I find it interesting that you make Ron be the insightful one when in cannon he is fairly dense when it comes to emotions and observations.
“Even though she was always defending Snape” in Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione actually believes that Snape would poison Remus; she just didn’t think he would do it in front of Harry.
Author's response
I do see Ron as insightful though at times--and he is one of the few people who can get thru to Harry--such as when Harry is convinced he's possesed by Voldemort--it's Ron and Ginny who convince him otherwise.
And Hermione has been one to defend Snape after that. POA is still fairly early--and after all in PA she believes along with Harry and Ron Snape is the one hexing Harry. But there's one remark often noted in OotP where Hermione admonishes the boys that after all Dumbledore trusts Snape--and if they don't trust Dumbledore's judgement than what then? She's also the one who's always quick to admonish them to treat them with respect and with his title. Not saying she necessarily likes him--but she is the one of the trio that in canon treats him with any respect or benefit of the doubt.
Thanks for the interesting comments.