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Posted by: Moose_Starr Jul 18 2008, 11:18 AM

Through out the Harry Potter series, and in fact from the very beginning, we see Hermione as a smart, brilliant witch. She has the answer to most everything, and on the rare occasion that she doesnt, she at least knows where to look. But, much of Hermione's knowledge and wisdom comes from books. She has read a lot of books, knows spells, history and the people of the wizarding world before the Hogwarts Express even reaches the school in their first year.

When Hermione is shaken or challenged, she falls back on her books, she leans on her books for support, when she wants to confront she uses books, she even hides behind books.

So how do you think this rational, logical individual reacted to something completely unexpected and unthinkable? How could she possibly have prepared for learning *You're a witch, Hermione*? Although it's probable that, as a muggle bookworm, she would have read muggle books about witches and wizards and sorcery, it's unlikely that she would have been expecting a letter announcing that not only she's a witch but there's a whole world out there, full of magical people, places and creatures. And, that she's going to be away from home for a year in this new world, as a witch.
She wouldnt have been able to find her answers in books, and nothing could have prepared her for this news, coming from a non-Magical family. So what do you think her initial thoughts would have been? How did she react to being informed that she is a witch?

You can vote for more than one option and, please share your thoughts about how Hermione would have taken the news.

Posted by: Butterfly_Boy Jul 21 2008, 10:12 AM

I think, Hermione would think all of those thoughts. However I voted only two for initial reactions. First, Puzzled, because she had not read about this because she is very erudite and it must have been puzzling to be told of something she did not know.
Then I voted, Will there be books on every topic? For two reasons : first, she would want to read all books to be able to know everything to re-assure herself. Second, she will want the pleasure of reading books on so many new things.

Posted by: keola sombra Jul 21 2008, 12:52 PM

I love this topic

Like Butterfly_Boy said, I think she'd think all those things, but I chose 4:

1. shock: I think all muggleborns would be rather shocked when they find out they're a wizard/witch

2. Puzzled, because she had not read about this: Hermione probably was a very up-to-date person, who knew much about most things, so come this, which she previously had thought was stories... you'd think people would know if wizards really excisted...

3. Well, I thought it must be something like that, because there's no logical explanation in this world for what I can do: She must have known threre was something strange with her, so now she finally has got an explanation

4. Good, can I read about it?: She knew she was going into another world, I think she'd want to be prepared

but also I think she would feel a bit panicky and scared about leaving everything she knew behind to go into a whole new world, all alone, where much of her knowledge can't help her..

Posted by: hannah abbot ;) Jul 21 2008, 01:23 PM

I think hermione would of been like
Shock
Puzzled, because she had not read about this
Panic, what can it mean?
*squee*
Good, can I read about it?
Will there be books on every topic?
Do we have proper lessons at this school?
Wow! A Witch!! How fascinating!!!
i mean a thousand differents things would of been flying around her head. But i guess she would of been just like wow. shes a 11, so just really excited and mainly but... i guess she just was worried too, its really daunting to be going to a new secondary school, but to find out your a witch and go to a new school that you've never heard of and not know anything about it would be scarY!!! she probably had lots of questions like: how will i do spells? will i make friends? will i fit in?

but i'm glad hermione did have a wicked time at hogwarts

Posted by: kalayaan Jul 21 2008, 02:07 PM

All in all she acted in a rather odd way for one who was raised as a Muggle. She should in fact have been just as clueless as Harry was, but she acted as if she was very familiar with all the magical stuff. How did she know how to get to Diagon Alley to collect all the books and wand and all of that? She didn't have Hagrid to show her around like Harry did. And in the beginning she also didn't want to say Voldemort's name. She couldn't have got this terrified just by reading about him. To develop a fear that really sinks in this deeply, I'd think one must be raised from childhood in a community where this fear is visible and omnipresent in all other people. However, in the Muggle community in which she grew up, nobody has even heared of Voldemort.

Posted by: keola sombra Jul 21 2008, 02:29 PM

QUOTE(kalayaan @ Jul 21 2008, 09:07 PM)

All in all she acted in a rather odd way for one who was raised as a Muggle. She should in fact have been just as clueless as Harry was, but she acted as if she was very familiar with all the magical stuff. How did she know how to get to Diagon Alley to collect all the books and wand and all of that? She didn't have Hagrid to show her around like Harry did. And in the beginning she also didn't want to say Voldemort's name. She couldn't have got this terrified just by reading about him. To develop a fear that really sinks in this deeply, I'd think one must be raised from childhood in a community where this fear is visible and omnipresent in all other people. However, in the Muggle community in which she grew up, nobody has even heared of Voldemort.

Posted by: lirene Jul 21 2008, 02:54 PM

Wonderful poll, Moose

I voted for because Hermione certainly would have been excited above anything to be a witch and it would have explained her outbursts of magical ability. I'm sure she felt special too and couldn't wait to get started as a student at Hogwarts.

I do have to politely disagree with kalayaan because I don't find anything particularly odd with Hermione's reaction and she found out just as any other student did about Hogwarts, the location of Diagon Alley, etc. We only see Hagrid helping out Harry and his circumstances were hampered by the Dursleys. So, there were a lot of Muggle borns who were in the same situation Hermione was, and probably much in the same manner as Hermione as well. In addition, let's not forget that Hermione's birthday is September 19th; so when the school year started for her, she was almost 12. She had plenty of time to memorize all of her textbooks and she would have already had quite a bit of knowledge about the Wizarding World. When she met Harry and Ron on the train; she knew more about Harry's connection to the Wizarding World and his defeating Voldemort as an infant much better than he himself did

Posted by: toffus Jul 21 2008, 03:00 PM

First I think Hermione would be shocked, then puzzled and then wondered if the school had proper lessons ;)

Posted by: Mahadan1 Jul 21 2008, 05:55 PM

I put :

1.Shock: Cuz as we all read, and remembered, when a muggle born is a witch, her parents and herself gets a visit from Dumbledore( i think DB or a ministry person)

2.Puzzled, because she had not read about this: Because she taught she knew everything and *BOOM* here she goes again she must learn everything again, but from a witches point of view.




