- AdamantEve

Yep. I think that's absolutely true to her presented character.

I actually have a theory on Hermione letting Ginny have Harry. It’s nothing really solid, I don’t think, but it was something that I thought interesting.

Every Harmonian knows about the aftermath of The Kiss between Harry and Cho, what with Hermione’s business like and brisk tones and the like. Hermione uses defensive words in that scene, but later is very supportive of Harry and Cho. She even gives him advice. Here’s what I find interesting. In the sixth book, Hermione reacts similarly with Harry and Ginny. I found this quote a while back, and posted it…somewhere. But here it is again.





Emphasis is mine. Here we have Hermione giving Harry sharp and suspicious looks, only to later be seen beaming at him when he kisses Ginny. It seems to me that Hermione had time to adjust to the idea of Harry being with someone else and was able to put on a happy face when the time came.

Now, back on topic. I didn’t mean to vilify the Grangers. Like many have said, I think that they really do love Hermione, but I almost feel like they’re more attached to their work than their daughter.

Anyways, AdamantEve, I like your theory. It’s a lot better than other theories I’ve read.

Cheers,

Madm_05

In many ways, that idea can still apply to the theory I posted. After all, if they were really, really concerned, they would've stopped her from going to Hogwarts after second year. Personally, if I saw my daughter petrified and it was done by a terrible moster I thought to be mythical... ayayay, I don't know. I think maybe I WILL get her away from Hogwarts.


I also like how that fits with the entire theory.

If Mr. and Mrs. Granger were workaholics, maybe their "workaholic-ness" rubbed off of Hermione. Maybe that's why she's so studious and hardworking.


Wonderful theory, Adamant Eve. Totally possible. Mr. and Mrs. Granger could've found out about what's been happening by ...something... and then had a talk with her. Hermione, who doesn't want any chance of her leaving Hogwarts, decides to comply and stay out of trouble. Ergo, her transformation into HBP!Hermione.

Miss Mady

I've always thought that Hermione's parents were probably rather formal, not unloving but a bit reserved. I see them treating her more as a small adult than a child, reinforcing her serious nature. This might explain why she came to Hogwarts so worried about following rules, doing well, being logical--she's internalized her parents' expectations that she will act grownup. Harry and Ron bring her a little of the childhood she skipped, while she brings them some sorely needed maturity.

Because they treat her as an adult to some extent, I can see them buying her rational explanations as to why she should stay at Hogwarts over Christmas, etc; they'd be disappointed but after all one should be ruled by logic rather than emotion. After the DoM, when she actually returns to them injured, they'd realize how serious things were. I don't see ultimatums, though, just reasoning. And that would resonate with Hermione, because after all Harry was so emotional and that lead him so wrong--can't trust his feelings, must stay rational, stay safe, keep Harry safe....haven't we said that both of them need to reconcile their emotions with their reason?

And yet, they're not unfeeling, her parents. She's not touchy-feely or quick to bond emotionally, but they way she spontaneously hugs Harry shows that gestures of affection aren't completely foreign to her.

Jem

Good point, particularly in that last paragraph, and it can explain a lot about her personal make-up. It goes a long way explaining Hermione's personality from books 1 to 5, even when it comes to non-academic pursuits, like romance and friendships.

It couldn't explain her behavior in Book 6 though. Then again, a hoard of other theories (a few of which I most definitely subscribe to) can come directly into play should your above perception of Hermione's parents be correct.

Yeah, I agree this doesn't completely explain 6, but this is how I see it in my shippery heart: she's retreating a little from emotion, because that led them astray, put HARRY--more than herself--at risk. Somebody died because of it--Cedric's death in GOF wasn't reallly a result of Harry's feelings, but Sirius...and Harry would have died for him...sShe has to resist emotion. If she focuses on Ron, well, that just says she's not as emotionally invested in him. It's safer.

My favorite is that the DoM finally scared them all into wanting to forget the weight of their responsibilities. Part of the whole dream vs. reality-right vs. easy theory.

And that comes full circle into why Harry was with Ginny in HBP - his escape into being a plain, old teenager...for once.

