Hermione, or the Ghoul in Pajamas

[terri-testing.livejournal.com]

Never, never pontificate without re-reading the original scene.

Here's what, precisely, Hermione says to Harry about her preparations to take off with him, specifically about her decision to modify her parents' memories so that "they're convinced they're really called Wendell and Monica Wilkins and that their life's ambition is to move to Australia, which they've now done.


"That's to make it more difficult to track them down and interrogate them about me--or you, because unfortunately, I've told them quite a bit about you."

She says it outright.

Ron's stratagem, the ghoul, is an attempt to protect his family from reprisals; Hermione's, to protect herself and Harry from the Grangers' knowledge of them. Not to protect them, or to protect them from being used as hostages to influence her.

And, y'know, it was a good thought. I mean, just imagine if her parents had blabbed about taking their little girl camping in the Forest of Dean.

Comments

[maidofkent.livejournal.com]

Of course not, but that's not what Hermione gives as a primary reason, or indeed any reason, for moving them to Australia with minds wiped. One can imply it in what she says, but what she actually says motivated her is what they might reveal about Harry. I agree with oryx, what can they know about Harry that Snape, Draco or the Weasleys couldn't have known - surely she hasn't told her parents about the Horcruxes? It would have made more sense and made Hermione look better, if she'd said 'I was terrified that Voldemort would have them interrogated. Of course, there's nothing important they could have told the Death Eaters, but that didn't stop Bellatrix before. I was afraid they'd end up like Neville's parents'.

And why wipe their minds as she did? Surely she could have explained the situation to them, or even have confunded them? Should the Death Eaters actually manage to catch up with Monica and Wendall, they will be tortured for no reason they can possibly understand.

As to Voldemort catching up with them, I notice Hermione explains that she's changed her parents' identities and then goes on to tell Harry and Ron what those new identities are, and where she's sent them. If she does think Harry might still be broadcasting to Voldemort, that seems a particularly stupid thing to do, unless she is actually lying and laying a false trail. However, judging by her later reaction to Harry's connection, I don't think that's the reason she's giving away that information.