What's the purpose of Hermione turning into a cat?

[Furienna]

In COS, the trio believe Malfoy is the heir of Slytherin and they want to hear him admitting it to them so they attempt turning into three of his common slytherins: Crabbe, Goyle and Millicent Bulstrode. Harry and Ron succeed turning into Crabbe and Goyle and find out that though Malfoy approves of the heir's actions, he's not the one doing them. Hermione refused to come along and when they come back, they find out that she didn't turn into Milicent, but into a cat, and she has to be in the hospital wing for weeks.

Well, we all knew this of course, but why did Hermione turn into a cat? Harry and Ron turning into Crabbe and Goyle and introducing polyjuice makes sense, but Hermione turning into a cat? It doesn't move the plot forward one bit, not even the one within COS. Hermione turning into cat hasn't had any significance yet. She doesn't even discover something in the hospital wing, which Harry and Ron have done on other occassions. It is mentioned twice in OOTP though. Harry is reminded of this incident when he sees a dog-woman at St Mungos and the memory of it is one of those Snape gets out of Harry during occlumency classes. So, is JKR telling us, that we should remember this?

So what do you think? Will Hermione turning into a cat be significant in later books, and in that case, how? Or did JKR just put it there for fun, though I really wonder who has found that fun?

[Da_Chinkster]

It may just be at the fore front of Harry's mind. It's not every day you see your friend spawn fur and whiskers. There might be something there but I reckon its superficial

[Wab]

It could have been comic relief (I found it amusing) or to illustrate that clever as she is even Hermione can make mistakes.

CoS is probably the low point of Hermione's career at Hogwart's since teaming up with Harry and Ron as she gets turned into a moggy and pertrified.

The cat has a few other resonances. McGonagall's animagus is a cat and Hermione bonds with a psychotic cat/kneazle.

And the Gryffindor mascot is a lion (cat) raising the possibility that the delightful Miss Granger is the heir of Gryffindor.

[Furienna]

Whoooooooooah, I just became a sixth year! Sorry, I just had to say it. I wonder when they will let me into Hogsmeade.

Well, that said, I just remembered... There is thread about Kloves there was one thing in the COS movie, that JKR insisted he should keep the way she wrote it in the book instead of altering it or removing it. We don't know what this thing is, but a lot of us think it just might be this, though it would be hard to alter OR remove.

[Hermyownniny]

Congrats on being a sixth year Furiena! ;-)

I think that Hermione became a cat just for comic relief. Or maybe it was forshadowing the arrival of Crookshanks in the next book?

[Barbara Kennedy]

I think it was mostly to show that Hermione is not perfect. She made an assumption (that the hair was Millicent's) and it turned out to be a very big mistake.

There was obviously the comic relief angle there as well.

Rowling also took the opportunity to show that Ron and Harry depend on her, a lot, probably far too much.

It was their first 'adventure' without Hermione right there with them to provide all the answers. They were forced to figure things out on their own.

[Wingardium Leviosa]

I had always considered a vague possibility that because the potion is not supposed to be used with animal hair, something went wrong, and she ended up an animagus of a cat, although maybe she doesn't know it. But I thought about it, and that's totally stupid, and I think it was just there for some light humour.

[Pegasus]

I thought it was great! The first time I read the book, I couldn't stop laughing, and my husband (not an HP fan), who saw the movie with me but has never read the books, got a kick out of it, too. Some things are for fun, like Peeves and the various jokes Fred and George play.

[Albusdaughter]

I have thought for ages that one or more of the trio would become an animagus. Perhaps Hermione will be a cat. We know that it is difficult to become an animagus, but if anyone could manage it Hermione could!

JKR has stated somewhere (apparantly) that Harry will not become an animagus but that other people will. She also stated in the World Book Day webchat that wizards who become animagi become the animal they are suited to being. Well McGonagall is a cat and she is very clever. Cats are associated in mythology with intelligence and power so that would be a suitable animagus for Hermione.

