[HPforGrownups] Re: Hermione's growth

[Eric Oppen]

No: HPFGUIDX 82393


She breaks the rules now because/when she
> > knows it is for a greater good.
>
>
> What about Rita Skeeter, though? Eric Oppen (I think it was Eric)
suggested a long time ago that Hermione's blackmail of Rita Skeeter would
come back to haunt her.

That's right---I think I'm the first to suggest that possibility.  As of the
end of Book 5, it hasn't---but I doubt we've heard the last of our
least-favorite Wizard World journalist.

This may come to pass in Book Six, since Hermione's now got another enemy,
in the form of Dolores Umbridge.  Even though she covered herself in
ignominy during her time at Hogwarts, Umbridge probably still has power and
influence behind-the-scenes at the Ministry, and she's got a _real, real_
good reason (from her POV, of course) to hate Hermione's guts.

Right now, Harry's all but untouchable and the Ministry has lots and lots of
egg on its face from their attempts to discredit him.  Hermione, on the
other hand, is by far the most vulnerable of the Trio---a Muggle-born, she
doesn't have relatives that work in the Ministry to protect her, and she is
_not_ "The Boy Who Lived, Great Wizarding Hero."  If Rita Skeeter's out for
revenge ("Damn you, Hermione, imprisoning me was bad enough, but lecturing
me for hours and hours about how bad house-elves have it, and reading
_Hogwarts: A History_ to me by the hour, was way beyond anything I could
have deserved!") and thinks to hook up with Dolores, Hermione could well
find herself in the cross-hairs, next book.  (Write, JKR, Write!)

> Gorda:
>
> > Well, if Hermione has a tragic flaw, I don't know that shielding rather
than
> > partnering with her friends is one. (This may much more apply to Molly,
who
> > needs to quit s/mothering and start treating her kids including Harry
more as
> > adults). I am more inclined to think that Hermione needs to connect more
with
> > her emotions than be ruled by logic and ethics, which can only take you
so
> > far. I think she can be forgiven for bossing her friends around
(Goodness
> > knows, they need it sometimes!).  [snip]>
> > What Hermione needs to learn is that "cool use of intellect" only goes
so far in
> > taking her where she needs to go, just like Harry needs to learn that
playing
> > the hero is not
>
> Actually, I said that her failure to work in partnership with others is
how her flaw will manifest itself. The flaw itself is her extreme
overconfidence (which, as you point out, derive from her reliance on her
intellectual skills) and unwillingness or inability to consider others'
point of view. She presumes to know what's best for others instead of
working with them.
>
I would say that Hermione's weakness is almost certainly her insecurity.  I
think she studies so hard and tries so hard for the _best_ grades because,
down deep, she's always terrified that one fine day they'll say that there's
been a mistake and she has to leave Hogwarts.  The ghods know that there are
people who'd love to do that *cough Malfoys cough cough*

New question:  What do you all think of _Luna's_ chances of surviving to the
end of Book 7?  Me, I think that she, along with Neville, Ginny, maybe
another Weasley or two or three, Dumbledore, and Hagrid, is Doomed, Doomed,
Doomed.