Hermione Lodge

"Yeah, we're surviving, Ronnie, by our wits, because that's what we Lodge women do. If Dad could see us now."

- Hermione to Veronica

Hermione Lodge is a main character on Riverdale. She is portrayed by Marisol Nichols.

Hermione is the wife of Hiram Lodge and the mother of Veronica Lodge.

Character description
Hermione has now returned to Riverdale, eager to start afresh with her daughter following the scandalous incarceration of her husband.

Early life
Hermione grew up in Riverdale, during that time, she would go on to date Fred Andrews. Throughout her high school years, some would describe Hermione as a mean girl, she even believes her current misfortune was karma finally catching up to her. After she broke up with Fred, she married Hiram Lodge and the two moved to New York City. Together they had a daughter, Veronica. After Hiram was arrested for fraud and embezzlement, Hermione and Veronica left New York City and moved back to Riverdale. Hermione owns the luxurious apartment building, The Pembrooke, where she currently resides with her daughter.

Season 1
Hermione and her daughter, Veronica, pulled up to the Pembrooke, their new place of residence. She informed her daughter that while it may be small, the apartment is of top quality. Not to mention that it's the only piece of property in her name, and not her husband's. She was welcomed by Smithers, as they entered the building. Having been craving one of Pop Tate's cheeseburgers since noon, she and Veronica headed to the shoppe soon after.

Her next move was to seek out employment, starting with Fred Andrews at Andrews Construction. She noticed on his website that he was in need of a seasonal hire. They briefly discussed their complicated past, in which she left him for the rich kid. Fred explained that If it was up to him, he would hire Hermione, however, it isn't that simple, he can't have the wife of Hiram Lodge, who is currently on trial for fraud and embezzlement, balancing his books. Hermione returned home to find a bag of money, awaiting her. The following morning, she and Veronica stood at the shore of Sweetwater River as the local authorities brought to shore the body of Jason Blossom.

In spite of her forced smile, Hermione was unquestionably miserable at her new place of employment, Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe. Although, her first week is going better than Veronica's. They're surviving by their wits because that's what the Lodge women do. She couldn't even imagine what Hiram would say if he saw them in their current state, which for Hermione, was more of a Joan Crawford/Mildred Pierce look. As a red-headed boy entered the diner, who she referred to as a heart-breaker, Hermione quickly caught on to the awkward exchange going on between him and her daughter. It wasn't long before she discovered that he was Fred Andrews' son, Archie. Hoping it would force them to get past their issues, Hermione volunteered Archie to walk Veronica home.

Before she left for work, Hermione asked Veronica how her date with Chuck Clayton went, unfortunately, it didn't go well. That night, she worked catering for the Taste of Riverdale. Once there, she had brief run-ins with a couple familiar faces, the first being Fred Andrews. It wasn't long before she met face-to-face with her former rival, Alice Cooper. From her, Hermione learned that Veronica was being slut-shamed at school. After discovering what Veronica and Betty had resorted to in order to expose Chuck Clayton and the football team, Hermione managed to negotiate a lesser punishment for the two avenging angels.

A brief tiff took place between Hermione and Cheryl Blossom, as she worked the night shift at the diner. Cheryl wanted to make sure that all her money went into the register, since the Lodges are known for having sticky fingers. In response to Cheryl's nasty attitude, Hermione informed her that she went to school with Cheryl's mother, and that she didn't know the difference between having money, and having class either. Right outside the diner, behind a dumpster, Hermione engaged in a heated argument with the leader of the Southside Serpents. She would later come to find out that her clandestine meeting, wasn't so clandestine after all, as Veronica confronted her on the topic, she reminded Veronica that she grew up in Riverdale, Southside serpents may be dangerous thugs, but she attended high school with some of them.