Incidentally, the other character I suspect could become a cat animagus is Ginny. Both Hermione and Ginny adore cats - Hermione has Crookshanks of course and in CoS it is mentioned that Ginny is really upset about the attack on Mrs. Norris because she loves cats (don't have the exact quote). Ginny is likened to a cat or described in a cat-like way several times in OotP:
e.g. 'What? said Harry in disbelief, as Ginny made a noise like an angry cat.' OotP Ch 4 p69 (UK version)
'Ginny was curled like a cat on her chair, but her eyes were open; Harry could see them reflecting the firelight.' OotP Ch 22 p423 (UK version)
'Ginny, whose ankle had been mended in a trice by Madam Pomfrey, was curled up at the foot of Hermione's bed' OotP Ch 38 p746 (UK version)

[Dedalus]

I think a possible reason, as well, is that had Hermione succeeded in transforming into Millicent Bullstrode, their plan would have gone down the pan. I think it would have been a lot less believable to Malfoy or anybody that she's just come back from holiday, and her not being there made things run much more smoothly! Draco could freely talk with just Crabbe and Goyle, and could they have got the same results with a Millicent in the room, too?

[Bjornar]

I would say light humor as well, though the fact that it keeps coming up is interesting as well as the Crookshanks reference by Hermyowninny. Of course you would then have to link her to McGonagall as she is a feline animagus! Lead too far that way and it's on to the way out there hyothesis threads...

EDIT: Good ideas Albusdaughter on the cat theme!

[oneveritas]

Yeah... I don't think there's any 'significance' to the cat-thing, meaning there's no secret sub-plot that Jo is planning based on it.

As for 'doing nothing for the plot', let's remember that this is when Ron and Harry go off to save the day without Hermione, which will strengthen the relationship between them. I think it also shows us that Hermione is fallible... and those two things, I think, are actually very important to the plot!

I don't understand why so many people think there's a secret plot going on about this cat-thing... did someone read an interview from Jo that said anything about this?

[RemusLupinFan]

I admit it is a bit of a coincidence with the cats, but I don't think there's any connection. The scene where she turns into a cat is probably just for comic relief as many have pointed out- it was rather amusing, especially when Harry and Ron were joking that she'd get out of the Hospital Wing when she stopped coughing up hairballs. I also agree that it might have been included to show that Hermione can mess up sometimes.

[kimothyjones]

I personally agree with a few of you in that it was to show that everyone fails from time to time, and it shows that JKR has a sense of humor.

The cat mentions throughout the book though may make it more significant than we believe, and I really think Albusdaughter's ideas are very interesting and possible

[Furienna]

It could just be comic relief, but then, why bring it up twice in OOTP? I mean I doubt any one of Fred's and George's jokes will be mentioned in later books, except their last departure show of course. :D

[silvery orb]

Can someone choose any form for their animagus? Is it related to their patronus? I vaguely remember Lupin saying in PoA that Sirius and James purposely chose animals that would be large enough to control a werewolf. If so, the cat polyjuice potion should have no effect on what animal Hermione would transform into...

Why mention Hermione's furry face twice in OotP? Once (seeing the woman in St. Mungo's) would have been enough for laughs. I can't help but think it will be significant later.

[hermy_weasley2]

Well, it was back in Chamber of Secrets. Maybe it was foreshadowing that Hermione would get a cat as a pet in the next book. :) Her time spent as something like a cat might've made her a bit more sympathetic to felines, hence her enthusiam towards Crookshanks in PoA.

[Ragdoll]

Incidentally, the other character I suspect could become a cat animagus is Ginny. Both Hermione and Ginny adore cats - Hermione has Crookshanks of course and in CoS it is mentioned that Ginny is really upset about the attack on Mrs. Norris because she loves cats (don't have the exact quote). Ginny is likened to a cat or described in a cat-like way several times in OotP:
e.g. 'What? said Harry in disbelief, as Ginny made a noise like an angry cat.' OotP Ch 4 p69 (UK version)
'Ginny was curled like a cat on her chair, but her eyes were open; Harry could see them reflecting the firelight.' OotP Ch 22 p423 (UK version)
'Ginny, whose ankle had been mended in a trice by Madam Pomfrey, was curled up at the foot of Hermione's bed' OotP Ch 38 p746 (UK version)

I never noticed that before! It could be true, because I do think that Ginny will have a bigger part. As well as Neville and Luna, since they all went on this "mission" together.

[rotsiepots]

It could just be comic relief, but then, why bring it up twice in OOTP? I mean I doubt any one of Fred's and George's jokes will be mentioned in later books, except their last departure show of course. :D

Hermione, being the perfectionist that she is, doesn't make mistakes very often. When she does, I'm sure people like to remind her of it and rub her nose in it, because reminding Hermione of a failure is a rare opportunity.

