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Dec 7, 2018 · J.K. Rowling's world of witchcraft and wizardry isn't without its real-life influences. Although the characters in her Harry Potter series are all fictional — with the exception of a few errant folks like Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald's Nicolas Flamel, of course — the author did draw upon a few key traits from some real-world personas to create some of those fan favorites.
Hermione Granger (/ h ɜːr ˈ m aɪ ə n i ˈ ɡ r eɪ n dʒ ər / hur-MY-ə-nee GRAYN-jər) is a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. She first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997), as a first-year student on her way to Hogwarts .
Sep 12, 2023 · The Real-World Hermione: Emma Watson Hermione's influence extends beyond the books' pages and the films' frames. Emma Watson, the talented actress who portrayed Hermione, has carried the character's legacy into the real world. Watson was named a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women and has advocated for gender equality and women's rights.
- Overview
- Biography
- Physical description
- Personality and traits
- Magical abilities and skills
- Possessions
- Relationships
- Etymology
- Behind the scenes
Harry Potter: "But why's she got to go to the library?"
Ronald Weasley: "Because that's what Hermione does. When in doubt, go to the library."
— Hermione's dependency on books discussed by Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley
Minister Hermione Jean Granger (b. 19 September 1979) was an English Muggle-born witch born to Mr and Mrs Granger. At the age of eleven, she learned about her magical nature and was accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hermione began attending Hogwarts in 1991 and was Sorted into Gryffindor House. She possessed a brilliant academic mind and proved to be a gifted student in almost every subject that she studied, to the point where she was nearly made a Ravenclaw by the Sorting Hat.
Hermione first met her future best friends Harry Potter and Ron Weasley aboard the Hogwarts Express, and initially they found her unfriendly and somewhat of an "insufferable know-it-all", an impression reinforced by her constant correct answers and eagerness to please the professors. However, she stepped in to take the blame from the boys after they had saved her from a troll on Hallowe'en in 1991, surprising them in a grateful way, which led to them quickly becoming friends. She later played a crucial role in protecting the Philosopher's Stone from Voldemort.
In her second year, Hermione had a key role in the discovery of the Chamber of Secrets, before falling victim to the Basilisk unleashed upon Hogwarts following the opening of the Chamber. However, she recovered from the petrification under the care of Madam Pomfrey with Professor Sprout's Mandrake Restorative Draught. The next year, Hermione was granted permission to use a Time-Turner from the Ministry of Magic to facilitate her volition to study far more subjects than were possible without time travel, though she and Harry later used it to rescue Sirius Black from the Dementor's Kiss and Buckbeak the hippogriff from execution.
Early life (1979–1991)
"Nobody in my familys magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard — I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough —" — Hermione describing her Muggle heritage Hermione Granger was born to Mr and Mrs Granger, both dentists, on 19 September 1979. She was their only child and daughter. The couple choose "a nice, unusual" first name for her because they wanted to establish how educated and intelligent they were, while also knowing that she would be unique and special. Mr and Mrs Granger were "a bit bemused" by the oddities displayed by their daughter, but they were proud and accepting of her nonetheless. The couple gave Hermione a bedroom on the first-floor of their house, and they lived happily for many years. Upon turning eleven, Hermione was happily surprised to learn that she was a witch and was therefore invited to attend Hogwarts. She eagerly accepted and took to studying magic even before she began her first year at Hogwarts in the September of 1991, learning all the set spell books by heart and even managing to perform "a few spells" at home successfully. In addition to the texts set by the school, Hermione brought with her several other books for reference and to further her understanding of the wizarding world, to the point that she had looked at books and had more knowledge of the wizarding world than some of her pure-blood and half-blood classmates.
Hogwarts years (1991–1997)
Terry Boot: "How come you're not in Ravenclaw? With brains like yours?" Hermione: "Well, the Sorting Hat did seriously consider putting me in Ravenclaw during my Sorting, but it decided on Gryffindor in the end." — Hermione's use of the advanced Protean Charm Hermione enjoyed her years as a pupil at Hogwarts and took assignments, classes, and school rules very seriously. She was often described as brilliant, to the point of being said to be "the brightest witch of her age". Her favourite subject was initially Charms, and later Arithmancy. Given her keen mind, some students — such as Terry Boot — wondered why Hermione was Sorted into Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw, and she admitted that the Sorting Hat did consider putting her in Ravenclaw. It is likely that the Sorting Hat ultimately put her in Gryffindor after stalling for about 4 minutes because Hermione chose to be in it, just like Harry chose to not be in Slytherin; this is reinforced by how on the train earlier she stated that "Gryffindor... sounds by far the best." She later proved her rightful place in Gryffindor with her steadfast bravery and loyalty to her friends, Hogwarts, and Dumbledore's Army. After being Sorted into Gryffindor, Hermione shared a dormitory with Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Fay Dunbar and an unnamed ginger-haired girl. In spite of always wanting to follow the school rules, after Hermione became friends with Harry and Ron, she would disobey the rules along with them in order to successfully complete their group affairs. For example, she went with Ron and Harry into the third-floor corridor in their first year, which students were temporarily forbidden from entering, in order to save the Philosopher's Stone; she assisted in creating the Polyjuice Potion in their second year; and although Harry was the one who taught Dumbledore's Army in their fifth year, she was the one who came up with the idea.
