You are. Your mom is thinking of much older ideals. In the modern world, smart and sassy girls are totally hot. What boy do you know doesn't want Natalie Portman's sweet Hahvahd arse?

Point ;D.

I don't think that a difference of intelligence is exactly healthy for a relationship. It's frustrating and detrimental, but it isn't an absolute relationship killer. I'm going to agree that the relationship would be implausable in real life but that it'll probably last in the story simply because people love odd couples. Literature cannot avoid the fastening together of two unlike individuals.

I don't think it would be good in real life, but it wouldn't be impossible. Who knows?

I've been attracted to people less intelligent than me, but ultimately it was a bad idea. At least relative parity of competence is good. Otherwise jealousy, disdain, misunderstandings, and all manner of other things follow.

I think guys, in general, seek girls that they feel comfortable they can control. They're rarely right in their choices, but I think that's what they look for. Girls, in general, seem to make themselves appear stupid to garner this type of attention.

This is why people, in general, are horrid.

Thank God we deal with individuals and not people in general.

IMHO, difference in intelligence can be very frustrating.

I don't think I've seen Hermione upset by it in the books, though--usually, she gets upset b/c Ron wants her to do his work for him.

Ron doesn't feel threatened by her intelligence, because he makes no pretenses at intelligence; he just wants to pass his classes, and can then move on to...whatever it is he'll be doing after school. Actually, if Ron were as book-smart as Hermione, there might be a lot more out-and-out competition between the two of them, and not as much friendship...but that's sheer speculation.

I have to admit, the relationship could be a stretch in real life. It depends on a lot of other factors. If the two have a lot of chemistry, which they seem to do, then that'll mitigate a lot of other frustrations.

As long as they don't end up in the same job, I think Ron and Hermione should be fine.

And I hope they are, because I *am* a die-hard Ron/Hermione fan.

I don't think it should be a problem - seeing that as a friend, Ron never resented Hermione's intellect. So I don't see why it should be different as a boyfriend. Hehe, at least I hope not. :)

Well, as many people have already said, difference in intelligence *can* be a problem in relationships. Sometimes smart people are prone to feel very superior to less smart people and might display this by being scornful to them. However, I have never noticed Hermione to display any of this sort of feeling of superiority about her prodigious intellect. So, I think that because she doesn't seem to think she's better than Ron because she's smarter than him, it can definitely work. Also, I'm a diehard Ron/Hermione shipper so . . . yeah :-P

I've always thought that while Ron is definately not anywhere near Hermione itelligence-wise, he isn't completely stupid either. The way I see it, he is really good at chess, which means he does have some intellect. I think that can be enough for Hermione. She can respect him for being really good at that, and can be satisfied with that. Besides, they are destined for one another, they couldn't not work out in canon.