Becoming Hermione Granger: Cool Logic in the Face of Fire #MNBHP

Brilliant,” said Hermione, “This isn’t magic—it’s logic—a puzzle. A lot of the greatest wizards haven’t got an ounce of logic, they’d be stuck in here forever.”

“But so will we, won’t we?”

“Of course not,” said Hermione. “Everything we need is here on this paper. Seven bottles: three are poison; two are wine; one will get us safely through the black fire, and one will get us back through the purple.”

“But how do we know which to drink?”

“Give me a minute.”

PS/SS

With Rowling’s cryptic tweet that sent puzzle-solving fans into a frenzy a couple weeks ago, I thought it fitting that we look at the queen of riddle solving—Ms. Granger (or should I say Mrs. Weasley?).

A lot of the greatest (most talented) wizards haven’t got an ounce of logic. However, Hermione, a Muggle-born who has a ton of logic, is best in her class. Logic, we see, outstrips talent because talent without logic lacks direction. Hermione may not have been as naturally talented as Harry but her logic gave her the keen advantage of being able to use all her skills at the highest levels. Harry even admits that without Hermione he’d be lost. Without Hermione, he’d never have lived long enough to vanquish Voldemort.

Logic in the face of fire got Harry through the black fire to prevent the Stone from falling into Quirrell’s hands. Logic in the face of fire gave Harry and Ron the clue they needed to defeat the Basilisk and rescue Ginny. Logic in the face of fire helped Harry save Sirius and Buckbeak from unjust execution. Logic in the face of fire helped train up Harry so he’d be prepared for the Triwizard Tournaments. Logic in the face of fire helped Harry escape Umbridge to look for Sirius. Logic in the face of fire used the D.A. coins to alert members of the battle that was headed toward Hogwarts, saving many lives. And logic in the face of fire kept Harry alive and safe long enough to destroy most of the Horcruxes so that he could be prepared to face death when he faced Voldemort in the forest.

CHALLENGE:

What trumps talent? What does talent, at whatever level, need to succeed? Logic. And the great news is that logic is available to anyone willing to put in the hours in the library to get it. What you seek, you will find. Enhance your natural talents by exercising your brain.

How will you develop Hermione-esk logic? Will you be the one to solve Rowling’s next riddle? Share your answer with us using #MNBHP.

Second—to Miss Hermione Granger…for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House fifty points.

Dumbledore, PS/SS

Next Week: Becoming Dudley Dursley: Baconator