Re: part 4
No, don't worry about spamming. You can't have this kind of discussion on the archives. But here you can, it's part of why I made this place.
About Hermione: do you know that in most sshg fics it's Severus who is considered unworthy for her? We do indeed have a very different view of her, and I'm almost tempted to start a 'shipping challenge: Snape and Granger (with other pairings eventually) on snapedom, where these things can be discussed.
You treat Hermione as an adult. That's what she is in most sshg stories I read. But in canon, she isn't. Most of her deeds are those of a bossy little know-it-all who is completely loyal to her best friends, but, if we're honest, gets little back. As a child, she constantly struggles to please and be liked - and never quite succeeds. She's the only one who sees the house-elf slavery as what it is: slavery, and wants to do something about it. Shame on JKR to so completely brush that topic under the carpet. And the many excuses: 'they don't want to be free' don't cut it.
Hermione is compassionate (as response to your 'angel of mercy' comment on snapedom). She's the only one who constantly goes out of her way to help. She helps Neville (she's the one who releases him from jinxes, helps him not to fail class completely), she always, always helps Harry - and is considered the more boring, less fun best friend as a reward. (Sheesh, you really get me going here. ;) )
In her early teenage years, around book 4, she changes. She understands that the adults in her new world have a very odd way of right and wrong. She sees the lies of the press, the manipulations of the Ministry - and she sees that no one really does anything against it, except, apparently, Dumbledore (whom she trusts). And with Dumbledore as moral guidance - shudder...
She always had to act as a kind of mother to Harry, the poor orphan. Of course there is the substitute Molly, but in book 4 Hermione learns that Molly is a very silly, spiteful woman and loses trust in her abilities to protect anyone. She couldn't possibly know that Molly would pull a Ripely in book 7.
So Hermione takes up that mother role and fights as best as she can. There is no one there who could properly guide her: they all fail, from Dumbledore to McGonagall to everyone else. She is an efficient fighter, but she is also used to being right and knowing best. That's why she's so upset in Slughorn's class. She always tries to do things the right way and once again is slighted and defeated by nepotism, cheek and prejudice. So her own actions aren't morally impeccable. So her compassion as a teenager isn't what it used to be? Yes, that's true, and I don't blame her for that one bit. She is that way, and what I try to do is lead her gently back to what's inside her. This goes with fights, misunderstandings - and love. Hopefully. ;)