Hermione flinching at LV's name

[ellendvlmaas]

No: HPFGUIDX 94302

Hi everyone,

Being rather new, I'm not sure if this has been discussed before, and 
I didn't come up with anything in the Archive search. If someone 
knows of a previous thread, I'd love to be pointed to it.

I recently reread SS and am currently rereading OotP (this group has 
inspired me to pull them out again!). I have been wondering, if 
Hermione was muggle born and raised, then why does she flinch at 
Voldemort's name like those raised in the WW? 

At first I thought it might just be an oversight on JKR's part -- she 
does confess to making mistakes, after all -- but she specifically 
pointed out in SS that Dean Thomas, also muggle-born, does NOT flinch 
at Voldemort's name, having had no exposure to the WW before he got 
his letter.

So what's up with Hermione? Either:

1) It's still a mistake on JKR's part, or

2) Hermione has had exposure to the WW before she got her letter.

I don't remember anything really being mentioned about Hermione's 
past in the books. Maybe she has a wizard or witch in her family, 
like a cousin or uncle? I also wondered about her vast knowledge and 
sound, basic abilities she displayed on the train to Hogwarts their 
first year. How did she know so much and where did she learn 
the "reparo" charm that fixed Harry's glasses? 

I wouldn't put it past her to have taught herself. She's a fast 
learner, and I can see her burying her nose in the books the instant 
she brought them home. I can see her experimenting with her wand and 
trying out the magic in "Standard Book of Spells, Grade One". That's 
very believable to me. 

But, that still doesn't explain her knee-jerk reaction to 
hearing "Voldemort".

Has anyone else asked this question? Has JKR said anything about it 
in her chats or interviews?

Ellen