by April May Maple

Created on: February 18, 2009

Just because JK Rowling did not include more romance into her perfectly cohesive series does not mean that in her fictional world it did not happen. Many times when an author writes they discard so much of their story because in the end it really has no place within the plot lines. The romance that takes place is central to the plot and necessary for the story to progress. The books are so voluminous already; where would there be any more room for added romance?

Some of the primary adult figures in the book appear unattached. The books focus on the characters, Harry, Ron and Hermione with Harry's point of view. In all reality, how much does a student know about their teacher's love lives? Considering Rowling used the more formal "professor" to address the staff as opposed to Mr., Mrs. or Ms. we are unable to determine any attachments one way or another. It would be out of place for teachers of that caliber and professionalism even to consider discussing their romantic life with their students.

Harry did have an abnormally close relationship with Dumbledore, but in the seventh book, he realizes that their entire relationship has always focused on him. When Harry does learn more about Dumbledore's past we learn about his siblings and parents. These snippets into Dumbledore tell us only what Harry needs to know for his objective to be reached.

Another issue that may contribute to the lack of romance is the war. Voldermort's reign of terror had ended ten years prior to Harrys first term, but how many died at his hand. How many widows and widowers were left? Oddly, this is always how I imagined McGonagall's past, for she would have been married to a brave Gryffindor that opposed Voldermort. Her loss would also contribute to her formidable personality as well as her motherly attachment to Harry. She would feel the need to protect the one person that could defeat the monster that destroyed her lover.

Harry never learns if Sirius had a love interest, sadly they do not get that much time together. Obviously, he was not married but then again Sirius was pretty young when he was sent off to Azkaban. Sirius' personality prior to Azkaban makes me think that there were many girls but none significant enough to mention. I can imagine him as quite the playboy. He was gorgeous, daring and confident but also arrogant.

In the seventh book, Harry learns that Snape's lack of romance is actually quite romantic. No one would every shine a candle to his love for Lily. He spends the remainder of his life protecting the one precious thing left of Lily's, Harry. We only learn this again because it is central to the plot. Harry has to learn this before he can do what needs to be done.

The Harry Potter series is one of the most complex and well-written examples we have of modern fiction. Despite the extreme fantastical personality of the books the characters and human aspects always come across as very realistic. The relationships between the characters mimic that of real life. For JK Rowling to have added more romance in would cross some of these lines, considering the books are Harry's perceptions.

JK Rowling took such care with her books to make sure they were so conscience and exact. There are few examples one could find in her work that do not lead up to the ending of the story. Even the smallest details mentioned contribute to the final outcome. Excessive romance would be used as fluff to fill pages that do not need filled. It may have been interesting for the audience to know, but in the end would have no purpose, as it would not tie into the plot of the stories. It would just be frivolous and JK Rowling is not frivolous.

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