I hope u understand wat i wrote, cuz sometimes im not very clear in english xD

Posted by: roonwit Jul 21 2008, 06:12 PM

I don't think Hermione would be shocked when she was told that she was a witch because she would know by then that there was something unusual about the things she could do, possibly even deducing that it was magic because there was no other explanation. I do think she would ask whether there were books about it, because even then I think she would be into books in a big way.

Posted by: doralupin Jul 21 2008, 09:02 PM

I picked that she'd think it was logical. I think, in reality, her reaction would not be all that difficult from Voldemort's. But, unlike LV, Hermione, who was brought up in a stable, loving home, never thought about using her powers for ill (and in fact, out of the trio was the least likely to abuse her power). I think it's another way in which JKR's message about the power of love is reinforced in the trilogy.

Posted by: lollylou Jul 22 2008, 01:36 AM

i think her reaction would be disbeleif because she normally doesnt believe in anything unless there is solid proof and i mean seriously if someone docked on your door one day and was like hi, your a wizard all you would think is "am i being punk'd, maybe i get to meet ashton" lol.

Posted by: Muggle1 Jul 22 2008, 05:43 AM

I think she would probably be glad to find there was a logical explanation for what she could do. I also wonder if perhaps her arrogance and know-it-all behaviour at the start of Philosophers stone stemmed from shyness and insecurity. After all, she was part of a different world and all she knew about Hogwarts was what she'd read about it.

Posted by: marvelfan23 Jul 22 2008, 08:39 AM

I said everything except shock and the one about the cat. I think by 11 Hermione would have realized that she wasn't entirely normal. I think she would view being told that she was a witch as finally knowing the explanation for her magic. And I don't she'd really be thinking about a cat at that time .

Posted by: Dancing Mooncalf Jul 25 2008, 07:50 PM

I voted other because I think she'd be in complete disbelief. I imagine who ever came to deliver her letter had a hard time convincing her magic even existed.

Posted by: blue4t Jul 28 2008, 10:48 PM

I voted for:

• *squee*
  Even though she's not the squeeing type. It just seems like she'd be really happy to have an explanation for what's going on with her that it would be at the level that would cause someone to squee.
• Good, can I read about it?
• Will there be books on every topic?
  We know how much Hermione LOVES to read.
• Well, I thought it must be something like that, because there's no logical explanation in this world for what I can do.
  She is a girl that reads a ton and looks for answers so she'd know if there was an answer in her world. I'm not sure if she'd think outside of her world for an answer, but she'd know something mysterious is happening.

Posted by: Orchidea15 Jul 29 2008, 02:09 PM

That's a good question haha.

Hmm let's see.
Well first I don't think she would of fell for the letter, it being that muggles don't believe in magic.

But I'm sure sooner or later she would have accepted. I defintely agree with the previous post, she would have screamed or squealed., haha

Posted by: chocolateisnotforbreakfast Jul 29 2008, 10:57 PM

I voted for "I thought it must be something like that"

I always imagined Hermione as secretly longing to get away from her regular school... She was probably made fun of for being so intelligent and so well-liked by teachers. She longed for a new start somewhere, longed for it enough to face the fear of being new at something among others who had been surrounded by it for their whole lives.

Just imagine what it would have been like for her to make this huge leap into this new world, and then overhear Ron say "She must've noticed she's got no friends."

Sigh... poor Hermione! Luckily some unnecessary lying got her into Ron's and Harry's good graces. =)

Other than that, I like to think that her first magical experience was dentist-related... like her father finds her first cavity during a checkup and is very disappointed in her, but once he gets his tools together to fill it in, he can't find the cavity. It magically fills itself in! She would have certainly picked up on that, I think, and would have questioned it to no end, and learning about her powers finally answers the question!

Posted by: RubyRose Jul 30 2008, 01:58 PM

Posted by: Blibbering Humdinger Jul 30 2008, 02:03 PM

This is definitely a scene I would like to see in the encyclopedia. From Hermione's point of view too

Posted by: xPotterBroadwayx Jul 31 2008, 04:27 PM

I never actually thought about this! I think her reaction would be a mixture of:

• Shock
• Puzzled, because she had not read about this
• Good, can I read about it?
• Will there be books on every topic?
• Do we have proper lessons at this school?
• Well, I thought it must be something like that, because there's no logical explanation in this world for what I can do.

Posted by: Persephone Turpin Aug 1 2008, 08:40 AM

hermione would difinitely have thot it was logical, since she is smart and she must have noticed that she could do things no one else could do. she had probably been seeking explanations for years already. i would want to hear some of the things she came up with!!
she would also wonder if she could read about it, because that is what hermione does to prepare herself for anything new she encounters.
this is a great poll

Posted by: Choklad Aug 3 2008, 04:47 AM

I want to know more about it too. Interesting topic. I never even thought about this.

Well, I think she would have been glad to find an explanation and would have asked the person telling her a million questions. She must have been kind of scared at first. A completely new world about which she knows nothing. Being uninformed must be Hermione's least favourite thing. But then she would be thrilled and buy all the books she could find in Diagon Alley and read all about it. I think that is why she is such a know-it-all; all she knows of the magical world is what she has read, if what she has read is be wrong or doesn't apply to the situation she would be completely clueless. Her books is her only security in her new world.

Posted by: SillySquib Aug 3 2008, 05:25 AM

I think receiving the letter was just the confimation she needed. I am sure she was aware that her abilities were magical, being the bookworm that she is, but living in a muggle world she would have probably dismissed this 'ability' as nonsense-along with the majority of the muggle population.

Posted by: blue4t Aug 6 2008, 04:52 PM

QUOTE(chocolateisnotforbreakfast @ Jul 29 2008, 11:57 PM)

Posted by: RhondaWeasley Aug 6 2008, 05:56 PM

I think Hermione's love of books that EXPLAIN who she is proably comes from the fact they EXPLAIN who she is. You have to feel REALLY REALLY ODD as a Muggle-born (unless you're a socipath like voldemort) and maybe even a little scared of things that happen unexpectedly around you. And then BOOM here's your answer to all of it. I think her love of books, Hermione as we always known her, came not from a previous love of books but precisely BECAUSE she always knew something was different about her and this (her wizarding text) were a key to understanding perhaps something that perplexed her all her life. We don't honestly know if Hermione's muggle school experience was as fullfilling or successful as her magical one. I expect not, hence her excitement and 'gung ho' attitude about having a chance to fit somewhere.

