The Best of Half-Blood Prince

Minor spoilers for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (the film).

The Harry Potter books are way too long and detailed to be adapted adequately to film. Even Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with a running time of 2 hours and 33 minutes can't cram in all the important parts of the book. That's understandable. Stories based on books must be told differently on screen. Even though Half-Blood Prince has gaps that can be explained only by knowing the book, it shows one thing very, very well: Harry and Hermione's relationship.

Throughout the series, Harry and Hermione are best friends and always supportive of each other. Where Ron sometimes gets lost in himself or in the events around him, Harry always keeps an eye out for Hermione. In Half-Blood Prince, Harry likes Ginny but can't be with her for fear of Ron's reaction. Hermione likes Ron but he runs around with Lavender and pays little attention to Hermione for most of the film. Harry is the only one who is aware of Hermione's trouble, as Hermione is the only one aware of Harry's.

We see Hermione's disgust with Lavender every time she leaves a room abruptly or snaps at Ron for being so oblivious. Hermione gets upset, storms off, or cries. When Harry sees Dean Thomas with Ginny, he doesn't show an outward reaction. Maybe his facial expression changes or maybe he turns away, but that's it.

Until the scene where Hermione sits on the hallway stairs and cries.

Harry comes to comfort her and Hermione asks him what it feels like when he sees Ginny with Dean. Harry doesn't answer right away, but a moment later when Hermione cries into his shoulder, he says, "It feels like this."

Harry and Hermione's friendship is of the purest form, totally platonic. The books depict the same relationship, but it comes across stronger on screen. We can read that Harry and Hermione support each other, but the film does a better job of showing their compassion and sympathy.

Makes me wonder why some fangirls wanted Harry and Hermione to date and miss out on this perfect friendship.