Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger ( 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, a school of magic. In the novel, she becomes friends with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley after they save her from a troll. Hermione often uses her quick wit, deft recall, and encyclopaedic knowledge to help her friends in perilous situations. Rowling has stated that Hermione resembles herself as a young girl. Hermione is portrayed by Emma Watson in all eight Harry Potter films, and is set to be played by Arabella Stanton in the upcoming television series.

Quick Facts

Series: Harry Potter
Full name: Hermione Jean Granger
First: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)
Creator: J. K. Rowling
Nationality: British
Portrayed by: Emma Watson (films); Arabella Stanton (television series)
Spouse: Ron Weasley
Children: Rose Granger-Weasley; Hugo Granger-Weasley

Lore & Background

Rowling has described Hermione as a strong female character who is bright, logical, upright, and good. Rowling was seen as a "know-it-all" in her youth, and she said Hermione is an exaggerated version of her younger self. She says that beneath Hermione's studious and sometimes bossy exterior, she is insecure and afraid of failure, similar to Rowling as a young person. Rowling said that to compensate for her feelings of inadequacy, Hermione strives to be the best at everything; she projects a confidence that irritates others.

In the novels, Hermione is described as having bushy brown hair, brown eyes and large front teeth. She is described as an exceptionally talented witch, and Rowling has called her a "borderline genius". Watson said that girls in popular media tend to "dumb themselves down", but Hermione is not afraid to be clever, which makes her an exceptional role model for girls. Scholar Mary P. Freier has noted that, throughout the Harry Potter series, Hermione uses the skills of a librarian and researcher to gather the information needed to defeat Voldemort.

Freier observes that Hermione begins the series as a child "who loves the library but cannot always use it effectively", relying on the Hogwarts school librarian for help. However, as the series progresses Hermione becomes a librarian herself, according to Freier. Rowling has called Hermione the perfect expository character due to her encyclopaedic knowledge of the wizarding world. Rowling has described Hermione's classmate Luna Lovegood as the "anti-Hermione" due to the differences between them.

Hermione's first name was derived from a character in William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, although according to Rowling the two characters have little in common. Hermione's middle name was originally Jane, but Rowling changed it to Jean so Hermione would not have the same middle name as Dolores Jane Umbridge. Rowling considered giving Hermione the surname "Puckle", but ultimately felt the name did not suit her. Rowling said that Hermione's parents, two Muggle dentists, are somewhat bemused by their "odd" daughter, but are proud of her nonetheless; they are the type of people who would give their daughter an unusual name to prove their cleverness.

Hermione is proud of her Muggle heritage and, according to Rowling, she works at the Ministry of Magic after graduation from Hogwarts, advocating for disenfranchised populations such as House-elves and Muggle-borns. Hermione's Patronus is an otter, which is Rowling's favourite animal.

Reader's Guide

Hermione Granger is the intellectual engine and moral compass of Harry Potter's circle. A witch of non-magical, or Muggle, parentage, she becomes one of Harry's closest friends.