#SCREAMING THIS WAS A LOT I KNOW I MISSED SO MUCH FICSS

[drabsyo]

I love that your Hermione is so broody. Her eyes are so distinct from the rest. If you don't mind me asking, what got you to characterize her like that?

Thank you, anon!!! That means a lot to me 😭🥺💕

Just like what influenced how I drew Fleur's hair (movie fleur's hair), it started with emma watson's 'Hermione glare' from the film adaptations.

I looked up a lot of screen shots of Hermione, and I kind of wanted to emphasize that side of her where she's just always thinking, always trying to get two steps ahead of everyone, kind of unknowingly arrogant about it--and in most fics I've read, she addresses those shortcomings (usually with the significant other she's getting paired with) and it's actually sort of charming how she's so serious about it most of the time. So I wanted to focus on that. And that she's always kind of injured somehow because it's just... very Hermione of her.

And then of course it was heavily influenced by the fanfictions that I've read (that sounds so typical LMAO) and everybody else's headcannons of Hermione that was left in my inbox, and it just sort of happened from there. The brooding part, post-war especially, happened because I kinda pictured someone who is as "morally righteous" as Hermione or someone who wears their heart on their sleeve, gets a bit burned after experiencing something as traumatic (as what she's gone through). So she broods a lot. She's always trying to get ahead. Making sure it doesn't happen again, or that she's prepared in case it does happen. Either that, or she runs away and tries to breathe, tries to feel like herself again (there are a bunch of fics that addresses a similar plot like this). I imagine going back to "normal life" after being on the run for so long takes its toll. At least that's just what I think, of course!

But what mostly helped me characterize her like that are the fanfictions I've read! So really, I owe it all to these very, very talented writers.

Here's your 🛑spoiler warning!🛑 and as always, feel free to skip ahead! These are scenes from fanfictions from different pairings that helped me to characterize Hermione that way. I just found these so memorable.

🔵 Crazy Little Things by dreiser in Chapter 16. Lunamione. The first hp fic I've ever read is Lunamione! Crazy Little Things heavily influenced how I sort of saw Hermione in my mind, and I adored her here. It made me think, 'oh, so hermione's kind of oblivious about it, that's cute!'

Searching her memories of the creature and frowning at the obscure nature of the hint and its strange phrasing, Hermione questioned, "You're positive that clue refers to the creature that Flavius Belby discovered in Papua New Guinea in 1782?"

"Oh yes," Luna nodded emphatically, beaming happily. "Erwin likes to write little riddles, he finds it entertaining."

Releasing a thoughtful but somewhat skeptical murmur at this, Hermione commented, "Hagrid spoke of Lethifolds once. He was friends with one of their keepers at the Center for Magizoology in London and was considering taking our class on a trip to see them. This was before that awful business with Buckbeak. Afterwards we were rather stuck on Flobberworms for the rest of the term."

"I know, I read your report," said Luna teasingly, causing Hermione to scowl in false irritation. An expression that instantly disappeared when Luna gently tugged her down for a kiss. When they parted she wore a longing expression as she cupped the brunette's cheek, her thumb moving in small caressing circles. "Even then you were so serious. I found it immensely charming though I wonder if you ever realized."

Her cheeks hot, Hermione lowered her eyes, avoiding Luna's gaze as she murmured with a hint of embarrassment, "I hadn't the slightest idea." Drawing her gaze back to Luna, struck with the need to look the younger girl in the eyes as she said this, Hermione continued, "I wish I had been closer to you then. I wasn't terribly patient in those days. Not with you, not with anything, in fact."

🔵 Saving Souls & Healing Hearts by BatwingLawyer, in Chapter 26: Run, Ladies and Gentlemen. Fleurmione. This was definitely one of the first fleurmione and hp fics I've read, and it was one of the major stories that influenced that characterization of Hermione. The entire story. But this chapter struck me the most. Hermione's scared, Hermione's angry, she's confused, she's trying to sift through what happened. But her priority is protecting Fleur. It's written in third person perspective through Hermione, and it's been hinted that she's a little clueless about how charming Fleur finds that protectiveness/seriousness.