We never hear her talking excitedly about non-wizarding related material afterall. We've never even seen her present anything but common knowledge of Muggles. So her love of Wizarding text and her vast knowledge of them, I belive, was created at the moment she discovered the key (or what she percieved to be the key) to what made her "different". I think she felt the same fears Harry did (knowing nothing about the Wizarding World) when she entered it. So she overcompensated by cramming her head with all the facts she thought would make her "fit in". Of course they didn't, most of the kids hadn't read what she read. But then she got the opportunity to be exceptional.

Posted by: Choklad Aug 9 2008, 06:59 AM

QUOTE(RhondaWeasley @ Aug 6 2008, 05:56 PM)

Posted by: randomFREE Aug 15 2008, 07:22 PM

i think at first she didnt believe it because she hadnt read about it in a book or heard anything about it..ever....and then she asked for proof and then was convinced and then ran for the closest library and took out as many books as she could carry

Posted by: Maja_Leonora Sep 8 2008, 04:08 AM

QUOTE(Blibbering Humdinger @ Jul 30 2008, 09:03 PM)

Posted by: Ketryne Sep 9 2008, 05:24 PM

Wow this is really interesting! I think for Hermione, growing up with all these unexplainable things happening around her must have been really difficult. I can imagine her being the sort that catagorically believes magic cannot exist and so telling herself that there logical explanation for all the strange things she does, and searching endlessly through books to find something that makes sense. I'm sure that when she first heard she found it really hard to believe, just like she refuses to believe in luna's stories unless she has proof, however once seeing magic in action i can imagine everything fitting into place for her.

Next, I'm sure would have been panic! A girl who had in the past, always succeeded in accademic areas would be terrified that she would be horribly far behind in terms of magical ability. I think that this, added to her natural love of learning, was why she learnt every book off by heart before starting, simply to give her some form of safety net in the magical world.

Posted by: the_boy_who_lived Sep 11 2008, 10:28 AM

She's smart enough to realize that she has talents that other children don't. I think her reaction was twofold: 1) OK, this explains a lot, and 2) where/how can I find out more?

Posted by: katem4 Sep 11 2008, 02:34 PM

Great poll! Throughout the series she has a lot of mixed reactions. Most of them include: "I'm gonna go read about it now" She'd probably have been panicked because its abnormal to her at the time, but at the same time it would probably explain a lot.

Posted by: magical__me Sep 11 2008, 03:41 PM

i think she would have been exited and shock at the same time and allso eager to learn more about this fasinatin world, its history, cultures and posibly everything about it    

Posted by: decarus Sep 22 2008, 03:49 PM

I think she would be shocked yet relieved. I would assume that they would send someone to those who are muggleborn to explain to them what was happening. I can't imagine they would just send a letter. I think once she got over the initial shock she would be excited and want to know everything that she could know.

Posted by: lostielover Sep 27 2008, 11:24 AM

I think that Hermione would have known that she was something different than the rest of her peers since she is too smart to have dismissed her accidental magic, she would have realized that too many odd things were happening around her. I just don't think Hermione would have been able to ignore all the signs . Then, once she got her letter she probably immediately demanded to go to a wizarding bookstore to reinforce the information that she got in the letter. She was also probably freaking out at the thought that she was behind by 11 years and wouldn't know anything when she got to her new school.

Posted by: ShanksForte Sep 27 2008, 11:54 AM

She was probably ready to go out and read all about it the moment she found out. I wonder how her family knew how to get to diagon alley.

Posted by: Ghielsyhr Sep 27 2008, 05:09 PM

Yeah, i think Hermione would've taken it well, she'd be shocked but think about it, who here wouldn't be? xD
She'd've probably been fascinated with the whole idea, just think how many more books become available to read

Posted by: TheWeaslyTwins Sep 28 2008, 10:00 AM

I think she would have been surprised, pleased, and worried that she didnt know anything about the wizarding world and her instinct was to start reading and find out as much as she can.

Posted by: Edd Weasley Sep 29 2008, 05:23 AM

Well we know from the Philosophers stone she read modern magical history, the rise and fall of dark arts and great wizarding events of the twentieth century, Hogwarts a history. So she has obviously read background books to the wizarding world in the year between becoming of age and then first appearing in the book. What I wanted to know was she said on the train oh I only know a few simple spells but they have all worked for me I think from grade 1 simple spells what I wanted to know was since underage wizards are unable to use magic did she mean she had done the spells since she had got on the train

Posted by: miss hermonie Oct 2 2008, 04:39 PM

her reply might of been wow how can i get there

Posted by: faerenach Oct 8 2008, 02:33 PM

I think her first reaction would be "Oh no! I'm going to be SO behind!", personally. I suppose that falls into the "what can I read?" category, doesn't it?

Posted by: Wandguardnoodle Oct 9 2008, 12:08 PM

QUOTE(Choklad @ Aug 9 2008, 06:59 AM)

QUOTE(RhondaWeasley @ Aug 6 2008, 05:56 PM)

We never hear her talking excitedly about non-wizarding related material afterall.

That's right. I never thought about that. She seems like the sort of person who would gladly inform you of anything and everything about the places they pass through and the things they see, but she never says a word (not that I can remember anyway) about things not related to the magic world... That indeed suggests that though extremely intelligent she wasn't this bookish before she learned she was a witch.

Posted by: Nicholas_Angel Oct 21 2008, 09:06 AM

Assuming she was always a bookworm, and judging by the knowledge she has by the time she meets Ron and Harry. I'd say after the initial shock had worn off, she'd want to read as much as she could out of interest and out of a sense of not wanting to appear lacking in knowledge. She'd probably also want to know if there are books are proper classes at Hogwarts.

