[HPforGrownups] Re: Hermione must be stopped, or at least slapped

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 149304

I am not totally anti-Hermione, but I see some of these actions differently. 
I think they get a bit shined up and the flaws or questionable bits glossed 
over to make it a bit less messy ethically.

Joe Goodwin:
> Using the Centaurs to git rid of Umbridge was a
> stroke of genius.

Magpie:
It was a stroke of genius to almost get everyone killed?  They were in deep 
trouble and saved only by the arrival of Grawp.  She wasn't a real good 
judge of character when it came to them.  Turns out they're offended by 
being used this way.  Too bad she chose to march right past that Dining Hall 
filled with students and symathetic teachers who might have been more 
willing to help.

It was good of her to come up with a plan, but stroke of genius?  I don't 
think it's that--or that its cleverness means it can't have any ethical 
drawbacks.

Joe Goodwin:
 Sure Hermione putting Rita Skeeter in a jar
> was a bit harsh but I bet it wasn't as harsh
> as going to Azkaban as an unregisted Animagi.
> Where you see a vigilante I see a girl who
> could have had Rita tossed in prison but didn't.

Magpie:
So she covers up crimes *and* blackmails her former prisoner.  Not seeing 
the righteousness here.  Seeing the ruthlessness and effectiveness at 
getting what she wants, but not seeing any real moral lesson here.  If she 
doesn't think unregistered animagi should be in jail, she goes against that 
principle with the blackmail.  If she supports following the law, she's 
going against the principle by not turning her in.

Alla:
YES again. Hermione should have explained it better initially,

Magpie:
Or explained it at all.  "I'm starting a study group but we don't want to 
get in trouble so if you sign this you're sort of promising not to tell 
Umbridge or anyone" doesn't really explain "I'm starting an underground cult 
army personally loyal to me and Harry so if you sign this you'll be punished 
by permanent disfigurement."  Had people known what they were signing they 
probably would have weeded out the girl just there because her friend was 
currently interested in Harry, and perhaps avoided getting outed.  If you 
need that kind of loyalty, best to not go with a bunch of strangers.

Alla:
but I
have no sympathy for Marieta and think that Hermione had to protect
DA somehow.

Magpie:
She didn't protect the DA.  She punished the person who blabbed without 
setting up any way to warn the DA or protect them.

-m (who personally never had any problem with Hermione's bird attack, but 
suspects Tom Riddle was more honest about what he expected form his secret 
club at school than Hermione was)