Christmas present pattern...

[Devika]

No: HPFGUIDX 131820

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "rosered2318" 
<rosered2318 at y...> wrote:
> I couldn't find whether or not this had been discussed but did 
> anyone else notice an abrupt change in Hermione's presents to 
> Harry?  


I think that Hermione's presents over the years, including the 
homework planner, have all been appropriate to the time that they 
were given.  See below.  

 
> Book 1:  Chocolate Frogs  (yummy - and he collects the cards)

At this point, Hermione and Harry have only been friends for a couple 
of months.  Chocolate Frogs seem like a good "generic" gift for a 
friend you haven't known long enough to get him something really 
personal.  And it's even better since Hermione probably knows that 
Harry collects the cards.
    

> Book 2:  Luxury Eagle Feather Quill (practical, but with a pleasing 
> appearance)

Definitely a useful gift.  It's very nice and I'm sure Harry liked it 
and used it.  It's not very personal either, IMO, but I still think 
it's an appropriate gift. 
 

> Book 3:  Birthday - Broomstick Servicing Kit (woah!), Christmas - 
> don't find out (fiasco with a Firebolt)

The Broomstick Servicing Kit is a great gift.  Again, it is very 
practical, but it also shows that Hermione knows how much Harry cares 
about his broom and enjoys flying.  The perfect blend of practical 
and personal, IMO.


> Book 4:  Birthday - A cake (perfect for our starving Harry) 
> Christmas - Quidditch Teams of Britian and Ireland (a book but at 
> least its about Quidditch)

Exactly.  Both gifts manage to be practical, personal, and enjoyable 
at the same time.  


> Book 5:  Birthday - Honeydukes Chocolates  

I think that in this case, Hermione knows what Harry must be going 
through at the Dursley's during this particular summer, and she 
thinks he can use some cheering up.  IIRC (correct me if I'm wrong), 
Ron got Harry the same gift.  Overall, it's a good gift from two 
friends who want to be there for Harry but don't know exactly what 
they can do to help him.  



> and here is the drumroll....
> 
> Christmas is, of course, the ever-so-annoying homework planner.
> 
> 
> It seems to me as though this is the perfect kind of present 
someone 
> *thought* Hermione would give.  It is very practical and has to do 
> with school, but it doesn't match up with her previous gifts.  
Those 
> gifts were all personal and enjoyable on some level, but a nagging 
> homework planner?  It doesn't fit....
 

I think it fits perfectly.  As you said, Hermione's gifts up to this 
point have been both personal and enjoyable.  However, they have also 
been practical.  The homework planner is obviously practical.  Sure, 
it's not much fun, but I doubt that Hermione thought that there would 
be much time for fun with OWLs to study for.  I think an enjoyable 
gift that would detract from Ron and Harry's studying time would seem 
much more out of place here.  Hermione's gift, IMO, is thoughtful and 
entirely appropriate.  It shows that she cares about both Harry and 
Ron (all SHIPs aside).  She wants them to do the best they can on 
their OWLs, and she knows that she won't have the time to nag them to 
study since she'll be too busy studying herself.  So why not get them 
a gift that will nag them for her?  It only makes sense ;)

Now, if only she could get them to use the homework planners.  But I 
guess it's the thought that counts :)

One more thing:  I am absolutely not going to get into a SHIPping 
debate here, but I don't think we know what kind of gifts Hermione 
has gotten for Ron on all of his birthdays.  Until we do, I'm not 
sure that we can really use her gifts for Harry to support any SHIP, 
one way or the other.  And that's all I'm going to say about that! <g>

Devika