Why buy 5 sets of Lockhart's book?

[frugalarugala]

No: HPFGUIDX 113670

>  romuluslupin1:
> *snip* Why did the Weasleys, who are reputedly so poor, spend so 
much 
> money on 5 sets of Lockhart's books.  
> 
> Amy here: 
> I guess after the trip to Egypt, my thoughts on the Weasley's are 
> that they are not-so-poor, ...they don't have all the gold that 
> traditional "pure-blood" families are "supposed" to have, but they 
> still have enough to live on... kinda like America's middle 
> class...what I mean is,
>  1. they did buy all the sets of Lockhart books.
>  2. They bought treats for the boys that became prefects.
>  3. When Mr. Weasley won the contest, they didn't save for other 
more 
> practical stuff, they took a trip. 
> Now I look at this like, they either don't manage their money well, 
> or they are just frugal, and don't put much on the need for all new 
> stuff.

Frugalarugala: 
I agree with Amy C., I just wanted to suggest that this might have 
something to do with Molly's background. Remember the thread about 
Molly being from a slightly lower social class than Arthur? I think 
this might be further evidence. What I mean is, she doesn't seem to 
hesitate to get the kids what they NEED for school (the books...) but 
non-necessities (like new dress-robes and hand-me-down wands) are 
places to scrimp. Then there are the unexpected expenses like Ron's 
broken wand...

Arthur's the one I wonder about, moneywise. Maybe it's just because 
I've always taken Molly as the frugal scrimper, but I don't see him 
as the same way. I mean, the knitting, the garden, I see Molly as 
cautious with money, but Arthur... Well, maybe it's just that I don't 
see him as very cautious in general. I mean, enchanting the Ford, 
fighting with Malfoy, Percy (it a government-job--ignore Fudge)... I 
just tend to see him as far more lack about rules, money, life in 
general...