"Hermione - The Greatest Mystery of All"

RCG_ · 06-11-2004, 05:36 AM

As I was posting on the various boards and giving my opinions on various subjects, I stumbled on yet another topic concerning what is now largely being called the “triangle.” It makes sense, since it’s much easier to give the biggest debate in the world of Harry Potter for the last 3 years a name to which to refer it to than to keep calling it “the romantic possibilities of Harry/Hermione or Ron/Hermione.” And as I was reading this topic, I began to ask myself, “Why is it that this is the most important topic to readers above all the other unanswered questions and mysteries yet to be revealed?” I think the answer truly lies on the shoulders of the character Hermione herself.
In retrospect, she is an incredibly unique individual. Why is it that her two best friends are boys? That’s not normal...at all. Not only does she spend all her time with two boys at virtually a boarding school, but she doesn’t seem to have any friends that compare to her bond with Harry and Ron. The books have only vaguely mentioned people she might spend time with, including Ginny (who might be friends with Hermione only BECAUSE of Ron), Krum, and Neville. Honestly, I would want to know, above anything else, Hermione’s thought process when she considers her two friends. What is she feeling when they are hurting? When they are happy? When they are proud of her? She really has no other girlfriend to confide in, so what does she do with her girlish emotions? Is she so brave and unique that she doesn’t have them as often as a regular girl or does she simply hold them in and simply explode when she can’t handle it any longer (like when she bursts into tears in various moments in the books)? Why is it that she felt she had such a strong friendship with them in the first book, that she immediately decided all her time would be spent with them? This can only mean that she took them not only to be her greatest friends, but she did so immediately! No girl would consider boys to be her best friend at the age of 11 unless an event was life-changing that she experienced with those particular boys or she was a tomboy. Since we know she’s nowhere close to being a tomboy, we must conclude that the confrontation with the troll in the first book must have been life-altering. When they came to her rescue, it must have had an impact on her so great, that it would have instantly attached her to Harry and Ron and kept her bonded to them forever! Not only that, but she must have consciously made that decision right after! Harry noted that from that day forward, Hermione would be their friend, but I still don’t think either of them realize that Hermione is uniquely attached to them and that they are to her. Honestly, another question must be asked: when will Harry and Ron realize that they not only have a responsibility to care for Hermione’s heart, which has emotionally attached itself to two boys, which isn’t normal, but that they also have had a girl for a best friend for 5 years and could take advantage of it if they wanted? I believe then, that the first of the two to recognize Hermione in the manner of a girl who loves them so deeply as friends will eventually win her heart. This would favor Harry who isn’t as dense as Ron when it comes to looking into a person’s heart.
While it is a theme for sexual thoughts not to be considered in JK’s books, Romance is still on the wings. Some people have noticed that Harry and Ron never talk about girls with each other and that whenever the accusation that someone fancies someone else is brought up, it’s instantly denied by all 3. Hermione isn’t physically attracted to Krum, Harry doesn’t talk to Ron and Hermione about what he thinks of Cho, although it’s evident to them, and the only time Ron has ever showed a sign of attraction for a woman is for a Veela, whose attraction can’t be called natural. In fact there is only one paragraph in the whole 5 books that makes a remark about true physical attraction between the 3, and that is when Harry simply denies the fact that he thinks Hermione is ugly. So, at this point, age 15, Hermione isn’t interested in physical attraction (as far as we know.), but rather bravery. How is it that a girl at that age takes such an advanced character trait into the highest of her priorities? Why is she so different? One conclusion that seems to be the best is that Harry’s enormous heart has affected her greatly, but she’s only 15, which brings us to the conclusion that both Harry and Hermione, as well as Ron, are incredibly advanced characters and that they build off of each other - especially Harry and Hermione, which is evident in the books.
Of course, we then have to take into consideration the fact that she knows a lot about romance! She had a perfect analysis of Cho’s feelings toward her situation with Harry. How is that possible? There are only two conclusions we can arrive at: the first is that she spends more time with other girls than JK tells us (either that or she’s really close with her mother.); the second is that she’s had the EXACT same emotions with one of her two close friends. This would, again, slightly favor Harry, who she’s more emotionally attached to. This is where I think Krum is completely out of the picture. Hermione, being the most complex character for her age you could possibly find, would need a true connection with someone for her to have a working romance. Of course, this brings us to the inevitable conclusion that because, in the books, Harry and Ron are her equals and often Hermione breaks down emotionally and mentally while they are present, it should be deemed likely that either Harry or Ron, or both are also more characteristically advanced than JK has let on as well!
I would love to know Hermione’s thoughts and I hope JK gets into them in books 6 and 7 as her romantic options begin to expand. If Rowling does plan to pair Hermione up with someone, it will be an end to the Hogwarts life of probably the most complex character in the books, second only to Harry himself. She is amazing, so much more amazing than most people realize. Her character is so large and unique that it would almost be a disappointment if JK didn’t give a conclusion to all of her complexities, because for decades to come, she would be a wonder - a mystery...the biggest mystery of all.

