Times are a-changin' at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," and star Emma Watson said she's happy to remain in the thick of it middle of it both professionally and personally.

"The Half-Blood Prince" marks the sixth time Watson has starred as Hermione Granger in the film series since its inception in 2001, and in a unique sense, both she and her character have grown up together.

"It's been a very strange experience growing up on-screen in a way. But in a way it's nice because I get to experience everything before Hermione does and can apply what I've learned in my own life to the situations that she finds herself in," said Watson in an @ The Movies interview Thursday. "Obviously every now and again Hermione finds herself in a slightly stranger situation than I do. (I guess you could say I experience) everything minus the magic."

The common thread that Hermione, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Ron (Rupert Grint) share in "The Half-Blood Prince" is that all three are growing more mature in their teen years. As the hormones rage on like wildfire, Harry discovers romance with Ron's sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright), and Hermione finds herself jealous of Ron's new girlfriend, Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave).

While the crux of the new "Harry Potter" film remains Harry and Dumbledore's (Michael Gambon) quest to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort, Watson said she's smitten with the way romance has found a prominent place in the proceedings.

"I think fans are really going to like this one because it's much more relatable and funnier," Watson observed. "The films at times can get quite dark, so it's nice to have a change."

Fans have long been anticipating the blossoming romance between Hermione and Ron, and they get a huge taste of things to come in "The Half-Blood Prince." There's no snogging (or kissing, to us Muggles) in the new film between the two to be had, although there's a whole lot of Hermione angst going on, thanks to some obnoxious advances by Quidditch star Cormac McLaggen (Freddie Stroma).

Not surprisingly, Watson is feeling angst like her on-screen counterpart, but for completely different reasons. That's because as Hermione and Ron's romance finally comes to fruition in "The Deathly Hallows," she'll find herself kissing a longtime friend.

"To call it awkward is an understatement. He is like my brother and doing one of these romantic scenes with him is very, very strange indeed," Watson said with a laugh. "But it's a perfect way the (seventh) ended. It's just … right. I'm kind of torn between how I feel and what is right for Hermione. Although Ron and Hermione are so different he's perfect for her because he's so different."

Having turned 19 in April, Watson is facing some big decisions ahead regarding her career and college. And while there have been reports of her surfacing that she'll quit acting after she's completed the "Harry Potter" film series, the actress said in truth, that she's not about to call it a day just yet.

"I'm still working it out," Watson explained. "I've done 'Harry Potter' movies for more than half my life now and I haven't had much of a chance to experiment and go off and do different things. I think acting is in my future, but I just need a bit of a break, that's all. I need a couple of years to find my feet a bit."

Until then, Watson is thrilled to be working on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," a place to remind her just how magical -- for the lack of a better word -- of a place she's in.

"I'll always have my moments (of wonder), particularly when I step on a new set, or when they show me a new prop or costume and I think to myself, 'God, this is so amazing.'" Watson said. "If I ever have moments where I forget, having kids come and visit the set (brings it back). Just seeing the looks on their faces is amazing."