Of all the friendships in Harry Potter, Harry and Hermione's is one of the most memorable. Harry is moody and reckless, Hermione is bossy and logical, but the pair share a tight bond despite their differences. They're almost like brother and sister – at least, that's the case in the books.
Harry ends up with Ginny in the movies, while Hermione ends up with Ron. However, the dynamic between Harry and Hermione is much closer onscreen than it was on the page, and there are several moments where it seems like the two might just get together, after all.
Godric's Hollow
One of the saddest moments in a Harry Potter movie happens in Godric's Hollow. Returning to his old home for the first time since his parents were killed, Harry visits their graves with Hermione at his side.
To make a tough moment slightly easier, Hermione conjures flowers for Harry's parents and rests her head on his shoulder. Any true friend would offer similar comfort, but it's the intimacy between the pair that makes this seem like something more.
When Hermione Only Hugs Harry
After being petrified by the Basilisk, Hermione makes her triumphant return at the end of Chamber of Secrets by running down the Great Hall to meet Harry and Ron. There, she throws her arms around Harry before awkwardly shaking Ron's hand.
This is obviously supposed to highlight that Hermione's relationship is very different with each boy and that her feelings for Ron make it awkward for her to show him so much affection. However, it also makes it clear that she's more natural and comfortable with Harry.
When Hermione Defends Harry
Many of Ron's lines get cut from the movies – or, in this case, given to Hermione. When she believes Sirius is there to kill Harry in Prisoner of Azkaban, she leaps to his defense and insists, "If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us, too."
In the books, this line proves just how loyal of a friend Ron is, as he says it struggling to his feet with a broken leg. Giving it to Hermione instead suggests that she actually has the strongest connection with Harry.
When Harry Tells Hermione He's Leaving
The final scene of Half-Blood Prince gives viewers their final glimpse of Harry as a Hogwarts student. After Dumbledore's death, he explains to Hermione that he doesn't plan on returning. Instead, he plans on hunting down the Horcruxes and defeating Lord Voldemort for good.
While Ron sits silently in the background, Hermione responds by vowing to help Harry on his quest. The pair briefly clasp hands before staring out at Fawkes soaring and singing above the grounds. It's a poignant moment to mark the end of an era in Harry's life – and having Hermione there as it happens seems very symbolic.
When Harry Protects Hermione
With Ron incapacitated in the Hospital Wing, it's up to Harry and Hermione alone to save the day in Prisoner of Azkaban. Traveling back in time with the Time-Turner, they try to save Sirius while also avoiding Professor Lupin in his werewolf form.
While the books make this easy by letting them hide in Hagrid's cabin, the movie features a terrifyingly close call. Lupin is just about to attack the pair when Buckbeak intervenes at the last second. This provides a moment to prove just how much Harry values Hermione's life over his, as he instinctively grabs and protects her – despite them both being equally vulnerable.
The Second Task
The Second Task sees the thing each champion would miss most hidden at the bottom of the lake. For Harry, that's Ron in both the books and movies, while Hermione is Krum's, thanks to their brief relationship in the Harry Potter movie.
The movie very much focuses on Harry and Hermione in the aftermath. Despite Ron having been through nearly the exact same experience, Hermione goes straight for Harry after he emerges from the water. Giving him her towel and kissing him on the head, she insists he behaved "admirably." It's a sweet moment but suggests, not for the first time, that Hermione cares for Harry more than anyone.
Dancing In The Tent
Some of the Harry Potter book-to-movie differences feel unnecessary for some fans, but this definitely isn't one of them. Feeling down after Ron's departure – and frustrated over the Horcrux search – Harry takes Hermione by the hand and gets her to join him for a dance.
It's a beautiful, bittersweet scene that really captures the pair's close bond. For a moment, it seems like they might even kiss before reality steps in and Hermione steps away. This is probably the most overt suggestion that there's something more than friendship between the pair – they just haven't acted on it.
When Hermione Offers To Go With Harry
Harry is forced to do the unimaginable in Deathly Hallows Part 2: willingly walk to his death. Having discovered that he's the final Horcrux, he knows his death is the key to killing Voldemort.
On his way, he encounters Ron and Hermione and tells them the truth. Both are visibly devastated – yet it's Hermione who offers to go with him. When Harry refuses, the pair share a hugely emotional hug goodbye. Ron is on the sidelines through it all, again painting Hermione as the one who loves Harry most.
When Hermione Sticks With Harry
Frustrated and angry due to the influence of the Horcrux, Ron walks out on both Harry and Hermione in Deathly Hallows Part 1. It's a low point in the trio's friendship, with both boys throwing cruel remarks at each other until Harry insists that Ron leave.
Before Ron does, he asks Hermione whether she's staying or going. She's visibly torn, but sticks by Harry and their mission. This is the same in the books, but the fact that she weakly insists that "nothing" is happening when Ron implies she and Harry have a connection makes this seem much more significant.
Hermione's Yule Ball Entrance
Hermione gets her very own Cinderella moment at the Yule Ball. Descending the stairs in a beautiful pink gown, it's a real coming of age moment for her character, as everyone starts to see her in a different light.
Padma is the first to remark on how beautiful she looks, but when Harry turns around, the expression on his face makes it clear that he thinks the same. From the swelling romantic music to the way the camera focuses on Harry's reaction, everything about this scene makes it seem like a shift in their relationship.