A genuine question for all tomione shippers 

99-deatheaters:

WHY?

don’t get me wrong, this isn’t hate I would just like someone to explain the reasoning behind the ship because I just don’t get it.

Hey there!

I’ve done my best to explain how it can be well-written here, which is semi-relevant. The real “why” behind it is mostly in the last paragraph, but here’s an elaboration for you:

• They’re both smart as hell.
• It’s often been suggested that Riddle can’t feel love, per se, only appreciation for those who are useful. But if you do believe in his ability to love being salvageable, then you have to start with the appreciation. And Hermione has a LOT to be appreciated - she’s brilliant and resourceful and thinks ahead like a boss.
• The banter. Quick wit; they’re both experts, though in different ways. Riddle’s slick and a great liar. Hermione’s fiery and gets flustered. It’s fun to read and to write.
• Natural antagonist attraction. See: Dramione, Sevmione, Drarry - basically any ship where two opposing forces clash. Great for writing and pushing forward a tension-thick plot.

I do get where you’re coming from. The ship seems inclined to sink if only because Hermione isn’t attracted to power or pretty much anything Riddle stands for. Thus, for the ship to work, Riddle needs to have more than a simple “GRR I’M EVIL AND ALL-POWERFUL!” dimension. Thus, character-building and transformation is paramount in any romance involving young!Tom.

But look at Hermione’s no-nonsense practical personality and Muggle-born status. The foundation of Hermione is the crux of the issue, because purely by existing she has the natural ability to turn everything Tom knows on its head. She is the perfect contradiction for him: on the good side, she’s loyal to those she cares about, perseverant, has a small tendency toward the vindictive (“Oppugno!” and SNEAK across Marietta Edgecombe’s face), pragmatic, logical - and most of all, she’s utterly brilliant. All signs of a worthy ally. On the other side of things, she’s Muggle-born and lacks sufficient ambition. She’s driven by a sense of justice.

One of the things I love about Hermione is that she could never be a follower. She lacks anything Tom would want in a follower - blind loyalty, for instance. She would have to be an equal and opposing force - or, if the author can swing it, an ally. Equal power dynamics, to me, are just hot. No way around it. (Uh, plus, HE’s hot. I mean, all Edward Cullen had going for him was beauty, and Tom’s got that plus a personality! I don’t understand why the whole world isn’t shipping Tomione. :P)

So you’ve got this girl who defies everything Tom believes about Muggle-borns. A girl who’ll fight to the last to stop every one of his evil plans. And since she’s the brightest of her age, Tomione shippers tend to believe that she’s got what it takes to topple not just the man’s actions, but the man himself. To sway not just his plans, but his entire worldview.

:) Hope that answers your question.