Character Analysis
The Brains (And The Emotional Intelligence) Of The Operation
Hermione is what you might call "the idea (wo)man" of the main trio. She's usually the one who comes up with their best plans and this movie really gives her a chance to shine.
It's Hermione who first thinks of the idea for Dumbledore's Army. She's also the one who tricks Umbridge into going into the Forbidden Forest. (Bye-bye, Dolores.) And when Harry has the bright idea to just race off to the Ministry of Magic to save Sirius from certain death?
Hermione's got a few questions:
HERMIONE GRANGER: Harry, please, just listen. What if Voldemort meant for you to see this? What if he's only hurting Sirius because he's trying to get to you?
HARRY POTTER: What if he is? I'm supposed to just let him die? Hermione, he's the only family I've got left.
Wow. It's tough always being right.
Hermione's also changed a lot in this movie. Her participation in Dumbledore's Army shows that she's way more willing to break school rules—something first year Hermione never would have dreamed of. Now that Voldemort's back the game has changed. Hermione knows that rebelling won't kill her. Following a ruthless teacher like Umbridge might though.
In past movies, Hermione's always been portrayed as a know-it-all bookworm. And, believe us, she is a know-it-all bookworm, but she's also way more in touch with her feelings and emotions than either Harry or Ron.
Take this moment when Harry's talking about his kiss with Cho:
HERMIONE GRANGER: Cho spends half her time crying these days.
RON WEASLEY: You'd think a bit of snogging would cheer her up.
HERMIONE GRANGER: Don't you understand how she must be feeling? Well, obviously, she's feeling sad about Cedric, and confused about liking Harry, and guilty about kissing him, conflicted because Umbridge might sack her mum from the Ministry, and frightened of failing her O.W.L.s because she's worrying about everything.
RON WEASLEY: One person couldn't feel all that. They'd explode.
HERMIONE GRANGER: Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon...
Ron just doesn't understand, but Hermione is definitely here to explain it to her guy-pals. That's what best friends are for.