| The Granger Arc |
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Hermione is a passionate, responsible, caring girl. She has an
innate, insatiable thirst for knowledge. She cares about the
impression she gives to others: wants to be seen as an
intelligent, hardworking, respectable person and a good role
model for younger kids. She lives for gaining the respect of the
people she respects.
For the most part, her character development has remained steady
and logical. She was a loner when she first got to the school
because she probably never had many friends and didn’t know how
to make them. But, by book 2, when the Trio is as firm a concept
as any in the book series, she will do anything for her friends:
lie to teachers, let them copy her notes, break rules and risk
her life to help them.
innate, insatiable thirst for knowledge. She cares about the
impression she gives to others: wants to be seen as an
intelligent, hardworking, respectable person and a good role
model for younger kids. She lives for gaining the respect of the
people she respects.
For the most part, her character development has remained steady
and logical. She was a loner when she first got to the school
because she probably never had many friends and didn’t know how
to make them. But, by book 2, when the Trio is as firm a concept
as any in the book series, she will do anything for her friends:
lie to teachers, let them copy her notes, break rules and risk
her life to help them.
| Philosopher's Stone |
Hermione just about does a complete 180 degree turnaround in this
one book. She turns from a bookish, rule-abiding, so insecure she
overcompensates little girl into a fiercely intelligent,
independent protective friend.
In the beginning she is a quiet loner, intelligent but insecure.
She has to prove herself to the other kids who have been around
magic their whole lives, the professors, but mostly to herself.
She’s driven, organized to the point of obsession, curious,
diligent and a hard working perfectionist.
one book. She turns from a bookish, rule-abiding, so insecure she
overcompensates little girl into a fiercely intelligent,
independent protective friend.
In the beginning she is a quiet loner, intelligent but insecure.
She has to prove herself to the other kids who have been around
magic their whole lives, the professors, but mostly to herself.
She’s driven, organized to the point of obsession, curious,
diligent and a hard working perfectionist.
- “I hope you're pleased with yourselves. We could
| Philosopher's Stone Chapter 9 |
Through her adventures, or perhaps the better term is
misadventures, with Harry and Ron she changes.
She’s bossy and has a commanding presence. We see this even from
her first entrance on the train. She comes in demands to see Ron
do some magic, shows that she can do a more complex spell better,
and tells Harry all about himself. Her insecurity comes out as
she rushes and rambles through her introduction.
When we first meet Hermione on the train to Hogwarts, she is
helping someone she just met a few short hours ago look for his
pet.
We can only imagine how Neville got her to help, perhaps she saw
how upset he was and how no one else would help so she decided to
offer her help. Maybe she’d gone through enough of that: being
bullied and picked on, and left out so she didn’t like seeing
someone else going through it.
misadventures, with Harry and Ron she changes.
She’s bossy and has a commanding presence. We see this even from
her first entrance on the train. She comes in demands to see Ron
do some magic, shows that she can do a more complex spell better,
and tells Harry all about himself. Her insecurity comes out as
she rushes and rambles through her introduction.
When we first meet Hermione on the train to Hogwarts, she is
helping someone she just met a few short hours ago look for his
pet.
We can only imagine how Neville got her to help, perhaps she saw
how upset he was and how no one else would help so she decided to
offer her help. Maybe she’d gone through enough of that: being
bullied and picked on, and left out so she didn’t like seeing
someone else going through it.
It is also here that the rivalry
between Hermione and Ron
originates. She immediately puts
him at a disadvantage.
She interrupts Ron trying out a
new spell. Hermione asks to see
him do it. When he can’t, she
states that the spell wasn’t
very good and that all the ones
she’s tried have worked.
between Hermione and Ron
originates. She immediately puts
him at a disadvantage.
She interrupts Ron trying out a
new spell. Hermione asks to see
him do it. When he can’t, she
states that the spell wasn’t
very good and that all the ones
she’s tried have worked.
- “We’ve already told him we haven’t seen it,” said
the wand in his hand.
- “Oh, are you doing magic? Let’s see it, then.”
She sat down. Ron looked taken aback.
“Er – all right.”