Definitely, they're trying to escape the grim reality, especially Harry and Hermione. For Hermione, reality is Harry--so, well, let him be happy with Ginny, she'll be happy with (gosh, but he's annoying, why is he sucking face with that Lavendar, doesn't he know he's supposed to be crushing on Hermione?) Ron.

Jem

LOL, yeah. Or drooling over Fleur...or fancying Rosmerta...

*EDIT*

LOL, it just pulled a "#####" when I tried to write l.u.s.t.i.n.g. so I had to change it to 'drooling'. Since when is that a bad word???

That always catches me. I have a foul mouth... or maybe foul fingers? That sounds bad.

Ron has to understand himself first before he could begin to understand the likes of Hermione. Lavender didn't seem as complicated to him, but that wasn't entirely Lavender's fault either. Compared to Hermione, a lot of people seem less complicated.

Only Harry understands Hermione: "You going to turn me in?" and "Confunded anyone lately?"

My two cents worth?

I think Hermione's parents have raised a strong, smart independant young lady who is able to stand up for what she believes in, even though it doesn't make her the most popular person. I think they have taught her the importance of knowledge and hard work, what is right and what is wrong. So in my mind, they are pretty good parents.
She greets them at the train station with hugs, she has obviously had many lovely holidays with them (she was about to rave about a place in France when Sirius mentioned he had been hiding there) and I think she loves them dearly and they love her.
I also believe they work hard, are successful at what they do.
I suspect Hermione's childhood was a lonely one because of her parents beliefs in not doing things just because they're easy, but doing things because they're right - like learning and standing up for what you believe in. There may be a reason about the lack of braces thing and her teeth, and some comments do indicate they take oral health very seriously - but we don't really know and will never know the full reasons. Maybe they were waiting for the right time? Maybe they booked an appointment during the holidays and she didn't make it back? I don't know.
BUT, I don't think her parents get the full picture of what has happened in her life at Hogwarts. I agree, the petrifying incident is something she could explain away when the school notified her parents. But the DoM?? I suspect she may have had to argue her case and make some comprimises with her parents to be allowed back in school. She may have got the 'if I hear of one bad thing happening, you're coming home' speech.
The thing is, we don't know because we don't know what Hermione does when she's not with Harry. I don't think she tell's Harry everything because then he'd blame himself or whatever so she only tells him the bare minimum therefore we only get the bare minimum. She may also feel that talking about a happy family life when Harry's has been so shocking is a bit insensitive. We just don't know.
Hermione is a mature soul in a teenager's body. I believe her parents are concerned about her and miss her terribly when she doesn't come home for holidays. But I also think they realise that she is special, that it would be worse if they don't let her do these things and that things will work out in the end.
My understanding is it is very hard to raise a teenager and get the balance between being supportive and being over bearing. If I had a daughter like Hermione, I would be extremely proud. I would worry, I would wish she spent more time with me, I would want to make sure she was okay every day she was away. But I would also think that she is smart and she is capable and she needs to be part of a world that I don't really understand. I would let her know I was there if she needed me and support her when she asks.
I think Hermione's parents are good, loving parents and have raised a pretty lovely human being.

*enters broken record mode*

Yep, and the ONLY time I've actually seen Ron accept/understand/'get' someone elso is with L-U-N-A. Ron is arrogant, self-absorbed, me, me, me-effing-me, but with Luna, he actually saw past who he thought she was to see who she really was...and then apprecaite it. He's never done that with anyone...ESP. Hermione.

That's why I like Luna so much. She makes me see the good in Ron!

And isn't that what our soul mates are supposed to do? I think they are supposed to complement our own personality so that we bring out the best in each other.

Harry and Hermione do that naturally, where R/Hr don't even come close. JK wrote it that way. I mean we are not making that shite up!

I noticed that too. I think Luna's wild and wacky side would make their relationship face-paced and interesting, just what Ron looks for in life (IMO, anyway).

I just found it quite amazing that Ron of all people (emotional range of a teaspoon anyone?) would be one of the very few to accept, and even like Luna. It really blew me away when they had the chat in the hospital wing about commentating. And then, when he said she was growing on him...I was so proud of him...he's all grown up! *cries*

Cause really, I like Ron. I just don't like him with Hermione (and vice versa), but with Luna - it's so sweet!

