Hermione Jean Granger is a Muggle-born witch widely regarded as the most gifted of her generation. Sorted into Gryffindor, she befriended Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in their first year and became indispensable to nearly every challenge the trio faced. Brilliant, principled, and relentlessly prepared, she combined encyclopaedic knowledge with quick thinking under pressure — and her research and resourcefulness repeatedly turned the tide against Voldemort's forces.
Biography
Early life
Hermione was born on 19 September 1979 to two Muggle dentists. She received her Hogwarts letter at eleven, and — having read every set text before term began — arrived already knowing more spells than most of her year.
Hogwarts years
After a rocky start, Hermione's friendship with Harry and Ron was sealed when the two rescued her from a mountain troll on Hallowe'en. She went on to be the academic anchor of the trio: brewing Polyjuice Potion in her second year, founding the house-elf welfare society S.P.E.W., and using a Ministry-issued Time-Turner to double her course load. She was named a Gryffindor prefect.
The Second Wizarding War
Hermione's preparation kept the Horcrux hunt alive — from the enchanted beaded bag that held everything they needed to the protective enchantments that hid their camp. She fought at the Battle of Hogwarts and helped destroy a Horcrux in the Chamber of Secrets.
Physical description
Hermione has brown, famously bushy hair and brown eyes, and — in her early years — somewhat large front teeth. She is most often pictured with an armful of books.
Personality and traits
Hermione is logical, conscientious, and fiercely loyal, with a strong moral compass and little patience for rule-breaking that lacks a good reason. Beneath the studiousness is real bravery and a deep, protective love for her friends.
Magical abilities and skills
- Charms and Transfiguration. Top of her year in nearly every subject; her spellwork is precise and powerful.
- Logic and research. Solved the potion riddle guarding the Philosopher's Stone — a puzzle of logic, not magic, that "many wizards haven't an ounce of."
- Memory Charms. Modified her own parents' memories to protect them during the war.
Etymology
"Hermione" derives from Hermes, the Greek messenger god; "Granger" is an old occupational name for a farm bailiff.
Trivia
- Hermione's Patronus is an otter.
- She is the only member of the trio born to Muggle parents.
- Her boggart takes the form of Professor McGonagall telling her she has failed her exams.