Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

by

J. K. Rowling

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Hermione Granger Character Analysis

One of Harry’s best friends, along with Ron Weasley. Hermione is Muggle-born (she has non-magic parents) and is known for her intelligence and magical abilities: she is the top of the class at Hogwarts. This disproves some of the prejudices and stereotypes that people like Lucius and Draco Malfoy have about Muggle-borns; they believe that Muggle-borns are inferior to “pure-blood” wizards, but both Hagrid and Ron assure Hermione that this prejudice is unfounded. When attacks begin on Muggle-born students, Hermione is understandably nervous, and she works to stave off her fear in two different ways. First, unlike many other students who spread rumors about the Chamber of Secrets and the Heir of Slytherin, Hermione seeks out concrete information in the library and from Professor Binns so that she can learn the truth about the attacks. Additionally, she comes up with a plan to brew Polyjuice Potion, which will allow herself, Harry, and Ron to transform into Slytherin students and interrogate Draco Malfoy about the Heir of Slytherin. Brewing the potion involves breaking many school rules and stealing from Snape’s personal store. This is unlike Hermione, who is usually adamant about following the rules, but like Harry and Ron she understands the value of breaking the rules when she feels that what she is doing is morally right—and to her, preventing the attacks is paramount. Hermione eventually pieces together what is causing the attacks (the basilisk), but before she can tell Harry and Ron, she is attacked and is petrified. However, Harry and Ron’s loyalty to Hermione spurs them to solve the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets so that they can make sure other students do not experience the same fate. At the end of the book, Hermione recovers from the attack and is delighted that her friends used the information she found to finish solving the mystery.

Hermione Granger Quotes in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets quotes below are all either spoken by Hermione Granger or refer to Hermione Granger. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Information, Rumors, and Fear Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

More than anything else at Hogwarts, more even than playing Quidditch, Harry missed his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They, however, didn’t seem to be missing him at all. Neither of them had written to him all summer, even though Ron had said he was going to ask Harry to come and stay.

Related Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Dobby
Page Number: 7
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4 Quotes

“It’s not my fault,” retorted Draco. “The teachers all have favorites, that Hermione Granger —”

“I would have thought you’d be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you in every exam,” snapped Mr. Malfoy.

Related Characters: Draco Malfoy (speaker), Lucius Malfoy (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger
Page Number: 52
Explanation and Analysis:

“Obviously not,” Mr. Malfoy said. “Dear me, what’s the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for it?”

Mr. Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny.

“We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy,” he said.

Related Characters: Lucius Malfoy (speaker), Mr. Weasley (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley
Page Number: 62
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5 Quotes

Harry well remembered putting it on, exactly one year ago, and waiting, petrified, for its decision as it muttered aloud in his ear. For a few horrible seconds he had feared that the hat was going to put him in Slytherin, the House that had turned out more Dark witches and wizards than any other — but he had ended up in Gryffindor, along with Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasleys.

Related Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Professor Dumbledore
Page Number: 77
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

“There are some wizards — like Malfoy’s family — who think they’re better than everyone else because they’re what people call pure-blood.” He gave a small burp, and a single slug fell into his outstretched hand. He threw it into the basin and continued, “I mean, the rest of us know it doesn’t make any difference at all. Look at Neville Longbottom — he’s pure-blood and he can hardly stand a cauldron the right way up.”

Related Characters: Ron Weasley (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Rubeus Hagrid, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom
Page Number: 116
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

“Well — it’s not funny really — but as it’s Filch,” he said. “A Squib is someone who was born into a Wizarding family but hasn’t got any magic powers. Kind of the opposite of Muggle-born wizards, but Squibs are quite unusual. If Filch’s trying to learn magic from a Kwikspell course, I reckon he must be a Squib. It would explain a lot. Like why he hates students so much.” Ron gave a satisfied smile. “He’s bitter.”

Related Characters: Ron Weasley (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Argus Filch
Page Number: 145
Explanation and Analysis:

A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the others. Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. He disliked taking students of Muggle parentage, believing them to be untrustworthy.

Related Characters: Professor Binns (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Tom Riddle/Voldemort
Page Number: 150
Explanation and Analysis:

“Sir — what exactly do you mean by the ‘horror within’ the Chamber?”

“That is believed to be some sort of monster, which the Heir of Slytherin alone can control,” said Professor Binns in his dry, reedy voice.

The class exchanged nervous looks.