I also thought it was just for a bit of humour. I found it amusing. :D

[Phxtvlr]

So what do you think? Will Hermione turning into a cat be significant in later books, and in that case, how? Or did JKR just put it there for fun, though I really wonder who has found that fun?
I think that it is foreshadowing that Hermoine will become an animagus (probably book 7). As to its significance, though- the only way that I can see it being significant would be from a stealth perspective. Unlike a stag, or large dog, which could potentially be an "offensive" (capable of attacking) animal or protective of someone by virtue of their size, a cat wouldn't be able to have either of those roles/uses. On the other hand, being relatively small, quiet, etc, its feasible that Hermy as a cat could be used as a spy, or even able to escape a dangerous situation without detection if necessary.

My two cents.

[Alastor D]

Rowling also took the opportunity to show that Ron and Harry depend on her, a lot, probably far too much.

It was their first 'adventure' without Hermione right there with them to provide all the answers. They were forced to figure things out on their own.

I agree with that. But in the end they got the last piece of the puzzle from her. The piece of parchment Harry released from her petrified hand. I nice twist of the theme of her always being the one who finds out. She did it again but couldn't forward the information.

Why a cat and not a rabbit or hamster is then another question. I wouldn't read too much into that.

[hc_hottie_21]

"McGonagall is a cat and she is very clever. Cats are associated in mythology with intelligence and power so that would be a suitable animagus for Hermione."
I though this quote made a good point. JK doesn't do anything without a reason and I think that Hermione would be the best person to become a cat. I think it forshadows Hermione becoming a cat and i think that it will be very important to the plot in the next two years. Plus, I think it would be cool to see Hermione do something that Harry won't be able to do! :cool:

[Asterismos]

Hmm, I don't really see how that could be foreshadowing. I think it was just showing that Hermione can also make a human error. She was starting to appear almost inhuman, making all of these complicated potions. :P

[Albusdaughter]

Can someone choose any form for their animagus?

JKR said in the World Book Day chat which is transcibed elsewhere on this site (sorry I am too technically incompetant to link to it!) that you cannot choose your animagus form, you become the animal you are most suited to.

[Stephen]

JKR said in the World Book Day chat which is transcibed elsewhere on this site (sorry I am too technically incompetant to link to it!) that you cannot choose your animagus form, you become the animal you are most suited to.
Sucks for Peter Pettigrew. He got the short end of the stick. :lol:

[Da_Chinkster]

WEll he did rat out his friends....

[Albusdaughter]

WEll he did rat out his friends....

Exactly! Begs the question why Sirius, Lupin and James didn't peg him as the traitor.

[Da_Chinkster]

But Pettigrew was only a traitor once. When they were as close friends as they were they would not predict that there was a traitor in the mist. After the crime was commited it was too late. Black and JAmes knew but could not do anything about it for obvious reasons

[Albusdaughter]

Pettigrew betrayed Lily & James once, but he was passing secrets to LV for a year before that.

[Lamby]

I believe, that is was so Harry and Ron had to make it on their own without hermione s (Sorry if that's spelt worng) brains to help them.

[Baron_G]

Even Harry leaps "catlike" over the stairs when chasing Dobby through his aunt and uncle's while they were entertaining clients.

[fiftycenter]

Exactly! Begs the question why Sirius, Lupin and James didn't peg him as the traitor.
(Slightly OT, but involves animals) Good point! They studied for years to become animagi, wouldn't they know their animals would reveal something about themselves? I'm going to have to find a thread on this. James and Black went large subconsciously to control Lupin, weren't they curious why Pettigrew didn't grow? (Mayhaps because he has always been simpering-rat-like anyway) huh.

Back to the cat:
I firmly believe Hermione has some connection to cats above and beyond owning one (well, part-cat). The polyjuice-cat scene was amusing, but I can't help but think there's more. With everything mentioned in this thread so far as well as Hermione wistfully wanting to go to Egypt (where cats feature large), her and that species are going to meet again in a big way.

[shelbell32]

Well, the cat parts in CoS could of been a foreshadow to Hermione adopting Crookshanks and maybe to a future as a Hogwarts teacher like McGonagall. I could totally see her as a teacher. She knows so much information!

I don't think it signals Hermione becoming a cat animagus. I know JKR had mentioned in an interview or chat that the three (Hermione, Harry and Ron) wouldn't become animagi, no time basically. I was bummed when I read that because it would of been awesome if they were able to transform! But maybe JKR will change her mind....