Hermione secretly donated a large sum of money to Mayor McCoy's re-election campaign, in exchange, Lodge Industries gets the Twilight Drive-In. That night, she and Fred attended the drive-in together, they recalled senior year at the drive-in, where they shared a kiss, briefest of flings, Hermione said. In an ally, behind the drive-in, Hermione handed FP Jones, a brown bag filled with money, he claimed the money was short, and that he'd have to pay Hiram a visit, but as long as he's in jail, the serpents will have to deal with her. She is confronted by Veronica immediately following her return home, who had witnessed the transaction that took place at the drive-in. Hermione explained that she was handling business for Hiram, who had hired the serpents to decrease the value of the drive-ins land, so that they could purchase it at a cheaper price.

Hiram was a business man, he saw an opportunity, and he took it. Old Riverdale was dying out anyways, they were just helping it along. The only way for the Lodges to regain their wealth, is through business opportunities such as the drive-in.

As Hermione worked her shift at the diner, Fred arrived to pick up his order. Before leaving, he asked her out on a date, to which Hermione replied, they're both married, and that the outing at the Twilight Drive-In the previous night, was not a date. With the shoppe empty, Hermione began to clean, it wasn't until she heard a noise that she made her way to the front. Inside a box laying on the ground, was a dangerous rattle snake, she jumped back and screamed, then calling Fred for assistance in disposing of it. Fred would always be there for her, but he wondered why she wouldn't call the police or animal control, to which Hermione explained that she couldn't do that because she didn't trust the police, or half the people in Riverdale for that matter, only Fred.

The snake was a message to her, from the Southside Serpents, Hiram owes them money. She then thanked Fred but insisted that she couldn't tell him anything else as she doesn't want to get him any more involved than he already is. In spite of her feelings towards Penelope Blossom, Hermione attended the memorial of Jason Blossom to pay her respect, however, Penelope took it as a opportunity for Hermione to gloat. She ran into Fred at the memorial, and after the incident that took place at the shoppe last night, he decided to finally give Hermione that Job as his book keeper. Later, at the The Pembrooke, Hermione explained to Veronica the antagonistic relationship between their family and the Blossoms, but she still felt bad for them due to the loss of their son, she then proceeded to tell Veronica about the incident from the prior night with the Serpents.

During Hermione's first day on the job as the bookkeeper for Andrews Construction, she made an unsettling discovery, Fred only had enough money in the bank to pay his guys for two more weeks. Fred would be putting his business at risk if he didn't fire some people, but he explained that he was waiting to here about the bid for the new development, in which the construction for could put him back in the black. However, he didn't know who the buyer was, but since Mayor McCoy was handling all the arrangements for the buyer, Fred figured he'd present her with the bid, and he'd like for Hermione to be his co-host, to which she agreed, Hermione also offered to have the diner at her place, since it's nicer. She then playfully touched Fred's chest, which quickly escalated to kissing, unbeknownst to either of them that Veronica was watching. Interrogation ensued immediately following her arrival home. Veronica asked if she'd be getting a divorce from Hiram after the kiss with Fred.

She was sorry that Veronica had to witness that, she also had no idea what would happen once Hiram returned, it just happened, and she doesn't know what she can do to help Veronica through it. As planned, she held the diner party at her home, from Mayor McCoy, she learned that the buyer was already in the process of accepting another bid, it would take the signature of two share holders to stop the process. The next day, she approached Veronica with the motion to award Fred the construction contract, Veronica refuse to sign, just as Hermione refused to stop seeing him, but Veronica's refusal was no difficult task to over come, Hermione forged her signature. Hermione and Fred then attended the 75th annual Variety Show together, they applauded as Veronica took the stage with Josie and the Pussycats, then as Archie took the stage. Afterwards, Hermione congratulated Fred on winning the contract for the new development, although, Veronica was not too happy to here that.

After forging Veronica's signature for the new development contract, Hermione would come to learn that this treacherous act would not go unpunished. Veronica retaliated like only a Lodge woman would, she began with purchasing a number of expensive items, which they could no afford, the money that they did have was barely enough to cover their living expenses. Another encounter with FP Jones, the leader of the Southside Serpents, led Hermione to wonder if he was there, at Andrews Construction to shake her down for the supposed money she still owed him. However, FP explained that he had already been compensated by Hiram. That night, she informed Veronica that she would not go out clubbing due to the fact that it was a school night, but Veronica had a get out of jail free pass, so Hermione submitted.

