Fred and George...

[Lee]

No: HPFGUIDX 70520

Sorry if this has already been brought up, but it occured to me that 
there's a bit of a loophole concerning Fred and George.

We know they started their second year of school the year Harry 
started school. They are in their 6th year when Harry and Co are 
taking their O.W.L.S, Mrs. Weasley states when we meet her in SS that 
they are in second year and in Goblet of Fire the Weasley twins are 
upset that 16 year olds aren't allowed to put their names in for the 
Triwizard tournament. This, and everything else we've seen, puts them 
in 5th year in GoF. 

Now the loopholes. In the Prisoner of Azkaban, it says that Fred and 
George took their O.W.L.S that year, and didn't get that many, but 
they were in 4th year at the time. Also, in the first book, Fred and 
George are on the Quidditch team in their second year. Now this may 
seem like nothing, but the team hadn't even played a match yet, but 
Wood and the Twins acted as if they had been on the team the previous 
year, which would not have been because first years weren't allowed. 
Were the rules changed for them as well as Harry? O.o

Mix ups? Then, I noticed something. In Goblet of Fire, it states that 
the O.W.L.S, Odinary Wizarding Levels, are taken when a Wizard turns 
15. 

Does this mean that the students take their owls in whatever year 
they are 15? If thats the case, then wouldn't Fred and George have 
taken their N.E.W.T.S in OOtP because they are well over 17? I can't 
remember if they did or not, the book isn't in front of me.

Its strange, also, that the twins are about to turn 17 in april in 
Goblet of Fire, yet they didn't take their NEWTS in OOtP that I 
remember, and in PoA they are 15 and have taken their O.W.L.S. which 
would suggest that they would have been at Hogwarts for 8 years.

Did the twins fail their first year? would that explain the loopholes 
above? Any thoughts? I might be confused, and have things mixed up, 
but I kept doing double takes during my recent re-reading of the 
books. Correct me if I'm wrong, but its been bugging me just a tad.

Anyone who can explain it for me, I would be greatful. ^-^ Thanks!

Lee