“No!” Hermione’s shout startled them all and Oz reflexively gripped her tighter. Fleur stepped closer, unafraid, and stroked her cheek and neck again. Hermione dipped her head forward until it rested on Fleur’s shoulder. “How do you expect me to be calm?” It was practically moaned. “Someone is making threats.” She stood up straight again and Minerva and Fleur both noticed the fire in her eyes. “Someone is making threats against Fleur and I can’t- I won’t just…I can’t…”

“Okay, mon coeur.” Fleur was whispering softly. “Just ‘elp us understand. You saw my form in the pensieve at the scene where the latest incident was? And your first thought was that someone was making threats against me?”

“My only thought.” Hermione whispered. Why is she smiling? I get why there are tears in her eyes, this is scary and she’s in danger, but why is she smiling at me? “Fleur?”

The French witch seemed incapable of speech for a moment and lowered her head to press her lips against Hermione’s cheek.

“While I might have stayed slightly more rational,” Minerva’s voice held a hint of a smile at the two witches in her office, “I have to agree with Hermione’s assessment. I wouldn’t have believed you to be the guilty party for even a moment either, Ms. Delacour.”

“What?” Hermione gasped. Fleur? Guilty? The idea was unfathomable; ludicrous. So ludicrous that the aurors just might believe it. “I stopped the aurors following me because I needed to know that Fleur was safe before dealing with them. But now they’ll be coming for her.” Hermione hands instinctively pulled the Frenchwoman closer.

“I agree. They’ll want to interrogate her.” Minerva nodded.

The noise that escaped Hermione’s throat sounded more animal like than human. “They can try.”

“No.” Fleur stopped her with a gentle hand. “Try to remain calm, ma chérie. I 'ave nothing to ‘ide from the aurors, I’ve done nothing wrong. Maybe I can ‘elp them figure some things out.”

Hermione’s hands trembled where they rest against Fleur’s waist. “The aurors highest priority will be catching the culprit by any means necessary, not about protecting you. So we’ll have to do it ourselves.”

“Actually, I disagree.” Minerva’s voice was calm.

“What?” Hermione nearly exploded again. “Headmistress, with Fleur in danger I don’t care about anything else other th-”

“That’s what I disagree about.” Minerva arched an eyebrow at Hermione’s belligerent tone. “I don’t think she’s in any danger.”

🔵 Extinction by rubikanon in Chapter 23: Build Up Your Defenses 2 of 2. Cissamione. This is such a tender moment between them. Narcissa tries to placate Hermione's worries, and to get her to stop scowling, by teasing her in the middle of a party. Lazily smiling at each other, Narcissa actually gets Hermione to relax for once. Because that's the whole point of the party, people from both sides of the war, mingling, hosted by Narcissa herself. I better stop before I gush over Extinction again.

Draco flirted with my mum again tonight, asking her to dance and waltzing around the outdoor ballroom. I had an inkling of how he must feel now, which was surely his intention. It was hard not to glare every time our eyes met.

"Relax, dear," Narcissa said, sidling up next to me. "He has no ill intentions toward her. Besides, I believe he has his eye on someone else. Luna is looking quite lovely tonight." She cupped my cheek and rubbed her thumb over the corner of my mouth until I stopped scowling. "Didn't your mother ever tell you your face can get stuck that way?"

"That's just an old wives' tale," I retorted. "I'll scowl if I want to." But I was smiling by then, and I kissed the pad of her thumb.

"Old wives are sometimes right, you know," she said, pulling me into the crowd of dancers. "Your face may not get stuck, but a mean attitude becomes a habit. You see?"

"I think you just made up that deeper meaning," I accused. We started waltzing with some difficulty. Neither of us had much practice leading.

"Guilty as charged," she said with a laugh, and we circled around the room until we couldn't concentrate on the steps any longer.