“I tell you, the thing does not exist,” said Professor Binns, shuffling his notes. “There is no Chamber and no monster.”

Related Characters: Hermione Granger (speaker), Professor Binns (speaker), Harry Potter
Related Symbols: The Monster/Basilisk
Page Number: 151
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10 Quotes

“Well, if you two are going to chicken out, fine,” she said. There were bright pink patches on her cheeks and her eyes were brighter than usual. “I don’t want to break rules, you know, I think threatening Muggle-borns is far worse than brewing up a difficult potion. But if you don’t want to find out if it’s Malfoy, I’ll go straight to Madam Pince now and hand the book back in —”

Related Characters: Hermione Granger (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy
Page Number: 165
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 11 Quotes

“Exactly,” said Ron. “And now the whole school’s going to think you’re his great-great-great-great-grandson or something —”

“But I’m not,” said Harry, with a panic he couldn’t quite explain.

“You’ll find that hard to prove,” said Hermione. “He lived about a thousand years ago; for all we know, you could be.”

Related Characters: Harry Potter (speaker), Hermione Granger (speaker), Ron Weasley (speaker), Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Draco Malfoy, Justin Finch-Fletchley
Page Number: 196
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14 Quotes

“Riddle might have got the wrong person,” said Hermione. “Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people. . . .”

“How many monsters d’you think this place can hold?” Ron asked dully.

“We always knew Hagrid had been expelled,” said Harry miserably. “And the attacks must’ve stopped after Hagrid was kicked out. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn’t have got his award.”

[…]

“And Riddle was going to go back to some Muggle orphanage if they closed Hogwarts,” said Harry. “I don’t blame him for wanting to stay here. . . .”

Related Characters: Harry Potter (speaker), Hermione Granger (speaker), Ron Weasley (speaker), Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Rubeus Hagrid
Related Symbols: The Monster/Basilisk
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:

“Look at it from my point of view,” said Fudge, fidgeting with his bowler. “I’m under a lot of pressure. Got to be seen to be doing something. If it turns out it wasn’t Hagrid, he’ll be back and no more said. But I’ve got to take him. Got to. Wouldn’t be doing my duty —”

Related Characters: Cornelius Fudge (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Professor Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid
Page Number: 261
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

But Lockhart’s disgusting cheeriness, his hints that he had always thought Hagrid was no good, his confidence that the whole business was now at an end, irritated Harry so much that he yearned to throw Gadding with Ghouls right in Lockhart’s stupid face. Instead he contented himself with scrawling a note to Ron: Let’s do it tonight.

Ron read the message, swallowed hard, and looked sideways at the empty seat usually filled by Hermione. The sight seemed to stiffen his resolve, and he nodded.

Related Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Gilderoy Lockhart, Rubeus Hagrid
Page Number: 270
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17 Quotes

From everything Ginny had told me about you, I knew you would go to any lengths to solve the mystery — particularly if one of your best friends was attacked.

Related Characters: Tom Riddle/Voldemort (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley
Page Number: 311
Explanation and Analysis:
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Hermione Granger Quotes in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets quotes below are all either spoken by Hermione Granger or refer to Hermione Granger. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Information, Rumors, and Fear Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

More than anything else at Hogwarts, more even than playing Quidditch, Harry missed his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They, however, didn’t seem to be missing him at all. Neither of them had written to him all summer, even though Ron had said he was going to ask Harry to come and stay.

Related Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Dobby
Page Number: 7
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4 Quotes

“It’s not my fault,” retorted Draco. “The teachers all have favorites, that Hermione Granger —”

“I would have thought you’d be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you in every exam,” snapped Mr. Malfoy.

Related Characters: Draco Malfoy (speaker), Lucius Malfoy (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger
Page Number: 52
Explanation and Analysis:

“Obviously not,” Mr. Malfoy said. “Dear me, what’s the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for it?”

Mr. Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny.

“We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy,” he said.

Related Characters: Lucius Malfoy (speaker), Mr. Weasley (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley
Page Number: 62
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5 Quotes

Harry well remembered putting it on, exactly one year ago, and waiting, petrified, for its decision as it muttered aloud in his ear. For a few horrible seconds he had feared that the hat was going to put him in Slytherin, the House that had turned out more Dark witches and wizards than any other — but he had ended up in Gryffindor, along with Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasleys.

