What if...

Special thanks goes out to those genius people over at tumblr for this idea. So, I was browsing around when I happened upon a graphic that struck me. It struck me SO much in fact that it seemed like a fantastic idea for a rotating discussion thread about our lovely Hermione centered around the idea of "What if..."

So, each month or two a NEW what if idea will be up for all you to discuss and ponder. Perhaps this will even inspire some Fan Fictions or drabbles to be written Have a suggestion? Please DO comment in the Whispers in the Library thread!

{ index of previous discussions }

SPOILER!!: Alohomora!

Janurary/February 2012: What if Ron never came back?

Current topic:


We know it as one of her defining features...but what if Hermione never had her signature look?! Discuss!

I think if Ron had never come back things would have been much different for everyone involved.

As a H/Hr shipper I'd love to say that she would have ended up with Harry, because I really do think that at one stage they COULD have liked each other that way if they both didn't end up with a Weasley. Plus if you look at the amount of time they spent alone together I think that something was building, and that if given enough time it would have become a deep love. Obviously once Ron returned though that wasn't going to happen as that time was then over.

Although in the end it could have changed nothing. She may still have ended up with Ron, but I think she would have maybe resented him a little for leaving them, since he does seem to have a way of abandoning his friends when things aren't going the way he wants, or when jealousy comes to the fore, Tri-Wizard Tournament anyone? So it may have taken them longer to get together, and I don't think she would have forgiven him as easily as she did with the books written how they were.

I don't think she would have gone looking for Ron though, mainly because she didn't do so after he left. I don't believe that Hermione would have abandoned Harry, she's too good a friend to do that.

Her story will definitely change.

As Aimee said, Harry & Hermione got closer when Ron left, but their moments ruined when Ron returned. I think she would've ended up with Harry if Ron decided to abandon them. Both Harry & Hermione went through many similar hardships before notably when Ron was with Lavender & Ginny with Dean which can be the contributing factor to draw them together. They understand each other.

However, I don't think she'd give up on Ron at the same time, she won't go looking for him either. Hermione was highly logical. She won't leave Harry to look for Ron when she knew it was the chance of a lifetime to destroy Voldemort once and for all. After everything settles down, then perhaps she'd go looking for him.

I feel like that if Ron never came back their relationship would change forever.

Remember how furious she was with Ron when he came back and it took her awhile to finally accept that he was back. Ron tried really hard to get on her good side, but she was still furious with him. I feel that it was only because he came back that they ever got together. She was super mad at him and it took a lot of that time that they spent together because they were fighting horcruxes together to get them back closer.

And I do agree that something was probably brewing deep down with Harry and Hermione. Because they were spending so much time together I feel that if Ron didn't come back they would have probably ended up together.

See I don't think Hermione would have gone with Harry. I would have liked to think that Hermione did just like him as a friend, and also that she was a loyal friend to Ginny that she would have wanted he and Ginny to resume things when things returned to normal. I think the fact that Hermione did like Ron, and Harry could see that, and then the same with Ginny, they were just friends.
I would also like to think that they WERE that friendship where just because they were opposite gender they wouldn't have fallen in love. Having said that, Harry and Hermione would have been good together, but not as perfect as she and Ron.

Now I haven't read DH in a little while, but I've seen the movie lots lately, so this could just be based on the movie - BUT If Ron hadn't come back, they could have been captured a lot sooner because of saying Voldemort. Then there's the wand issue, Ron never would have been able to give Harry the other wand. Well, that's not so much related ONLY on Hermione.

Well.. I always had this thought in mind. It depends on what you been from movie wise or book. For the book I believe she wouldn't do that to Ron and fall in love with Harry. Harry wouldn't let Hermione lose Ron just because of him, and I don't think he would love Hermione in that way because he loves Ginny. For the movies, if Ron never came back I totally think Hermione and Harry would possibily fall inlove. Then again I think they would start liking each other until they went through the battle and if Harry still had any feelings for Ginny then that might give a little confusion.

For Ron leaving I think like she did continued to go help Harry and if he just never came back until the battle of Hogwarts, she would try to look for him. I don't think she would ever give up. Hermione may think that Ron would come back one day. Personaily I don't think she is the type to give up totally on him leaving.

There is some much that could have happen if Ron never came back, but thats just some I thought of. I have read so many fanfic and such its crazy how much people come up with. This is just my thought though.

^ I don't think she would give up either. I found that her anger at Ron was more that she was just so upset that he left and was now able to take out that sadness on him, rather than actually being angry at him.

I found it the same way. She wasn't angry or anything, she was just very upset. It went down though after he came back so it wasn't like "I'm going to be mad at you for a every long time about this

Yeah, and I think it could have been Hermione's realisation that she really wanted to be with him, and that she missed him so much, AND that she was angry because she thought when he left it meant he didn't feel the same way she did.

Not that she would have been worrying about that, I thin Hermione would be the character who would have kept most of her effort into the task at hand, rather than Ron and her feelings.

Hmmm... I don't think Hermione would have given up on Ron, but I don't think she would have gone looking for him either. I don't think Harry and Hermione would have ended up together even if Ron had not returned. Would they have gotten closer? Sure, but I think it would be a closer friendship not a romantic relationship even if something would have sparked with them in the beginning. Hermione would have stuck with Harry though until the end because she is a wonderful friend but other than that I don't think it would have been anything more...especially with Ginny in the picture. I don't think she would do that to her friend.

