Hogwarts letters Re: Choosing sides

[Sharon]

No: HPFGUIDX 118773


Snow:
> This has brought to mind a new controversy. Who received the 
Hogwarts 
> letter for Tom Riddle; Tom or the institution? What might the 
> orphanage have observed of Tom's earlier magical abilities? Did Tom 
> realize his gift early on? The orphanage has guardianship over Tom 
> soooo who granted permission for Tom to attend Hogwarts? I suppose 
> that the orphanage could just realize the offer from Hogwarts as 
one 
> less mouth to feed but only until summer break. 

Not only that, but who paid the school fees?  We know that it's not 
exactly cheap to attend Hogwarts - I believe one of the Weasley kids 
mentions it in passing before or during a trip to Diagon Alley, and 
Molly hushes him quick.  But Tom, being an orphan and not having much 
of his own - how does he pay for schooling?

(Does Hogwarts have a scholarship program, maybe?)

I would think that Tom himself would receive the letter - after all, 
Harry's letters were made out to him, not to Petunia & Vernon, who 
were after all his legal guardians.  I believe also that JKR has said 
that in the cases of Muggle-born children, a witch or wizard is sent 
to explain to the parents the meaning of the letter.  This makes me 
think that something similar would have happened in Tom's case, to 
explain to the people in charge of the orphanage about Tom's special 
situation.

--azriona