[HPforGrownups] Muggle Hogwarts Notification and Attendance Options (WAS: Contacting parents)

[Kathryn Cawte]

No: HPFGUIDX 55981

 
Darrin:
 
> And, can a set of Muggle parents or guardians refuse to send their 
> child to Hogwarts, like Vernon wanted to do? 
 
 Phyllis:
 
Since Justin Finch-Fletchley tells HRH in Ch. 6 of CoS: "My name was 
down for Eton, you know, I can't tell you how glad I am I came here 
instead", I've always assumed that going to Hogwarts is an option 
rather than a mandate.  

Me-

Firstly I do think that Hogwarts is probably an option for most kids (as
Phyllis sid, with Harry being the exception - something I heartily agree
with regardless of his destiny, because James and lily would no doubt have
wanted him to go to Hogwarts).

However, I'm not sure the quote about Eton tells us anything one wy or
another because Justin would have had his name down for Eton way before his
letter came from Hogwarts - meaning that his comment would make sense if
Hogwarts had been compulsorary as well as if it wasn't. It also tells us
that Justin's parents are probably very very well off since Eton is one of
the premier public schools in England. Actually maybe their circumstances
made them happy to send him to Hogwrts - after all its long traditions and
strange customs (robes etc) wous seem perfectly run of the mill to parents
who were expecting their child to go to Eton.

K