Hexing the parchment (Was JKR's Messages)

[dungrollin]

No: HPFGUIDX 120775


dungrollin wrote:

And if Hermione comes top in everything (except DADA, presumably), 
and is one of the best friends of the back-in-the-limelight boy who 
lived, she could become rather unpopular.  Particularly if Marietta 
was one of Krum's fans.  Another betrayal in HBP?  Well, it's 
unlikely that the trio are going to trust Marietta again, but the 
situation has changed somewhat because everyone now knows that 
Voldy's back.  There could be a 'lets all pull together' attitude, 
with a nice bit of back-stabbing at a crucial moment.

> Hickengruendler:
> 
> A betrayal by Marietta again? I don't think so. IMO, it would be 
too repetetive and rather unsurprising. Also, IMO, it would in 
hindsight confirm Hermione's actions, since it would make Marietta 
seem totally sneaky and untrustworthy. If she would openly confront 
Hermione, than I could understand it. But becoming a traitor again? 
The empathy I currently have for her will completely vanquish, if 
Marietta does this.

Dungrollin again:
I was thinking more along the lines of an inappropriately-timed 
attempt to get even, rather than an all-out betrayal, which could 
tip the scales at a vital moment.  

Marietta's not a bad person, and neither is Hermione.  Since 
everybody now knows that Voldy's back, they're all on the same side -
there'll be a new Minister of Magic, and everyone will be working 
together (apart from the bad 'uns, obviously).  But if Marietta 
nurses a specific grudge against Hermione, and there's an 
opportunity to get even with her she might take it, jeopardising ... 
something vital that Hermione will have to do.  

And I can't see any other plot reason for Hermione's lapse of logic 
in cursing the parchment to reveal snitches *after* they've snitched.
In a book as long as OotP, you don't include unnecessary elements.  
The only way JKR can get around her editors insisting that she cuts 
bits out is to tell them that it's important for future books.

Dungrollin