[flibbertigibbet]

Wow, great observation, Furienna! I'd never thought of the cat thing as more than a humorous plot device, but the two mentions in OotP make me very suspicious. It's entirely plausible that Hermione has been spending her free time doing some light practise on becoming an animagus, though I don't think there's enough evidence yet to back that up. After reading this thread however, I'm quite sure this will come up again.


Incidentally, the other character I suspect could become a cat animagus is Ginny. Both Hermione and Ginny adore cats - Hermione has Crookshanks of course and in CoS it is mentioned that Ginny is really upset about the attack on Mrs. Norris because she loves cats (don't have the exact quote).
Although I agree with your other observations, I'd like to point out that Ginny was upset about the attack on Mrs. Norris because she was in a way responsible for it..



I think a possible reason, as well, is that had Hermione succeeded in transforming into Millicent Bullstrode, their plan would have gone down the pan. I think it would have been a lot less believable to Malfoy or anybody that she's just come back from holiday, and her not being there made things run much more smoothly! Draco could freely talk with just Crabbe and Goyle, and could they have got the same results with a Millicent in the room, too?
But that could have just as well been solved by Hermione realizing this at the last minute and deciding not to drink the potion after all.

[Furienna]

Thank you, Fibbertigibbet, but I was not the one who started giving this more thought. It comes from the "Kloves: There's one thing..." thread and I thought theories about this deserved a thread of their own.

[GryffindorSeeker]

There's supposedly something about cats that JKR has promised means something, but it's rather beyond me what that is. This probably has something to do with Hermione's cat problem here.

[RELASHIO Rachel]

Personally.. I think it was just to add some weird humor and maybe some conflicts in the book.. Nothing symbolic, just visual.

[Albusdaughter]

Although I agree with your other observations, I'd like to point out that Ginny was upset about the attack on Mrs. Norris because she was in a way responsible for it..


I agree that is why Ginny was upset, but it doesn't alter the fact that we discover from that quote that she was a known cat-lover.

[Furienna]

No, she was the one who had written the text on the wall, for example...

[Wab]

It also gave Ron the opportunity for a double entendre in the film.

[Furienna]

First of all, I don't understand what you mean, and second of all, JKR didn't write these books for the sole purpose of making them into movies. When she wrote COS, she hadn't sold any movie rights yet.

[Liselle]

Maybe she was turned to a cat (well half cat) unsuccessfully to show that she won't become an animagus?

[flibbertigibbet]

Ooh, good thought, Liselle. Now that you mention it, that scene is a perfect spot for foreshadowing. *has image of Hermione converting herself into a half-cat again* I hope that doesn't happen though :)

Anyone think there could be a significance to where Harry was reminded of this incident? Once was in Snape's office, and one was in St. Mungo's, correct?

I know, Hermione will be in the process of turning into a cat and Prof. Snape will thwart her attempt, thereby necessitating a long stay at the hospital for the poor girl. (Just kidding :D)

[Magda Quadle]

Perhaps the point of turning her into a cat was to teach Hermione an early lesson of not taking things for face value. She saw a hair on Bulstrode's robes, assumed it was hers and used it. She paid dearly for the consequences of that action. (At least I would call being cooped up in the hospital wing as a cat paying dearly.) If you notice Hermione doesn't take things for granted anymore after that. This is especially important in OotP when she tries to get Harry to look at his motivation for rescuing Sirius.

[Elocin4684]

I think Hermione turned into a cat because Jo didn't want her to go with Harry and Ron into the Slytherin room. There might be something from this that comes into play, like knowing Millicent has a cat, Hermione not knowing where the Slytherin common room is located, or something along those lines.

[Elocin4684]

I think it was just mentioned in the movie because Ron was talking about all the great ancient Egyptian things he saw and Hermione was trying to show him that he liked stuff made by people that worshiped the cat. And that's just part of her know-it-all-ism.

[Furienna]

Perhaps the point of turning her into a cat was to teach Hermione an early lesson of not taking things for face value. She saw a hair on Bulstrode's robes, assumed it was hers and used it. She paid dearly for the consequences of that action. (At least I would call being cooped up in the hospital wing as a cat paying dearly.) If you notice Hermione doesn't take things for granted anymore after that. This is especially important in OotP when she tries to get Harry to look at his motivation for rescuing Sirius.
Good take!
I think Hermione turned into a cat because Jo didn't want her to go with Harry and Ron into the Slytherin room. There might be something from this that comes into play, like knowing Millicent has a cat, Hermione not knowing where the Slytherin common room is located, or something along those lines.
Another good take!

