Favorite Literary Couple

To celebrate one of the most beloved romance stories ever written (and England's favorite book of all time), Pride & Prejudice, (and a little holiday coming up on Thursday), we want to tell you about our favorite literary couples.



Mine is Ron and Hermione from the Harry Potter series. And I'm the first to admit that I probably would not squee over them half as much if they hadn't been translated into film. Actually seeing them made them that much more lovable.

I think what makes me love them so much is the build-up. For years we wondered. We get to see their relationship develop, from awkwardly competitive (Hermione's talents lie in academic pursuits, whereas Ron's are more rooted in abstract concepts like courage and loyalty) to witty banter to finally admitting that yes, they really are meant to be together.

Some people thought Hermione would wind up with Harry, which I thought was preposterous. I appreciated the scene where Hermione and Harry dance in the tent in the last film so much because they are just perfect friends.

And of course, who didn't cheer when they saw Ron and Hermione kiss, finally? Well, I did. And most of the people in the theater with me did. And I still do, but more quietly.

One of my favorite things about them, though, is the fact that their Patronuses match. Hermione's Patronus is an otter, which belongs to the same family as weasels (like Weasley). Too much of a stretch? Ron's is a Jack Russell terrier, a breed of dog known for chasing otters. We learn about their Patronuses during the DADA lessons Harry teaches to Dumbledore's Army in Order of the Phoenix, long before we get stronger hints to their relationship.

So, usually I would pick Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett as my favorite couple.  But since we're hearing about them in HOARDS this week, I'll refrain.  And there is a sadistic part of me that wants to say, "OMG!  Edward and Bella, of course!", but I won't do that either.  Mainly because we know it isn't true.

Will and Lyra, from Pullman's His Dark Materials series, are just about the cutest couple in the history of mankind.  And the best part?  It's not the romance that I inevitably love about them: it's their adventures and their friendship and watching them both grow. 

Will doesn't actually show up until The Subtle Knife.  That's when he passes from his world into an intermediary world, where he meets Lyra.  They save people and explore this strange world and figure out so much about each other.  They meet all sorts of people along the way and, inevitably, fight to save every world.

While they do link up romantically in the final book (which, there is a lot of controversy surrounding it), it's what happens at the end of The Amber Spyglass that tugs at your heart the most.  I won't tell you what happens, because that would just spoil everything, but it's tragic and heartwarming and moving and basically embodies their entire friendship.