Hermione Granger might not be the main character from the Harry Potter series, but she is rather loved by most fans. As one of the most dynamic characters who are extremely smart, talented, and loyal, it’s no wonder that many fans love her. One of the best things about Hermione is that she’s a really good friend, and friendship is a big theme in the series.
However, even though she is a good friend overall, there are also some areas where she fails at friendship. Here are the ways she was a good friend and the ways she was awful.
Good: All Of The Effort She Put Into Helping Hagrid With The Appeal
Hermione might have been a particularly good friend to Ron and Harry, but she was also a good friend to the other people she cared about. While Hagrid wasn’t in her peer group, she always tried to help him.
She spent a lot of time helping build the case in Buckbeak’s defense and then let Ron take over when she wasn’t able to anymore.
Awful: Because She Was Too Much Of A Know-It-All
When Hermione first gets to Hogwarts, she tries too hard to prove herself and cover up her insecurities by being a know-it-all.
While being smart and showing that is a great thing, she could be a bit abrasive and condescending to people who weren’t as intelligent as her, and this wasn’t a very kind thing to do.
Good: She Always Helped Neville
Neville is another person that Hermione helped many times during her time at Hogwarts. While Neville was often picked on by other students, and even some professors, Hermione cared about him and tried to help him.
She was always trying to help him in Snape’s class, and she was one of the only people who was really friends with him for the first few years at Hogwarts.
Awful: She Could Be Too Intense About Telling Harry And Ron To Not Break The Rules
Hermione was rather hypocritical when it came to breaking the rules. While she was often against it and told Ron and Harry to not break rules, she also broke many herself. While she tried to only break rules when she thought it was necessary to do the right thing, she had many moments where she went against the school's policies.
Also, there were times where she was too parental toward Harry and Ron, about trying to keep them in line.
Good: Because She Spent Countless Hours Researching Things To Help Harry
Hermione was essential to Harry’s safety and the success of destroying the Horcruxes. Over the years, she did a ton of research on everything from the Sorcerer’s Stone to brewing Polyjuice Potion, to helping Harry get through the Triwizard Tournament.
Without Hermione’s help, the trio also wouldn’t have been prepared to even go on the run without all of her hard work.
Awful: She Was Judgemental Of Luna
While Hermione could be a good friend to those in her circle, she wasn’t always open-minded. She could get judgemental of people who she thought weren’t logical, and she was particularly annoyed by Luna.
Given that they are very different people, this might make some sense. But, Luna is also someone who gets teased a lot, and so the fact that Hermione participates and calls her “Loony” is a bit disappointing.
Good: She Was Willing To Put Her Life At Risk To Help Her Friends
Hermione might be extremely smart, but she is a Gryffindor through and through. She's loyal to her friends and to the things that she believes in.
She was brave enough and courageous enough to risk her life to help Harry and others fight against Voldemort. This shows the kind of person she really was as well as just how good of a friend she could be.
Awful: Because She Bickered With Ron All The Time
Ron and Hermione both had moments where they were awful friends to one another. While it's hard to say who really started it all, it did make both of them look like bad friends at times.
While Ron could be rude and jealous, Hermione was often condescending and tried to tell him what to do. While she might have meant well, the petty fights they get into weren't very kind.
Good: She Was Always Extremely Loyal
While Gryffindors are known for bravery and loyalty, of the three of the trio, it’s really Hermione who exemplifies this trait. She stays loyal to both Harry and the important cause of fighting against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
Even when it’s hard for her to do so, such as when Ron leaves them while looking for Horcruxes, she remains loyal because she knows it’s the right thing.
Awful: When She Had The Birds Attack Ron
While Ron and Hermione’s friendship is a bit complex given the romantic feelings between them that develop, it was still messed up for her to send a flock of magic birds on him.
Ron was being a bit of a jerk, but reacting with physical violence isn’t acceptable in a romantic relationship or in a friendship. So, this was the most notable moment of her being an awful friend.