JoouDah · 06-11-2004, 10:25 AM

i think she prolly never really ever had many friends. . . Because of her know it all attitude and such, and Harry and Ron saving her made her realize they were good guys and helped her change.

WoodenCoyote · 06-11-2004, 11:24 AM

You bring up some good points, although I'd hardly agree that a girl who prefers male friends is abnormal.

RCG_ · 06-11-2004, 01:45 PM

I agree. It's having two boys as best friends and really no other friends at a boarding school of all places that makes her unique.

Village Dag · 06-11-2004, 04:19 PM

I reckon she's just a girl. They tend to go silly in their teens.

Detonator · 06-11-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoouDah

i think she prolly never really ever had many friends. . . Because of her know it all attitude and such, and Harry and Ron saving her made her realize they were good guys and helped her change.

First off i would like to thank you for that...ummm...novel. LOL Secondly, i agree with JoouDah on this. I think that she prolly never had any friends and she found out after the troll incident that she could have good friends. It is prolly just a weird coincidence that these two people who saved her life were boys and that she has a special bond with them.

Mystic Reaper · 06-15-2004, 07:49 AM

or maybe hermonie is a miriam.......maybe not. but i dont know y but hermonie and harry reminds me of how james nd lilly potter behaved in skool......meh relationship and in yr 7 they hook up and have a "accident" (we all kno harry was an accidnet because some1 got drunk @ a wizard party)

WoodenCoyote · 06-15-2004, 07:55 AM

Um... Harry out of wedlock? I've never heard that before, and I doubt JK would let any of her characters get preggers at 17. This is a kid's book, after all, and we're trying to promote family values, not teen pregnancy

NevrMore · 06-15-2004, 09:17 AM

Alright, the main question here is why Hermione values Harry and Ron as her best friends and no one else.

My theory? Read the Sorcerer's Stone, remember, the reason she went to the girls bathroom before the troll incident was because Ron commented on how she had no friends. Therefore, Hermione must have been really surprised when someone had come to save her, as she was probably not used to anyone helping her, with the lack of friends. So at that moment, when Harry and Ron put their lives in danger for her, both her heart and mind decided that these were not to be let go, and she should stand by the the rest of her natural life.

Or something.

Noah · 06-15-2004, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevrMore

Alright, the main question here is why Hermione values Harry and Ron as her best friends and no one else.

My theory? Read the Sorcerer's Stone, remember, the reason she went to the girls bathroom before the troll incident was because Ron commented on how she had no friends. Therefore, Hermione must have been really surprised when someone had come to save her, as she was probably not used to anyone helping her, with the lack of friends. So at that moment, when Harry and Ron put their lives in danger for her, both her heart and mind decided that these were not to be let go, and she should stand by the the rest of her natural life.

Or something.

what you said plus i think that she feels safer with ron and harry because she has known them for so long. She just feels secure with thoes two like anyone else would if they were at a big school like that. But its just a theory. so dont keep me on it.

Hermione · 06-18-2004, 03:02 PM

I also-just to add my comment on one of my favorite topics- believe that Hermione acts like the older sister always pulling her two brothers out of trouble. Also if you read interviews with JK she states that Hermione is much like herself when she was younger. A girl confident on the outside to compensate for the insecurity she feels inside.

ReFoRmEd · 06-18-2004, 03:55 PM

Ever since we first met Hermoine in teh first book up until the fifth book, it seems she has changed quite a bit from her snooty, i'm smarter than all. She's a little less leanant(Spl?) and doesnt question about getting into trouble as much.You notice the difference from teh first movie. When Harry and Ron get caught by her when they're leaving in the middle of the night she tries to stop them. Then in the third movie u see heer getting thrown around by the Womping Willow, she grabs Harry and throws him into the hole next to the tree.

The reason for the change??? She ahs Ron and Harry to look after and up to.

knows it all · 06-18-2004, 04:03 PM

Well, I really never noticed a romantic relationship between Ron and Hermione. I really only see them fighting, never really a time where they show any signs of affection for each other in the slightest.

Probably the reason why her friends' are boys is probably because everyone considers her a geek, or something rather. The first book, Ron expressed his annoyance of her, not so much hate, and thought it related to why she didn't have any friends.

Hermione · 06-18-2004, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knows it all

Well, I really never noticed a romantic relationship between Ron and Hermione. I really only see them fighting, never really a time where they show any signs of affection for each other in the slightest.

If you saw the movie or read the book "prisoner of azkaban" You can start to see Hermiones attraction to Ron, like when she grabs his hand during their class with Hagrid and Ron blushes.