Posted by: EducationalDecreeNo23 Oct 21 2008, 03:47 PM

Probably also excited at a new start, new things to learn and a 'fascinating' way of life.

Posted by: Roxanne Weasley Oct 22 2008, 09:03 AM

I think like a few others have said, Hermione might have been a bit of a loner at primary school, she doesn't seem phazed that she doesn't have any friends at Hogwarts, until she overhears Ron speaking about her. It's almost as if she hasn't noticed that she hasn't got a close friend.

I do think that she would have been really excited to hear the news that she is a witch. After making sure it is correct though, I can imagine that she would have wanted to get as many books to read just to prove it isn't some joke to make her look silly (as Harry briefly thought in Philosopher's Stone). Clever Hermione How we love her!

Posted by: Lorrie Nov 1 2008, 09:59 PM

I think she would have been expecting something like being a witch ever since she realized that she was different from everyone else and could do weird things. I can't wait for the scottish book.

Posted by: Ron Weasley is my hero. Nov 7 2008, 10:03 PM

i think that there were 2 possiblities but they are total opposites. either she accepted it without question because she knew she was different and had probably read somewhere that there were witches and wizards in "hiding", or she didn't believe it because she so logical and believed witches and wizards to be a myth like she believed the deathly hallows in hp&tDH to be a myth.

Posted by: Teal'c Nov 21 2008, 04:46 PM

She must've thought something like Well, I thought it must be something like that, because there's no logical explanation in this world for what I can do. She reads a lot so probably knows about magic even if it's only as a myth or fairytale but she must be aware of strange things happening around her like when Harry makes his cousin fall into the snake area. Then she'd want to read everything she can buy in Diagon Alley to not feel inferior or left out.

Posted by: ~*~Nikki~*~ Nov 21 2008, 09:28 PM

I have a feeling that Hermione would have been a little shocked at first considering witches she might have known about didn't have the greatest reputation. Yet, I believe she would have been excited after the news had sunk in and later would have thought "well that explains why I did that when..." gaining an understanding for some of her unexplained actions when she was growing up. I also believe that now she knew she was a witch she would have bought her books that day or the next day and started reading as much as she could about who she was supposed to be. (We know this to be true on her first train ride to Hogwarts).

Posted by: hp fan girl Nov 21 2008, 09:57 PM

I think Hermione must have been a little startled, but not too surprised. I also don't think that she had too many friends, as she is always studying hard and probably didn't have much time to socialize. I bet she ordered every book that she could, and memorized them as fast as she could. Could you imagine being the smartest kid in class, doing things that no one else could, and then learning that you were a witch? That must have been quite a shock. I personally think it would be AWESOME!

Posted by: Shalanarah Nov 24 2008, 09:24 AM

i think at first she didn't believe it and thought it was a joke. Seeing that she is quite a close-minded person who wouldn't believe anything without a proof. Back then where she saw herself as a normal person (general Muggles who think these kind of things are just in fantasy books), she'd probably laughed at a person who told she was a witch. Until that person proved to her that magic did exist then she believed. Maybe still shock and then exited then she probably did everything and researched everything about the Magic world.

Posted by: fawkes10 Nov 24 2008, 10:34 AM

Wonderful poll!

I would have loved to know more about Hermoine's initial reaction, as well as her parents first thoughts at the news. I wonder who told her . . . would it have been Dumbledore (I can't remember if it mentions that anywhere in the series)?

I think she would have certainly been taken aback, and knowing Hermoine's personality, probably a little doubtful as well. After some convincing, I think she would have been rather pleased with herself, knowing that she was different than her muggle peers.

Hermoine is just such a great character to analyze because I think she is constantly fighting an internal battle with logic and instinct. We see countless times where she attempts to reason out situations that really shouldn't be, but there are also those brief moments when she throws reason out the window and follows her heart. Hermoine is brave becasue she has to be; her loyalty is one of her very best attributes.

Posted by: HolidayMommy31 Dec 3 2008, 10:03 AM

I often think about what the books would be like if they were written from Hermione's perspective, especially because she is my favorite character. I imagine any child with magical abilities would be relieved to finally understand why they are different from other children.

Posted by: Moose_Starr Dec 3 2008, 12:30 PM

QUOTE(HolidayMommy31 @ Dec 3 2008, 01:03 PM)

Posted by: mathew dumbledore Dec 3 2008, 01:45 PM

I think that in the beginning she didn't believe that, but then she must have remembered about the strange things that she've done, and that there was no logical explanation about them in the Muggle World.

Posted by: potterish10010 Dec 6 2008, 10:57 AM

She would have known something wasn't right, see wierd things would have been happening. Wo she probably did loads of research.

Posted by: mollywobbles23 Dec 7 2008, 12:15 AM

I picked:

-Good, can I read about it?

-Will there be books on every topic?

-Wow! A Witch!! How fascinating!!! [ 41 ] [12.58%]

-Well, I thought it must be something like that, because there's no logical explanation in this world for what I can do.

I'm actually working on a fic about Hermione and I'm about halfway done with the chapter in which she finds out she's a witch, so I've been thinking about this a lot.

It's harder to write than you think. In my fic, though, there have been some odd things occuring throughout her life and it explains those. I haven't gotten to the part where she asks about books yet, though. lol I'm still trying to figure out her parents' reactions. We know so little about them, I suppose I could have them say just about anything, but it's still hard.

Hermione beyond Hogwarts is practically a blank slate, aside from her time at the Burrow or Number 12.

Posted by: VoodooPadfoot Dec 7 2008, 04:38 AM

I think she would have first been incredibly confused, then tried to be rational over the situation and then become extremley exited and fascinated about the wizarding world. x

Posted by: Quotidias Dec 7 2008, 04:34 PM

I picked, "Good, can I read about it," because her refuge when she doesn't know something is to go to the library. It makes me think of that quote, I think it's either in CoS or PoA, where Harry asks Ron why Hermione was going to the library, and Ron says something like "Because that's what Hermione does." But really, she probably could have said most of those things in varying order.

