Why Hermione is in Gryffindor

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 69067

There have been questions raised about Hermione's bravery and why she 
belongs in Gryffindor.

Hermione has shown a tendency not to work well under pressure. 
Examples abound: the "Are you a witch or not?" in PS; her failure 
against the Dementors and her quick exit from the big OoP fight are 
the most prevalent.

But that doesn't mean she isn't brave, just lacking in certain 
abilities. Neville is brave too.

I also submit that Hermione, through her choices in friends and men, 
has shown that she values bravery.

Harry is braver than hell, and Hermione, in her somewhat 
breathless "You're a great wizard" speech at the end of PS comments 
on it.

Ron, through his behavior on the chess board, his following of Harry 
to the Forbidden Forest, and his "damn this broken leg" attitude in 
PoA, has shown bravery as well.

Her first crush in on Lockhart, who is handsome, but also has all 
these "brave" exploits to his name and then she makes a comment in 
GoF about Krum "being very brave" while playing in the Quidditch Cup 
with a broken nose. Lo and behold, she goes out with him.

She, like Godric himself, prizes bravery above other traits.

My guess is she would have been bored silly in Ravenclaw. :)

Darrin