The Harry Potter universe is experiencing a resurgence, with the success of Hogwarts Legacy and the anticipation surrounding the upcoming HBO TV series. While the franchise has largely remained dormant compared to other IPs bombarded with spin-offs and reboots, the fandom remains strong. Even years later, debates about the film adaptations continue to ignite passionate discussions. One scene, in particular, continues to divide fans: the dance between Harry and Hermione in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.”
The 2010 film adaptation, while generally well-received, made changes that didn’t resonate with every fan. The inclusion of the Harry and Hermione dance, a scene not present in the original books, remains a point of contention. Although J.K. Rowling herself approved the scene, many fans felt it was unnecessary and even detrimental to the story.
A recent popular Reddit post highlights this ongoing debate. The post argues that a specific scene from the book, addressing Ron’s insecurities about Harry and Hermione’s relationship, should have been included instead of the dance. Many of the 400+ comments echo this sentiment.
One top comment emphasizes the importance of the omitted scene: “It literally resolves Ron’s jealousy issues, such an important scene. It’s so frustrating how the movie skipped that. Harry finds out Ron has deep insecurities about Harry and Hermione and he just… Doesn’t address it?? Come on!”
However, not all fans agree. Some argue that the dance scene offers a glimpse into the characters’ emotional depth and portrays a touching moment of platonic connection between two lonely individuals. One commenter contends: “The dance scene actually shows some emotional depth and maturity between the characters. Harry and Hermione are both incredibly lonely and shared a very nice platonic moment. We don’t need every scene to just involve characters directly telling each other how they’re feeling.”
The reception of the dance scene has evolved since its initial release. While it faced widespread criticism in 2010, some fans now appreciate the added emotional layer it brings to the film. Some comments reflect this shift: “The dance scene was emotional and amazing.” Another fan suggests a compromise: “The dance was a perfect addition, no need to take it away. You can just have both.”
The Harry and Hermione dance scene continues to be a topic of discussion within the Harry Potter community, demonstrating the enduring impact of these adaptations and the passion of the fanbase. The debate highlights the complexities of adapting beloved books to film and the inevitable differences in interpretation that arise.
