Did Harry Exchange Galleons for Pounds?

[Linda]

No: HPFGUIDX 58991

I , Linda, wrote

> > At some point did Harry convert some of his 
> > wizard money to muggle money? It seems to me that he needed a 
few 
> > things from muggle stores and there is no way the Dursley's 
footed 
> > the bill. For example, when did he get his trunk? There is no 
> > mention of him buying one while at diagon alley with Hagred and 
I 
> > doubt the Dursley's would have given him even a rotted out one 
> since 
> > they refused to help in any way with his preparations for 
attending 
> > Hogwarts. 
> 
 innermurk replied:

> I always assumed he bought it in Diagon Alley. He got lots of 
things 
> that we weren't told about. We only really saw him buying his wand 
> and getting measured for his robes. The other things are only 
> mentioned in passing....and I figured he got everything he needed 
> there.

 Linda responds:
  I just don't see how it could have been done. Another example 
occured to me. HOw did Harry get back to the Dursley's after his 
shopping trip with Hagrid? Did Hagrid give him muggle money to take 
a cab from the train staion? I'm sure the Dursley's didn't meet him 
off the train. If everything Harry needed was bought in that one 
trip, how did Harry manage all those packages, plus a huge trunk, 
plus Hedwig's cage all by himself after Hagrid left him at 
Paddington station?

> Linda continued:
> There is no mention in Cos or PoA of what he wears for 
> > muggle clothing but is he still wearing Dudley sized clothes 
under 
> > his robes? I would think we would be shown his selfconciousness 
> > about it, especially right after his initial arrival at Hogwarts 
in 
> > SS, if he was still wearing clothes that didn't fit. Did he go 
> > shopping in London before Hagrid put him on the train back to 
> Surrey?
> > In PoA he has outgrown his robes, does he somehow get some new 
> > muggle clothes as well? What about pajamas? There is referance 
to 
> > the fact that he is still wearing Dudley's rejects in GoF but if 
he 
> > did buy some clothes that fit he would probably be smart enough 
not 
> > to wear them at the Dursley's house or they would wonder how he 
> paid 
> > for them? He certainly doesn't want them to know about the money 
> his 
> > parents left him. I think also, if he was wearing clothes that 
> > didn't fit, Draco would have used it to taunt him at some point.
> > What does everyone else think.
> 
> 
> I innermurk reply:
> 
> Actually the books say robes. No mention of muggle clothing except 
to 
> get onto the platform. The movies show them wearing muggle type 
> clothing underneath their robes, but that is NEVER what I 
imagined. I 
> always figured the robes were their uniforms.
> After all, if wearing muggle clothing under robes was something 
> everyone did, why would they have trouble dressing like muggles 
> during the Quidditch world cup?
> 
> So, I see Harry as having only the baggy Dudley-sized muggle 
clothing 
> to wear to and from school and during the summer holidays. And his 
> school robes to wear during the year.

 Linda again:
   
    I agree that the robes were the actual uniforms but as drafty as 
the castle is described as being, I would think they would have 
something on under them- especially during the winter months- or 
everyone would have smoke coming out of their ears all the time due 
to pepper-up potion. We never see Harry tripping over baggy pants 
when he's running so IMHO he is wearing clothes that fit. 
Additionally, in many instances, Harry is wearing muggle clothing 
when he is with the Weasleys(example: The Quidditch world cup) and 
there is no mentin of embarressment on his part or even any comment 
from Molly. Even though Molly tries too refrain from saying anything 
bad about the Dursleys in front of Harry I would think she would try 
to remedy Harry having ill-fitting, ratty clothes. We simply don't 
see anything of that nature.
    In other words, innermurk, I see your point but I still have 
doubts.

   -Linda