12 Ways Hermione Granger Is The True Hero Of The Potterverse

As a Muggle-born wizard who isn't well-liked by many of her peers, Hermione could easily fade into the background. To keep herself safe and happy, she could transform into a wallflower who generally tries not to make waves, much like Snape during his time at Hogwarts.

But in a school full of passive-aggressive teenagers, you can always count on Hermione to speak her mind. Whether it’s punching Malfoy in the face for his taunts, or telling Harry and Ron they’re being stupid, Hermione never shies away from controversy. She says exactly what she’s feeling without a hint of subtlety.

Her straightforward nature establishes her as a wizard you don't want to mess with. More importantly, it allows her to push both friends and enemies toward the right thing. Hermione doesn't dance around an issue. She embraces it head on and makes sure she's always fighting for herself instead of taking whatever is thrown at her.

While many characters in the Harry Potter series risk their lives to save the wizarding world, Hermione's sacrifices throughout the course of the series are particularly heartbreaking. Time and again, she proves she's willing to put the good of others over her individual well-being. She forces her parents to forget who she is in order to keep them safe, effectively giving up her family to help Harry save the world. Her decision comes at much personal cost, but she puts her own feelings aside and does what she can to keep those she loves safe. 

Even more painfully, Hermione is tormented by Bellatrix Lestrange at Malfoy Manor. She endures the Cruciatus Curse again and again, and screams in pain as Bellatrix scratches "Mudblood" into her arm, but she never breaks. She refuses to tell Bellatrix anything she needs to know, at much personal cost to herself. 

Many times throughout the series, Hermione takes on individual pain to fight for the greater good. She sacrifices more than most characters - her family, her home, and her body - to join the fight against Voldemort. 

Throughout all her years at Hogwarts, Hermione faces an endless amount of mocking. She's the primary target of Draco Malfoy and the other Slytherins, who call her Mudblood and ridicule her Muggle-born background. While she eventually comes to rely on Ron and Harry, they, too, torment her in Sorcerer's Stone. Most people believe she's a know-it-all, and her need to flaunt her smarts grates on her peers.  

While Hermione grows out of the need to correct everyone around her to some extent, she never changes who she is to stop the mockery. She knows she's smart and refuses to shy away from it. She never tries to tone down her intellectual side or act dumb so people will like her more. The mean ones get to her on more than one occasion, causing her to shed a few tears, but she's still determined to be herself.

She would rather have no friends than pair up with people who can't accept the real her. Not only does that take a fair amount of bravery, but it also shows that Hermione is wise beyond her years.

While Hermione proves herself to be a reliable asset among her peers, her trustworthy nature extends beyond her friends. She shows up in every situation, ready and willing to fight for what she believes is right. However, she's also a dedicated student who doesn't enjoy breaking the rules. Her character breeds trust between her and the Hogwarts staff, shown most obviously when her teachers trust her with the Time-Turner in Prisoner of Azkaban. Any other student wouldn't be allowed to take on such a massive responsibility. By trusting Hermione to use the Time-Turner responsibly, her teachers also give her and Harry exactly what they needed to save the day. 

Hermione establishes herself as a strong wizard of good character. Those around her trust her to do the right thing, even if the right thing doesn't strictly abide by the rules. Every good hero needs people on their side. Many people put their faith in Hermione, giving her the tools she needs to be a success.

In founding Dumbledore's Army in Order of the Phoenix, Hermione demonstrates another heroic aspect of her personality - she knows her strengths and weaknesses. Although it's her idea to teach practical defensive magic to the students, she realizes she's not the best person for the job. Harry has more experience than any of the students using defensive and offensive magic in an actual fight. Hermione recognizes his knowledge and skill, and insists he has to be the one to teach the group. When Harry agrees, Hermione sits back and lets him take control, rather than claiming authority simply because it was her idea. 

Hermione has a realistic perspective on her own abilities. She's confident in certain areas, but recognizes where she needs to improve. She doesn't have a false confidence that leads her to mistakes. Most people don't have a realistic view of their strengths and weaknesses. For Hermione, it's a natural character trait.

Even though he's the Chosen One, Harry is pretty much clueless throughout the entire series. He falls into dangerous situations and sometimes listens to the advice of those above him, but he takes very little initiative in discovering anything new about the wizarding world. 

Hermione is the complete opposite. Once she becomes a wizard, she's desperate to learn everything she can about her new environment. Her commitment is most apparent in Goblet of Fire, when she founds the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare (AKA "S.P.E.W."). While Hermione commits herself to fighting for the rights of house elves everywhere, Harry barely learns of their existence. 

Although Hermione's actions are misguided and ultimately rejected by the house elves, she demonstrates more empathy and advocacy for all creatures than Harry ever does. Despite the mistakes she makes, Hermione is a wizard who truly cares about everyone, not just those she considers to be her equals.