Ages of Hogwarts students

[Liz Muir]

No: HPFGUIDX 41985

Richelle wrote:
>>Now, on to other characters.  According to JKR in an online
interview, Ron's birthday is March 1st.  So I assume he would've
received his letter on or shortly before his birthday, and begun
attending Hogwarts the following September.  Which makes him almost 5
months older than Harry.  That makes sense.<<

I always assumed that all students got their letters in the summer,
sometime around the end of July. This would correspond to muggle
students, who receive letters regarding admissions all at the same
time, not when their birthday is. They are all sent out at once in bulk
so all students can prepare for the new school year. What if your b-day
was Sept 1? You would have only a few days to prepare! Also, the number
of days (7-10? can't remember) before Harry's birthday that his letters
come doesn't seem particularly calcuated. Also, in the following years,
all students receive their letters at the same time. (see COS, erm,
when Harry it at the Weasleys? ^^ books not available)

>>So how does it work?  Letter early and start early or wait nearly a 
year?  Is it like Muggle school where you have to be a certain age by
Sept 30th?  If she received her letter even three weeks early and ran
out the next day to buy her supplies, she certainly did have a lot of
reading done in that short time.  However, if she received her letter
on her birthday and started the next year she would've had plenty of
time to absorb the books and practice simple spells.<<

I would assume that there is an age cutoff similar to muggle schools.
Just judging by Hermione's character, I think she was only ten when she
came to Hogwarts. She seems the type to enter school early. :)


=====
Rowen Avalon (Liz Muir)

"We will not examine how grainy the frosting is. It's a cake. That's all we need to know."
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"I have nothing but contempt for a man who can spell a word only one way."

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