if a young wizard used an unforgivable curse." U/Enigmachina also argued that although Ron may have learned about the Imperius Curse from his father, Arthur (Mark Williams), his dad would have never gone as far as to teach him how to use it.

Whether the theory could be true or not, some "Harry Potter" fans think this further proves the idea that J.K. Rowling started to like the character of Ron Weasley less over time. U/pipsdontsqueak explained, "Yeah, it's become increasingly clear that, for whatever reason, Rowling just didn't really like the character of Ron over time, and so he became less heroic as the books went on. We've got a kid who in the first year is a chess wizard [then], by year seven, is half of what he once was. Yeah, he gets his redemption arc, but it always bothered me the way he was portrayed and treated by the author later on."

Other fans like u/Stufssss believe that Ron and Hermione's relationship was merely an attempt for Rowling not to seem predictable. "Yeah, J.K. Rowling also just put Ron with Hermione because she thought that Hermione and Harry would be too predictable. She writes Hermione and Ron together, and it [is] kinda just skipped in the movies."

Either way, without asking Rowling directly, there's no way to prove that Ron using the Imperius Curse on Hermione could be true. It could be argued that Hermione would be too clever for that to happen in the first place if Ron honestly had sinister intent. Unless the supposedly upcoming live-action "Harry Potter" series (via The Hollywood Reporter) gives us more insight — we'll never truly know.