My impression of Hermione was that she was always a bookworm, and was definitely a loner with few friends, probably because the other kids thought she was weird. She probably enjoyed the academic part of school, because I bet she was really good at it and got excellent grades, but not the social aspect of it. Kids can be really cruel, after all, and at that age anyone who's even slightly odd has a really rough time. Hermione was probably infinitely relieved to find out why she was different than the other kids, and flung herself wholeheartedly into finding out everything she could about the wizarding world, especially because she knew she'd be at a disadvantage in comparison to kids who had grown up in the wizarding world, like Ron. It's one of the reasons why she read all their textbooks even before the school year started, the other being that she just loves to learn.

I'm guessing that the reasons why she was so upset when Ron called her a "nightmare" in SS were because she liked him at that point (as a friend, not romantically) but also because she thought that Hogwarts was going to be different, but overhearing Ron talk about her made her think it was just the same socially because the other students still didn't like her. And, in a way, it was. Just because it's a wizarding school doesn't mean that the other aspects of school weren't the same. Kids are still kids, even if they're magical. Draco Malfoy is a case in point. After Ron realized he'd been a jerk and decided that he really did want to be friends with her, Hermione still only had him and Harry as her friends. Notice how she's never seen as hanging out with anyone else except them. Sure, she obviously gets along fine with Parvati Patil, and even Lavender before HBP, but you never hear her tell the boys that she's going to do something with Parvati and Lavender. Hermione's not much of a girly-girl, and those two always seemed to be. Ginny is the only other person she befriends, but that's only because Ginny is Ron's sister and Hermione hung out with Ron on holidays and during the summer. If she hadn't become friends with Ron I wonder if she would have been Ginny's friend. Maybe not, but you never know.

Posted by: DeltaDawn Dec 9 2008, 03:10 AM

My first choice for Hermione's reaction was panic. She had not read about magic, witches and wizards other than muggle fairytales, had never learned one thing about being a witch, so of course, her being the type person she is, she would naturally panic. But I also believe she would also be in a state of pure disbelief. Hermione is a thinker. She likes....no, LOVES books because they give her knowledge and facts and in my opinion, her ability to learn and retain things is part of her own special magic. Just as she disbelieves in almost anything Luna believes in, books are her science, her proof of things and I do believe that at first she would have needed A LOT of convincing that she was a witch and then she would have told the person who had come to give them the news..."get me to a bookstore!"

Hermione has always been my favorite character (I even have a cat named for her) because from the first moment I read about her, I knew her. I was so much like her in my own childhood; stuck in the books, always ready with the answers for the teachers, but never someone who had many (if any) friends at all. I would much rather be in the library than out playing dodgeball any day and for that I was labeled weird. (I was much, much younger than those in my class as well, so that has a lot to do with my 'weirdness'. LOL)

I imagine after her initial panic and she begins to believe it, I can imagine she would be more than excited, maybe even a 'squee!' There would be new lessons, more books and overall, an explanation for why she has always been so different. (Wow, if only I could have been so lucky!) Hermione's learning of her being a witch, going to Hogwarts and finally becoming friends with Ron and Harry (and Ginny because I do think Ginny is probably her closest girl friend) are what made her blossom, made her more confident in who she was and helped her to let down her guard enough to let people in. Yes, she is still a know-it-all, but most of the students at Hogwarts respect and admire her brains, which is what she needed all along. While Malfoy and the Slytherins never accepted her (and do we care what they think of our girl afterall?!), the rest of the students looked up to her, praised her and acknowledged her for her cleverness and finally, what I think she probably had longed for for years.....Hermione found herself fitting in and with friends. (another squee!)

Posted by: merlynhawk Jan 1 2009, 09:26 AM

Actually, I think she’d have thought all of these things and this is the order I think she’d have thought them -

Shock
Panic, what can it mean?
Puzzled, because she had not read about this
Good, can I read about it?
Will there be books on every topic?
Do we have proper lessons at this school?
Wow! A Witch!! How fascinating!!!
*squee*
Well, I thought it must be something like that, because there's no logical explanation in this world for what I can do.
Great! Can I have a cat now?

I also always wondered how muggle-born witch/wizards were told about being on the list for Hogwarts. If they were just sent the letter they’d likely think it was a hoax or joke. So does someone from Hogwarts visit those families? How do they find their way to Diagon Alley. Do they have a guide or something? Aaaaaand how much does it cost to go to Hogwarts? Vernon says he won’t pay for Harry to go to that ‘freak’ school, so how much does it cost?

Posted by: MesserMoony Jan 3 2009, 11:34 AM

The only thing i can imagine anyone saying is *squee*

Posted by: Hufflepuff_Pride Jan 12 2009, 08:28 AM

I think she would have seen it coming. She is very smart and had probably been able to do amazing things, like both Harry and Lily, before they knew. She might not have known the exact reason, but when she found out I don't think she would have been that surprised.

Posted by: firebolt2191 Jan 13 2009, 04:31 PM

QUOTE(merlynhawk @ Jan 1 2009, 09:26 AM)

Posted by: MysteryloverAnne Jan 13 2009, 08:16 PM

QUOTE(merlynhawk @ Jan 1 2009, 08:26 AM)

Posted by: lonnylikelovegood Jan 16 2009, 11:08 AM

YOU DONT HAVE TO PAY TO GO TO HOGWARTS! The only thing u have to pay for is the supplies like the wands and the book. I know that hogwarts is to nobel to make people pay. Where is the fun in making someone pay to go learn magic! It is a gift to have magic . In the 6 of 7 book it actually says that they have a money for poor people to by there items. So they cant give the money to the poorer kids and then make them pay. Even Voldemort got some money. I think that a Ministry of magic person explains that they are a wizard to the muggles family and the wizard. Except Harry he is special. He deserves Hagrid. . I END THIS BLURB WITH THE WORDS NITWIT BLUBBER ODDMENT TWEAK!