I might be one of the few people here who do, but I actually love Ron. I can't stand the idea of him and Hermione together, but that's because a romantic relationship between them, IMO, would be quite toxic because they simply don't understand each other, don't TRY to understand each other and, frankly, neither is willing to budge or give an inch when they argue. But I do love Ron, who IMO is one of the more misunderstood characters in HP, which is odd because IMO with Ron, what you see is what you get. In the Mirror of Erised scene in PS/SS, he sees himself as Quidditch captain AND Head Boy. That seems like a desperate desire to outshine his older brothers. But the flip side is that Ron has low self-esteem because he believes that no one would like him just for himself -- he thinks people are interested in him only as Bill's or the twins' little brother, or Harry's best mate. I think that as Ron has grown up in the series, his deepest desire has changed to being accepted and appreciated exactly as he is. I think that's why Ron got together with Lavender in HBP - because she was open about the fact that she fancied him, she liked him just the way he was. Now, that relationship turned out to be basically a snogfest, just like H/G. But it did show Ron, I think, that he wanted to be with a girl who liked him and understood him just as he was and wouldn't try to change him. I think that's why he starts to recognize Luna in HBP -- she's "mental, but in a good way". That's why I like Ron/Luna -- because she does bring out the good in Ron, whereas Hermione brings out all his insecurities and faults.

Couldn't have said it better myself! And to add to that, it was wonderful that Ron, who does want to be seen for he is, would see Luna for who she truly is. Talk about growth! Talk about being meant for each other!

Actually in GOF when the boys first notice that Hermione's teeth have been fixed she tells them that her parents didn't want her to use magic they wanted her to stick with her brace. A brace of course being a muggle dentists way of fixing bad teeth. So the above is actually incorrect.



How would Hermione's parents have stopped her?

She went straight from Hogwarts to Grimmauld place via the Knight Bus and were presumably told of her plans by letter. They would have been angry and upset no doubt (I'm sure someone else already said she would have understated their feelings to spare Harry's) but what could they actually do? Nothing.



Good work! I like that a lot, and I can totally see it realistically. BUT I wonder how that will play out in bk7 if she's not going back to Hogwarts but is instead going off with Harry on a dangerous adventure.

Will she finally have to explain to her parents exactly what is going on?
Will she just lie and tell them she is going back to Hogwarts?

It raises some interesting questions.

As for my own opinion on Hermione's parents I think that prior to Hogwarts they were great parents who encouraged her in every way. I still think they love her unconditionally but they don't really understand Hogwarts etc, and they trust her so they allow her to do what she tells them she needs to do.

I think there may have been a few disagreements over the years, such as the brace thing and her not coming skiing with them when she said she would, but overall I see them as a reasonably tight family unit.

In my opinion, it's very likely that Hermione's parents are as distant as can be.

For starters, we only actually get to see them once: in Diagon Alley at the beginning of COS. They were there to help Hermione prepare for school, but they stayed well in the background, and were very disturbed by the Malfoy/Weasley fight. After that scene, we never truly hear about them again.

Second, her parents wanting Hermione to stick with normal dental practices is a level of control that her parents had, and that disappears by necessity in GOF; in fact, it's believable that Hermione actually welcomed the excuse to repair her teeth and get her parents to let the brace thing go.

I think that Hermione's parents are definitely conservative; that is, they are safe, by-the-book people, and they don't go out of their way to take risks. Hermione seems to be the natural type of offspring for intelligent introverts to have; it also is the reason we see so little of them: Hermione is taking risks that she'd never have considered taking before, and her parents are not the type ot help with those risks; she's effectively just as cut-off and alone in the wizarding world as Harry is, with the Weasley family as the only support group (outside of Harry himself).

It would also compliment Harry's upbringing: Harry was brought up by ultra-conservatives, and I don't feel that I have to explain that one here. Harry can expect *no* help from them, and his risk-taking and growth of character is likewise several times more severe than Hermione's.

