Favorite Fictional Females Countdown #2: Hermione Granger

Put on your S.P.E.W. badges, help yourself to today's special of sugar-free Chocolate Frogs (remember, her parents are dentists!), and raise your butterbeer bottles high for our countdown's "enchanting" runner-up: Hermione Granger!

Name: Hermione Jean Granger

Featured in: All seven novels of the Harry Potter series

Portrayed (in the films) by: Emma Watson

House: Gryffindor

Patronus: Otter

Boggart: Professor McGonagall telling Hermione that she failed everything

Affiliations: The Trio, Dumbledore's Army, S.P.E.W., The Order of the Phoenix (though she is not technically a member).

Special Skills: Where do I start? She's the best in her year in every subject at Hogwarts, and for good reason: it takes her very little time to memorize, understand, and flawlessly perform spells or potions of any kind. According to Lupin, Hermione is "the brightest witch of (her) age" he's ever met. In fact, the only spell that she has any trouble with at all is the Patronus Charm - she can do it, but it isn't easy for her. Hermione also has a mind for strategy and organization that has helped Harry and Ron many, many times.

Why She Rocks: Oh. My. Goodness. Where do I begin? Hermione may be described most often as "brainy" (and she certainly is), but that label doesn't even begin to describe what makes Hermione such a great character. One only has to look at Hermione's house placement to realize that there is more to this girl than her incredible brain power. She has all the smarts (and then some) to be placed in Ravenclaw (the house of "wit and learning"), but the Sorting Hat places her in Gryffindor- the house "where dwell the brave at heart." Her bravery is obviously great enough to overshadow her intelligence - and thats saying something. Looking for her examples of her bravery? Well, besides the obvious (her heroic actions at the climax of nearly every book), Hermione's bravery is shown most often in her tireless efforts to stand up for those who suffer injustice, especially her friends.
Hermione is a loyal friend who does not hesitate to stand up for - and beside - those she cares for, no matter what the danger might be. Just consider the resounding smack that Malfoy received when he insulted Hagrid. Or, even better, recall Hermione's response to Harry when he told her (and Ron) that they shouldn't undertake the dangerous Horcrux hunt with him: "You told us once that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?" Hermione is strong, compassionate, and brave - and yes, smart - and I think she is an incredible role model to all of us girls who grew up with her.

Oh, and one of the biggest reasons Hermione rocks? Harry and Ron would have been died a thousand times over without her. Seriously. The series would have been one short, thoroughly depressing book without Hermione Granger.