| Philosopher's Stone |
| The Granger Arc |
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- They looked around, as if hoping to see a sign
pointing
where 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.
and love 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.
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.
- “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
oh Harry – 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.
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.
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.
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.
She takes on the care-taker role, worrying over them and warning
them of dangers they seem unaware of, she’s the protector.
them of dangers they seem unaware of, she’s the protector.
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