[HPforGrownups]

[Pen Robinson]

No: HPFGUIDX 44928


On Thursday, October 3, 2002, at 04:28 , responding to the Re: 
obstruction of justice thread, pippin_999 made passing mention that:

> Riddle could have turned seventeen during his sixth year, just as
> Fred and George did. JKR has also said that when Harry turns
> seventeen he'll be allowed to do magic outside school.
>

I think this point has come up several times, and this morning I happen 
to be in a mood to comment, so here we go.

*Everyone* turns seventeen during the sixth year at Hogwarts*.  Just as 
everyone turns twelve during the first year.  The academic year is from 
Sept 1st to Aug 31st.  From the readers' perspective, things are a 
little distorted by the fact that we see Harry's birthday at the 
beginning of the books, of course.  But it would be possible to define, 
say, the first year at Hogwarts as being 'the year during which the 
pupils have their twelfth birthday).

Angelina was able to enter the Triwizard Tournament because she (like 
Hermione) has a birthday early in the school year.  Fred and George grew 
beards because their birthdays were too late in the school year.  If 
Krum was 18, presumably he was still at school because he, too, has a 
birthday early in the school year.  Harry will not be 18 until he has 
left school, but it'll be within the period of his seventh year.

Pen

* For as far as we know, nobody is promoted a year ahead of his/her age 
group.