Hermione Granger and the Missed Opportunity

[sunnyskywalker]

I'm re-reading PS/SS, specifically paying attention to things which are part of the overall 7-book plot but which Harry (and we, back in the day) didn't have enough information to flag as relevant. Absolutely fascinating, and I'm sure I'll be posting about some of that soon. This isn't that time, or not exactly. I was also paying closer attention to wizard/Muggle relations, and so I stopped at this little exchange:

"And you could ask your parents if they know who Flamel is," said Ron. "It'd be safe to ask them."

"Very safe, as they're both dentists," said Hermione.

I can't help but picture the AU where she does ask, and her father says, "Flamel? Wasn't there something about him in that history program on the telly last night?" And her mother replies, "Yes, something about alchemy, wasn't it? Was he really a wizard, Hermione dear? How exciting!" And then Hermione comes back after the break all bright-eyed, very pleased as she shows the boys her photocopies of Flamel's entry in her Muggle library's encyclopedia. "No wonder he wasn't in any of the books on modern magical discoveries, he was born so long ago that witches and wizards still lived openly among Muggles, can you imagine? Do you think alchemists can really make a Philosopher's Stone?" Which reminds Harry of Flamel and Dumbledore's alchemical partnership on the Chocolate Frog Card, and off they go.

The schedule of events would hardly be different from the actual book, but the kids would have discovered that Muggles aren't just helpless, pitiable lumps. Wouldn't that have been something.

Comments

[sunnyskywalker]

She cac creatively adapt magic to new uses when it isn't going to be graded, like the DA coins. But she doesn't seem to value experimentation, or think it will be rewarded, or that she could do more of it. She seems stifled. Hogwarts does seem to reinforce her attitude, or at least doesn't do much to dissuade her. But it also seems possible that her parents also praised little Hermione for being so bright and knowing all those facts and not encouraging creativity for her to already take that approach for granted when she arrives.

[nx74defiant.livejournal.com]

There is an episode of Big Bang Theory where Penny has Bernadette and Amy do her college homework. Bernadette comments: I feel like I'm back in High School, doing the popular girls homework to get her to like me.
Amy replies happily: Yes, and this time it is actually working.

Hermione's role in the trio is to do all the homework. Quoting the books is safe. Going beyond, and taking risk is scary, not only is she risking her grades, it could cost her the only friends she has.

[sunnyskywalker]

By sheer luck, today I ran across a post on The Toast called "A Harry Potter Where Hermione Doesn't Do Anyone's Homework For Them."

I think you're right about how Hermione weighs the risks.

[merrymelody.livejournal.com]

I notice even in a liberal stronghold like the toast, potter still brings out the 'snitches get stitches!' comments.

[sunnyskywalker]

This is why I avoid comments sections almost everywhere.

[vermouth1991.livejournal.com]

Sometimes the sites' contents themselves can take you by surprise, as well. The most negative review I ever read on "Schindler's List", for example, was not on some Nazi-sympathizer movie review site, but on an *American Jewish affairs* site, which actually condemned Spielberg for somehow missing the while point about the holocaust, or some other rot. (I wish I could give you link, but I've mostly erased the experience from my brain.)