Since Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone debuted in 2001, the Potterverse has been a huge part of pop culture. Its characters and world have become a hit over generations, making the books a modern classic series. Many fans grew up with Harry and his friends, rooting for them against Voldemort and sympathizing with the struggles of growing up. After that, fans only got to fall more in love with classic characters and meet new ones in Fantastic Beasts, The Cursed Child, and everything on Pottermore.
Since the franchise has become become such a hit, this means that its couples have become a huge topic of discussion among fans. After all, readers grew up with these characters and watched the love between them blossom. They care a lot about their futures, and when that involves romance, they’re even more interested. Fan-favorite couples are often the subject of fan art, fan fiction, and endless joy.
However, not all Potterverse couples are home-runs. They can cause trouble for other characters, hurt other people, or don’t do justice for the characters involved. Thankfully, though, there are a lot of other great couples to counteract that.
With that said, here are the 14 Couples That Hurt The Harry Potter Universe (And 11 That Saved It).
Saved: Severus And Lily
The relationship between Lily and Severus is hotly contended. Some fans adore it, while others find it obsessive. In the context of good couples, this one does seem a bit toxic. However, for the Potterverse, their relationship technically saved the series. After all, if Severus wasn’t keeping such a close eye on Harry, he would have likely perished several times over.
Even during Harry’s first year alone, Snape saved Harry from a rogue bludger, Dementors, and many other dangers. Maybe it’s a bit too much to call him a good guy, but his love for Lily did save their world from Voldemort.
Hurt: Queenie And Jacob
In Fantastic Beasts, Queenie and Jacob were a sweet, cute couple. They were quickly drawn to each other and, despite the fact that their relationship was frowned upon, they found happiness with one another.
When the sequel came out, though, their sweet relationship turned much darker. Queenie, desperate to be with Jacob, enchanted him to marry her. Since wizards and witches in the US are forbidden by law from marrying Muggles, it was a dangerous choice – the kind Jacob wouldn’t have agreed to. After her spells lifted and Queenie decided to change allegiances, this once-cute couple soured the movie series.
Saved: James And Lily
The Potterverse would never be the same if it wasn’t for James and Lily. After all, they did create the Boy Who Lived and it was Lily’s love that saved him from destruction. James and Lily have their flaws – James was a terrible bully while he was at Hogwarts – but they were kind people who wanted the best for their son. Their beyond-the-grave support and adoration for their son helped him throughout the countless trials he had to face.
Since they were willing to risk their lives for the world, they did a pretty good job. Not only did they protect Voldemort’s mortal enemy, but they also did everything they could to prepare him for his journey. As far as parental couples go, they did pretty well.
Hurt: Petunia and Vernon
When Harry’s parents passed away, he was sent to live with his Muggle aunt and her husband. Petunia and Vernon never took to Harry and treated him like a second class citizen in what should have been his new home. After years of feeling inferior to Lily, Petunia took all her frustrations and anger out on Harry.
Worse still, they raised their son, Dudley, to be a reprehensible young man. They gave him everything he wanted, and even encouraged his bullying and rude behavior, allowing Harry to suffer for it. Though Dudley learned to respect his cousin and Petunia showed some understanding later on, Vernon never did. They are easily one of the most unpleasant couples in the series.
Saved: Remus and Tonks
As the world falls apart in the last three novels, a love story brewed in the background of Harry’s protectors. A fiercely independent Auror named Nymphadora Tonks fell madly in love with the reclusive Remus Lupin. Though he initially rebuffed her, Remus eventually accepted her feelings, and they later got married and had a child.
While hardly the only adult couple on the list, Tonks and Lupin proved that all good people deserve love – even if they’re werewolves or related to Death Eaters. As complex, unique characters, the couple quickly grew on fans. Their passing during the Battle for Hogwarts was a horribly tragic ending, which left their newborn son, Teddy, an orphan.
Hurt: Newt And Leta
In the large halls of Hogwarts, it was adorable that outcasts Leta LeStrange and Newt Scamander could find support and comfort in one another. Though time may have taken them apart, they still cared deeply for one another.
