Talk about a 'Harry Potter' bombshell -- seven years after the final book's publication, author J.K. Rowling confesses in a new interview that Hermione Granger should have ended up with the series' hero, instead of with BFF Ron Weasley.

In an interview conducted by Emma Watson (who, of course, portrayed Hermione in the 'Harry Potter' films), Rowling admitted that she stuck with her gut instinct to pair up Hermione with the redheaded Ron, though she would have been better suited for The Boy Who Lived.

"I wrote the Hermione/Ron relationship as a form of wish fulfillment. That's how it was conceived, really," she told the actress. "For reasons that have very little to do with literature and far more to do with me clinging to the plot as I first imagined it, Hermione ended up with Ron."

"I know, I'm sorry. I can hear the rage and fury it might cause some fans, but if I'm absolutely honest, distance has given me perspective on that," Rowling continued. "It was a choice I made for very personal reasons, not for reasons of credibility. Am I breaking people's hearts by saying this? I hope not."

The beloved author also noted that Hermione and Harry "were a better match" -- something with which Watson agreed.

"I think there are fans out there who know that too and who wonder whether Ron would have really been able to make her happy," Watson said.

PopCrushers + 'Harry Potter' fans -- do you think Harry and Hermione should have ended up together? Or do you ship Hermione and Ron?

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