I agree with what you just said about Hermione not going after Harry because of Ginny something that ANNOYED me about the whole dance scene in the film but I digress.

One thing that I really admired about Hermione unlike some OTHER female leads we could talk about is that when the love of her life left her, she did not just crumble and give up on the world. THAT showed the reader and young girls everywhere that girls do NOT need to depend on guys to be strong. No, I am not trying to turn this into a feminist sort of speech, but even though Ron left, she still pressed on and would have continued to do so even if he never came back.

I think, that if we just assume Ron never came back and they met up after the battle of Hogwarts at some point in time, that she probably would have gone all Oppungo on him and called him names. Probably another "and you say HEY?!" but much later

And...obviously...this is not just January's discussion anymore

HAHAHA You're so true about this silly Bella!
The sad thing is, when young girls probably see the two characters they probably go for Bella because at that age it's all about their crushes and everything. Hermione is such a better role model. NOT the point of the discussion

I liked that scene for the fun, it made me smile, but I didn't think it was a love thing, I thought it was more of a Harry trying to cheer her up thing.

I agree with you too Pixie, I don't think that Hermione would go after Harry at all. She only thought of him like a brother as well. Hermione never saw Harry as anything else. And she'd known Harry more then Ginny had, Ginny had only a crush on Harry after first meeting him. Where Hermione had that whole year to get to know him.

I hated that scene of Ron leaving both in the books and the movie. She showed that she wasn't as strong as everyone thought and Emma played it perfectly. It was absolutely beautiful I thought. Because though Ron left, Hermione showed her pain and still moved on.

I think she still hoped Ron would come back, but yet still moved on because they had a mission.

Yes...that dance...is a whole other discussion *jots down memo for another potential what if moment*

Alright, this is me coming in a being a meany pants to say that we are going to wrap this discussion up in the next 24 hours and posting the next one So, any last minute thoughts or things you want to say should be done so now

*rushes in before the sand runs out*

Hermione would've ended up with Harry. because JKR wouldnt have any other options really

ok siriusly, if Ron didnt come back then Hermione could've gone down the path of single-blessedness, specially her failed relationship with Ron might color the rest of her future relationships with men. specially Hermione, who honestly speaking, looks to be the kind of woman that doesnt really need a man to function in life anyway.

for all of Ron's flaws, he is also the bright and shining example of the noble nature of men.

daz all

But what if Hermione was the kind of woman which I don't think she is who would go after Harry, despite the fact she knew there was another woman. I don't think Harry would have gone for her, because he loved Ginny.

This is so hard for me because Ron and Hermione are my favourite couple and they need to be together! but it's funny you say that (Liz)

Just in relation to the Mary-Jane. She is clearly human with feelings. Though she is so strong she doesn't leave Harry, and doesn't run after him, it still broke her heart and she couldn't keep it inside. I loved that.

*barges in* Alright. NEW TOPIC! This one is really just a bunch of fun and for you to sort of explore other aspects of her personality

That's great! Erm... maybe she and Ron would have found true love before they did remember everyones surprise when she was at the Yule Ball with nice smooth hair?

If Hermione didn't have bushy hair, everything would be different. I would probably have thought of her little more pretty than I did. Also I think others wouldn't have picked on her as much at all. She would have live a different life without being made fun of.

Maybe if Hermione didn't have bushy hair, more boys would be interested in her and then she and Ron might not have got together, or he would have had to fight for her much harder.

If Hermione didn't have bushy hair... LOL I can't imagine her without bushy hair!

Okay...Hmm... Then I think more boys would have noticed her pretty face and liked her, even with her carrying books and studying. They might even have hung out in the library more or something, since she would probably be there. Ron might have started liking her earlier, too. There's this whole scenario in my head where he gets jealous about the other guys and perhaps even feels he has no chance with her at some point. Just sudden broken thoughts.

what if Hermione didnt have bushy hair? she'd be as hot as Emma Watson

which is pretty much what happened to movie!Hermione anyway

canon wise,we saw what happened during the Yule Ball, most of the Hogwarts students was floored when Hermione was all dolled up, so even a toned down version of her appearance for everyday use would still get quite a bit of attention. if wizards and witches are anything like muggle kids, a sleek-haired Hermione would be considered "beauty and brains" rather than "the nerd"

of course "Ms Know It All" would probably still apply, bushy-hiared or otherwise, as thats more of a personality thing that no potion nor spell could probably dent

If she hadn't had bushy hair I don't think it would have really made that much of a difference. Sorry I don't lol. She was more of a bookworm then anything else. To me her wanting to be top of the class, and know everything overshown her bushy hair style. And even until the 4th year her hair was the bushyness it was. After that it appeared she kind of grew out of that, or used the sleaky eazy stuff.

I hadn't actually even thought of that til I started typing lol! I thought of Hermione more of her bookworm stuff as Hermione. I hadn't even really thought of the bushy hair as a signature look of hers!

I DID think it was a "signature" of hers when reading the book, but in the movies it slipped off my thoughts. UNTIL the 6th movie I LOVED that they did the bit in Potions where her hair appeared bushier than ever, and Seamus' potion blew up in his face

She wouldn't be Hermione without it! It's like her signature look the thing that gives her what little charm the others thought she possessed. It just made her adorable and stuff, without it I bet people wouldn't have been as patient (yeah they might have treated her worst). The hair makes her pardonable for the most part. Toooo cute XD