A Postscript (Was: Re: A Clarification on Trial / Hearing and Other

[puduhepa98 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 166461

>G  
However, from the chapter currently under consideration, we
can only  determine that there were "about 50" (p. 126) wizards
present. We cannot,  unfortunately, determine whether all of
them were *voting* members or indeed  how old they were
(although I can concede that it is a fair assumption  [another
tricky word to me - hate assumptions, prefer facts, but  I
digress]. I suggest that the cote was quite close, due to  this
passage:

"Their were hands in the air, many of them ... more than  half!
Breathing very fast, he tried to count, but before he could
finish,  Madam Bones (not in any role as Chairman) had said,
'And those in favour of  conviction?'
Fudge raised his hand; so did half a dozen others,  including
the heavily-moustached wizard and the frizzy-haired witch in
the  second row." (p. 138)

It takes a moment, as implied by the three dots,  for Harry to
determine that more than half had voted in favour of his  being
cleared of all charges, and from that I conclude that it  was
relatively close. We know for a fact from the passage  quoted
immediately above 7 members voted for conviction. I propose,
based  on this, that not all the "about 50" (q. v.) wizards and
witches present were  actually *voting* members of the
Wizengamot for the purposes of Harry's trial  (
 
Nikkalmati
 
I find the time it takes Harry to count the votes very thin evidence for  the 
proposition that all of the Wizenganot members present did not vote.   He was 
under a lot of stress at the time and we don't know how well he could see  
from his position sitting below the benches.  We do know that seven members  
voted for conviction and that the result was immediately evident.  No  recount 
was required.  I propose that everyone present voted and that  it was not close.
 
Nikkalmati




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