harry potter - Why didn't Molly Weasley remember the platform number?

In the first Harry Potter book, Molly is seen asking her children "what platform number is it again?"

Heart hammering, Harry pushed his trolley after them. They stopped and so did he, just near enough to hear what they were saying. 'Now, what's the platform number?' said the boys' mother. 'Nine and three-quarters!' piped a small girl, also red-headed, who was holding her hand. 'Mum, can't I go...' 'You're not old enough, Ginny, now be quiet. All right, Percy, you go first.' (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter Six, "The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters")

Why didn't she remember on her own? She would have been bringing kids there for the past 10 or so years, not to mention her own years at Hogwarts.

Answer

The way it’s described in the books makes it sound like it was just a question for Ginny to answer:

“Now, what’s the platform number?” said the boys’ mother.

“Nine and three-quarters!” piped a small girl, also red-headed, who was holding her hand. “Mum, can’t I go…”

The boys go straight through the barrier, so they must be standing right next to it. It follows that Mrs. Weasley has led them to the right platform, so she does know what it is.

There’s no mention of her being flustered or frustrated (or at least, no more than you’d expect with Fred and George for sons) about being unable to find the platform.

ETA: I’ve seen several comments saying that perhaps this was a movie thing; it isn’t. This is what Molly says in the film, which Harry overhears after talking to the station staffer:

…same every year of course, packed with Muggles! Come on: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters this way.

She doesn’t seem particularly flustered or concerned, except to keep Ginny close by her side, and to make sure they all get through the barrier safely. There’s never any question about what the platform number is.

Comments

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