🔵 Blood Magic by Cumbersome in Chapter 1. Bellamione. Of course the only tense moment here would be something between Bella and Hermione. That's just how they are. It's just Bella being Bella. And Hermione matching that with defiance. Bit of background, Hermione's an auror here, she's a part of the team who inspects Black Manor, and the Blacks meet with them, in their own home, with equal hostility. There's a lot of quiet glaring involved from both parties. From Hermione, especially. But before the team of aurors leave the manor, Bellatrix confronts Hermione. Bella points out the scar she has left Hermione, the one from their honest to goodness fist fight. Hermione could have healed it, but for some reason, she doesn't. She just leaves it there. A reminder.

With that he spins on his heel, the Aurors moving to follow. Hermione lingers, eyeing the Blacks with open curiosity. They return her gaze but it is Bellatrix who rises, moving quickly into her space. She grins, raising a finger to tap against a pale scar on her (Hermione's) upper lip.

“I remember this,” Bellatrix says. “I quite enjoy seeing it. It gives me this warm, tingly feeling all over. The idea that I marked that pretty little smug face of yours.”

Hermione meets her eyes and says nothing.

Eyes narrowing, Bellatrix steps closer, her breath warm on Hermione’s face. There are storms in her eyes, flashes of something very much like grief.

“You’re on the wrong side,” she says. “You’ll see that soon.”

“And who’s side are you on?” Hermione asks.

“My own, of course.” Bellatrix smiles. She pauses, her eyes scanning Hermione’s face. “We’re very alike you know. You and I, I feel this thing between us. Like a beast.” She blinks, considers. “Makes me want a good sandwich, honestly.”

In spite of herself, Hermione snorts. She steps away, puts space between herself and Bellatrix. The other Blacks watch with intent expressions.

🔵 Blood Magic by Cumbersome in Chapter 2. Cissamione. Scruffy Hermione! Because she's, as usual, doing some very Hermione things (I just think this is very cute for some reason). Narcissa approaches Auror Hermione, and finds the situation she sees Hermione in a little bit endearing.

Hearing Lovegood’s warning, Mundus had immediately thrown his watch to Hermione. She caught it without thinking, and suddenly the creature was on her, biting, tearing, howling in fury.

“Hold still!” Mundus called, pointing his wand.

“Bloody hell!” Hermione shouted, scruffing the ghoul, desperately keeping her fingers away from its snapping teeth.

“Don’t be a drama queen,” Mundus said, closing an eye as he aimed. “It’s only a little thing.”

She fell back, landing painfully as the thing scrambled up her robes, lunged at her face.

“Granger?”

She turns at the sound of her name, frowning deeply, her expression stormy.

The smiling young man falters under her stare, his cheeks flushing a deep pink.

“Uhm,” Smith says, swallowing. “Visitor for you?”

Only then does she notice the young woman at his side. She blinks, scanning the smooth, blank face, the immaculate clothes. Is that laughter she sees in those bright eyes?

“Narcissa,” she says. She clears her throat, self consciously straightening her tie. “What are you doing here?”

Something very like a smirk touches the woman’s lips. She allows her gaze to travel over Hermione’s ragged appearance, a single eyebrow raised.

“Really, Miss Granger,” she drawls. “I do remember you being much neater.”

She hates the way her face flushes under the woman’s gaze, despises that she would even for a moment care what she thinks of her.

“Yes, well.” She coughs.

Glancing between the two women, Smith smiles, discomfited. “I’ll be off, then.”

Hermione glowers. “Please.”

“I wish to speak with you,” Narcissa says, watching the flushing young man scurry away.

Hermione gestures, but Narcissa shakes her head.

“Not here.”

Okay okay so I don't want to make this post any longer than it needs to be, but basically there were a lot of stories that helped me characterize Hermione that way, and it's super interesting that it's a recurring "trope" or characterization for her, one that appears in different ships, written by different people.

I just think it's neat! Thanks for this ask anon, and I hope you're having a lovely day! 💕✨