Hermione's growth (long)

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 105616

I've said before that the transformation of Hermione's character is
arguably the greatest of any of the main characters.  It certainly
fascinated me more than anyone else's. Let me explain.

Why is Hermione's growth more interesting than Harry's? Harry is on a
path prophesied for him before he was even born; his progress is very
much what you'd expect for him. His moral compass as a compassionate
person who cares for others is still intact, if a little battered, and
it will help him avoid sliding into self-pity, which he was in danger
of in OoP.  He's passed a very dangerous time for him, now that he's
accepted again by his fellows.

HERMIONE IN THE BEGINNING

Hermione, OTOH, came to Hogwarts as a prig-in-the-making natural
Ravenclaw, insecure, blindly into the rules for their own sake,
insensitive to others. Somehow she was sorted into Gryffindor, further
proof that the Sorting Hat knows what it's doing – or was there more
of a purpose?  


Hermione didn't know when to stop prying into other people's business.
 She was bossy. Her GPA was the only thing she cared about. It was the
closest thing to a purpose she had.  We don't know, but I'll bet her
time in the girl's dorm was unhappy, tense, lonely.

THE GROWING HERMIONE

Hermione Granger then became friends with Harry Potter and Ronald
Weasley, and her life would never be the same. The danger she faces
with them gives her a purpose – accomplishing a mission, doing it
well, almost like a lark – before she discovers her caring for her
friends and her bond with them. At the climax of PS/SS, she puts words
to it:

"Hermione's lip trembled, and she suddenly dashed at Harry and threw
her arms around him.

"Hermione!"

"Harry -- you're a great wizard, you know."

"I'm not as good as you," said Harry, very embarrassed, as she let go
of him.

"Me!" said Hermione. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important
things -- friendship and bravery and -- oh Harry -- be careful!"

She's also discovered there are other things than rules and academic
honors.  She cares about both and always will, but now she's got some
perspective on them.  These things will be her servants, no longer her
masters.

She's discovered something else – love. This is not an H/H screed
(although I am H/H), at this stage it means deep caring for the two
people she's shared danger and mission with.  All three have the kind
of bond that only the best of war-buddies share, and that children
practically never  have to share, thank God.  This is a maturing
experience in the best way, and Hermione is affected most.

HERMIONE LEARNS COMPASSION

Hermione wasn't the best one to take troubled feelings to, was she?
Anything that didn't fit her "mind over matter" mindset was dismissed.
As late as PoA her "rational" side got the better of her when
Lavender's rabbit was killed, although she cared enough about Lavender
to at least look anxious.  I would really like to know the
soul-searching Hermione went through after that.

Hermione's changed since then. She's smart enough to learn that people
who deny emotions aren't being rational, and she sees suffering and
injustice and is moved by it. By GoF, she is moved enough by Winky's
suffering and the injustice of house-elves that she does something
about it.

Later, we see Hermione's compassion towards Neville. Hermione is wiser
now, and more sensitive. If a situation like the death of Lavender's
rabbit happened now, she'd handle it differently. Hermione has grown.

HERMIONE HAS PURPOSE

Hermione's sense of purpose started early. In PS/SS, she learns from
Harry that preventing Voldemort's return is more important that
staying in school or even staying alive:

"SO WHAT" Harry shouted. "Don't you understand? If Snape gets hold of
the Stone, Voldemort's coming back! Haven't you heard what it was like
when he was trying to take over? There won't be any Hogwarts to get
expelled from! He'll flatten it, or turn it into a school for the Dark
Arts! ..."

"You're right Harry," said Hermione in a small voice."
Later, we see Hermione's sense of resolve become deeper, to the point
where she is willing to be ruthless in the service of her cause.  Rita
Skeeter found out the hard way that hurting Little Miss Perfect's best
friend was a bad idea. LMP's not through with Rita, either, when it
comes time to get Harry's story out (a brilliant idea, BTW, which
nobody else would have thought of).
Too bad Marietta Edgecombe never met Rita. Rita might have warned her.

HERMIONE HAS SMARTS
We knew that, but I don't mean book smarts. Smarts.  She knows exactly
what Harry needed and acted on it, first, by getting his story out
there, to forming the DA and making Harry its leader, which really
saved him in many ways.  He needed it badly, and it was Hermione who
saw it and acted on it.  Again, I don't want to make that an H/H thing
(here, at least); nobody disagrees Hermione cares a lot about Harry,
romance aside.
She also is Harry's coach, supplying the things he lacks (deliberation
and academic discipline, for instance), and preparing him for his
trials in many ways.  Without designing it, she's made herself
indispensable to Harry. After the first book or two, you could say
that just about every time Harry didn't listen to her, he was wrong
not to. (you could argue about some points in PoA). 

AMONG THE GREAT YOU WILL BE

Hermione might have been inclined to Ravenclaw when she came to
Hogwarts, but there has never been a truer Gryffindor now.  She has
courage, purpose, and more and more wisdom all the time.  Her life is
transformed from what it might have been.  Harry's life was foretold
for him; Destiny found Hermione.

Jim Ferer