Hermione's growth (long)

[davewitley]

No: HPFGUIDX 105633

Jim Ferer wrote:

> 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.


Mostly I thought this a great post, but I have a different take on 
the incident of Lavender's rabbit.  I'm almost totally with Hermione 
on this one.  Trelawney is preying on Lavender (and Parvati), and 
Hermione sees it, and is attempting to rescue Lavender.

Her compassion in the situation is signalled by the hesitancy with 
which she broaches the subject.  As I see it, she is not insensitive 
but rather feels that this issue is higher priority and takes the 
risk of alienating Lavender and her friends.

Her weakness in the situation is her insecurity, that she feels she 
has to intervene there and then.  I think her compassion is fine.

David