“Or Worse, Expelled!” The Most Iconic Hermione Granger Quotes That Prove She Was the Real Hero of Hogwarts

It has been over two decades since we first stepped onto Platform ¾, but the internet’s obsession with the Harry Potter franchise is showing no signs of slowing down. With a brand-new series officially headed to Max in , Potterheads are taking to TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the characters who shaped their childhoods.

At the top of everyone’s list? The brilliant, fierce, and occasionally terrifying Hermione Granger. While Harry may have been “The Chosen One,” fans know that without Hermione (played by the incomparable Emma Watson), the boy wizard wouldn’t have made it past his first week at Hogwarts.

From her masterful intelligence to her “know-it-all” sass, we’re ranking the best Hermione quotes that prove she was the backbone of the trio.

. “I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading.”

In The Philosopher’s Stone, Hermione casually drops a massive, ancient tome onto a library table while trying to help Harry and Ron identify Nicolas Flamel. Only Hermione would consider a five-pound book of history “light reading.” It’s the moment that perfectly established her as the academic powerhouse we adore.

. “He’s been poisoned, you daft dimbo!”

The romantic tension between Ron and Hermione finally boiled over in The Half-Blood Prince. When Lavender Brown accuses Hermione of only caring about Ron because he’s “interesting” now, Hermione delivers this legendary clapback. It’s witty, it’s defensive, and it’s peak Hermione.

. “Sometimes you can be really thick.”

In the same film, as Harry prepares to hunt Horcruxes alone, Hermione delivers a necessary reality check. It’s a hilarious moment, but it also carries a deeper emotional weight: Harry might be the hero, but he’s never—ever—going to be alone as long as she’s around.

. “At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in.”

When Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) buys his way onto the Slytherin Quidditch team with fancy new brooms, Hermione doesn’t hold back. In The Chamber of Secrets, she calls out his privilege with a level of sass that had fans cheering in the aisles. Integrity? She’s got it in spades.

. “You foul, loathsome, evil, little cockroach!”

This is arguably the most satisfying moment in the entire franchise. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione finally has enough of Draco’s bullying. She raises her wand, delivers this iconic insult, and then—in a move that went viral before “viral” was even a thing—lands a perfect punch right on his nose.

. “Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself.”

While she’s funny, Hermione is also the voice of wisdom. When facing down the intimidating Lucius Malfoy, she refuses to flinch, reminding everyone that avoiding the name “Voldemort” only gives him more power. It’s a brave move for a young Muggle-born witch, and we love her for it.

. “It’s leviOsa, not leviosA.”

This is the line that launched a thousand memes. Whether you’re on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve likely seen a parody of this first-year Charms class moment. While she was a bit of a “know-it-all” here, let’s not forget that Ron eventually used that exact spell to save her life later that night!

. “We’re in this together!”

In The Order of the Phoenix, the stakes get real. When Harry tries to go on a suicide mission to the Ministry of Magic, Hermione shuts him down instantly. It’s an earnest, beautiful reminder of the loyalty that defines the series.

. “It’s sort of exciting, isn’t it? Breaking the rules.”

Seeing the ultimate rule-follower get a little rebellious is pure joy. Fed up with the villainous Dolores Umbridge, Hermione helps form Dumbledore’s Army. Her little giggle after realizing she’s technically a rebel is one of the most charming moments in the films.

. “Or worse, expelled.”

The gold standard of Hermione quotes. After narrowly escaping a three-headed dog, Hermione declares that being expelled is a fate worse than death. Emma Watson has even cited this as her personal favorite line, and we have to agree—it perfectly captures the essence of the girl who eventually saved the Wizarding World.

Would you like me to create a “Which Hermione Granger Quote Are You?” personality quiz to share with your followers?