It’s time to call it.
Hermione Granger was the best character in Harry Potter.
Look at it this way, for all the griping and complaining and hating that some people have for Batman (“he can’t be a super hero because he doesn’t have any powers!”), when catastrophes and calamities and universe ending tragedies hit the fan, Bats is at the top of every super hero’s speed dial. Sun’s going out? The first thing Superman does is call his brooding bromance buddy for a plan. The Legion of Doom or Injustice League or Deciples of Evil are reforming? Wonder Woman is knocking on the Dark Knight’s door within the hour. Whenever the DCU needs to get the band together to save the world/universe/timeline, the first name added to the All-Star Hero marquee is Batman’s.
Because powers or no, Batman is the Man with the Plan. Sure Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Lantern and the Flash bring enough power to curb stomp an intergalactic tyrant, but Batman is the one who has the strategy to pull it off and the uncompromising willpower to see it through.
When things get hairy, the first thing every other super hero in DC’s world does is drop whatever they’re doing, turn to Batman and ask “what do we do know?” Whether you like the Caped Crusader or not, you have to admit that he’s the most valuable member on DC’s roster.
See where this going yet?
Make no mistake, Harry was a good frontman for the Hogwarts’ Band, and Ron was easily the guts and (sometimes reluctant) courage of the Big Three, but Hermione was the brains. Every time the other two got into trouble (which was a lot), the first thing they did was turn to Hermione the way the Justice League, United Nations and God turned to Batman.
She should have had her own utility belt and Hermione symbol that lit up the sky over Hogwarts in times of crisis.
Without Hermione, neither Harry nor Ron would have been able to find their socks let alone defeat Voldemort.
She wasn’t just the straw that stirred Hogwarts’ drink, she was the songwriter, backup singer, executive producer and travel booker for the entire band. Unglamourous jobs to be sure, but the ones that turn an average bar band that plays the local Marriotte every other Saturday night into a musical powerhouse that sells out stadiums across the globe.
Need further proof? Professor McGonagall-a nearly impossible to impress sorceress who had seen some things and won her share of battles-gave young Miss Granger the power of time travel. Time. Travel. You know, near omnipotence. You didn’t see her lavishing such incredible powers or responsibility on either Harry or Ron, did you?
And remember all those times Dumbledore lectured Harry about the importance of friendship, and reminded the wizarding world’s young messiah that his greatest strength was his friends? Yeah, that was wise-old-wizard speak letting Harry know that without his allies he’d get slaughtered. And in the heat of battle or in a live or die situation with the Lord of Darkness, who do you think Dumbeldore would have advised Harry to rely on more? The young witch who knew everything about everything or Ron? Not to take anything away from Mr. Weasly, but we all know who the top pick in that draft would be.
Enough said.
So the next time you’re daydreaming about which wand slinger from J.K. Rowling’s saga you’d like to be or have on your side in a magical battle of wits and wills, ask yourself exactly how far the Boy Who Lived would have gotten without Hermione whispering counsel in his ear or wielding spells at his side.
Or better yet, ask yourself how things would have turned out if Hermione switched sides and became a Death Eater? Harry and Friends would have had their asses handed to them twice before breakfast.
Make sure to check your local Indigo and Chapters stores Thursday, February 7th for Harry Potter Night, beginning at 7 PM.
Image Warner Bros. Studios
