Twins' age and when they leave Hogwarts

[lupinesque]

No: HPFGUIDX 43239

Jodel asked:

> Where exactly does it say that the WW counts 17 as being "of age"? 
This is 
> largely accepted in fandom, but I seem to keep missing the actual 
reference 
> if there is one. 

GoF, chapter 12.

"Only students who are of age--that is to say, seventeen years or 
older--will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration."

What is not clear is how this corresponds to being "of age" in the 
Muggle world (what kind of "of age" anyway?  drinking, marriage, 
military service, voting . . . ?  and *which* Muggle world?).  What 
is clear is that it does not correspond to departure from school, as 
people who have barely begun their 6th and 7th years are allowed to 
participate in the Tournament, being deemed "of age," and as you 
point out, people finish school at different ages.

Amy Z

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"Professor Dumbledore offered Dobby ten
Galleons a week, and weekends off," said 
Dobby . . . "but Dobby beat him down, miss."
               -HP and the Goblet of Fire
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