# of Students Each Year

[plinsenmayer]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C6265
From: plinsenmayer
Subject: # of Students Each Year
Date: 8/8/00 4:38 pm  (ET)

Hi:

First off -- you guys are so prolific, and we can't even blame it on the
UberPoster, Neil. I can't believe how many messages I want to respond
to. I'm combining some of the # of students thoughts into this message.

I'm afraid I agree with Vicki -- I think Catlady's numbers seem off and
are speculative. I see no evidence whatsoever from the books or public
statements by JKR for us to assume that there are more than 5 Gryffindor
boys in Harry's year. I agree with Vicki that theorizing is great, but
you do need to base it in concrete evidence. The books & JKR's public
statements are the best sources. They aren't necessarily the *only*
sources. But, with respect to the number of students, I can't think of
any other reliable sources other than the books or JKR interviews.

The Quidditch match where there are supposedly 200 Slytherin supporters:
I would imagine a fair number of alumni show up from time to time to see
the Quidditch matches. Certainly a fair number of Hogsmeade residents
would show up for those matches I would think. This most easily explains
the large crowds at the Quidditch match. I just don't think that the
numbers of fans attending a Quidditch match is the best evidence to use in
determining the general student population of Hogwarts in any given year.

On the other hand, I also don't subscribe to the theory that there are
exactly 5 boys & 5 girls per House per year (not if we believe the
Sorting Hat sorts people according to their abilities, personality,
ambitions, etc.).

My guess is that there are *about* 8-12, maybe 8-15 students per House
per year. I think the total student population is likely somewhere
between 225-300 students at any given time. There were some lengthy posts
about this at some earlier point, and yes the FAQs committee will find
them. Sorry, I can't give any more concrete evidence for my own views
at this point, but the FAQs will address it.

Catlady is right though: the FAQs should (and will) include all theories
advanced or at least a reference to messages to review for contradicting
theories.

Penny