Why did Hermione Lie

[Ravenclaw Bookworm]

No: HPFGUIDX 126954


> Bookworm:
> Hermione could have easily said that the boys had come to help her
> without the story about having gone to look for it herself, but the
> story seems to be more in keeping with her personality. She tries
> to be "Little Miss Perfect" so she wouldn't want to admit
> that she was crying in the bathroom. Going after a troll by herself
> is much more decisive – crying in the loo is wimpy.

Antosha:

So she should have told the truth?

"Well, Professor, I've been in here crying since this afternoon 
because Ron and Harry--well, really, to be precise, Ron--said some 
horrid, hurtful things about me after I tried to help him in Charms. 
But they came and helped me when the troll came in, so now I've 
decided to forgive them."

I can't see that getting anyone but Hermione off the hook for being 
where they weren't supposed to be--the students were told to stay 
with the prefects and go back to their dormitories, and I can't see 
McGonagall being terribly sympathetic to a couple of eleven-year-
olds who made a classmate weep through dinner. I don't see it 
painting Hermione herself in the best light, and we all must admit 
that she has a certain amount of pride. And I certainly don't see it 
leading to Hermione become Ron and Harry's best friend.  Which was, 
after all, the main dramatic purpose of the scene.

Bookworm:
I think we are saying the same thing in different ways.  I said 
above that Hermione *could* have said the boys had come to get her.  
What I implied but didn't specify was that McGonagall's first 
question would probably have been, "what were you doing here
during the feast?"  Since she wouldn't want to admit to
crying and hurt feelings, she made up a story that makes her look 
strong.

Does that make more sense?
Ravenclaw Bookworm