[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry's Friends

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No: HPFGUIDX 43777

Olivia Grey wrote:

>If I worry about anyone's lack of companionship, it's Hermione. 
>Apparently it seems to just be her,Lavender,and Pavarti and they 
>really don't seem to get along. But when I brought this up in a 
>previous post several people pointed out that Hermione seemed to get 
>along with several Ravenclaw students outside of Harry's P.O.V. But 
>she still seemed very alone in PoA when Ron and Harry weren't 
>speaking to her. At least Harry had her in GoF and Ron had his 
>brothers and Lee Jordan. 

I agree. Hermione's lack of outside friendship at Hogwarts almost seems to be 
serving as a facet of her personality - like she's so bossy and know-it-all 
that very few students can stand her. The few main relationships we get to 
see that involve Hermione are the trio, Hagrid, the Weasleys and strangely, 
Draco. Her role in the Harry/Ron/Hermione dynamic is clearly defined, of 
course. Hagrid obviously adores her, but it's much the same way he adores Ron 
and Harry. The Weasley boys don't seem to participate in anything much with 
her, and Mr. Weasley is mainly interested in talking to her as her parents 
are Muggles and she's a hive of Muggle-related info. 

Then there's Ginny and Mrs. Weasley - in GoF, we see them giggling over a 
love potion and at the Quidditch World Cup Ginny is never too far behind 
Hermione, but that could be because they are the only females and are sharing 
a tent. I think that her relationship with Ginny will strengthen in the next 
three books, but that said, it is very much a friendship and bond that is far 
from solid. And Mrs. Weasley, although she apologises, almost turns against 
her in GoF when Rita Skeeter writes her newsarticle about Hermione dumping 
Harry, prompting a feeling from me that Mrs. Weasley, when it comes to 
Hermione, is very much in the same boat as Hagrid - that without her son and 
Harry as buffers, there probably wouldn't be much there.

 Then there's Draco - where to begin? Shippers would argue that their dynamic 
is based on a mutual attraction, while non-shippers would say that he's just 
a racist pushed into ideals by his dastardly father. It would be hard to 
argue that their encounters weren't interesting - what with name-calling and 
slapping and threats - but its hardly substantial. Still, it's the closest 
she has to an outside relationship, romantic or not!

Okay, okay I think I have a point - for a girl who seems so knowledgeble and 
confident in her studies, Hermione seems to be extremely shy and unassured. 
With that said, I think GoF was without a doubt the Age of Hermione, with the 
realisation that a boy (Krum) might find her attractive, Ron may have a thing 
for her (which ever way you look at it) and, of course, the infamous kiss on 
the last page. Maybe she is realising that there are people outside of Ron 
and Harry (in shape of Ginny and even Krum) and that she is an important part 
in Ron and Harry's lives, regardless of their constant snipes at each other 
or fights. Hermione, I think, in the next books will grow out of her shyness 
and really step forth as a force at Hogwarts. JKR can't keep painting this 
picture of a feisty, saucy bookworm who is both emotionally and socially 
stunted - it just doesn't work.

I hope that made sense. What does everyone think? 

Oh, and I'm Amanda - I'm new and thought I'd jump in head first. Hi! 

-- Amanda


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