Are love and relationships treated realistically in the 'Harry Potter' series?

The focus of the Harry Potter series certainly goes far beyond the realms of romance, but how accurately is the romance that is present portrayed? MuggleNet's own Stuart Dollin explores the probability of true love and marriage between certain characters in his essay, The Fleeting Treatment of Romance in Harry Potter. The essay points out that a majority of teenage romance does not last all the way to marriage, especially without the involvement of more adult maturity and whatever that may entail between two people. If J.K. Rowling were to write a post-Hogwarts story, Dollin notes that she would probably have to venture away from the style used for children's fiction.

So, you might ask, how come right at the end of 'Deathly Hallows' we are presented with Harry and Ginny and Ron and Hermione as married with children? How indeed? Apart from their life long friendship (at least between Harry, Ron and Hermione) what else is there to drive this? And here, I think JK Rowling really does have to fill in the blanks, at least up to the point that the two couples marry five or six years out of Hogwarts. Harry and Ginny you might just imagine, but Ron and Hermione?

It is said that the sharing of a momentous, life changing experience (such as the battle of Hogwarts) can bring people together, but equally, once that reason for being together is removed and normal life resumes, the relationship disintegrates as there is no shared focus. So... there has to be something else... something adult, something that is outside the bounds of what would be appropriate in children's fiction.

What are your thoughts on Potter romance? Do you agree with Dollin, or do you think that, given the series' attention to other themes and ideas, the romance works? This is a question that is brought up often among fans and will continue to be debated. Read the full essay here then leave a comment with your thoughts!