Christmases & Birthdays

[jklb66]

No: HPFGUIDX 35492

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "tanie_05" <tanie_05 at h...> wrote:
> Hi. Just thought of something. Have you ever noticed that no else's 
> birthday is highlighted in the books? I mean for all we know, Harry 
> hasn't gotten neither Ron or Hermione a birthday present. Where are 
> their gifts, better yet, when are their birthdays? Same goes for 
> Christmas. Ron & Hermione give Harry a present but where's their 
> gifts from Harry? I think our friend is being a bit selfish. If I'm 
> wrong please let me know. I'm just a little bothered by this 
though. 
> Oh well.
> 
> -Kyrstyne(who is a little shocked Harry could even possibly be so 
> selfish...the horror! :-O)

During Harry's first year, there is no way he could get gifts for his 
friends.  At this point in his life, the only time he's ever been 
shopping with money in his pocket was in Diagon Alley with Hagrid, 
and he didn't know Ron or Hermione yet.  

In his second and third years, I don't think there is a mention of 
what Harry gets his friends (it bothered me too) but I'm hopeful that 
they just aren't mentioned. And don't forget, shopping is still a 
problem.  He gets to go to Diagon Alley once a year and he 
isn't "allowed" in Hogsmeade yet.  Shopping in muggle stores won't 
work because he doesn't have muggle money. Harry will just have to 
owl-post order like Hermione does.

In his fourth year, we know that Harry gives both Ron and Hermione 
omnioculars at the Quidditch World Cup and says to Ron "It's your 
Christmas present for the next ten years," so Ron won't feel bad 
about the high price. Then at Christmas, Harry does give Ron a 
Christmas present as well. I'm sure if Ron got one, Hermione did too; 
it just isn't mentioned becuase she, unlike Ron, doesn't get upset 
about it.

When are Ron and Hermione's birthdays?  Hermione says in PoA that 
hers is in September, and I read somewhere (The Lexicon?) that Ron's 
is March 1.