numbers again

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 13028

Hi --

I've been enjoying this debate again, though not contributing.  I've
just been patiently moving the relevant messages to my Hogwarts FAQ
folder, hoping the topic will die down soon so I can tackle that last
FAQ.  <g>  Anyway ...

Jim Ferer wrote:

> There's seating for 1200 at the Yule Ball (JKR states that cold),

Actually, someone (sorry I can't remember who) made the very good point
that we're getting Harry's POV of how many tables there are & how many
people they seat.  He could just be overwhelmed when he makes this
observation (or just inaccurate).  What GoF says in any case is: "there
were *about* a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating *about* a
dozen people" (emphasis mine).  This doesn't seem highly definitive to
me, and I do believe that we're forced to take Harry's POV on this at
face-value.  But, he's nervous about needing to dance, and overwhelmed
by the changes in the Great Hall for this big event.  And, further, we
have no way of knowing if there were empty seats everywhere or not, do
we?  I can't remember if it was ever stated that every seat in the Great
Hall was taken or something along those lines.

As you can tell, I agree with Joywitch & the others in the "280-300
students" camp.  :--)

Penny


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