Sympathy to the characters WAS: Respecting the Dursleys

[hpfan_mom]

No: HPFGUIDX 159648

Betsy Hp wrote:

> I do for the most part agree.  Harry is and will remain, the hero 
> we're supposed to be cheering for.  The Order is on the right side 
> (traitor in the ranks or no).  Dumbledore had the right idea, even 
> if some of his methodologies were a bit off.
> 
> But Hermione worries me.  Since HBP she worries me a lot.  But am I 
> supposed to be worried?  And I think there's something rotten within 
> the Weasley clan.  But am I supposed to think that?
> 
> It's those issues that throw me for a loop.  And I'm honestly not 
> sure if it's because JKR and I differ on some things, or if she's 
> actually putting in stuff to trigger these sort of reactions.
> 
hpfan_mom now:

Hermione's actions in HBP were so interesting to me, not because she 
hasn't broken rules before (starting with lying about why the Trio had 
to take on the troll, moving on to taking a book from the Restricted 
Section, making Polyjuice Potion, etc.).

But now her rule-breaking was directed against specific people and did 
not have such a noble purpose as before (bonds of friendship, fighting 
evil).  IMHO, JKR needed to make it crystal clear how Hermione feels 
about Ron, besides her usual "Honestly, Ron!" with a big sigh.  
Apparently anvil-sized hints were not doing the trick.

So in HBP we have a Hermione who performs the Confundus Charm on 
McClaggen, who sends canaries after Ron, who can be cruel, devious, 
downright mean, all because she really likes a boy.  She's acting like 
a typical 16 year old girl with a crush, and that's pretty startling.

I think that by the end of HBP she's settling into a more mature 
relationship with Ron.  So I believe that in Book 7 we'll get our old 
Hermione back, more or less.  With the added benefit of being in love, 
that "power the Dark Lord knows not."

hpfan_mom