He cleared his throat. “Sunshine, daisies, butter
- He waved his wand, but nothing happened. Scabbers
- “Are you sure that’s a real spell?” said the girl.
simple spells just for practice and it’s all worked for
me. Nobody in my family’s magic at all, it was ever such
a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so
pleased, of course, I mean, it’s the very best school of
witchcraft there is, I’ve heard – I’ve learned all our
course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be
enough – I’m Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?”
- She said all this very fast.
Harry looked at Ron, and was relieved to see by his
by heart either.
- “I’m Ron Weasley,” Ron muttered.
“Harry Potter,” said Harry.
“Are you really?” said Hermione. “I know all about
reading, and you’re in Modern Magical History and The
Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding
Events of the Twentieh Century.”
- “Am I?” said Harry, feeling dazed.
“Goodness, didn’t you know, I’d have found out
either of you know what house you’ll be in? I’ve been
asking around, and I hope I’m in Gryffindor, it sounds
by far the best; I heard Dumbledore himself was in it,
but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn’t be too bad...Anyway,
we’d better go and look for Neville’s toad. You two had
better change, you know, I expect we’ll be there soon.”
- And she left, taking the toadless boy with her.
“Whatever house I’m in, I hope she’s not in it,”
spell – George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud.”
| Philosopher's Stone Chapter 6 |
This is an illustration of her just not knowing how she affects other
people, but not many pre-teens or even teens have any concept of social
propriety and anything that doesn’t revolve around them. She’s just a
little clueless about how to phrase things without it sounding like a
judgment. She doesn’t mean to emasculate the boys; she’s just used to being
better at everything so why should she sit around and wait for them to do
what she could have done 10 minutes ago.
I think what makes this whole scene so endearing to me is that she’s trying
so hard to make friends. She feels inadequate and out of place and is
trying to impress these boys. She tries too hard and winds up putting them
off. But she’s so sweet and horribly clueless about how she comes off and
despite that is still more mature then any other 11-12 year old that
I’ve ever met. She kind of makes your head spin, but my, what a first
impression.
people, but not many pre-teens or even teens have any concept of social
propriety and anything that doesn’t revolve around them. She’s just a
little clueless about how to phrase things without it sounding like a
judgment. She doesn’t mean to emasculate the boys; she’s just used to being
better at everything so why should she sit around and wait for them to do
what she could have done 10 minutes ago.
I think what makes this whole scene so endearing to me is that she’s trying
so hard to make friends. She feels inadequate and out of place and is
trying to impress these boys. She tries too hard and winds up putting them
off. But she’s so sweet and horribly clueless about how she comes off and
despite that is still more mature then any other 11-12 year old that
I’ve ever met. She kind of makes your head spin, but my, what a first
impression.
In the movie, she proceeds to fix Harry’s glasses; in the book, she just
belittles Ron. Thus establishing the competitive and contentious
relationship she shares with Ron throughout the book series. She made him
look bad in front of Harry (the most famous kid in the school officially).
Whether it’s because she’s a girl or a muggleborn and just shouldn’t be as
good at Magic as he is, he is jealous of her mastery of Magic even then and
the attention she gets from it. Ron has always felt outplayed by her and
thus attacks her for any old thing he can get his hands on or make up.
Her reaction is generally to be defensive when he starts in on the attack,
because, to her, she’s being attacked for no reason. She doesn’t
understand what his problem with her is. It stops them both from even
trying to understand each other or become better friends.
belittles Ron. Thus establishing the competitive and contentious
relationship she shares with Ron throughout the book series. She made him
look bad in front of Harry (the most famous kid in the school officially).
Whether it’s because she’s a girl or a muggleborn and just shouldn’t be as
good at Magic as he is, he is jealous of her mastery of Magic even then and
the attention she gets from it. Ron has always felt outplayed by her and
thus attacks her for any old thing he can get his hands on or make up.
Her reaction is generally to be defensive when he starts in on the attack,
because, to her, she’s being attacked for no reason. She doesn’t
understand what his problem with her is. It stops them both from even
trying to understand each other or become better friends.
