On Hermione and Patronuses
I was re-reading "Deathly Hallows" novel in preparation for the 2nd movie, and noted something interesting about Hermione and her patronus...
In Chapter 13, while the trio is in the Ministry disguised by polyjuice and trying to escape from Umbridge with Mary Cattermole, Hermione tries to summon her patronus (saying, "Expec - Expecto Patronum" - stumbling over the incantation for some unknown reason) and fails on the 1st attempt. Harry then turns to Mary and says...
"It's the only spell she ever has trouble with... Bit unfortunate, really..."
Hermione tries again and finally summons her otter, which "swims gracefully" up beside Harry's stag to keep the dementors back.
Now, this is interesting to me, from a fanfic writer's perspective. I had totally forgotten about this little fact. Why would Hermione - of the three in the trio - have problems with this specific incantation? I mean, she isn't an unhappy person (in general), and has plenty of good memories to summon. And she's a powerful witch, who never fails in anything she casts, even very difficult spells for someone her age to accomplish. So why should casting her patronus give her problems? And why does Harry know about this little failing of hers (we can assume he knows from the months they spent in Dumbledore's Army back in 5th year working on this spell with her and the others, but it's never specifically stated)?
Just makes me wonder why JKR would give her favorite character of the series (her 'Mary-Sue') this sort of failing (i.e. a failing to cast a spell based on happiness and righteousness). I mean, I could see Hermione stumbling over the use of mind-alteration spells, as it better fits with her personality not to want to use such magic on others, but not a spell meant to be a paragon of justice, like the patronus represents. And yet, she is an accomplished Obliviator (i.e. using a type of magic that centers around the idea of attacking the mind in an invasive and immoral manner - a type of magic that Draco has been known to use with skill, too, in the forms of Imperius and Occlumens), while a stumbling user of the Patronus.
That's very interesting to me.
Your thoughts?