Hermione & the Boys

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 11298

Hi --

morine10 at aol.com wrote:

> Me:
> > > Hermione is bossy and even though she has lightened up
> considerably and will IMO continue to do so, she will always be bossy.
>
> >
> Penny:
> > Not necessarily.  Are you saying that we human beings aren't capable
> of fully eradicating negative personality traits?  Ever?
>
> Never.  <g> Actually, I don't think they are ever eradicated, just
> tweaked.

My, what an optimistic view of human nature.  <g>

> She can take her naturally "bossy" nature and transform it into a less
>
> offensive means of helping others.  These traits don't go away, but as
> a
> person grows they can learn how to use them constructively.

Hmm ... I think it's actually fairly common for lots of 11-12 yr old
girls to be "bossy," but I would guess most of them outgrow that
tendency.  I think that's the case with Hermione.

> This is a major point of divergence between us - we really do not read
> the arguments in PoA the same.  Regarding the Firebolt, I feel that
> Harry and Ron were being equally stubborn.  Both prolonged that
> argument.

Yes, but Harry wanted to make up long before Ron did -- I think maybe
even before Hagrid said something to them (although I can't recall that
for certain & am too lazy to look it up at the moment - <g>).

> As for the Crookshanks/Scabbers incident - IMO Hermione was acting
> insensitive and spoiled.

She was insensitive.  I don't know about "spoiled" -- I'm not sure what
being spoiled would have to do with that particular fight/issue.  She
was also stressed out, which I acknowledge was her own fault.

> As for GoF--First let me say that I am not saying that Ron
> was not at fault in this whole affair.  He was absolutely being a
> prat.
> However, it is my view is that Harry prolonged that argument.  He made
>
> himself inapproachable to Ron.  My between the lines reading said that
> it was Ron that made the attempts to make ammends....trying to catch
> Harry's eye in Divination after Harry's smart remark, looking for
> Harry in the common room when Harry is speaking with Sirius.  Harry
> had every right to be angry, but Ron was not prolonging anything.  But
> of course this is my interpretation. :)

I think Ron was hugely at fault initially, which hurt & angered Harry.
Harry then prolonged the argument out of stubborn pride.

Penny


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