number of students

[Maya Crabtree]

No: HPFGUIDX 8280

>
>In CoS though, when Griffidore 2nd years have Herbology with the
>Hufflepuffs, there are about 20 pairs of earmuffs meaning that there are
>about 20 student with the two groups combined.  the 5 griffindor boys, plus
>the 3 girls that we know about (Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, and
Hermione)
>equals 7, leaving Hufflepuff with about 12 students in that grade.(prof.
>Sprout needs earmuffs too.)

Again, I appologize for replying so late, to an issue that has probabl
already been resolved... :

Well, I always assumed (I am not sure what I am basing this on though) that
there were 5 boys and 5 girls in Harry's year Gryffindor. Okay, we don't
really hear of anyone but Lavender and Parvati, but it makes sense, and I am
nearly sure it's mentioned SOMEWHERE that they are 10 in most of their
classes. I am also pretty sure there are no more boys. So I don't think that
Hufflpuff has more. It makes sense, in general that all houses be more or
less the same size, and like the example you just presented, tehre are
several instances from which we can guess this. However, on the other hand,
it can't be that every house has the same number of people in it... I mean,
the sorting hat doesn't KNOW before someone wears it, how many are left to
sort, and of course, it doesn'sort them acocrding to the desired equal
numbers in house sizes... I also wouldn't say it MORE DIFFICULT to get into
the two more "prestegious" houses... I mean, you don't have to be special. I
just had this discussion with my best friend, yesterday. We argued as to
what exactly the sorting means? does it mean that the person sorted into
that house will actuall prove his sorting? I mean, Lavender and Pervati
don't exactly prove to be "Brave at heart" or whatever it was. I argued that
the sorting hat simply sorts the less obvious people according to which out
of the 4 main characteristics the person being sorted is more LIKELY to
show, and according to which characteristic of his, (if he is strong in more
than one ) would help him more, which will help him to fulfill his potential
more. I think.... ;-) maybe I should re-read the parts with the sorting hat
again, in the books.

Maya
(please, from now on, just take for granted that I reply to most messages
several dyas late  - thanks. ;-) )