Veronica wanted her mother to tell the truth about forging her signature. Hermione admitted that what she did was wrong and that she'd tell Hiram, but this did not prevent Veronica from leaving. She awaited her daughter's return, so that the two of them could negotiate their terms. She has feelings for Fred Andrews, but she can't say what it means yet, as she doesn't know. As for Hiram, he made his own decisions, which distanced him from Hermione, now she has to make own decisions about moving forward with her life, she asked Veronica to accept her affair until they get more information. In return, Veronica demanded that whatever was happening between her and Fred couldn't happen at the Pembrooke, and that she'd have to tell Hiram about forging her signature.

Hermione agreed to both as long as the online shopping came to an end. With that, the negotiation had come to a closing, and both sides were happy with the arrangement. As promised, with Veronica at her side, Hermione told Hiram the truth about the contract with Andrews construction, and how she forged her daughter's signature. From Veronica, she learned that Polly Cooper was on the run, and needed a place to live, so Hermione provided her with a room, telling Polly she could stay for as long as she needed to.

Hermione, Veronica and Betty sat in with Polly as she gave her statement to Sheriff Keller of the events leading up to Jason Blossom's death. The following morning, she and Fred suffered a major setback as his crew quit on the day of the SoDale project due to an offer from Cliff Blossom that they couldn't refuse. At breakfast the next morning, Betty and Veronica proposed that they throw Polly a baby shower, which Hermione was all for until she realized that Polly wanted her family and the Blossom family to attend. When this potentially catastrophic event presented itself, Hermione pulled Veronica to the side to inform her of just how deep the rivalry between the Coopers and the Blossoms go, it would be an inevitable bloodbath, Not to mention Hermione had been trying to avoid the Blossoms because they didn't know that Hiram was the anonymous buyer of the new development, and if they found out, it would be open war.

Hermione explained that the Blossoms had made a play for the land, hoping to stop construction, and while she and Fred had been attempting to keep it on track, he was still unaware that Hiram was the buyer. The timing of the baby shower was less than ideal, plus Hermione found it hard to believe that Alice would even attend the shower, which is why Veronica wanted her mom to have a mother-to-mother talk with Alice. Fred returned to the trailer after confronting Clifford to reveal what Hermione had already secretly known, that the Blossoms were in a grudge match with the mysterious buyer, and that they were caught in the cross hairs. While they were still without money or crew, Hermione and Fred received an unexpected surprise in the form of Archie, Jughead, Kevin, and Moose, all of whom had volunteered to assist them in staying on schedule for the SoDale project until they could hire a new crew. Fred was initially hesitant, but she reminded him that desperate times called for desperate measures.

Per Hermione's earlier conversation with Veronica, she deiced to meet up with Alice at Pop's shoppe, which Alice mistook as a chance at bragging rights after Hermione took in Polly. However, Hermione only sought to help, starting with telling Alice that it was time to face facts, and Polly wouldn't be the first young mother to raise a child, they both did it. Hermione urged Alice to be there for Polly at the shower, otherwise she'd regret it for the rest of her life. The next night, Hermione and Veronica hosted the baby shower as planned, greeting each person as they entered The Pembrooke, luckily, the night never got too far out of hand, and they ended the event without anyone getting hurt. On the SoDale project site the subsequent morning, Hermione had put in calls to Greendale and Centerville for construction crews, but in the mean time, they'd have to settle for several members of the Southside Serpents, led by FP.

As Fred went to get the Serpents settled, Hermione was informed by FP that the two thugs that attacked Moose and the Andrews Construction equipment weren't local, they were from Montreal. Both Hermione and FP realized that they had to have been affiliated with Hiram, as he had business in Montreal. He caught wind of Hermione's affair with Fred, and sent his men as a warning, but FP wondered who ratted her out.

