Hermione's growth

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 82470

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Eric Oppen" <oppen at m...> wrote:
> 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.

I agree. But I hope that Rita may have learned an important lesson 
from her interview with Harry, and may even reform somewhat.

> 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.

Umbridge is Passe for several reasons:

1. She admitted in front of at least 10 witnesses that she set the 
dementors on Harry. She also admitted to attempting to make him drink 
veritaserum - a substance which use is strictly regulated. And she 
tried to use an unforgivable curse on him. Each of the above (and 
especially the first) can easily land her in Azkaban.

2. Her power comes from Fudge and Malfoy. Both are in disgrace.

3. She is a broken woman. Witness how she acted at the end of OoP.

So no, Hermione has nothing to fear from Umbridge, though Rita may 
still prove to be an annoyance.

> I would say that Hermione's weakness is almost certainly her 
insecurity.

That is true, but her main weakness is the lack of intuition and 
refusal to accept that other people/species have a different set of 
values than her own. Both Hermione and Harry grew up in muggle homes. 
But see the contrast between their behaviour towards house elves. 
Whereas Harry treats them with real respect and compassion, Hermione 
tries to impose her world view on them, whether they want it or not 
(the other wizard children are too tainted by their upbringing to 
treat house elves in objective manner). It is no wonder that Dobby 
adores Harry so much whereas the house elves can't stand Hermione.

I am not worried though - at her core she is a good person. She'll 
learn as she grows up.

Salit
(whose favorite character is Hermione, despite - or because of - her 
faults).