JKR and the boys (and girls)

[Saundra]

No: HPFGUIDX 162139

> Betsy Hp:
> I blame JKR. Realistically, you're correct. A girl with no interest
> in hair, make-up, and fashion does not suddenly, with no help
> whatsoever, turn out as poised and pressed as JKR has Hermione.
>
> But JKR wrote the belle of the ball scene without any suggestion
> that older Gryffindors girls (or other sort of fairy godmother)
> helped Hermione in anyway. JKR also has Hermione poo-poo the whole
> effort as far too much time wasted on a rather silly goal. So we
> have a girl who, as you put it, radically changes her normal
> behavior while maintaining that it was all no big deal. Do I smell
> shenanigans? Damn straight. Personally, I think JKR sacrificed
> character for a "think of the children!" moment.
>
> But since there's no hint of Krum as Hermione's burning love
> interest, since Hermione doesn't turn over a new leaf and become
> interested in the WW's fashions, I believe the contradiction
> stands.  Hermione is "above" girlish things like appearance and
> boys. But whenever she's forced to enter that particular arena,
> she effortlessly rules.

Saundra  coming out of lurkerdom replies:

You are certainly making a lot of assumptions. Just because Hermione
didn't overtly engaged in WW fashions doesn't  mean she knew nothing of them. Nowhere in cannon does it say that Hermione disliked all thing girlish all the time.

I was the sort of girl who eshewed traditional feminine convention on a daily basis and yet who could on a dime turn it around and become a bombshell. In fact on  those very special occasions, I enjoyed seeing the look of shocked surprise on people's faces. After the event was over, I went right back to my nondescript (fashion, hair and make-up) ways. I am still that way as an adult. Really most of the thing it's just too much trouble.

And lastly, because this is the  WW, Hermione did have magic at her
disposal and she has read enough to know how to use it.