Why Hermione Granger Struggles to Rank Higher in the Harry Potter Character List

Many readers have long weighed in on the hierarchy of characters in the Harry Potter series, and while Hermione Granger is widely admired for her intelligence, courage, and dedication, her exact position often sees some debate. One major factor that contributes to the lower ranking of Hermione is the infamous bird scene from The Order of the Phoenix. While I have a deep respect and admiration for Hermione, there are specific incidents that continue to bother me, making it difficult to place her higher up in my personal list. In this article, we will explore these issues and the impact they have on her character development and overall ranking.

Three Troubling Incidents Involving Hermione Granger

There are three specific incidents that have personally affected my view of Hermione Granger:

The First Incident: The Crookshanks/Scabbers and Firebolt Controversies

One of the earliest instances where Hermione’s actions are glossed over and not fully addressed is in the third book, The Prisoner of Azkaban. The issues surrounding Crookshanks’ disappearance and Scabbers being a rat are central to her character’s storyline. In the aftermath, it is implied that Hermione apologizes for the Firebolt incident, but this resolution is minor and largely glossed over. The harm caused by these incidents is not adequately resolved, which leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Secondly, Scarring Marietta Edgecombe in The Order of the Phoenix

Marietta Edgecombe, a student at Hogwarts, is a victim of Hermione’s actions in the fifth book, The Order of the Phoenix. Scarring Marietta in a public magic spell-publicizing manner not only causes physical harm but casts a shadow over Hermione’s character. Furthermore, the fact that Kingsley Shacklebolt Obliviates Marietta’s memory exacerbates the issue by removing any recourse for confronting Hermione about her actions. Hermione faces no consequences and does not even admit to her mistakes, which is deeply concerning.

The Bird Incident

The scene in The Order of the Phoenix where Hermione sends canaries at Ron’s face is another major issue. While I understand that Ron could have been more cautious and protective of himself, Hermione had no right to cause such damage purely to assert her point. The way the scene is written in the book lends itself to siding with Hermione, but this greatly diminishes the seriousness of her actions. Ron had no way of knowing that Hermione felt this way, and she had made sure that Ron could never guess her true feelings, making her reaction both unfair and violent.

Discussion and Analysis

It’s important to note that while these incidents are problematic, Hermione’s overall character is not irredeemable. Many of her problematic moments are no more severe than those of Harry and Ron, and this is often overlooked. However, it is the way these issues are written—downplaying the severity and characterizing Hermione as blamelessly righteous—that bothers me. There is a clear juxtaposition between how Harry and Ron’s actions are handled versus Hermione’s, which further contributes to her lower ranking in my list.

The question of whether Hermione is truly as intelligent as portrayed can be brought into question by these incidents. While her knowledge is unquestionable, her actions in these moments seem to lack the caution and forethought that one would expect from her. This is a testament to the brilliance of the author, J.K. Rowling, as she, through Hermione, showcases the nuances and complexities of human behavior and moral decision-making.

Conclusion

While Hermione Granger is certainly a significant character in the Harry Potter series, there are specific incidents—such as the bird scene, the Crookshanks/Scabbers and Firebolt controversies, and the scarring of Marietta Edgecombe—that contribute to a lower ranking in my personal list. These events, while not defining her character, have a lasting impact and challenge her image as the unerring poster girl of the story. Ultimately, it is these flaws and the way they are handled that make her a more complex and human character, but they also place certain limitations on her ranking.

Discuss your thoughts and experiences on how these incidents shape your perception of Hermione Granger in the comments section below.