Who am I?

What just happened? I have never seen Dumbledore so angry.

I thought he was in control.

He's always been in control.

What happens now?

I don't know what to do; I don't know who to believe.

I'm not sure who I am anymore.

I'm Hermione Granger.

But who is Hermione Granger?

I am.

I know, but who is "I"?

It's me, who else?

But that means so little. What makes me?

Books ... books are good. I can prove things with books; McGonagall says books are wisdom.

But does she really know, does she really understand books?

Yes, she's a teacher; of course she understands books. Books tell of the past, and from that we can govern the future. In books there is power.

Yes, power ... I want power.

I want to learn.

But we are so clever. Why do we need Hogwarts? There are other ways to learn.

But there is so much more I can learn from Dumbledore.

Dumbledore? Yes, he is powerful, but there are others as powerful ...

No. Dumbledore is the most powerful; he is the one I want to be like.

There are other schools, other people you could learn from; people who could teach you new things, new ways.

Why? Dumbledore is the best headmaster Hogwarts has ever had, everyone says so.

Everyone? Hogwarts is only one school; they never said it was the best school or the only school.

But I know he is the best! I know he is the most powerful!

Is he?

There is no one else.

Voldemort is powerful.

But Voldemort is evil. He uses his power for the dark side; he is the dark side.

Ah. So because Voldemort is evil, because Tom Riddle went bad, that cancels out all that he had achieved? He was a brilliant student, he was Head Boy ...

umm ...

He was one of Hogwarts' best. You are the best, people think. People know you will be Head Girl.

I've never said that. No one knows who the Head Girl will be; there are others almost as clever as me. I have never said I want to be Head Girl.

But you do, don’t you? You would do it well. The Head Girl has power, the Head Girl will be remembered.

I could never have power like that ... could I?

Why not? You are clever and you listen. Why couldn't you learn more than Hogwarts can teach you? What harm could learning the Dark Arts do?

I may ... I suppose I could learn them ... just to help. To understand the Dark Lord. That could help, couldn't it?.

Of course it could; you wouldn't let it harm you. You are strong.

Yes, maybe I could; and it would help! I would be the leader of intelligence. People like me need to know how the other side works ...

Look how Voldemort can control wizards; he has so much power.

And I would have power. Then people would listen--really listen and not laugh.

Yes, people would respect you, because you should be respected. You are the best. You could be even more powerful than Dumbledore.

More powerful than Dumbledore?

Of course, why not? He is old. The old are not the way forward, they will hold us back. Look how Fudge, the Minister Of Magic, doesn't even think Voldemort is risen again. These old men are going to hold us back. You know we must move forward.

Dumbledore isn't like Fudge, he's wise. I know he's old, but he understands magic; I don't want to rise above him.

But does Dumbledore really know? Can you trust him, are you sure?

Of course I am sure! I know Dumbledore is wise, and that if I fight against Voldemort then I fight with Dumbledore.

So you think we can win, we can fight without learning, without knowing the other magic?

Yes ... There is power on both sides; I can be powerful without other help. I could not wield that type of power. I am not that strong.

Maybe you are right, maybe.

Yes, I know why Dumbledore was angry. He was angry because people don't believe and don't understand.

What do you mean? Who is telling the truth?

Harry.

Who must we follow?

Dumbledore!

People are going to die.

I know, but that will happen whichever side I fight on.

So we are going to do what?

Follow Dumbledore.

Can we really do that?

Yes I think we can. No, I know I can, if we know ourselves and each other.

But who am I? I know I am Hermione Granger and ...

... I am a witch. I know now that I have to fight with Dumbledore, because I believe in his magic and know that the other sort, the dark Magic, is wrong. I know...

... who I am.

I am Hermione ...

...Granger.