Am I the only one...

[Jocelyn Berger-Barrera]

No: HPFGUIDX 134961

This thread has been discussing Hermione's rejection of the HBP's 
textbook. I think it did display a lack of intellectual maturity.  The 
girl is a teenager and was affected by jealousy  - Harry's success when 
using the book irked her a great deal.  In earlier books, she tended to 
follow rules, and her preference to accept the  'authority' of the 
officially assigned task is keeping in line with that.  She became 
frustrated when her efforts were bested by Harry's because he used the 
improved instructions.

I would have liked her to examine the Prince's notes.  Figuring out why 
their innovations were more effective than the official text would be 
really instructive and even helpful for her NEWTs.  I would have liked 
her to examine the notes and spells contained within to see what Harry 
was being exposed to.   As demonstrated in his unfortunate confrontation 
of Draco, he is impulsive to say the least.  She could better argue 
against his own use of the book, if she went through it, and could show 
specific examples of  the dark magic that it held.  Instead she 
distanced herself from the item and its contents.

This was short-sighted, but Hermione, like all the students (and adults 
for that matter) is a work in progress.  She is not yet an adult and I'd 
like to think that a slightly older Hermione would have used the book as 
supplemental reading for potions class, while analyzing why the 
'shortcuts' worked.  I bet she'd find the answers fascinating.

Jocelyn