Oh boy. Other than Snape and Voldemort, I don't think that there was any more divisive issue in the Harry Potter than the relationships. And I would probably rank them above Voldemort. There was a whole culture surrounding "shipping," one of the many new phrases that I would learn. There was also Harmony (Harry/Hermione), Heron (Hermione/Ron), OBHWF (One Big Happy Weasley Family), and H/Hr/R (Harry/Hermione/Ron). "Platonic" could apparently be defined as "totally going to fall in love eventually" as well as, you know, "platonic." Symbolism was identified and psychology employed. As more of the books came out, one thing became clear: there would be no way to please everybody. Hermione couldn't fall in love with everyone. Could she?
" raised his wand: He could not, would not, suffer the Dementor's Kiss, whatever happened afterward. It was of Ron and Hermione that he thought as he whispered 'Expecto Patronum!'"