Posted by: hpfrk736 Jan 16 2009, 11:24 AM

I think Hermione would have had so many different feelings, mainly being shock and understanding. She is a smart girl, she would have understanded why things were happening

Posted by: JaneMarple9 Jan 16 2009, 04:20 PM

I think her first reaction would be She tells Harry and Ron in book 1 that none of her family are magic so the Hogwarts letter was a surprise. I imagine she was similar to Lily Evans. When she got her letter, she probably couldn't wait to go, as we saw in book one, she did a lot of studying to get a bit of information before she started. She'd probably be nervous too, seeming she wasn't a fully-blown witch.

Posted by: HPFan86 Jan 19 2009, 04:53 AM

I bet the same arguement that worked on Harry worked on Hermione. I am referring to Hagrid asking harry if he had ever made anything happen that he couldn't explain. I assume these things happen to all young witches and wizards.

Posted by: Lily2005 Jan 31 2009, 02:21 AM

What a great question! I admit I've always thought Hermione was mature for her age in the sense she can keep things to herself and either because she can talk them into it, or because she's proven somehow to her parents time and again, that she's to be trusted on her own, they allow her an above the norm level of self-sufficiency and freedom.

She does however seem like the sort of person who would pooh-pooh the whole idea unless 1) the person who showed up to tell her about it was Dumbledore--and it may well have been or 2) she had some pretty hard evidence that was the case.

There are all kinds of interesting scenarios. Maybe she was reading a book one day about a witch doing something or the other and she said to herself: "What utter rubbish! NOBODY can do THAT" and the book levitated or talked back or something. Maybe she ran across "Hogwarts, A History" in the local library, left there by a wizard or witch who knew she was was about to be sent her letter, so that when it did arrive, she'd know exactly what it was.

Maybe she did little things when she was very young, or her parents had a funny old relative who was rumored to be able to wash the dishes from across the room, and they thought it was just a family trait of some kind. I don't think she would have to hide anything but the extremely outrageous abilities from her parents but she may not have exhibited anything extreme unless being extremely angry (like Harry) brought it out, and she had far less cause to get angry so she was more repressed.

I'm sure by the time she was informed and took it all in she immediately realized (also nods to Hogwarts, A History) that it could be potentially a great force for good or bad and she'd have to keep an eye on it.

I sort of picture Dumbledore coming to tell her about it. I think he took a special interest in who he thought would be good friends for Harry, and made sure to kind of put the chess pieces on the board. He did not need to steer Ron. He knew that, as a Weasley, Ron would be interested in Muggles, and I think it is hinted a few times that Ron has second sight a bit, whereas Hermione did not believe in that. So if Dumbledore had shown up and told her that he predicted Voldemort etc. etc. and they would have to do all the things they did., she would have thought he was a loony; but if he got her interested intellectually, she would leave no stone unturned getting to the bottom of it.

Posted by: Chelsea8882 Jan 31 2009, 02:32 AM

I think, personally, that she would have also been very relieved upon hearing the news. Kind of like a huge weight off her chest. She is a very logic based and facts driven person, and we could see that even at eleven. We also know that she was very insecure. She would've been really worried about being different and having no explanation for it.

Posted by: umbridge_is_great Feb 1 2009, 07:32 AM

I'd probably have fainted...but that's just me.

Posted by: PotterLuver22 Feb 1 2009, 12:21 PM

I would think she would be relived that she found out what it was, and also in shock a bit. Because she has read so many things, she might have difficulty believing that it was real.

Posted by: Antoast Feb 3 2009, 04:16 PM

Defintley if an eleven year old girl who's a know-it-all suddenly finds out that what some books say are fact but arn't she's bound to be a bit shocked

Posted by: kathuhrynne Feb 6 2009, 05:49 PM

_{^{I think she probably was in the beginning shocked and a bit wary; I mean if you a got an owl out of nowhere claiming you to a witch or wizard respectively, wouldn't you be to? But I also think that after the shock and being shown prove she would have asked tons of questions and what were some abilites that she'd be able to do.}}

Posted by: Heavenly_Horcrux Feb 17 2009, 12:30 PM

I think she would be pretty happy. I believe that she would have done a lot of research to try to explain what was happening to her, and here was the explanation.

Posted by: Abby Lestrange Feb 19 2009, 01:16 PM

I also believe she would have been relieved, also quite shocked. I'm sure it wouldn't have been the first time she entertained the idea, she knew she was different, and I don't think she is the kind of person to not need a reason. As she is quite a factual and logical person, she would have already put a few of the puzzle pieces together, and no matter how skeptical she might have been, a small part of her could have known.

Posted by: Sir Nicholas Feb 24 2009, 02:14 AM

I believe Hermione was very happy to get the news that she was a witch, but not so much because it is something new and exciting, but because I believe it was an opportunity to go to a new school. My feeling is that she had the same bossy and know-it-all personality all along and she probably had no real friends in "regular" school; Hogwarts presented an opportunity for her to start fresh. This is probably why she was so upset at Ron's callous but on-the-mark statement "It's no wonder no one can stand her... she's a nightmare, honestly." (SS pg 172). She probably realized that she was headed down the same path as before and that nothing was changing. I think she probably came to some hard realization while crying in the girl's bathroom and concluded that she'd better try harder to fit in.

I also believe this is the reason she was so upset at the possibility of being expelled after their adventures on the forbidden third floor. Of all of them Hermione seemingly had the least to lose in being expelled. Harry would be sent back to Privet Drive, which is unthinkable. Ron would probably get hell from his parents and be the only Weasley not to graduate from Hogwarts. Hermione would simply have gone back to her old school. Why then did she make the statement "We could all have been killed -- or worse, expelled..." (SS page 162). I posit that this is because the thing she was most terrified of was the prospect of going back to her old school.

I think that once Hermione gained friends and acceptance she felt much better and was able to relax a bit. "Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry and Ron had saved her from the mountain troll, and she was much nicer for it." (SS page 181).

Posted by: GulpingPlimpies Mar 9 2009, 10:13 PM

I honestly think she 'squeed' or whatever.
I can't help but picturing her very ecstatic about the news.