Lawyers would be coming that week to take Hermione and Veronica's statement for Hiram's hearing since they both were going to have to testify on his behalf. Veronica wondered what she was to say if asked about her father's embezzlement charges, in which Hermione explained that they would have to stretch the truth. Between Hiram finding out about Hermione's secret love affair with Fred and the Blossoms still fighting for the land development, Hermione was under a lot of stress and pressure, not to mention that fact that Fred was still unaware that Hiram was the anonymous buyer. Veronica suggested that she tell Fred the truth before someone else did, even if it meant risking the SoDale project. The next day, Hermione had lunch with Veronica, Betty, Kevin and her latest friend, Ethel, who Hermione learned that her last name was Muggs.

Privately, Hermione informed Veronica that Ethel's father invested with Hiram, meaning their family was responsible for the recent troubles that Ethel's family was facing, as they were losing their home and their savings. Ethel's family would be testifying against Hiram, which Veronica agreed that they should, as her father had ruined so many lives, however, that was merely the downside of investing with Hiram, Hermione explained. Veronica then asked if Fred could lose everything in doing business with her and Hiram, which she was not sure of. Following her conversation with Veronica, Hermione had finally decided to tell Fred the truth, that she and Hiram were the anonymous buyers, a revelation that Fred did not take well. Fred exploded as she attempted to explain her reasons for deceiving him; had she told him the truth, he never would have gotten involved, which Fred agreed with as he does not do business with criminals.

Hermione was attempting to turn Lodge Industries legitimate, but she could only do that by partnering with businesses like Andrews Construction. Hermione confessed that while that was the reason for Cliff Blossom stealing his crew, it was Hiram that sent the two attackers, having found out about their affair. She understood that Fred was angry, but she pleaded with him to stay on the project because she would not be able to start over if Fred abandoned it. However, he was so frustrated that he exited the trailer before answering. The following night, Veronica returned home in tears, she was at the hospital with Ethel's father after he attempted to kill himself because of Hiram's actions, so Veronica was done lying for him.

The next day, Hermione announced that she had decided to sell the SoDale project to Cliff before it got any worse but Fred was against this as he announced that he would stay on the project under a few conditions. Fred informed her that everything they would do from that point forward would be legit, and that his stake was 20%, a percentage that he was not willing to negotiate on. Fred was tired of people like the Lodges using his family as pawns. Finally, Fred ended their romantic relationship, they would be nothing more than business partners after that.

Before Veronica headed off to school that morning, Hermione approached her, and introduced her to Paul Sowerberry, Hiram's attorney. He was there to prepare them for their statements and assist in Hiram's court hearing, however, Veronica still refused to testify on the account that her father had done terrible things. Paul's only request was that Hermione and Veronica speak to Hiram's character, in an effort to humanize him, which could possibly mean a lesser sentence. If Veronica refused to make a statement, that would be both problematic and damaging, something that Hermoine had already informed her of. Unfortunately, Hiram made his bed, now he had to sleep in it, Veronica said.

Later that day, Hermione learned from Veronica that Archie had previously overheard Cliff Blossom boasting over getting Hiram arrested. Hoping to learn more, Veronica uncovered her father's files from the basement, which revealed substantial monthly payments, over a course of 75 years, from Blossom Maple Farms to Lodge Industries, until five months ago when Hiram was arrested. They speculated that Cliff could have possibly implicated Hiram in order to get out of paying the monthly fee. However, Hermione refused to go to Hiram's lawyers with this information. If Clifford Blossom was at the center of this, people might begin to think that Hiram was responsible for Jason Blossom's Death, and she didn't need things getting any worse by bringing up questions that no one else was asking.

She then insisted that Veronica leave the Blossoms out of this discovery, Cheryl included. The next morning, at The Law Offices of Paul Sowerberry. Esq, Hermione was pleasantly surprised by Veronica's sudden change of heart to testify on Hiram's behalf.

After getting off the phone with Paul Sowerberry, Hiram's attorney, Hermione informed Veronica of the great news that their statements on Hiram's behalf made a huge difference. The judge was even inclined to give him a break, amounting in time served or just a few more months. Veronica wondered what would happen once he was released, and what would come of the crimes he had committed, including, possibly, the murder of Jason Blossom. Hermione was extremely frustrated at what she perceived to be a highly improbable theory. Hermione reminded Veronica that she needed to be supporting her father instead of demonizing him for incidents that she has no evidence to support.

