Clutterbugsmum that’s the way I always understood the ending. That Harry could never have defeated Voldemort without Neville’s stand-out act of bravery, and him ultimately killing the snake. They actually were the chosen ones (both of them) in the original context of the prophecy. Voldemort marked Harry as his equal and set the chain of events in motion, but both finished him really.
Re H and R, them getting together never sat right with me, they just didn’t... ‘go’ together, I felt. In hindsight, and even reading this thread, I realise that they are not dissimilar to me and my husband! I have had relationships with go-getter intellectuals before, and we’ve been too ambitious and busy to ever have really been able to move forward together. I’m still friends with, and have great respect for all of my exes, but it’s worth noting that all of our future relationships are now not built the same. We’ve all remarried to quieter, more relaxed partners. I think for me, having a laid back husband, who is family orientated and isn’t always doing the next thing on a never ending list of personal goals, has been the difference between our contentment and divorce. I must repeat - for me this works, maybe for others it’s their idea of hell, I get that. I look for big challenges in my work and studies, outside of my relationship. I don’t want to be challenged by my husband, I want chill out and watch strictly and not get into a debate about politics or what have you - as I have to challenge beaurocracy and law and policy all day. I feel that balance is key, and my husband and I are so different that it just works. I’m the one always adding to my workload, taking on new projects, thinking about our next holiday while we’re still away, starting to tell him about a project I’ve been asked to consult on and before he tells me what he thinks, I’m already responding to him with “yeah, well I’ve already told them I’ll do it”. He says “sounds cool”, instead of “but I have a massive deal coming up, so not sure how that’ll work you doing that”. I am attracted to ambition, but for me it hasn’t worked as a long term thing before. Like Ron, my husband certainly isn’t unintelligent. He’s strong and hardworking, adores his family, loves his very long standing friends, is interested in all aspects of life and loves to travel and to hang out. He just isn’t motivated by academia, or particularly goal-orientated. Whereas I have spreadsheets for managing my day-to-day life, down to the last minute detail. Oh and I love books. A lot. Oh goodness me, I’m Hermione!
It’s just how we go along smoothly, I’m guessing that H and R have similar dynamics. Another vote for H still sending the occasional owl to Krum, speaking from experience.