One reason could be the writer's desire to create a more relatable Hermione. By making her less smart, she might seem more human with flaws. Another reason could be to shift the focus to other characters. If Hermione is not the all - knowing one, other characters can step up and show their own intelligence or problem - solving skills.
Well, in fanfiction, the writers might be trying to break the mold. They could be tired of the 'perfect Hermione' image from the books. By making her not so smart, they can explore different aspects of her personality. Maybe they want to show that her intelligence was more of a front or that she has insecurities about not being as smart as everyone thinks. It could also be a way to introduce a new Hermione who has to learn and grow in a different way, rather than relying on her pre - existing intelligence.
Well, one reason could be that she discovers some long - lost family inheritance. Maybe her family had a hidden vault full of gold and magical artifacts that she stumbles upon. It's a common trope in fanfiction to give characters unexpected inheritances.
One possible reason is Snape's prejudice. He might have some sort of bias against Gryffindors in general, and Hermione, being a very Gryffindor - like student, gets the brunt of it. He may expect her to make mistakes typical of Gryffindors like being overly bold without thinking. Another factor could be that Hermione is so intelligent and inquisitive that Snape feels threatened. He likes to be in control of the knowledge in his classroom, and Hermione's constant questions and thirst for knowledge might make him act tough towards her.
Maybe it's because Hermione has unique qualities. Her intelligence and strength might attract James, and his possessiveness could stem from a fear of losing someone so special.
One possible reason could be a powerful spell gone wrong. Maybe she was caught in the crossfire of a dark magic spell that Snape was either trying to counter or was involved in accidentally. Another reason might be extreme emotional shock. For instance, if she discovered some dark secret about Snape that was so overwhelming it sent her into a catatonic state.
One possible reason could be his past experiences. Maybe he had some bad encounters when he was younger that made him self - conscious.
One possible reason could be a misunderstanding. Maybe Hermione was wrongly accused of something, like cheating in schoolwork, and her friends believed the false rumor without giving her a chance to explain. Another reason might be jealousy. If Hermione was achieving too much academically or magically, her friends could have felt overshadowed and distanced themselves from her.
In some fanfictions, this might be explored. One possible reason could be the allure of the 'opposites attract' concept. Hermione is known for her studious and rule - abiding nature, while a snarky Snape in fanfiction might represent a wilder, more unpredictable side. It could also be a way to explore a different kind of dynamic between two complex characters that the original series didn't fully develop.
Well, it might be that Hermione has seen Harry's impulsive side a bit too much. She's a very logical person, and Harry's tendency to jump into dangerous situations without fully thinking things through could be a turn - off. In the fanfiction, she may also feel that Harry has too much of a hero complex, and she doesn't want to be in a relationship where she's constantly worried about him getting into life - threatening situations. Maybe she also values her friendship with Harry so much that she's afraid a romantic relationship could ruin it and she decides to reject him to preserve their friendship.
One reason could be the author's desire to rewrite the relationships in a more edgy way. They might think that making Hermione mean to Harry will attract more readers who like drama.
Sometimes, the plotlines in fanfiction can be a bit outlandish. If Ron is constantly getting into trouble in a way that Hermione has to constantly clean up after him, it would be understandable for her to be fed up. This could be different from the more equal partnership they had in the original series.