Related Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Professor Dumbledore
Page Number: 77
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

“There are some wizards — like Malfoy’s family — who think they’re better than everyone else because they’re what people call pure-blood.” He gave a small burp, and a single slug fell into his outstretched hand. He threw it into the basin and continued, “I mean, the rest of us know it doesn’t make any difference at all. Look at Neville Longbottom — he’s pure-blood and he can hardly stand a cauldron the right way up.”

Related Characters: Ron Weasley (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Rubeus Hagrid, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom
Page Number: 116
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

“Well — it’s not funny really — but as it’s Filch,” he said. “A Squib is someone who was born into a Wizarding family but hasn’t got any magic powers. Kind of the opposite of Muggle-born wizards, but Squibs are quite unusual. If Filch’s trying to learn magic from a Kwikspell course, I reckon he must be a Squib. It would explain a lot. Like why he hates students so much.” Ron gave a satisfied smile. “He’s bitter.”

Related Characters: Ron Weasley (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Argus Filch
Page Number: 145
Explanation and Analysis:

A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the others. Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. He disliked taking students of Muggle parentage, believing them to be untrustworthy.

Related Characters: Professor Binns (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Tom Riddle/Voldemort
Page Number: 150
Explanation and Analysis:

“Sir — what exactly do you mean by the ‘horror within’ the Chamber?”

“That is believed to be some sort of monster, which the Heir of Slytherin alone can control,” said Professor Binns in his dry, reedy voice.

The class exchanged nervous looks.

“I tell you, the thing does not exist,” said Professor Binns, shuffling his notes. “There is no Chamber and no monster.”

Related Characters: Hermione Granger (speaker), Professor Binns (speaker), Harry Potter
Related Symbols: The Monster/Basilisk
Page Number: 151
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10 Quotes

“Well, if you two are going to chicken out, fine,” she said. There were bright pink patches on her cheeks and her eyes were brighter than usual. “I don’t want to break rules, you know, I think threatening Muggle-borns is far worse than brewing up a difficult potion. But if you don’t want to find out if it’s Malfoy, I’ll go straight to Madam Pince now and hand the book back in —”

Related Characters: Hermione Granger (speaker), Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy
Page Number: 165
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 11 Quotes

“Exactly,” said Ron. “And now the whole school’s going to think you’re his great-great-great-great-grandson or something —”

“But I’m not,” said Harry, with a panic he couldn’t quite explain.

“You’ll find that hard to prove,” said Hermione. “He lived about a thousand years ago; for all we know, you could be.”

Related Characters: Harry Potter (speaker), Hermione Granger (speaker), Ron Weasley (speaker), Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Draco Malfoy, Justin Finch-Fletchley
Page Number: 196
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14 Quotes

“Riddle might have got the wrong person,” said Hermione. “Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people. . . .”

“How many monsters d’you think this place can hold?” Ron asked dully.

“We always knew Hagrid had been expelled,” said Harry miserably. “And the attacks must’ve stopped after Hagrid was kicked out. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn’t have got his award.”

[…]

“And Riddle was going to go back to some Muggle orphanage if they closed Hogwarts,” said Harry. “I don’t blame him for wanting to stay here. . . .”

Related Characters: Harry Potter (speaker), Hermione Granger (speaker), Ron Weasley (speaker), Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Rubeus Hagrid
Related Symbols: The Monster/Basilisk
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:

“Look at it from my point of view,” said Fudge, fidgeting with his bowler. “I’m under a lot of pressure. Got to be seen to be doing something. If it turns out it wasn’t Hagrid, he’ll be back and no more said. But I’ve got to take him. Got to. Wouldn’t be doing my duty —”

Related Characters: Cornelius Fudge (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Professor Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid
Page Number: 261
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

But Lockhart’s disgusting cheeriness, his hints that he had always thought Hagrid was no good, his confidence that the whole business was now at an end, irritated Harry so much that he yearned to throw Gadding with Ghouls right in Lockhart’s stupid face. Instead he contented himself with scrawling a note to Ron: Let’s do it tonight.

Ron read the message, swallowed hard, and looked sideways at the empty seat usually filled by Hermione. The sight seemed to stiffen his resolve, and he nodded.

Related Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Gilderoy Lockhart, Rubeus Hagrid
Page Number: 270
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17 Quotes

From everything Ginny had told me about you, I knew you would go to any lengths to solve the mystery — particularly if one of your best friends was attacked.

Related Characters: Tom Riddle/Voldemort (speaker), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley
Page Number: 311
Explanation and Analysis: