[HPforGrownups] Hermione flinching at LV's name

[Kimberly]

No: HPFGUIDX 94307

(Ellen's comments)
>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".
 
(Kimberly's comments)
I'm sure that Hermione learned as much as she could from books as soon as she got her letter.     I'll be willing to bet that she even practiced the spells that she could.     

As for her knee-jerk reaction, I'd have to read the surrounding text to comment specifically.     However, I can see someone having what I call a second hand reaction.    Example, you have a friend that is loud, flamboyant, draws attention to you two whenever you're out somewhere.    It gets to the point that you expect it, comment on it, and dread it to the point that you react when she suggests you go somewhere.    Let's say there's someone else you know that doesn't have any experience with this friend personally but has heard you speak of her and knows of your experience with her.     When you mention to the third friend that she join you and friend two, she reacts according to what she's heard, but not according to having experienced it.     That is my take on why Hermione reacts to Voldemort's name in certain circumstances.    Those in the WW have a first-hand reaction while Hermione's is a second-hand reaction.  

 It seems to me though that there are indeed times that she does not react to his name.     Again, I'd have to see the exact canon though to comment specifically.

Kimberly, who was probably of no help but is posting just the same.    


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