Both Harry and Hermione came in as loners, found family in the Weasley clan, and have been protecting each other ever since first year. Harry and Hermione both have had to break their character molds more than once, and attempt feats that no sane youth would attempt. I think it's easy to see that Harry and Hermione follow the exact same transformation of character throughout all six books, with Harry's being just a little more extreme, being the protagonist of the series.

Using that to extrapolate backwards, I think that Hermione's parents are just like a more moderate Dursley family: good parents, with minds geared towards financial success, and no real mind for magic; they support their daughter as parents should, but I don't think they'd ask too many questions about what Hermione does at school.

I see what your saying but I guess the difference in our opinion lies in that you think they don't want to know and I think they do but they just can't.

The brace thing I don't see as being about control but more about understanding. They are dentists and see teeth as being very important, not to be messed with, hence the sugar free snacks. They are muggles and they don't understand magic or how it changes teeth. They do understand the brace and because the health of their daughters teeth is important to them they want her to look after them in a way that they think is best... being the brace. She told them that magic would do it but they don't get it, they don't trust it and teeth are too important for them to want their daughter to take chances on something unknown or unfamiliar.

It's all just my opinion of course but I have a very strong impression that although Hermione's parents are conservative or perhaps shy they do still love her very much and desperatly want to understand her... but it's just not possible they are too different and so there is an unbridgable gap between them that gets wider every year.

@ ladylaughalot:

I agree with you 100%. The emphasis in my post isn't really how they treat her, it's the inevitable isolation in the wizarding world that she's subjected to because of it. I think that the mirroring of Harry's isolation is an important aspect of Hermione's character, and the struggles she goes through.

Whether it's "can't" or "won't," Hermione's parents are not a part of the world Hermione is immersed in, and so aside from Harry and the Weasleys, she's alone.

I'd say conservative enough for the morals of hard work and dedication to come through, but liberal enough to let their daughter take the advantage when it was presented when she was eleven.

~Salamon2

I'm inclined to believe it's "can't" but I have nothing to substantiate that belief. I agree though that Hermione's isolation from her family is one of the ties that bind her with Harry and an important aspect of her character.




I agree Salamon, and I also attribute their willingness to allow their daughter to go to Hogwarts to them loving their daughter enough to allow her to be herself even if they don't understand it.

I couldn't find any pretext for it in the books, but given how Dumbledore approached Tom Riddle as a child in the orphanage, and how he "dealt" with the governess (!!!), I think that there's good reason to believe that the Ministry would have "forced the issue" if Hermione's parents weren't compliant.

JKR uses Hermione's parents like a blank piece of paper. She gives us basic information then let's our imagination run wild depending on our own experiences with parents.

I think they are good parents, after all they raised Hermione---she's smart, kind, loyal compassionate---she can be somewhat anal about rules but that is what Harry is for---to lighten her up. I think they know some of what goes on in Hogwarts but definitely not every detail, they simply trust their daughter enough to do the right thing. I agree with AdamantEve that they probably put their foot down and laid some rules after she got injured in the DoM resulting in HBPHermione.

I read a comment earlier in this thread about her being away from them all the time so I would like to ask members from the UK----I am under the impression that boarding school is a traditional mode of schooling. Is this accurate?

Well, there's this, from OotP right after the prefect badges show up. Hermione asks, "Erm - Harry - could I borrow Hedwig so I can tell Mum and Dad? They'll be really pleased - I mean prefect is something they can understand." It sounds like she's tried to explain to them what goes on at school without much success, and she's finally got an accomplishment that she can share with them that she knows they'll get.

I always thought that Hermione's parents where too concerned with their jobs and money and other stuff to really care about their daughter. I'm not sure why, but it seems as though they'd rather be at work than with their daughter.
That could also be the reason she'd rather read and study than be with friends and such. Maybe she was almost always alone as a child, so...........
I dunno.
I'll add this to my (five page long) list of things to think about.

That is one thing about being an only child. Often you're more grown up than the other kids because you mainly hang around adults. That is unless you formed friendships outside the house with kids your age. However Hermione doesn't strike me as that type.

That's another reason why I sympathize with Hermione, she like me, at first glance seemed like a fellow only child who hadn't had too many friends when young.

