Hermione's age - why it matters was Canon disagreement; author intent

[hp_lexicon]

No: HPFGUIDX 39456

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "alhewison" <Ali at z...> wrote:

> I was so adamant that I was right about my interpretation, that I 
> dared to challenge "Steve of the Lexicon" offlist - only to 
presented 
> with the only piece of canon on the matter. From memory this was 
> Dumbledore calling Harry and Hermione "13 Year old wizards" at the 
> end of POA - implying that Hermione must have her birthday after 
> Harry. Of course, being stubborn I think that JKR simply over-
> generalised here, and Hermione MUST be older than Harry. 

Alright, enough of this treating me like I'm somehow different than 
everyone else. I don't have any sort of inside track here on what's 
canon and what isn't or what's more right. I'm just some guy. My 
opinion doesn't count for more than anyone else's. 

But I do have rules for my own site, and those rules are that when 
all else fails, I go with what's in the book. Personally, I think 
that Hermione might very well be older than Harry. But until actual 
evidence crops up to prove it one way or another, I just go with 
what the book says. I realize that what the books says can be 
interpreted as a generalization on Dumbledore's part, but that's 
what he said and there's nothing else to prove otherwise. Our 
(probably true) assumptions that JKR is following the British system 
for her school is not proof on the same level of a statement in the 
book, even if that statement is problematic. 

And please, before anyone says that I'm making some sort of 
arbitrary rule about which shaky evidence is more correct, note that 
I said that I only make such rules for my website. I have to have 
those kinds of rules in order to do my work. I don't care a fig 
about what sort of rules everyone else wants to use. And I don't 
expect everyone to use my rules. 

Also, you will note on the Lexicon that I include a paragraph 
explaining why I went with the date that I did and giving the 
alternate point of view. In fact, if someone wants to write a nice 
concise analysis of the arguments pro and con, I would consider 
publishing it. I hvae email all the time from people begging me to 
publish more essays.

I am not some sort of "canon policeman" and I don't make canon rules 
for fandom. I'm just a lowly librarian who is more than ready for 
summer vacation to start (in two days and counting...praise the Lord)

Steve

ps I've added a few things to the Lexicon, and coming soon is an 
absolutely incredible calendar of GoF by AmyZ which will knock your 
socks off!