Hermione and the HBP

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 165413

I've been thinking about Hermione's stubborn refusal to use the 
Prince's notes and I think I've discovered a reason for it beyond 
blind submission to authority. I think she was trying very hard 
to keep her nose clean. She has made two powerful enemies: 
Umbridge and Skeeter, neither one of whom would shed a 
tear if Hermione's wand was snapped and she got sent to 
Azkaban. 

I think it scared her to see how easy it was for the Ministry 
to arrest Harry. 

Harry got off, thanks to Dumbledore's intervention, but Dumbledore 
couldn't help everyone. Stan Shunpike stayed in jail. Dumbledore was 
getting stretched thin, and if she thought about the battle he fought 
with Voldemort at the Ministry, she knew his days were numbered.

 I think she would have loved to analyze the 
Prince's work, but risking her future for academic success 
wasn't worth it. I think she was afraid that if she examined the
potions hints too closely she'd never be able to resist the temptation 
to use them.


Pippin