“Ready, are you?”
It was Uncle Vernon, still purple-faced, still mustached, still looking furious at the nerve of Harry, carrying an owl in a cage in a station full of ordinary people. Behind him stood Aunt Petunia and Dudley, looking terrified at the very sight of Harry.
“You must be Harry’s family!” said Mrs. Weasley.
“In a manner of speaking,” said Uncle Vernon. “Hurry up, boy, we haven’t got all day.” He walked away.
Harry hung back for a last word with Ron and Hermione.
“See you over the summer, then.”
“Hope you have — er — a good holiday,” said Hermione, looking uncertainly after Uncle Vernon, shocked that anyone could be so unpleasant.
— Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
What does "look after" in the context mean? Is she looking at the back of Uncle Vernon?
Best Answer
I believe Hermione wasn't certain that Harry was going to have good holidays going by his Uncle's shocking rudeness but still wished him nevertheless.
"Looking after" in the context means that she was looking at Harry's Uncle while wishing Harry goodbye and hence that implied pause ( — er — ) in her chain of thoughts and that in effect gave her that uncertain feeling.