However, it’s when they grow up that this relationship becomes a problem. In the context of Fantastic Beasts, it only muddies the story when it is insinuated that Leta and Newt still have feelings for one another. Furthermore, it cheapens the complexity of Leta’s character by having her sacrifice herself for one or both Scamander brothers. Though they were cute as kids, this lingering romance did nothing good for the Potterverse.
Saved: Bill And Fleur
During The Goblet of Fire, many of the boys fall for the attractive, intelligent Fleur Delacour. As the Triwizard champion for Beauxbatons, she was a beauty in the spotlight. However, Fleur distanced herself from the hosting students. She remained pragmatic and focused during her time as champion.
Many years later, though, she ended up meeting Bill Weasley and her icy seriousness softened. Bill is the laid-back, inclusive eldest Weasley son. Though still sophisticated, Fleur is much gentler with him. Similarly, she makes him a little more serious. Since fans got to know both Fleur and Bill separately, it certainly paid off to see them get together later and find happiness together.
Hurt: Ron And Lavender
Ron Weasley is not the smartest man. Despite his growing attraction to Hermione, which reared its angry head in The Goblet of Fire, he refused to acknowledge his feelings for her. Instead, he just went for any girl who showed him any romantic attention. Unfortunately, that ended up being Lavender Brown, who decided to kiss him after the Gryffindor team win a Quidditch game.
Though Ron becomes annoyed with Lavender fairly quickly, and he sees that his relationship hurts Hermione, so he continues to date her. The meaningless, grating relationship only causes the main trio emotional turmoil so that Ron can feel some temporary satisfaction. When they break up in the infirmary, it’s a happy end to the terrible couple.
Saved: Cho And Cedric
For starters, it’s almost refreshing to see the main hero not get the girl. While Cho and Harry eventually kiss, Cho rebuffs his advances because she’s dating Cedric. The smart girl was dazzled by the sweet, friendly boy. When fans see the pair at the Yule Ball, it’s clear that they can’t take their eyes off one another. They are an adorable, functional pair of schoolyard sweethearts.
Their relationship deserves more credit for being so wholesome and encouraging. When Cho is heartbroken about Cedric’s passing, that pain is respected and real. If only they could have had more time together.
Hurt: Ginny And Dean
At least on the big screen, Ginny’s first real relationship was with fellow Gryffindor, Dean Thomas. Since she spent much of her childhood mooning over Harry, it was a nice change to see her finally move on and pursue other romantic interests.
However, as first relationships go, Ginny and Dean are pretty cheesy and kiss in public… a lot, according to Ron, at least. Though there wasn’t much wrong with their young relationship, it was hard to see Harry so riled up about it.
Saved: Andromeda And Ted Tonks
Pure-blood families account for much of the Death Eater population. They’re generations of wizards and wizards who believe that they are superior to Muggles and should rule over the world. However, some pure-blood characters weren’t as evil and didn’t believe in these ideologies.
One such witch was Andromeda Tonks, the sister of Narcissa and Bellatrix Black. She abandoned her family when she fell in love with a Muggle named Ted Tonks. Looking past all of her family’s prejudice, she saw the good in him and they eventually married. Their daughter, Nymphadora Tonks, was an auror who fought against Death Eaters and Voldemort. They set a precedence that not all pure-bloods are evil.
Hurt: Viktor And Hermione
Hermione never looked lovelier than when she emerged at the Yule Ball, where she first felt noticed by a boy. Viktor Krum was the one who asked her to the ball, admiring both her intelligence and beauty. Though they weren’t quite a perfect match, and Ron did ruin her night, it allowed Hermione to finally feel good about herself.
Unfortunately for Viktor, Hermione prefered substance in a relationship. His quiet, brutish ways didn’t fit her. Ron’s behavior that night was inexcusable, but their relationship only complicated the weird relationships of Goblet of Fire. Moreover, it was weird to watch Viktor fall so quickly in love with her while she just felt special about the popular guy noticing her. Though cute, they both deserved better.
Saved: Newt And Tina
Despite the messiness of the relationships in the Fantastic Beasts series, there is one couple that shines through: Newt and Tina. They definitely have their problems (who assumes a bad article means anything?), but their unique romance supersedes it.