[JoWilson]

I don't think Hermione would become a cat Animagus. Everyone we know of who is an animagus is described in some physical way as that animal. Sirius is described several times with a 'bark-like' laugh. Peter has a rat-like nose. Hermione has often been described with larger than normal teeth and her patronus is an otter.

Ginny has often been described in cat-like terms and that is definitely a good theory, in my opinion.

[jac1985]

I believe that it did that to show that even the cleverest witches can make mistakes. Even though it wasnt a mistake with the postion, it was still a mistake nontheless. It was there to prove that not everyone is perfect, even in the wizarding world.

[flibbertigibbet]

Or, along those lines jac, maybe it was meant to show how dangerous potions can be? The students are always making potions in class, but rarely do they actually ingest them, so maybe we'll be dealing with potions more directly in the future?

That still doesn't explain why Hermione had to turn into a cat, specifically, but it's just a thought I had.

[Hagrid442]

I believe it was more to show that Hermione isn't perfect, too. In a way, making her into a cat made her more human. :)

I'm inclined to believe that it was merely comic relief, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if she became a cat animagus.

[Blacks Beauty]

At the risk of sounding like another deluded Sirius Black fan :lol:, let me throw out another possibility. Did JKR do it to point out that you can't use polyjuice to become an animal?

One of the theories being bandied about in the "Return of Sirius" thread is that the Sirius in OotP is an imposter, based on some inconsistencies in his character between GoF and OotP. And it has been pointed out that every time Sirius has changed into Padfood he was around someone to do it -- except at Kings Cross. He came into the scene as a dog and disappeared from the scene as a dog. Any imposter wouldn't likely be an animagus (and if he was, it most likely wouldn't be a huge black dog), and he would have to figure out a different way to become a huge black dog. He couldn't have used polyjuice from a huge black dog, either. He would need to have someone transfigure him (which would indicate a co-conspirator) or use a real black dog under an imperious curse. That's the theory anyway.

Maybe my imposter theory is not why JKR turned Hermione into a cat -- maybe someone will want to turn into a rat to infilitrate the DEs or something, I don't know. But I think she may have wanted to make a point that you can't use polyjuice to become an animal, and that's why she reminded us twice in OotP.

[Alastor D]

I believe it was more to show that Hermione isn't perfect, too. In a way, making her into a cat made her more human. :)

I'm inclined to believe that it was merely comic relief, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if she became a cat animagus.

We'd better not let anything surprise us. But I have a feeling that Hermione in general gets things JKR likes herself. Her patronus is an otter, and that's JKR's favorite animal, as stated in interviews. And she doesn't like cats very much.

[Lil Red Head]

On the surface, it does seem that it could be a comic device, or a way to keep Hermione out of the Slytherin Common Room. oh, on a side note, anyone else notice the description of the fireplace in there? It stood out to me.

Anyway, I can't put my finger on it but there's certainly something about Hermione becoming a cat in COS that I think will play a part in a future book. I went back over COS recently and there's so many things that either still stick out (like the cat thing and the fireplace) or seem to have been solved by later books, that I think we will learn more in 6 & 7 that explains a lot in in first books.

Maybe by being a cat for a bit it did make her more receptive to Crookshanks. I keep in the back of my head the idea that Harry (in PS/SS) and Hermione (in POA) were somehow directed to these animals. It's almost like Dumbledore phoned up and said, I saw this cat in your window, and I know the perfect person for it.

So what i meant to say is that I think we haven't heard the last of Hermione and the polyjuice blunder. :)

[Elocin4684]

I don't think Hermione would become a cat Animagus. Everyone we know of who is an animagus is described in some physical way as that animal. Sirius is described several times with a 'bark-like' laugh. Peter has a rat-like nose. Hermione has often been described with larger than normal teeth and her patronus is an otter.

Ginny has often been described in cat-like terms and that is definitely a good theory, in my opinion.

Well, I don't think people turn into their patronus. I mean, they could, I guess, but we can almost definitely say that James's patronus was not a stag. Harry was told that his patronus matched his father's transformed form, but I think they would mention that his patronus was a stag, also. And you can't say that James had a patronus. I would think that he would set his ambitions on really tough magic stuff. Also, Dumbledore has expressed how he doesn't trust dementors and seems like he's always been afraid that they would go to Voldie's side. I think in Voldie's first run, DD would have all the Order doing patronuses (except Hagrid, poor guy).



