Harry Potter vs Hermione: who would win a duel?

Harry Potter versus Hermione Granger: who wins? Hermione is the better witch when it comes to overall magical knowledge, but in a straight duel I think Harry has the advantage every single time.

At first glance, you'd probably think Hermione has the edge here. But knowing more spells is not the same as winning a fight, and even J.K. Rowling has addressed this exact matchup.

Hermione Granger has the edge in magical knowledge

Let's be real: Hermione is way smarter and way better with actual magic. She's constantly learning new spells and mastering complicated charms. She easily figures out problems her friends don't know where to begin with.

She managed to brew Polyjuice Potion in her second year. She created the enchanted coins for Dumbledore's Army. She performs all sorts of incredibly advanced magic throughout the series. So when it comes to overall magical knowledge, Hermione is definitely the better witch.

Harry Potter's talent for Defense Against the Dark Arts

Here's the problem for Hermione. "Knowing more spells doesn't automatically translate to being better in a fight." That's where Harry can start pulling ahead.

Harry is exceptionally talented at Defense Against the Dark Arts. By his third year, he could already produce a fully corporeal Patronus powerful enough to drive away an entire group of Dementors. Throughout the series, he repeatedly fights Death Eaters and survives encounters with Voldemort. He eventually becomes the person teaching defensive magic to Dumbledore's Army, including Hermione.

Hermione can hold her own, but I think Harry wins a straight duel

Hermione is absolutely capable of fighting. She used spells against Death Eaters and protected the trio during their hunt for Horcruxes. She repeatedly showed that she can hold her own.

But in a straight duel, I think Harry has the advantage every single time. He's got better combat instincts and more experience fighting opponents. He's also skilled at defensive spells like Protego and Expelliarmus.

J.K. Rowling says Harry would win from Prisoner of Azkaban onward

J.K. Rowling herself has addressed this exact question. She said Hermione probably would have beaten Harry during their earlier years at Hogwarts. But by the middle of Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry had developed an exceptional natural talent for defensive magic, and he would win from then on.

So even the author seems to think Harry would win once he starts learning how to fight. That makes sense to me, because "Hermione might be the better student, but Harry is the better fighter."