Hermione and the HBP (was Academic dishonesty)

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 139575

Del:
 
> As for how this mistrust can be reconciled with her character, I guess
> we are supposed to believe that she lost control of her jealousy in
> HBP. She acted stupidly and even meanly towards Ron because of
> romantic jealousy, and I think we are supposed to believe that she
> acted stupidly towards the HBP because of intellectual jealousy. She
> wouldn't study the HBP's notes because she went on a sort of
> competition with the HBP, through Harry. She tried to prove that she
> was a better potion-maker than the HBP. That's the only way I can
> explain to myself that Hermione would let such a mine as the HBP book
> sit under her nose without studying it.

Finwitch:

You know, there's something else as well: Hermione is *of age* by 
wizarding standards nearly all year. That - as well as being a NEWT 
student is new to her - so she does as she did in PS where the whole WW 
was new to her. She stucks to the rules because she's feeling insecure.

When something she cannot learn from books comes up, she rejects it 
as "unreliable" or "unworthy" - just as she does with Trelawney and 
Divination. And now she does it with someone's NOTES showing a bit of 
creativity. As for the bezoar-incident - Hermione considered it a 
cheat - even assuming Harry had NOT got it from the book-notes. Why?
Because it's not rule-based, it's not the expected way, it's out-of-the 
book- way. 

You know - I'd say that picking a bezoar for a multiple antidote... 
well, if someone's poisoned, you don't usually have much time to brew 
the antidote, so a bezoar is both practical and effective.

Anyway, Hermione has that need to be right about something. When they 
found out whose book it was - she insists she was partially right as 
the Prince she found was Snape's mother. Or about that Firebolt being 
sent by Sirius Black...

Interesting though: Ron comes of age, is happy for a moment and then 
he's under the Love Potion-effect AND poisoned. Wonder what will happen 
when HARRY comes of age? Death Eaters attacking Privet Drive? Hopefully 
Harry takes some Felix Felicis on his 17th birthday, because he'll need 
it.

Finwitch