Hermione didn't hug Ron in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets primarily because the young actress, Emma Watson, who portrayed Hermione Granger, felt embarrassed about performing such a scene at her age.
During the filming of the scene where Hermione is reunited with Harry and Ron, the original script likely involved her embracing both boys. However, Emma Watson, who was eleven years old at the time, expressed discomfort and embarrassment about hugging the boys in front of the entire cast and crew. To ensure the young actress's comfort, director Chris Columbus made a creative decision to alter the scene's blocking.
This adjustment resulted in the on-screen moment where:
- Hermione enthusiastically hugs Harry Potter.
- When she turns to Ron Weasley, there is a noticeable pause and a moment of mutual awkwardness.
- Both Hermione and Ron become visibly embarrassed by the prospect of a hug.
- To resolve this pre-teen discomfort, they quickly opt for a handshake instead of an embrace.
This subtle change not only accommodated Emma Watson's real-life feelings but also effectively added a layer of authentic, innocent awkwardness to the developing relationship between the characters, hinting at their future romantic tension in a charming and age-appropriate way.
