9 Harry Potter Plot Holes That Actually Have Simple Fixes
4. Why Did Hermione Lie About The Troll? - The Philosopher's Stone
Plot Hole: It's hard to imagine a time where Harry, Ron and Hermione weren't the closest of friends, but that is the state of their relationship at the beginning of their story. In truth though, it makes a lot of sense that two laid back 11-year-old boys wouldn't get along well with a book smart and bossy preteen girl.
The friction between the trio hit its peak on Halloween when the young witch overheard the boys making fun of her after class. Distraught, Hermione spent the rest of the day crying in the girl's bathroom. This might have been the end of their story but by coincidence, or fate, a troll gets loose in the castle and heads straight for the girl's bathroom.
After saving Hermione's life, Ron and Harry are the subject of Professor McGonagall's wrath. Realising they're about to get unfairly punished, Hermione concocts a story about her going after the troll and Harry and Ron coming to save her.
But this leaves us with some serious head scratching. Why didn't Hermione just tell the truth: Ron and Harry knew she was in the bathroom and went to save her? That way no one would have gotten in trouble! It just doesn't make any sense... or does it?
Answer: Hermione is known to be the smartest witch of her age. Her biggest fear may be failing out of school, but she was also terrified of being alone, after all, she did spend the day crying after Ron said she had no friends.
Thinking on her feet, Hermione would have realised she could actually gain some friends from this whole experience. Telling McGonagall a lie AND painting the boys as heroes while herself the rulebreaker gained massive respect from them. Talk about falling on the sword.