Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Theme of Principles

The most obvious show of principles in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is Hermione's foundation of the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare. Hermione has Very Strong Views about what should happen to house-elves, and she immediately expects everyone – wizards and house-elves alike – to flock to her message. She has to find out the hard way that social change doesn't work that way. Even if she does have some right on her side, she can't just wave her wand and make the whole world change to suit her moral standards. Another principled character (in a horrible way) is Barty Crouch, Jr., who has absolute faith in his master, Voldemort. If there's one lesson we can learn from Goblet of Fire, it's that believing strongly in your own principles doesn't necessarily make you morally righteous or correct. Principles can be misguided, even if you believe in them wholeheartedly.

1. What principles should a journalist live by? What do the people have a right to know, and what does an individual have a right to keep secret?
2. What are Hermione's principles? How does she apply these principles to the world she sees around her? Do Hermione's principles undergo a change over the course of Goblet of Fire? Why or why not?
3. Who's the most principled character in Goblet of Fire? Why? What are this person's principles, and how does he or she apply them?