[HPforGrownups] The number 7 rune on JKR's website

[chnc1024 at earthlink.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 149634

> Now to speculate a bit. Perhaps the fact that there are 4 instead of 
> 3 appendages represent the 4 houses of Hogwarts.  I think that JKR 
> said in an interview that she wanted the Houses to represent the 4 
> directions. (I can't find the quote, but if anyone else can please 
> direct me to it. Thanks.)

> Tonks_op
>


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Chancie:

Here is the quote I think you were looking for.
It's from the interview after HBP with Melissa
from TLC, and Emerson from Mugglenet.

JKR: Probably. I hear you. It is the tradition to have four 
houses, but in this case, I wanted them to correspond 
roughly to the four elements. So Gryffindor is fire, 
Ravenclaw is air, Hufflepuff is earth, and Slytherin is water, 
hence the fact that their common room is under the lake. 
So again, it was this idea of harmony and balance, that 
you had four necessary components and by integrating 
them you would make a very strong place. But they 
remain fragmented, as we know.


Hope that helps!