The Hogwarts refreshment witch

[Janet Anderson]

No: HPFGUIDX 104673

>  What about the lady with the
>goodies trolley on the Express.  She is definitely stated to be a
>witch, so what is she doing pushing trollies around for a living?
>Was she a Hogwarts drop-out or are only certain little wizards and
>witches offered the chance of a first-rate magical education. And
>what criteria do they use to choose them?

It is my impression that the magical quill writes down the name of any child 
born with magical abilities within whatever geographical area Hogwarts 
covers.  (I believe there's a geographical limit because we know there are 
other magical schools elsewhere, and because otherwise Hogwarts would have 
to serve the magical needs of the entire world, which seems unlikely.)

However, re: the witch with the food trolley, first of all that is probably 
not her only employment since the Hogwarts Express, as far as we know, only 
runs twice a year.  We have no idea what she may do the rest of the time.  
She could be *anything.*  She could be the driver's wife.  She could be a 
former Hogwarts professor who's retired but enjoys having occasional contact 
with students.  She could be an employee of the Cauldron Cake manufacturers 
or some other of the confectioners mentioned. She could be (I don't believe 
this one, but I like it) a well-trained security witch who, if Lupin hadn't 
done it, would have come back down the aisle with motherly smiles and offers 
of chocolate after the Dementors searched the train -- and who will be a 
Great Big Surprise to the Death Eaters if they ever attack the train.


Janet Anderson

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