Ages of Hogwarts students

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 41944

I've been wondering about the ages of Hogwarts students in their first year in relation to getting their letters.  Harry's letters started coming before his birthday and of course when it was determined that he was not receiving them, Hagrid was sent to fetch him.  Harry, of course, turned 11 on July 31st, one month and one day before term began at Hogwarts.  

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.

Finally, Hermione.  JKR stated that her birthday is September 19th.  So, did she receive her letter early and start at Hogwarts when she was still 10?  Or did the letter tell her to come the following year?  If she began the year that she turned eleven, though still ten for 2 1/2 weeks, she would be about 6 weeks younger than Harry, 6 1/2 months younger than Ron.  On the other hand, if she received her letter after term had begun and had to wait till the next September to start at Hogwarts, she would be 5 1/2 months older than Ron, and 10 1/2 months older than Harry.

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.  

Any thoughts on the matter?

Richelle

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Richelle R. Votaw
1st grade teacher
Kentwood Elementary
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