Hermione reveals that she’s read all their course books already and she’s
even read several books that have included material on Harry. Harry is
shocked that she knows about him, even though all the other people he’s
met knew him. They knew him from his scar; she knows him right off and
doesn’t ask to see the scar. She also doesn’t seem all that impressed with
him...she can’t believe he didn’t know he was in all those books.
She makes both boys feel a bit inferior at first. Ron because she can
perform magic and he can’t; and Harry because she seems so poised and put
together and he’s wondering if he should have read all the books too.
even read several books that have included material on Harry. Harry is
shocked that she knows about him, even though all the other people he’s
met knew him. They knew him from his scar; she knows him right off and
doesn’t ask to see the scar. She also doesn’t seem all that impressed with
him...she can’t believe he didn’t know he was in all those books.
She makes both boys feel a bit inferior at first. Ron because she can
perform magic and he can’t; and Harry because she seems so poised and put
together and he’s wondering if he should have read all the books too.
Despite Hermione watching out for them, Ron
still doesn’t like her and calls her a
nightmare. She overhears and it upsets her. The
smart kid in class rarely is the one with all
the friends, she’s always been the freak because
weird things happen around her with no
explanation...she’s finally found a place where
there are more people like her and now they are
ridiculing her the same as the muggle kids did
in school. She locks herself in the girls’ loo
and cries.
still doesn’t like her and calls her a
nightmare. She overhears and it upsets her. The
smart kid in class rarely is the one with all
the friends, she’s always been the freak because
weird things happen around her with no
explanation...she’s finally found a place where
there are more people like her and now they are
ridiculing her the same as the muggle kids did
in school. She locks herself in the girls’ loo
and cries.
She never hears about the Troll getting into
the school. Not until she steps out of the
stall and nearly gets crushed. Cornered and
alone, she doesn’t know what to do. Just then
Harry runs in with Ron, to her rescue. She must
be thinking “great two dunces! I’m dead!” Yet
the three of them together manage the
impossible.
the school. Not until she steps out of the
stall and nearly gets crushed. Cornered and
alone, she doesn’t know what to do. Just then
Harry runs in with Ron, to her rescue. She must
be thinking “great two dunces! I’m dead!” Yet
the three of them together manage the
impossible.
The teachers come in to find the kids in the middle of a leveled lavatory
with an unconscious troll Professor McGonagall demands an explanation
from the boys...Hermione steps in and lies, covering for them.
From that moment on, the three of them are friends. Hermione and Ron more
out of gratitude to each other for their help that day and in deference to
Harry than out of actual like or affection for each other.
with an unconscious troll Professor McGonagall demands an explanation
from the boys...Hermione steps in and lies, covering for them.
From that moment on, the three of them are friends. Hermione and Ron more
out of gratitude to each other for their help that day and in deference to
Harry than out of actual like or affection for each other.
She’s unafraid to have a voice of her own even at this young age. She
stands up for herself against the boys. And she does make a stand against
teachers.
First, in lying to cover for the boys after the troll attack. Then in
sneaking into the Restricted Section of the Library to research Nicholas
Flamel. Here her innate curiosity takes over and she is driven to get to
the bottom of this mystery and maybe just prove to the boys that she’s
useful and maybe even repay them for saving her life.
I think the biggest change is that she now has friends. The reader can see
she takes to it immediately. She was probably terrified coming into this
not even having known magic existed before she got her letter. It’s safe
to imagine that if she’s always been so controlling and bookish not a lot
of other kids in primary would take to her easily.
We can see her eagerness to have friends and maybe this is what pushes her
to put up with Ron’s contentiousness and Harry taking her for granted.
With all that happens with the Philosopher’s Stone, she accepts that there
are some things bigger than books and studies. She gets detention and
takes the punishment with ease, a fear of hers being conquered. Later in
the series, we even see her develop a rebellious streak.
Hermione speaks up to Professor McGonagall demanding to see Professor
Dumbledore. Harry marvels at how brave she is to do so.
stands up for herself against the boys. And she does make a stand against
teachers.
First, in lying to cover for the boys after the troll attack. Then in
sneaking into the Restricted Section of the Library to research Nicholas
Flamel. Here her innate curiosity takes over and she is driven to get to
the bottom of this mystery and maybe just prove to the boys that she’s
useful and maybe even repay them for saving her life.
