Remember Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter universe? She’s only our absolute favourite bushy-haired, cat-loving, fictional witch in the history of all literature. Face it, Harry and Ron wouldn’t have survived the series if it was not for her talents. It’s entirely possible that Hermione had all the contents of Hogwarts’ library memorised, just so she could have a spell ready whenever trouble was afoot. It just so happens to be Emma Watson’s – the actress who portrays Hermione on screen – birthday today. So, in honour of this spell-casting, eye-rolling cinematic badass and the woman who played her to perfection, here are some of her best magical moments, which totally ended up saving the day. Because that’s what Hermione does.
Oculus Reparo
This was the first time we saw her in the movie (and as written in the book). She of course, made her grand entrance by fixing a problem, in this case, mending Harry’s glasses with a single spell: Oculus Reparo. It might not be a life changer, but at least Harry didn’t enter Hogwarts looking like a charity case.
Lumos Solem
Remember when Ron was so scared of the Devil’s Snare, the angry plant which they encountered when the threesome went to look for the Philosopher’s Stone and just wouldn’t stop moving? This was in the first book, The Philosopher’s Stone. Coming from a lineage filled with wizards really doesn’t help when you forget the fact that Devil’s Snare is afraid of fire. No pressure, right? But our dearest witch remembered and used Lumos Solem to create fire and scared the snare away, saving the day, as usual.(Did we mention she was only in her first year at Hogwarts?)
Bombarda
In the third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, she trusted Sirius Black when no one else did. When he needed saving, she used this spell to create an explosion and get him out of the cell. Considering this is Hermione we’re talking about, it was a pretty major explosion. We get the feels just thinking about it.
Hermione’s Jinx
In the book, Order of the Phoenix, she came up with her own, phenomenally brilliant Jinx spell. Anyone ratting out Dumbledore’s Army to the abhorrent Dolores Umbridge would have the word “SNEAK” emblazoned on their face. Spelled out with boils, because that’s how she rolls and you definitely don’t mess with her.
Obliviate
Professor Lockhart in the book The Chamber of Secrets, underneath his charming smile and set curls, was such a dirty liar, stealing people’s stories and faking them as his own. Bad professor! Remember how he used Obliviate on Hermione and Harry down in the Chamber of Secrets and it backfired? Well, Hermione used the same spell on her parents in Deathly Hallows to erase herself from their memories. You really need courage to do that. Pass us the tissues, pronto.