That's one thing about my mother, who's the living Hermione at age 61. When her mother died, and she had no one else but my father and my infant self (my father's not one for comfort). A friend of hers who came from a larger family came up to her at my grandmother's funeral and said:

"You're so lucky Kathy that you don't have a sibling. You get everything!"

Never take a sibling for granted! You might argue and squabble over physical possessions, but when your parents are both dead, and you have no one else to turn to, you at least have them. Us only children only get a house full of our parent's possessions with memories abound and we'd rather have pur parents back than all the junk.

~Salamon2

There is very little we know about Hermione's parents and her relationship with them, but there are some clues. Hermione mentions her parents occaionally. She said that the are detists and she mentions a few holidays with them, in DH she said she went camping with them when she was little. That means she obviously doesn't have a problem talking about her parents. If they treated her badly she would probably avoid taking about her parents. Hermione was worried about her parents in DH and assured her safety. So she obviously cares for them. But the relationship isn't close, there are some clues to indicate that. Her parents doesen't seem to mind that Hermion spend Christmas at Hogwarts in her second year and with the Weasley's in her fifth. Then there s th fact that Hermione's parents obviously doesn't know about her being pertrified in her second year. They didn't hear rom her for monthsv and weren't surprised by that! That means Hermione didn't write them very often before. In her forth year Hermion starts to spend the main part of the holidays with her friends after, although she had already spend the whole year at Hogwarts. I think that's strange. Most parent would suggest that her daughter invite's her friends to their house for a part of the holidays, so they could send more time with their child and get to know their daughter's friends better.
That were the facts, now I come to the speculations. I think Hermione's parent's are tolerant people who raised their daughter to be indeprndent. They obviously respected her wish to attend Hogwarts and buy her everything she needs for school. They seem to try and understand their daughter's world, they accompanied her to Diagon's Alley once and Hermione mentioned in one letter to Harry that she visited locations where she could find material for her essay in the holidays with her parents. But they don't know much about the wizarding world and Hermione has to keep a lot of secrets to them to not scare them. I think they always felt that smething about their daughter was different and with her going to Hogwarts and all the things she couldn't tell them, Hermione probably alienated even more from them. Hermione has always tried to get approval from authoritys, that's why I think she is used to get get commendation for achievements. That was probably her parents way to show her affection. But now this is difficult, because they don't know the subjects at Hogwarts.

MOD NOTE: this and its replies were originally posted in another topic. Click the quote box's arrow below to see that one.~gal-texter / Pen May2008



I really like how you consider the parents of the joint second most important character completely pointless to the plot of the book.

The lack of involvement from Hermione's parents is one of the thing that irritates me about the later books, I'd rather have had a chapter of them, than yet another one about the Weasley Bunch. It would have made a nice change.

They have always been pointless to the plot of the book. This has been the case since Book 1. Therefore it is neither a plot hole or inconsistency.

The point I'm making, which you're missing, is that we don't need to have it spelled out that Hermione actually does revive her parent's memory. She says she will do it, and the reader can easily assume that she will. It is irrelevant to the plot and there's no need to waste page space on it.

What? You think only in later books? She didn't even bother to TELL US THEIR NAMES! Wow! Wow! And you're right: was she one of Harry's best friends or not? We even knew the names of Neville and Luna's parents...

Maybe I was understating the case a bit.

Aren't they named by implication in the 7th book? When Hermione tells Harry about changing their memory I'm pretty sure she names them.

Still, to little to late.

Err... That wasn't their real name. Wendell and Monica Wilkins, right? These are fake names that Hermione gave them so they were completely in disguise. So we didn't know their REAL name until today... And as a fun fact: I never read two fanfics that named Hermione's parents with same names...! It shows how the point (their names) was very opened for us to interpret (in other words, no canon hints at all). How could you believe it?

The point I was making is that's it's pretty terrible that a major characters parents are mentioned hardly at all despite being in a 7 book series.



I'd assume that Wendell and Monica are their real first names, but that doesn't make it so!

A popular choice of names for Hermione's parents are Dan and Emma, for obvious reasons.