Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) is one of the most intelligent Harry Potter characters, and she casts a spell on her parents that is incredibly intense. Hermione is a dutiful, passionate Hogwarts student from the very start of the story and she would never do anything without thinking about it carefully. When she figures out that she needs to use this spell, it's one of the most emotional moments in the entire franchise.
Hermione's decision proves that she cares deeply about her friends and family and that she would do anything for them. What spell does Hermione use on Mrs. and Mr. Granger and is she ever able to reverse it?
What Spell Does Hermione Cast On Her Parents?
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1, the war with Voldemort (Ralph Finnes) is getting worse, and Hermione casts the spell Obliviate on her parents because she's terrified that he will discover them. This means that they don't remember her or know who she is. Hermione tells them that they are named Monica and Wendell Wilkins and they live in Australia.
The Obliviate spell is also called a Memory Charm or the Forgetfulness Charm. It's important to note that it can be pretty scary using this spell, as people's brains can be negatively affected if something goes wrong. The Ministry of Magic often uses this spell because they don't want Muggles to be aware of Hogwarts or the fact that there are witches.
Harry's parents Lily and James are a huge part of Harry Potter, and it's emotional learning more about their backstory. But Hermione's mom and dad become important to this franchise, too, during this memorable plotline. Hermione knows that Voldemort's name is not only forbidden but he's also capable of terrible things that she and her friends and peers can't even imagine. She doesn't want to take any chances and does the right, smart thing to ensure that her parents will be okay.
There's a difference between what happens in the book series and the film franchise, however. Some Harry Potter book scenes are better than the movies and some might like this one better as well. In the novel, Hermione changes the memories that her parents have to ensure that they don't think about her. It isn't obvious that she is using the Obliviate spell, although the spirit and intention are the same. In the movie, Hermione whispers "Obliviate," which makes it clear that she is casting this spell.
The Obliviate spell is one of the most memorable from Harry Potter. Some others include "Wingardium Leviosa," which is used to make objects fly, and "Reparo," which is used to fix things. Harry's glasses are put back together using the "Reparo" spell, which is how people remember it the most. Some spells, like "Crucio," are pretty dark, as this one involves making someone feel a lot of pain.
However, "Obliviate" might be the most emotional spell that there is. While there are many reasons why a witch would want someone to forget something, Hermione's reasoning is dark and upsetting. The Harry Potter movies change Voldemort in some ways, but he remains a terrible force in Harry and his friends' lives. And while he is always a threat, he becomes even worse in the second-to-last movie, which is what spurs Hermione into action.
From why Hermione ends up with Ron to her spirited personality, she's a well-developed character who never acts without thinking long and hard first. The fact that she knows that she has to cast this spell on her parents proves that it's imperative. There doesn't seem to be any other option.
Do Hermione's Parents Ever Get Their Memories Back?
The Harry Potter movies don't give an answer about whether Hermione's parents get their memories back, which makes this a burning question that fans really want the answer to. Voldemort's terrible backstory only contributes to his sinister nature and it would be a shame if his influence made Hermione never see her parents again.
J.K. Rowling answered this question in a web chat. According to The Leaky Cauldron, when a fan asked if Hermione made sure that her parents could remember her again, Rowling said, "she brought them home straight away."
This is good news, as it's awful to imagine Hermione's parents never remembering who she is or ever seeing her again. Hermione is an undoubtedly inspiring character who follows her heart and instincts. And Emma Watson said in an interview with Paper that she could see herself in this character. She said, “I started reading Harry Potter when I was 8 – I just really identified with her. I was the girl in school whose hand shot up to answer the questions. I was really eager to learn in an uncool way. In a super uncool way, actually..." according to Radiotimes.com.