When looking back on the Harry Potter series, it can be easy to start to notice issues or things that don’t make a lot of sense reading the books as an adult. While there are definitely issues with any series, it’s always useful to remember why the books became so popular in the first place. The main characters in the series, especially Harry, Ron, and Hermione, might have flaws, but they are overall heroic characters who are trying to save the world from a dark wizard and his followers.
We’ve decided to put together a list to celebrate all the things about Hermione that make her incredibly heroic. Here are the ten most heroic things that Hermione Granger ever did in the series.
HER ATTEMPTS TO HELP THE HOUSE ELVES
When Hermione learns about how the house-elves are treated in the wizarding world and that they basically have no rights, she reacts with horror. Her reaction makes the most sense of anyone’s, and it’s a shame that more people don’t see how awful their treatment is. Hermione does care about helping them, and this goes to show that she’s the type of hero who cares about the underprivileged in society and wants to help them.
WHEN SHE PUNCHED DRACO
While violence isn’t necessarily always the answer, given how Draco treated Hermione and the things he called her, this moment is actually rather heroic. Draco called her what was basically a slur multiple times, and he basically believed that she was less than other people because she was born to Muggle parents. Draco definitely needed to learn that he couldn’t get away with being such a bigot, so seeing Hermione punch him was an awesome moment.
SOLVING THE POTIONS RIDDLE THAT SNAPE LEFT TO GUARD THE SORCERER’S STONE
While Hermione might be known for being really good at magic and at her Hogwarts schoolwork, she’s also intelligent in other ways. Hermione is able to look at things logically, and she has a really keen, sharp mind.
So, when she’s able to work out the logic puzzle that Snape sets to guard the Stone, she shows her how intellect can be one of her most heroic traits. She’s able to figure it out and get Harry to the stone without either of them getting injured.
FIGURING OUT CHAMBER OF SECRETS MONSTER WAS A BASILISK
This is another example of Hermione using her brain to figure things out and be a hero in the process. Even at such a young age, Hermione’s intelligence combined with her willingness to study hard and research is really impressive. She’s the one who figures out that the monster terrorizing the school is a Basilisk, and the first thing she does after learning this is to try to warn others to keep them safe.
ALL OF THE TIMES SHE HELPED HARRY AND TRIED TO DO THE RIGHT THING
One of the things that makes Hermione such a heroic character in Harry Potter is how she is always trying to fight for the right thing. She’s on the side of good, and she’s actively trying to fight against Voldemort alongside Harry. From the beginning, she helps Harry when he’s in danger and to figure out the different plots against Harry and the school. She’s always willing to put her life on the line and be the hero, even if it’s just in a more support role.
ALWAYS BEING THE ONE WHO PLANNED THINGS AND USED HER INTELLIGENCE
Part of being a hero isn’t just being the most daring person in the room. While Hermione might have a lot of nerve and courage as a Gyrrindor, she also understands that in order to be the hero sometimes you have to put in the work beforehand.
It’s Hermione who does things like brew Polyjuice Potion and packs a back of essentials for the Horcrux hunt. Without this crucial planning and thinking ahead, the trio wouldn’t have been able to fight against Voldemort at all.
USING THE TIME TURNER TO SAVE SIRIUS
Hermione’s intellect might be one of her greatest assets in helping to save the day, but it’s also her bravery and kind heart that makes her a hero. When Sirius is about to be put to death, Hermione is the one who realizes what has to be done to save him, as well as Buckbeak, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make this happen. This shows that she does have a very heroic heart that is willing to risk a lot to save innocent people.
BEING THE ONE TO START DUMBLEDORE’S ARMY
While Harry might be seen as the leader of Dumbledore’s Army, it’s really Hermione that starts the entire thing. She’s the one that decides they need to do something directly to stand up to Umbridge and the Ministry and learn how to defend against the dark arts.
She’s the one who sets the entire thing up and gets people to join. She definitely is a person who sees what needs to be done and is willing to do it.
BEING WILLING TO MODIFY HER PARENTS’ MEMORIES TO KEEP THEM SAFE
One of the most heartbreaking things that happen Sto Hermione in the series is when she has to Obliviate her own parents’ memories in order to keep them safe. When she goes to help Harry hunt the Horcrux, she doesn’t want her parents to be a target, so she modifies their memories and sends them to Australia. This would be a horrible thing to have to do, so it shows that she is dedicated to doing the right thing even if it personally impacts her in painful ways.
PUTTING HER LIFE ON THE LINE TO GO WITH HARRY TO FIND THE HORCRUXES
One of the most heroic things Hermione ever does is to be willing to leave everything behind to help Harry defeat Voldemort once and for all. Even though she’s only 17 at the time and has to leave her parents behind and put her safety at risk, she’s willing to do so because she wants to help save the wizarding world. This shows that Hermione really is one of the most heroic characters of the entire series.