I think the biggest change is that she now has friends. The reader can see
she takes to it immediately. She was probably terrified coming into this
not even having known magic existed before she got her letter. It’s safe
to imagine that if she’s always been so controlling and bookish not a lot
of other kids in primary would take to her easily.
We can see her eagerness to have friends and maybe this is what pushes her
to put up with Ron’s contentiousness and Harry taking her for granted.
With all that happens with the Philosopher’s Stone, she accepts that there
are some things bigger than books and studies. She gets detention and
takes the punishment with ease, a fear of hers being conquered. Later in
the series, we even see her develop a rebellious streak.
Hermione speaks up to Professor McGonagall demanding to see Professor
Dumbledore. Harry marvels at how brave she is to do so.
- They looked around, as if hoping to see a sign pointing
Dumbledore lived, nor did they know anyone who had ever been
sent to see him.
- “What are you three doing inside?”
It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of
- “We want to see Professor Dumbledore,” said Hermione,
| Philosopher's Stone Chapter 16 |
Here is the independent, intelligent leader we come to respect and love
throughout the books. This is the girl who knows full well that there are
more important things happening here.
throughout the books. This is the girl who knows full well that there are
more important things happening here.
Hermione goes with the boys through the trap door, when they discover that
Dumbledore isn’t there. Her quick thinking gets them past the Devil’s
Snare and she mounts a broom for only the 2nd time in the series and helps
Harry catch the key to open the door to the next trial. She figures out
the potions/logic test and gets Harry through to the next level of stone
protection.
Before they part, she engulfs him in his very first hug. She doesn’t want
to leave him on his own, fearing what will come next. She tells him he’s a
great wizard and when she compliments him, he pushes it back on her. She
insists that he’s a great wizard and warns him to be careful.
Dumbledore isn’t there. Her quick thinking gets them past the Devil’s
Snare and she mounts a broom for only the 2nd time in the series and helps
Harry catch the key to open the door to the next trial. She figures out
the potions/logic test and gets Harry through to the next level of stone
protection.
Before they part, she engulfs him in his very first hug. She doesn’t want
to leave him on his own, fearing what will come next. She tells him he’s a
great wizard and when she compliments him, he pushes it back on her. She
insists that he’s a great wizard and warns him to be careful.
- “But Harry – what if You-Know-Who’s with him?”
“Well – I was lucky once, wasn’t I?” said Harry, pointing
- Hermione’s lip trembled, and she suddenly dashed at Harry
- “Hermione!”
“Harry – you’re a great wizard, you know.”
“I’m not as good as you,” said Harry, very embarrassed, as
- “Me!” said Hermione. “Books! And cleverness! There are
– be careful!"
| Philosopher's Stone Chapter 16 |
“Books! And cleverness! There are more
important things – friendship and bravery.”
This is a startling revelation from the girl
with only schoolwork on her mind. It shows
how much she’s grown. Her transformation from
little bookworm to heroine is complete...
well, maybe not quite complete here at only
12 but she is well on her way.
Harry and Ron are her first friends and even
from this age we can see she is the most
responsible of the three. She takes on the
care-taker role, worrying over them and
warning them of dangers they seem unaware of,
she’s the protector.
important things – friendship and bravery.”
This is a startling revelation from the girl
with only schoolwork on her mind. It shows
how much she’s grown. Her transformation from
little bookworm to heroine is complete...
well, maybe not quite complete here at only
12 but she is well on her way.
Harry and Ron are her first friends and even
from this age we can see she is the most
responsible of the three. She takes on the
care-taker role, worrying over them and
warning them of dangers they seem unaware of,
she’s the protector.
Their friendship is sealed for the rest of their lives. And so are the
roles. Hermione is the right hand, the one who gets everything organized,
planned out, researched and done. She’s the go-to guy. She’s the one you
turn to if you need anything: trust, comfort, guidance, a kick in the
pants.
roles. Hermione is the right hand, the one who gets everything organized,
planned out, researched and done. She’s the go-to guy. She’s the one you
turn to if you need anything: trust, comfort, guidance, a kick in the
pants.