Horcrux hunt (1997–1998)
Harry Potter: "Listen!" Hermione: "No, Harry, you listen. We're coming with you. That was decided months ago — years, really." — Hermione sticking by her vow to accompany Harry on his hunt Hermione began planning for her journey with Harry and Ron immediately. Concerned for the safety of her family, she altered her parents' memories to make them think they were Wendell and Monica Wilkins and sent them to hide in Australia, no longer aware of their original identities, the existence of their daughter, or anything she had told them about Harry. She also withdrew all of her savings at her building society account, in event of a need for Muggle money..
Hermione had a light complexion, bright brown eyes, lots of bushy brown hair (once described as a "long mane of brown hair"), and — as a child — rather large front teeth. She possessed a "bossy sort of voice" that would become slightly shrill when she was angry.
Hermione generally wore plain black work robes. Otherwise, she dressed casually. She usually kept her hair long and sometimes tied it back in a plait. Hermione never gave much attention to her appearance, usually hiding her potential to be considered extremely pretty under her bushy hairstyle and a large pile of books, which she kept slung on her back.
In 1994, after Hermione was accidentally struck with a Densaugeo spell, Madam Pomfrey magically shrank her front teeth and told Hermione to alert her when her teeth had returned to their original size. Hermione deviously let the spell continue a little longer, evening them out and making it unnecessary for her to receive the braces that her parents — both dentists — had originally intended for her. Hermione later confessed that she had previously considered fixing her teeth with magic but resisted out of respect for her parents.
During the Yule Ball, Hermione revealed that when she put her mind to it, she could look truly beautiful — she used Sleekeazy's Hair Potion to fix her hair, making it sleek and shiny, and twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She wore robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material, and she held herself differently. Harry himself failed to recognise her initially, and was shocked when he did, for she didn't look at all like her usual self. Even Pansy Parkinson gaped at Hermione when she saw her, and Draco seemed unable to find an insult to throw at her. A similar transformation was seen during the wedding of Bill and Fleur — her hair was again "sleek and shiny", and she wore a floaty, lilac-coloured dress with matching high heels.
Horace Slughorn: "Oho! 'One of my best friends is Muggle-born, and she's the best in our year!' I'm assuming this is the very friend of whom you spoke, Harry?"
Harry Potter: "Yes, sir."
Horace Slughorn: "Well, well, take 20 well-earned points for Gryffindor, Miss Granger."
Hermione: "Did you really tell him I'm the best in the year? Oh, Harry!"
— After Hermione impresses Slughorn with her knowledge
Hermione was noted for being both extremely intellectual curious and very hard-working, coming out on top in most of her classes and continuously aiding Harry and Ron in their adventures. She was so studious that the Ministry allowed her a Time-Turner in her third year, a device that rewinds time so that she could take extra courses. Because of her efficiency and compassion, Hermione often had time to do hobby work on the side, such as preparing a defence for Buckbeak to save him from execution and creating S.P.E.W., an organisation promoting the freedom of house-elves. Such acts demonstrated her social conscience and tenacity.
"An' they haven't invented a spell our Hermione can' do."
— Rubeus Hagrid praising Hermione's outstanding magical talents
Hermione proved to be an extremely powerful and talented young witch. Even before she began her education at Hogwarts, she practised some simple spells which all worked. Remus Lupin claimed that Hermione was the cleverest witch of her age he had ever met. Her magical capability easily surpassed almost every single student in her year, challenged only by a select few.
"One of my best friends is Muggle-born, and she's the best in our year."
— Harry Potter addressing Hermione's magical aptitude
"I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me."
•First wand: Hermione purchased a 10¾" vine wood wand with a dragon heartstring core in 1991. There was a pattern of vines the whole way up the wand's handle. She used it until the spring of 1998, when she, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley were captured by Snatchers, who confiscated their wands. She subsequently used Bellatrix Lestrange's wand.
•Time-Turner: In 1993, just before her third year at Hogwarts, Hermione obtained a Time-Turner from the Ministry of Magic in order to facilitate her attending more classes. She also used it at the end of the school year to save Sirius Black and Buckbeak, along with Harry Potter. Afterwards, Hermione returned the Time-Turner, returning to a normal class schedule.
