Who first kissed Hermione?

The true story of Hermione’s first kiss

While most fans instantly picture the dramatic, rain-soaked-style surge of emotion in the film adaptation when thinking about Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley's first kiss, the books actually take a wildly different—and much more chaotic—approach.

In J.K. Rowling’s Deathly Hallows, the romantic breakthrough doesn’t happen in a moment of quiet movie magic. Instead, it unfolds right in the absolute heat of the Battle of Hogwarts. Amidst the flying spells and crumbling castle walls, Ron suddenly shows a surprising burst of empathy, reminding everyone that they need to evacuate the house-elves rather than leaving them trapped in the kitchens.

This unexpected display of compassion completely melts Hermione's defenses. Overcome with sudden emotion, she drops the heavy basilisk fangs she’s been hauling around, creating a massive, clattering racket, and sprints straight toward Ron, flinging her arms around him and kissing him right then and there.

Ron, naturally, is so lifted off his feet by the surprise that he is literally suspended in mid-air. It’s messy, it’s frantic, and it happens against the backdrop of an active warzone, making it one of the most delightfully awkward and memorable moments in the entire series.

While the movies gave us that cinematic, water-soaked gasp of relief in the Chamber of Secrets, book purists know that true wizarding romance blooms best when you least expect it, even if you are literally surrounded by falling debris and angry Death Eaters.