Polyjuiced Hermione

[Jason]

No: HPFGUIDX 106303

Hey everyone! I was rererererereading  CoS with a hilighter pen 
looking for those all important clues JKR says are in there and I 
noticed something odd. Not really something I believe is a clue but, 
something that just doesnt make much sense plot wise.

Why does JKR go through the extra words and pages to turn Hermione 
into a cat? The boys didnt find out any information or get into any 
trouble that would have benefited Hermione not being a part of. 
Nothing comes of her stint in the hospital wing. 

Why not let her take part in the investigation? Is this just showing 
us that polyjuice is only for humans? To perhaps negate the question 
in later books of "why couldnt they just polyjuice themselves rather 
than become animagi?" 

Hmmmm. Perhaps I just worked out the answer myself.

But does anyone else find it odd or have any other views on the 
subject?

Jason