•Revealer: Hermione owned a Revealer, which rendered invisible ink visible. She tried to use it on Tom Riddle's diary but no ink showed up. It is unknown if she still had it in her possession after 1992.
•Spellbooks: Hermione came to own various spellbooks for various spells and charms that she learned and studied throughout her Hogwarts education. These included the Expelliarmus spellbook, Glacius spellbook, Reparo spellbook, Draconifors spellbook, Snufflifors spellbook, Aqua Eructo spellbook and Herbivicus spellbook.
•Dark Arts textbooks: Whilst not a Dark witch, Hermione had an extensive knowledge of dark magic and owned various books on the subject, including Magick Moste Evile, The Nightshade Guide to Necromancy, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, The Imperius Curse and How to Abuse It and Sonnets of a Sorcerer, which could all be found on her bookshelf in her office in the Ministry. Additionally, during the Horcrux Hunt, Hermione kept a copy of Secrets of the Darkest Art, in which she learned of the dark magic that can be used to split one's soul and how the effects of having a split soul can affect the human being as a result of using such incredible and highly dark magic.
•Magical Theory: Hermione owned a copy of this Hogwarts textbook on the theory of magic, which she usually kept stored in her school trunk. She would have used this extensively throughout her academic years, particularly in her first year.
FamilyRomancesFriendsHogwarts StudentsEnemiesOrganisationsRowling took Hermione's name from William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, saying that she wanted it to be unusual, since if fewer girls shared her name, fewer girls would get teased for it. Rowling's knowledge and interest in Greek mythology may have also influenced her choice in regards to Hermione's name. In 1988, Rowling wrote a short essay about her time studying classics entitled "What was the Name of that Nymph Again? or Greek and Roman Studies Recalled"; it was published by the University of Exeter's journal Pegasus. The name "Hermione" is derived from "Hermes", who was the messenger of the Greek gods, as well as the god of wit, eloquence and quick thinking.
'Hermione' is the female derivative of 'Hermes', a messenger god known for his sharp wit and ability to transition between worlds. Quite fittingly, Hermione transitioned between the Muggle and wizarding worlds, delivered information, and was pretty sharp-witted herself.
Hermione is also the name of another figure from Greek mythology, who was the princess of Sparta and the only daughter of Helen of Troy and King Menelaus. The name also appears in Jean-Baptiste Lully's play Cadmus et Hermione, based on the story of the goddess of harmony, Harmonia, who married the founder of Thebes.
In order to ensure that fans could correctly pronounce Hermione's name, a scene was created between Hermione and Viktor Krum in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in which they discuss the correct pronunciation; however, the closest Krum got was "Herm-own-ninny".
In the will of Albus Dumbledore, Hermione's middle name was listed as "Jean"; however, in previous interviews, Rowling had stated that her middle name was "Jane". Rowling cleared this up in a later interview by stating that she had decided that she did not want Hermione to share a middle name with Professor Umbridge, and thus changed it to Jean, which is a female variant of the name John, meaning "God is gracious".
Granger is another word for farmer; specifically, it was the title of a farm bailiff, who oversaw the collection of rent and taxes from the barns of a feudal lord. It is a surname of English and French origin, derived from the Anglo-Norman grainger and the French grangier, both of which come from Latin granica, meaning "granary". It recalls Hermione's Muggle roots. Her original last name was "Puckle", but Rowling later decided this didn't suit her character.
•Hermione is portrayed by French-born British actress Emma Watson in the film adaptations of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2 and is one of the 14 characters to appear in all 8 film adaptations. Watson also portrayed her in the short The Queen's Handbag.
•Before Emma Watson was cast, another fellow British actress, Hatty Jones, also auditioned for the role alongside her. Jones had risen to fame by playing the titular character in the 1998 live-action film adaptation of the children's book series, Madeline. Of the many girls who auditioned for the Hermione Granger role, only Jones and Watson were able to make the final stage. While the casting agents were impressed and saw potential in both actresses, they deemed Hatty Jones a bit outgrown to play the character at the last minute, causing the role to go to Watson instead.
•Emma Watson's body double in the first three films was Flick Miles.
•Emma Watson's body double in the remaining four films was Ellen Lister.[citation needed]
•Emma Watson actually had to dye her hair darker for the first three films. Emma naturally has light brown hair.
•Her hair changes every film, somehow, the cases being:
Dec 15, 2020 · Hermione Granger. Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"; Photo: 7831/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images ... Modeling her character after a teacher whom she ...
May 15, 2024 · Hermione establishes herself as a strong wizard of good character. Those around her trust her to do the right thing, even if the right thing doesn't strictly abide by the rules. Every good hero needs people on their side. Many people put their faith in Hermione, giving her the tools she needs to be a success.
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What I love about Hermione is how the character taught a generation of girls that it is not only okay to be smart, but it is a good thing to be smart, and that a girl's defining feature can be something other than looks or popularity.
