Reasons Why Ron and Hermione Are A Better Couple Than Edward and Bella

Today, I read this article. It is, supposedly, an argument as to why Edward Cullen and Bella Swan from Twilight are a more epic couple than Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.

It was pathetic.

So, these are my Reasons Why Ron and Hermione Are A Better Couple Than Edward and Bella:

1) Ron doesn't stop Hermione from seeing the friends he doesn't approve of. When she dated Viktor Krum, although he was insanely jealous, he did not try to stop them. Edward actually disabled Bella's car and physically stopped her from going to see Jacob Black, and they weren't even dating. Everybody knows that having a boyfriend who stops you seeing your friends is evidence Numero Uno that he's emotionally abusive.

2) Ron and Hermione's relationship is based on a solid friendship and mutual respect and trust. Edward and Bella are together only because Bella's scent is Edward's "brand of cocaine" and because Bella thinks he is hot and her self-esteem is so low she can't believe someone so awesome would want to date her. Edward wouldn't have looked twice at her if she didn't smell so good. She's like an addiction. When are addictions ever good?

3) The author of the Next Movie article argues,

Edward has to overcome every instinct of his being not to eat Bella, while she in turn overcomes her raging teenage hormones not to jump his bones. He rescues her from several other vampires and she travels to Italy to save him from the Volturi. I dare say they've bested more obstacles than any other contemporary couple.

Aside from the fact I wouldn't want to date a guy who has to restrain himself from killing me, these supposed obstacles are not really that impressive. For starters, Bella isn't saving Edward from Volturi, she's saving him from himself, because he's voluntarily submitted himself to the Volturi and is intending on purposely antagonising them. Secondly - Ron took on a mountain troll, at the age of 11, to save Hermione. When he was unconscious for several days in his sixth year, it was Hermione's name he was heard to mumble in his sleep. He took on his biggest fear - spiders (and massive spiders at that!) - at the age of 12 to find the thing that had petrified Hermione so they could save her.  They have fought in life-and-death battles alongside each other from the age of 15.

4) Ron and Hermione demonstrate how you can still love and care for somebody but not have your entire life so wrapped up in them that life itself comes to a stop if they're gone. When Ron abandons Hermione and Harry for a period of time in The Deathly Hallows, despite crying herself to sleep at night Hermione still sticks with the horcrux search. When Edward left Bella, she essentially became a lifeless zombie for six months, breaking off all her friendships, not talking to anybody, not leaving the house except for school and work. 

5) Ron and Hermione demonstrate how you can have arguments and still come out the other side best friends, or more. When Edward and Bella argue, Edward generally does something to make sure he gets his way (eg, disable Bella's car)... and that's when Bella even has the backbone to stand up for herself and argue. 

6) The author of the Next Movie article argues, 

And the best thing about (Edward and Bella's) romantic chemistry is they get to be teenagers in love for eternity (and not get ugly).

I can't believe anybody would take that as a legitimate argument. Ron and Hermione, on the other hand, love each other despite knowing they won't be good-looking teenagers forever. Their 'chemistry' is not just based on the fact the other person is good-looking, but on their mutual respect and admiration for each other and the intimate friendship they've had with each other for years. Not appearances alone.

7) Hermione demonstrates a girl can be intelligent, have a backbone and stand up for herself and what she believes in, yet also be vulnerable with those she trusts and loves. Ron demonstrates that a man does not need to be emasculated or intimidated by this - in fact, he admires Hermione for her intelligence and the way she stands up for causes and people, going so far as to support her in causes he tends to think are a bit silly (eg, Hermione's Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare). Bella, on the other hand, has no backbone, especially when it comes to standing up to Edward, and when she tries, he brushes her off as a silly girl who doesn't know what's good for her. 

8) Ron and Hermione commit to each other knowing the other person's flaws all too well, knowing they will argue, but still love each other despite that. Bella and Edward think the other person is perfect which will one day come back to bite them.

9) Ron and Hermione have fun together - and apart. Bella spends most of her time beating herself up over how she doesn't deserve Edward and moping when he's not with her. Edward spends most of his time paranoid that Bella's going to hurt herself or someone else is going to hurt her and acts like a ridiculously over-protective body guard who doesn't trust anybody within a five kilometre radius of Bella, including herself. And if you're going to base judgements on the movies too (like the author of the Next Movie article did), Bella and Edward hardly ever smile and laughter is normally awkward. 

10) Ron and Hermione have lots of mutual friends with whom they can hang out, enjoy each other's company, and who agree they are a good couple. Their relationship does not break any of their existing friendships. They can still hang out with their own friends, or hang out with their mutual friends together and have a good time. Bella and Edward have no mutual friends except his family, and Bella only became friends with them after she began dating him. Bella has a handful of friends, half of whom (the werewolves) Edward essentially bans her from visiting, the other half of whom Bella stops hanging out with because they don't really get along with Edward. And none of her family or friends is very happy about her relationship with Edward. Starry-eyed teenagers might think this is Romeo-and-Juliet-romantic, but in reality, if you're in a relationship which none of your friends or family is happy with, it's generally a bad sign.

11) Would you want your daughter dating a guy who blocks her off from contacting life-long family friends you trust inherently, who watches her sleep from her window at night time? I didn't think so. 

12) Hermione and Ron's relationship is realistic and a healthy example for young people to look up to. They argue, but still look out for each other and care for one another, and always resolve their disputes; they support each other; sacrifice their own well-being for each other; they don't control each other or emotionally manipulate one another; they don't need each other to survive and operate on a day-to-day basis but they want each other; they use the obstacles they encounter to grow together. They love each other for who they are.