Harry and Hermione: Queries about their friendship

[happyjoeysmiley]

No: HPFGUIDX 183122

Now, I was never a H/Hr shipper (or any shipper for that matter). In
fact, it is the platonic nature of Harry/Hermione's friendship that I
find endearing. :) I like the friendship (and romance) between Ron and Hermione as well, and same goes for the cute friendship between Harry and Ron.

Having said all that, I was just wondering if Harry loves Hermione
as much as she loves him.

For instance, in PoA, though Harry knew Hermione meant well, he could
not help being angry with her regarding the Firebolt. In GoF, JKR
makes it clear that Harry enjoyed Ron's presence more than
Hermione's, as Ron is more fun. In OoTP, in the final scenes where
the 6 of them fight the death eaters @ MOM, I felt Harry's reaction
when Hermione drops down seemingly dead is strange - he seems to be
more worried about "it's his fault if she dies" rather than her death
itself!

At the same time, in DH, it was in front of her that he didn't
bother to hide his tears @ Godric's Hollow - a privilege he gave none
in his life.  I guess and whatever happens between them thereafter is
indeed touching. Also, JKR mentions at one point that Hermione's scream while she was being crucio-ed @ Malfoy Manor felt like "physical pain" to Harry. However, in the epilogue, not even a single explicit verbal/non-verbal conversation between these two has been highlighted. A bit strange, I thought.

So, is it just that Harry is not as comfortable as Hermione when it
comes to expressing affectionate feelings and has them all in his
heart? Or is it (painfully) true that Hermione had a strong
affection for Harry that was not reciprocated by him in *equal*
degree?

Any pointers to interesting articles with analysis and inferences
made in this context? [Not those articles that explain why Hermione
will not make a good romantic pair for Harry, please! :)]

happyjoeysmiley