A 5-Point Ode to Hermione Granger

(Spoilers, by the way.)

We all know who I'm talking about. The First Lady of brilliant characters, the cleverest, bossiest and most kick-ass make-believe person I've ever met. Of course, not everyone has to like her, but I think she's utterly brilliant for many, many reasons.

#1 - She isn't just smart, but she works for it.
Remember in Prisoner of Azkaban, when Hermione had taken all the third year electives, including Muggle Studies - despite being muggle-born herself? Not only did she bend time and space so she could get to extra classes, she didn't drop a single assignment or homework. When her Gryffindor friends were partying all night after they won the Quidditch World Cup, she buried herself in the corner to study. Without complaining. She worked herself into the ground to make the most of her talent, and even when her friends - and beating Voldemort - were more important than exam grades, she worked hard at those goals too.

#2 - She isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in.
Those of you who read the books - remember S.P.E.W? I was outraged when they left this out of the films, because to me, Hermione's fearlessness in campaigning for house elf freedom was one of the most defining parts of her character. It's what made her a Gryffindor, not a Ravenclaw. I also loved the original reason she kissed Ron is Deathly Hallows, because he remembered the house elves without really trying to impress her. It was such a sweet moment for both of them.

#3 - She punched Draco Malfoy. In the face.
Need I say more? This was a cheer-out-loud, hug-the-stranger-sitting-next-to-you moment that I actually preferred in the films, because Tom Felton's performance was brilliant. As was Emma Watson's. I'm sure you've all seen the GIF.

But you were destined to see it again.

#4 - She's proud of being a Mudblood.
There's a scene in Deathly Hallows when Hermione calls herself a Mudblood. It's one of my favourite moments because Harry and Ron try to stop her, but she shouts them down. She's proud of her identity. The best part is that you know Hermione would have killed anyone else who said it, but she knew that she could - and should - adopt the word as her own. Her strongest moment was recognising the power of that insult, and not letting it get on top of her.

It showed me that words can only break your heart if you let them.

#5 - She was part of what made me who I am. The best part, I think.
Like it or not, Harry Potter was part of millions of people's childhoods. Hermione taught me to study hard and play even harder; she taught me how to love; she taught me to stand up for myself and my opinion. Share in the comments: if you're a fellow Hermione fan, what made you adore her as much as I do? If not, why not?

I want to thank J.K. Rowling for Hermione and her brilliance. Not to mention Emma Watson, who's the best possible actress to play her (and, I'm still convinced, in love with Rupert Grint).

Potterheads, show your support for The Brightest Witch of our Age.

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Labels: Reading Life