Well, you really can't say that Harry was directed to his owl because he doesn't pick him out. Hagrid buys it for him. (Am I getting the movie mixed up with the book? I think I am...) Well, Hagrid does have a lot to do with Harry getting Hedwig.

I still think that what Hermione didn't learn while she was a cat (where the Slytherin common room is, etc., I posted it earlier in this thread) will come back and have something to do with the future plot.

[Rogue Devlin]

I think that Hermione was turned to a cat just as an excuse to take her out of the action and to add funny scenes to the plot. I think that Ron and Harry needed some time to realize they can work out things without Hermione's help, but of course, having her help is so much better.

[Knight Bus]

Like most of you I think that this scene was mostly a comic interlude. It's a funny scene in the book and the movie. But it also shows to both Harry&Ron,and to herself, that Hermione is not infallible. That she can make mistakes.

[Furienna]

Am I the only one in here who doesn't find this scene amusing? :huh:

[Lupin_Lady]

I find it funny to Furienna! :lol:

[Wab]

At the risk of sounding like another deluded Sirius Black fan :lol:, let me throw out another possibility. Did JKR do it to point out that you can't use polyjuice to become an animal?

I think that H herself explains that polyjuice can only be used to assume the form of another human.

[Rogue Devlin]

Am I the only one in here who doesn't find this scene amusing? :huh:

:( Probably
, I really think it was a way of having something funny but educational at the same time. I think that turning into a cat made Hermione realize she can make BIG mistakes and tat she should be more careful. But I'm sure that Harry and Ron found the situation really hilarious, just as many of us readers ;)

[Elocin4684]

Maybe this was to show that polyjuice can't be used for animals and that there's something else for animals and that they will have to use that something else in the future. I also still believe that Hermione not knowing where the Slytherin room is might crop up in the future.

[Saol]

I agree with everyone else, I think it was simply for comic relief and to show that Hermione can be quite close to perfect, but that she isn't. Since cats are distinguished by intelligence (after all, Prof. McG.'s animagus is a cat), it could be a foreshadowing of the future, perhaps Hermione being an animagus, and perhaps she could help Harry in his defeat of Voldemort (if that were to happen). Good observation, I would have simply thought it would be just to make the readers/audience laugh.

[Blacks Beauty]

think that H herself explains that polyjuice can only be used to assume the form of another human.

I'd have to look again, but if I'm not mistaken, she only explains that after, or more precisely, because she turned into a cat. So that amusing event could have been concocted to give Hermione a reason to explain that fact, and we saw it a couple more times to remind us because it would be important in the future in some way.

But then, it could just be an amusing little event to illustrate that even Hermione is not perfect.

[Elocin4684]

Hermione did metion the fact that polyjuice can only be used properly for human transformations only after she had turned into a cat. This was probably to specify its use because it would have been weird if Hermione had just brought that fact up.

But I still think the info that is learned (Millicent having a cat, possibly part kneazle?) and isn't learned (Hermione does not know where the Slytherin common room is nor does she know what it looks like) will come into play later.

[xMagic]

I think its because Hermione could not have been in the room when Malfoy was insulting Harry. She would have burst out with anger and blew their cover.

[rock_ally]

I think it just proves that Hermione makes mistakes. It was pure accident that it happened, so i hardly think it will turn into anything bigger.

[Hestia Jones]

I don't think so...I don't think it would have a purpose. It happened on the second book, a long time ago, it's just like "why harry never saw thestrals until book 5? (he saw Cedric's death, yes) but didn't he saw the death of his parents? didn't he defeated death on CoS?".
There are no more clues to find on the first four books..sorry if i'm wrong..

[Gwenog Jones]

I think JKR used it for some comic relief, to show that Hermione isn't perfect, but also because Millicent Bulstrode probably would not have been able to get any information out of Malfoy. What would be the purpose of her sitting there listening to them when Harry and Ron could just tell her everything after?

[noxerised]

it was comic relief, but i believe that only crabbe and goyle could really extract info from Draco...it also proves that as hard as Hermoine studies, things can still go wrong, and that assumptions and easy access to 'ingredients' aren't always the correct path...

[feshnie]

Maybe she is going to be an animangus. A cat.