Ron and Hermioneâs feelings didnât suddenly appear because of Viktor Krum. The feelings had been building for years.
* Hermione was devastated when Ron mocked her relationship with Krum instead of admitting he was jealous.
* Ron was jealous of Krum long before he knew about the kiss.
* Hermione constantly worried about Ronâs safety and well-being in ways that went beyond friendship.
* Ron noticed things about Hermione that nobody else did, even if he wasnât always great at expressing it.
* Their arguments were often fueled by feelings neither of them knew how to discuss.
The Krum revelation didnât create feelingsâit exposed feelings that were already there.
Even without Ginnyâs comment, something else would have forced the issue eventually. Ron and Hermione were never particularly good at hiding jealousy from each other.
Ron had already shown signs of being jealous over Krum years earlier. Hermione had already shown that Ronâs opinion mattered to her more than she wanted to admit. The emotional groundwork was already there.
The biggest evidence is that their relationship continues developing long after the Krum reveal. Their bond survives fights, separations, a war, and countless moments where they choose each other over everyone else.
Would it have taken longer?
Would there have been more misunderstandings?
But Ron and Hermioneâs story was never built on one conversation about Viktor Krum. It was built on years of friendship, loyalty, affection, frustration, and growing up together.
Ginny may have sped things up.
She didnât create what was already there.