[HPforGrownups] Just a few things I am not too clear on: Magic outside of Howgwarts, hidden clues

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 123236

I am a little confused on a few things that have happened in the books
the first of which is: why does Harry get in trouble for doing spells
outside of Hogwarts when we see Hermione doing spells at least a 
couple of times away from school, as well a Ron at least once.
The first time I notice was in SS/PS on the train, Ron tries to turn 
Scabbers yellow, and then Hermione fixes Harry's glasses.
She also mentions that she has tried simple spells that have all 
worked for her before. Do these instances not count because they have 
not started at Hogwarts yet?

In COS Hermione fixes Harry's glasses again at Diagon Alley.

Is this not seen as breaking the law of the resriction of underaged 
magic? 

The second question I have is: how important to the story is all of 
the hidden stuff that I have heard is in the books? Am I missing out 
on a whole lot of clues to what is happening?

"beth_bousquet" 

Sherry now:

I think you've got a little bit of what we lovingly call movie contamination
going on.  In COS, the book, it is Mr. Weasley who fixes Harry's glasses,
not Hermione.

Since JKR is writing the books, I'd say that the little hints in the books
are very important indeed.  She is a master at hiding very important things
in seemingly inconsequential details.  If you haven't read them, I strongly
recommend that you give them a try.  They will open the world of Harry
Potter to you as the medium-that-must-not-be-named never can.  

Sherry G