Unlike many relationships in the Potterverse, Newt and Tina are very quiet. They communicate their feelings in small looks and phrases. They’re shy and determined. Though they come from very different backgrounds, they both choose to be heroes in a dangerous world. Though they haven’t officially got together in the movies yet, they do end up marrying later on.
Hurt: Luna And Neville
At the end of The Deathly Hallows, Neville is determined to tell a girl he likes how he feels. It’s implied that this woman is Luna Lovegood, the local oddball. While the coupling of the botonist and magizoologist is adorable, it has some problems. Long-term, the pairing doesn’t fit quite right.
Neville likes a quiet life, while Luna is an adventurer. She’d explore the world while he’d stay close to home and his parents. Their relationship would give fans false expectations. After all, it’s very unlikely that they’d be able to sustain their feelings. Canonically, they didn’t, as Neville ended up with Hufflepuff Hannah Abbott and Luna married a descendant of the Scamanders.
Saved: Hermione And Ron
While many couples were sudden, already established, or well-hidden secrets, Ron and Hermione were the rare couple that was built up over all seven books. Since they were eleven years old, they had a complicated relationship. Though they disagreed often, they cared a lot for each other and were very loyal. They also were often caught, in Harry’s narration, giving each other sidelong glances.
Despite the tumultuous nature of their later relationship, which teemed with untold emotion and jealousy, Ron and Hermione finally conceded to their feelings in The Deathly Hallows. As a fan-favorite combo, these two make for a long-awaited, loving pair.
Hurt: Merope Gaunt And Tom Riddle
The catalyst to Voldemort was his terrible heritage. His mother, Merope Gaunt, who was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, fell in love with a Muggle who lived near her family’s house. His name was Tom Riddle. She enchanted Tom to love her, they married, and eventually had a child. Merope thought it had been long enough and assumed that Tom really loved her, so she broke the spell over him. Tom then divorced and abandoned her.
She passed on and left her baby an orphan. The child showed immense power from a young age and scared the other Muggle children. Tom Riddle Jr. fostered a hatred and mistrust of Muggles. Over more decades of resentment, he became Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord.
Saved: Draco And Astoria
Draco Malfoy spent most of the Harry Potter series being as a bully who ready to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, the kindness of his mother saved him from walking the same path. She wanted her son to live more than she wanted The Dark Lord to live.
Eventually, little moment of kindness from the main trio and his mother helped Draco abandon the Death Eaters. As an adult, he married Astoria Greengrass, despite her family’s curse and his parent’s disapproval. Together, they refused to raise their son, Scorpius, with prejudice and hatred in his heart. They are proof that pure-blood parents can turn over a new leaf.
Hurt: Harry And Ginny
To start, Harry and Ginny are inherently a bad couple. They do have a fascinating set-up, though – she had a huge crush on him and he saved her from Tom Riddle. It was a very effective, magically unique meet-cute situation.
However, until Half-Blood Prince, Ginny practically faded into the background. That is, until she started dating and Harry suddenly realized that he was madly in love with her all along. Though their chemistry wasn’t terrible, their feelings developed very suddenly, which made it rough to root for them. The series deserved a better, more well-rounded relationship for its main hero. Ultimately, though, they are a happy, supportive couple, so at least there’s that.
Hurt: Credence And Nagini
Credence seemed to find his only comfort in Nagini, a fellow outcast who was cursed with horrifying powers. Their relationship was close and they were devoted to one another. Though Fantastic Beasts never confirmed a romantic aspect of their relationship, it’s definitely implied. They hang onto each other in every scene.
However, Credence’s fervor to find his past is too strong. Fans are given little to no time to warm up to them. Nagini and Credence could be a strong couple, but their story is mishandled and rushed. Even worse, at the first sign of information, he abandons her for the pure-bloods who terrify her.
Saved: Scorpius And Albus
In the play The Cursed Child, the plot centers around best friends Scorpius and Albus, two Slytherins who are caught in a greater, terrible scheme. While the play itself had mixed reviews, most fans agreed that the relationship between Albus and Scorpius was the best part of the show. They are two different children with two very different legacies growing close and defying odds.
While the relationship was mainly defined as platonic, fans have continually pointed out moments and scenes that could suggest more. Regardless, this cute duo lifted up The Cursed Child. It’s a play with a lot of problems, but their companionship definitely saved it.
