[HPforGrownups] Re: Hermione's rude comment (Lavendar and Parvati on Hermione)

[Lisa G]

No: HPFGUIDX 74672

--- feetmadeofclay <feetmadeofclay at yahoo.ca> wrote:
> Excuse me but why should Hermione hate Parvati and Lavendar? 
> They 
> haven't done anything much to her other than not really be her
> friend 
> and that is hardly cruel.  Simply they aren't alike  I know in
> most 
> schools girls like that would be cruel little snots and mock
> Hermione 
> or make her life hellish.  But fact is that hasn't happened at
> Hogwarts. And likewise Neville is treated rather nicely.  The
> only 
> girl who mocks Hermione is Pansey.  

I got the distinct impression in book 3 that Hermione found them
rather annoying with how they carried on over Trelawney.
Trelawney touched a huge nerve with Hermione. Trelawney insulted
her in front of the class, making her so angry that she, of all
people, would walk out of the class. IMO, Parvati and Lavender
are kind of irritating - I think that's what makes them fun. I
didn't say Hermione hated them, but I think it's clear that she
certainly doesn't /like/ these two girls.

I apologise for not finding this 'deeper meaning' or racial bias
of Hermione's that some seemed to find in this exchange, you all
might be right. But I found it to have been intended rather
innocently, not an intentional insult of centaurs or Firenze.
I've seen this same sort exchange before dozens of times, I took
part in exchanges like this when I was a kid. This doesn't mean
that what she said /wasn't/ offensive - I'm sure Firenze would
have had a thing or two to say in response to this comment. But
I don't believe it was malicious. I believe it was a kid comment
which hadn't been thought through. Having several younger
siblings and a stepson just a bit younger, I can't possibly tell
you the staggering number of things they say which aren't meant
to be mean, aren't supposed to be cruel, but are just plain
stupid and without foresight. Just the other day, my 15yr old
brother was in the presence of a friend when he made a VERY
off-color comment about jumping some attractive movie star. He's
15, just starting going to a weekly movie with a pretty girl
(his first girlfriend!) and knows better than this, but at 15,
he's a bit of a dork.

I'm just trying to say that Hermione isn't necessarily against
those of other races, or those who have multiple pairs of legs.
She's 15 and in the presence of two people whom she doesn't like
much. It's a volatile mix, and it can result in some spectacular
idiocy - remember the Snape prank? Happens to the best of them.

A few more knuts to the ante :o) (And for any 15yr olds out
there, bless you! I love your age. Enjoy it!)

Lisa G

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