Written by Koyel Dasgupta
Dearest Hermione,
The first time I saw you being addressed by Professor Snape as an insufferable-know-it-all, even I laughed a bit. But as I delved more and more into the pages of the books and saw that your hand still automatically went up in the air to answer every question, I came to a striking realization- there is nothing wrong in being proud of knowing something.
It may sound like an exaggeration to others but that’s their problem and not yours. Knowledge can be best extolled when it is applied for the betterment of someone or something. Your love for books and your intelligence gave birth to a whole new dimension since it aided not only you to be the best but was imperative to Harry and others too on multiple occasions. From disentangling Ron from the clutches of the Devil’s Snare and solving the potions’ mystery, to figuring out that the monster in the Chamber of Secrets is a Basilisk; from using the Time Turner to save Sirius and Buckbeak along with Harry, to conjuring a Protean charm on the D.A.’s fake Galleon coins in spite of it being a N.E.W.T charm while still being in your 5th year, truly makes you the “cleverest witch of your age”.
When you formed the S.P.E.W. and tried to execute every action you could to make it a success despite Ron’s mockery and others showing constant lack of gusto- trying to elude you as far as this task was concerned- made only one thought glide from nerve to nerve in my brain- Hermione Jean Granger is a true leader who shows the courage to do what is right even when the circumstances are unpropitious. Even when the ones you are fighting for choos to stay incognizant to their rights and to what freedom is really like (Dobby of course was an exception). You convinced Harry to teach you and others how to defend yourselves when under Umbridge, Hogwarts failed to impart you the necessary knowledge of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Hence you laid the foundation for everyone to learn to protect themselves in the dire need of the hour.
You heartily chose to accompany Harry in his quest to defeat Voldemort and showed the valor to wipe yourself from your parents’ memories and send them away to ensure their safety. Perhaps, that justified best as to why you were a Gryffindor and not a Ravenclaw. Under the influence of Salazar Slytherin’s locket, which happened to be a Horcrux, when Ron decided to walk away from Harry, you could have succumbed to your feelings for him and left Harry unchaperoned. Of course, you could understand the truth behind Ron’s behaviour but it was probably more out of your friendship, dedication, loyalty and even love for Harry that you didn’t desert him when he needed you the most. You are one of those people who in the first meeting may stir abhorrence for yourself in the eyes of others but once your true self becomes more and more prominent, no one ever likes to lose you.
You truly are bewitching Hermione.
There’s no denying that it is difficult to find a friend like Ron. But it is even more difficult to find a friend like you, who in the journey of life rises above the status of just a best friend and becomes a constant guide and mentor, and never leaves her friend even if the rest of the world does.
– From someone who adores you.
1 Comment
Wow.!!!!