Posted by: Vampirella Mar 12 2009, 09:46 AM

i beat she had a heart attack, she's to.. you know ''I KNOW EVERYTHING THERE NO SUCH THING'' and jadajadajaaaaa...

Posted by: McGregor Mar 15 2009, 07:12 PM

I believe that Hermione would take the news as a joke. Her thoughts, and beliefs are all logical, based off of what she reads that is true. Witches, and Wizards are not classified in society as real, but make belief. Her first logical thought would be that someone was playing a trick.

However, there are many sides to look at. Did Hermione have pre-aged magic mishaps, or useage like Tom Riddle. Did she accidentally cast a spell and have no idea what happened? Did her parents know?

I see it is that she was unaware of her potential powers, and the fact she was a Witch. However, for her intelligence, and her later well-use of Magic, I suspect she has had some background in it before.

Posted by: ahorsegirl220 Mar 16 2009, 10:29 PM

I think it would be the next to last one. She is and she woulv'e taken all a very logical person and taken it all "well i thought the must be it". Although I wouldve screamed.

Posted by: yse325 Mar 24 2009, 12:38 AM

I love this question.

Hermione was a very intelligent, lonely and in some ways mature beyond her years wchild hen she arrived at Hogwarts. My guess is that comes from being the only child of two very educated people. (Both Dentists), who probably put a premium on book acquired knowledge. A child like Hermione also probably put off many kids her own age because most of her interaction as a child was with adults. In addition, her magic would have hightened her insecurity and isolated her further from other kids. Although intellectually mature when she arrives at Hogwarts she is without many of the skills needed to acquire childhood friends. On the plus side, Hermione did not lack for love, support or material needs as a child; so my guess is despite the lack of friends, Hermione was probably a reasonably happy child.


So how would this loved, sheltered and intelligent child react to the news that she is a witch? Great question.

The canon gives us three examples of children with muggle upbringing who learn about being witches/wizards. Harry, who grew up in an abusive home. Tom Riddle who grew up in a orphanage and Lily Evans who seems to have grown up in a generally happy "normal" middle class+ family.

All three displayed their gifts prior to learning the truth. Lily and Riddle showed significant control over their magic at a young age. Harry, with the exception of talking to the snake, didn't have any control over his magic until he went to school. I would assume that Hermione would have been frieghtened by here magic at first, but over time she would have learned to control despite a lack of information from the library. Hermione is very strong willed and I doubt she would let it get the better of her.

Harry and Tom are told of hogwarts by representative of the school. Both Lily and Harry also received an admissions letter. Although Lily learned of the school from Snape, my guess a representative also arrived at some point to explain everything and help the child get aclimated. For Hermione, once her letter arrived she would have felt a great sense of relief. It would have given her an instant explaination for her abilities and helped her self esteem.

She and her parents, in a effort to support their "special" child, would have then dove head first into learning all they could about this new world. They probably drove to the leaky cauldron as soon as the got directions and hit the bookstore.

Bottomline: I think the day she learned that she was a witch was probably the happiest day of her life. I gave her a fresh start and place to belong. She was no longer different. T

he reason that Ron's words in SS saddened her so, was that they raised all the old insecurities again around other kids. She was worried that her new world was no different then the old one.

It's funny, but I often think of Hermione as an orphan and, like Harry, Riddle and Snape, as one of the lost boys who found a home at Hogwarts. Unlike Snape and Riddle, Hermione and Harry find their ultimate home and the place they most belong in the Burrow. Thank god for Mrs Weasley.

Posted by: Bladedbeast Mar 25 2009, 11:28 AM

I can see Herminoe walking back from shopping with her mom, and she got her self a new book. While walking it starts to rain and by the time they get home her new book is ruined. She can't bring her self to throw it away. Then it happens the book dries and is repiared right before her eyes. Maybe she tells her parents and they try to reason it out, but I don't know if she would. She won't know how or why but she knows she can fix books. Then her love of books grows even more but now she can by old and battered books and fixes them. Now she gets her vist from someone from Hogwarts and is thrilled at the tought of learning even more and how to control this power.

Posted by: Min Jun 20 2009, 07:16 AM

After noticing she could do wierd things, she would google and google and google some more... but keeping any thoughts she had on the matter secret from her academic parents and upbringing (Undoubtably she would have been at a posh muggle selective school where her know-it-allness was encouraged)... when she was finally told what she was - "I KNEW it, Ive read all about it of course..."

Her parents would be shocked at first, but then they would dive head first into eductaing themselves on the topic, and the school and making sure Hermione was adequetly prepared for the new school!

Posted by: harrypotterwiz1357 Jul 8 2009, 03:56 PM

Hermione probably wouldn't have googled it but would have noticed the weird things happening. I wonder how hermiones parents reacted since their muggles? She probably spazed out (i know i would). I also wonder how she got into Diagon Alley cause Hagrid sure didnt show her cause of Harry?

Posted by: MissMarauder Jul 10 2009, 06:14 PM

Squee/Well I thought it must be... : She probably noticed weird things and thought they were strange and she's relieved that's she's not crazy. Going crazy is not something you can't control, and even worse for ocd people. She probably thought nothing of it when she was younger, but i'm sure by the time she was nearly 12, she knew that the things that happened to her weren't normal. I mean, even Harry figured that much out on his own. Not squee in the same way we would squee, being fans.

Do we have proper lessons at this school: she may have been thrilled at the prospect of a whole new world of information. She may have even been bored with her muggle lessons. She was probably thrilled at a chance at a new atmosphere. A lot of kids didn't like her at Hogwarts. Can you imagine what the muggle kids thought of her when you add in the freak stuff that happened to her, if anyone noticed? I wouldn't be surprised if her pre-Hogwarts school days were much like Harry's. She might have been concerned of what went on at the school.

As for people wondering about how she got to Diagon Alley and such, i'm sure that the package sent to muggle-borns is much thicker and had all sorts of instructions and FAQs and such. Hasn't JKR said something to this effect?

Mostly ditto yse325 really.

