Maybe it’s because this is my third reading of the Harry Potter series, or maybe it’s because I’ve been writing posts for a blog about learning, or maybe it’s because I both love and cringe when I read every scene with Hermione shooting her hand in the air to answer a question. Whatever it is, I’ve been thinking about the different know-it-alls in Harry Potter.
I’ve been re-reading the Harry Potter series with my youngest daughter. My eldest regularly skims her favorite parts and has consequently memorized rather large chunks of them. We enjoy a healthy dose of the famous boy wizard and his friends.
We’re not alone, I know.
When I joined Instagram several years ago to connect with other readers I noticed that two photos seemed to be mandatory for a successful book-related Instagram feed.
One, you had to have at least one post with a book and socks. I think this trend has faded, but it was going strong when I joined. I still don’t fully understand it or appreciate it, but there you go.
Two, you had to have at least one Harry Potter post (and more than one was certainly welcomed). I managed a Harry Potter post after I re-read the series with my eldest. Still no book and socks picture though. Eh, life goes on.

Re-Reading Harry Potter
It’s true that different aspects of the books stick out with each re-read – and it has been interesting to see what details each of my kids picks up on since they both bring different eyes to the content.
Lately I’ve been thinking about the emphasis of knowledge and how the characters express their familiarity with information and their attempt to gain more knowledge.
As I mentioned earlier, some of my favorite Hermione moments are when she shoots her hand in the air to answer a teacher’s question. Though she exemplifies the more classic “know-it-all”, she’s not the only know-it-all type in the books. A few other characters have interesting relationships with knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge.
Which led me to concocting a quiz to determine which Harry Potter know-it-all I was most similar to. If you fancy yourself a bit of an expert or a know-it-all, take the quiz and see who you most strongly resemble.
Quiz: Find Your Know-It-All Type
I am not conniving, but I am inclined to keep my knowledge “close to my chest” like Snape. I’m not quite in league with the conspiracy theories of Luna, but I do have a healthy distrust of anything that comes shimmering through mainstream media or social media. Also like Luna, I prefer to answer questions with simple answers – if someone wants to ask what a nargle is, then I’ll tell them. If not, then there’s no need to elaborate. Still, despite my abhorrence of ever speaking in a classroom setting, I ended up with Hermione. I suspect my reliance on books is too strong of a similarity to ignore.
What about you? What Harry Potter Know-It-All are you?
Are you more of a Hands-Up Hermione or a Smug Snape? What about Doting Dumbledore or Laid-back Luna?
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