Later that day, while at work in the trailer, Hermione had an unexpected reunion with Mary Andrews, who she had no idea was back in town. Mary recalled Fred mentioning something about Hermione working for him, he admired her chutzpah, which was a very Fred-like thing to say. However, it was a sentiment that Mary agreed with as she had been following the news around Hermione and her family. Hermione believed that to be karmic pay back for her being such a mean girl in high school. Looking to catch up after such a long time, Mary invited Hermione to the Homecoming with her and Fred.

The following night, as planned, she attended the dance with Fred and Mary, commenting that while it wasn't the, she was still grateful to be there. After a wonderful performance on stage by Archie and Veronica, in which they sung "Kids in America", Hermione longingly watch from her seat as Fred and Mary took the dance floor. After news got out that FP was arrested for the murder of Jason Blossom, Hermione and Veronica returned home, and discussed what their next course of action would be. If FP confessed, he might drag them into it because of their dealings with the Southside Serpents. If Hiram did hire them to kill Jason, Hermione promised Veronica that they would cut all ties to him, he would be dead to them.

That same night, following the Homecoming dance, Hermione made her way to Fred's house, where she was surprised to learn that Veronica and Archie had broken into FP's trailer. They rummaged through his home looking to find any evidence that would indicate his or Hiram's involvement in the murder of Jason Blossom. While they did not uncover any evidence, they insist that the gun Sheriff Keller found in FP's trailer wasn't there initially, and that he was being framed. Hermione wondered if they could've simply missed it. She then reiterated that a gun was found, FP was the killer, and that the case was closed.

Once home, Hermione began looking for her and Veronica's passports because there was no telling what FP was saying about them to the authorities. Regardless of the fact that she wasn't entirely sure if Hiram was involved in Jason's murder, they were known associates of the man currently being accused of killing Jason. They needed to be ready to run if the time called for it. Veronica noted that it would make them look guilty, which they were because Hermione bribed Mayor McCoy for the Twilight Drive-In land, forged Veronica's signature, and payed off the Southside Serpents. If this became public knowledge, things would get nasty, so she needed Ronnie to pack a bag just in case.

The next day, she was called down to the City Centre Motor Hotel after Archie and Veronica uncovered the body of a Serpent known as Mustang. They went down there hoping that Mustang would have some information about FP, but Hermione demanded that Veronica stop her search. Then came a deputy holding a duffel bag labeled "H. L.", that was filled with a large amount of money, which was found under Mustang's bed. Sheriff Keller assumed the bag belonged to Hermione, but Veronica corrected him, saying that it belong to her father of the same initials, and that he was doing business with the Serpents. This is all they way would without an attorney present, so upon returning home, she broke down, and collapsed, sobbing hysterically as Veronica held her close.

Later that night, Veronica apologized for ever thinking Hiram was responsible for the death of Jason Blossom as the true killer had been revealed to be Clifford Blossom. Everyone makes mistakes, Hermione said, but she had good news, Hiram would be coming home very soon.

Physical Appearance
Hermione is a very attractive middle-aged woman with tan skin, warm brown eyes, and long, wavy black hair. She is of average height, about 5'4" with a thin build. When not in her standard Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe employee uniform, Hermione often dresses very stylish and classy.

Personality
Hermione is a strong and confident, independent woman. She's also fairly intelligent, furthering along her plan to turn Lodge Industries into a legitimate business, leaving the Blossoms to wonder if they should have gotten her arrested instead of Hiram. While Hermione is a loving and caring mother, willing to do anything for Veronica, she's not so faithful as a wife. During Hiram's incarceration, she was having a secret love affair with Fred Andrews, up until he broke it off. Hermione also has hopes to regaining that luxurious and expensive life style that her family once lived, the life style that she loved so much and had grown accustomed to.

Relationships

 * Hermione and Veronica
 * Hermione and Fred
 * Hermione and Alice
 * Hermione and Penelope
 * Hermione and Hiram