Posted by: DobbyandWinky Jul 13 2009, 08:56 AM

I think Hermione would have been able to control her magic before Hogwarts, even though she wouldn't belive there existed wizards and so on. But there is a chance that she would have been scared of her special talent becuse it shouldn't. She had obviusly never herd of it, and she couldn't find out any more information. She is a talented person and Hermione would of course not belive her letter, she trusts logic and for her exist with a muggle background she would propobly just thrown it in the garbage

Posted by: MissMarauder Jul 13 2009, 01:46 PM

QUOTE(DobbyandWinky @ Jul 13 2009, 02:56 PM)

Posted by: fanwhowontbudge Jul 13 2009, 03:55 PM

QUOTE(MissMarauder @ Jul 13 2009, 07:46 PM)

QUOTE(DobbyandWinky @ Jul 13 2009, 02:56 PM)

I think Hermione would have been able to control her magic before Hogwarts, even though she wouldn't belive there existed wizards and so on. But there is a chance that she would have been scared of her special talent becuse it shouldn't. She had obviusly never herd of it, and she couldn't find out any more information. She is a talented person and Hermione would of course not belive her letter, she trusts logic and for her exist with a muggle background she would propobly just thrown it in the garbage

I don't think she would have thrown it out, for the same reason you concluded she would've. This would be the logical answer to the weird things happening to her.

She wouldn't believe in magic before then, but she couldn't deny the things she could do. Maybe that's what spurred her to study so much also, to try to figure out a logical explanation for what she can do since the first time she perfomed accidental magic.

Posted by: Jeanette Jul 26 2009, 11:42 AM

Great topic. She'll definitely accept the news, I reckon. And then proceed to pursue her plight with an aggressive academic curiosity.

Hermione will most probably be troop off to the library first for research. Not that she'll find anything other than records of witch burnings in the 17th century. Basically, I think she'll try every means possible to get as much information about Hogwarts and the world of magic. Maybe even write back to Dumbledore.

Posted by: vandy Jul 26 2009, 11:49 AM

I think she panicked ....I mean that is Hermione's instant reaction when it comes to these kind of things.. But the one thing I've been intrigued is that who came to tell Hermione that she is a witch.. Every muggle born is sent someone from Hogwarts to convince them to join Hogwarts.. I don't think it is Hagrid coz he would be totally intimidating ...

Posted by: ravenclawgal608 Aug 9 2009, 01:58 PM

"Wow! A Witch!! How fascinating!!! "
Hermione would be suprised by this news but would also be greatly curious on the subject.Of course being Hermione she want to immeadietley research the subjects. I supposed her parents would be shocked being dentists of course. But one of them must have some relation to a witch or wizard in the family so someone must know something. i that is how Hermione and her family would react to finding out she was a witch.

Posted by: plainordinaryboringMuggle Aug 9 2009, 03:41 PM

I think she most likely figured something was special about her before she found out she was a witch, so I don't think she was dying of shock, or anything.

Posted by: enchantments Aug 9 2009, 07:37 PM

Posted by: BlondeHermione Aug 13 2009, 03:16 PM

I believe that, because I am very much like Hermione, (note my name), that she would have done anything to have a reason to say she wasn't a witch, though she may have known it deep down but absolutely refused to hear anything of it. Of course, though, in the end, she accpeted it.

Posted by: celven1000 Sep 22 2009, 01:27 PM

QUOTE(ravenclawgal608 @ Aug 9 2009, 07:58 PM)

Posted by: Evreka Oct 10 2009, 02:11 PM

As Hermione tells us herself in PS/SS:

Posted by: BShrib Nov 7 2009, 09:06 PM

I think that given the fact that Hermione is so open-minded, she probably would have accepted it right away. But I can see her wanting to read up on Hogwarts and everything in the magical world, which we figure out she does seeing as she reads Hogwarts: A History. I voted for "Good, can I read about it?" because I'm pretty sure that's exactly what she wanted to do after she found out that she was a witch.

Posted by: Isla Black Nov 24 2009, 05:13 AM

Open-minded is not exactly what I would call Hermione. After all, she is not often ready to accept what hasn't been proved before (see all the stuff Luna comes up with). Living in the Muggle World, witchs and magic should have seemed to her just like Nargles and Wrackspurts still do -as unreal stuff only weirdos believe in.
So I agree with BlondeHermione that she would have refused to believe it as long as possible.

By the way, am I the only one wondering about why Hermione is so sceptical even in the magical world? If I had been told at the age of eleven that I was a witch, that there was a magical community and a Hogwarts and so on, I would have been absolutely ready to believe every other thing, too. Where is the difference for a muggleborn between bowtruckles and nargels? - forced to believe in one thing, I would not be so sceptically about the other thing afterwards.

Posted by: Granjo Granger Nov 29 2009, 04:17 PM

I usually see several probable options in these polls. Of course Hermione wanted to learn everything she could get her hands on to know about her future, but I also think that she saw this information as a logical explanation of her powers. It must have been a relief to have an explanation of herself.

I have created my own persona based on Hermione's having a wizarding ancestry that is long forgotten. There is no predicting the birth of a squib, but a sensitive wizarding family would introduce a squib child to the Muggle world as soon as possible and encourage that squib offspring to marry a Muggle and live a Muggle life. If several generations back, this did happen in the Granger family, then there would be Wizard Grangers and Muggle Grangers, niether of whom was aware of the other. I myself married into the Granger family and am quite fond of this precocious young witch and her friends. They are delightful young people, who call me Granjo. I collect grandchildren in any world.

Posted by: BillieMac Feb 27 2010, 01:05 AM

I voted "other".
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? I was almost expecting Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters."
Well, a muggle born would logically conclude "mutant".

Posted by: nox avis Mar 8 2010, 02:35 AM

i picked :
Well, I thought it must be something like that, because there's no logical explanation in this world for what I can do.

Hermione is a very logical person and it seemed to me that thats what her reaction would be.

Posted by: hprocks12 Mar 13 2010, 07:02 PM

Yeah i picked the last one b/c that's pretty much what she said when ron and harry discovered that Hagrid was a giant. It sounds so much like her don't you think?

One of the reasons I like Hermione is that I do the same w/ books, except I'm not as obssessed.