#hogwarts letter
My First visit to the Diagon Alley.
-Colin Creevey
My Hogwarts pet, Butterscotch. So cute! Love her so much. ❤️
-Colin Creevey
I’m just so excited to mix all these ingredients and stir them and make different magical Potions!
-Colin Creevey
My very first Potions Kit everyone!
-Colin Creevey
When I did my Hogwarts robes shopping for the first time.
-Colin Creevey
I wanted to meet Mr. Lockhart so much as he’ll be signing his books in Flourish and Blotts after few days but I don’t think I’ll be able to come back then. Some people in the bookshop told me about all the great heroic stuff he’s done. Maybe I’ll get to meet him at Hogwarts if he’s this famous.
-Colin Creevey
Diagon Alley.
Here comes Colin Creevey with his camera, Hogwarts!
July, 1992
Hello fellow witches and wizards! I’m a muggle-born (or that’s what the wizard who came to give me my letter told me I was). Today I received my Hogwarts letter telling me that I was a wizard and now I will be going to the best school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the whole Britain, that is Hogwarts. I’m so excited! It’ll be such an adventure. I’ll be keeping my camera with me all the time and taking as many pictures there as I can. I’ll post them here.
-Colin Creevey
It’s September 1st, which means it’s time to go back to Hogwarts! Hope a niffler didn’t swipe your acceptance letter!
This beautiful art was made by the amazing artist @jasminedragonart thank you so much for making this for my friend
So I know it’s usually assumed by the fandom that you’re automatically enrolled in whatever wizarding school is closest to you, but I don’t think this holds up.
Draco Malfoy at one point mentions that his parents had discussed which school to send him to, which confirms that the parents of students do have a choice.
I won’t go into authorial intent, but with only 40 students a year Hogwarts can’t even be the only British option.
The acceptance letter Harry received requires a response to let them know you’ll be attending, which implies you can turn down your acceptance.
Normal students also have a descion making window between receiving their Hogwarts letter and the reply deadline, which wouldn’t be necessary if there are no options to discuss.
Harry’s lack of options is an exception. Why exactly this is remains up for debate- it seems to be implied throughout the books that the Dursleys aren’t Harry’s full legal gaurdians, and their input doesn’t seem to be required for major decisions.
I also think it’s relevant that Harry is supposed to know about the wizarding world- Hagrid is shocked to learn that Harry doesn’t, and calls it a “scandal”. It stands to reason that because of this Harry missed out on any introduction that muggle raised students would normally receive, and we can only speculate how that’s done.
I think what is likely under normal circumstances is the local wizarding government informs muggleborn families of the child’s magic and explains their education options, and then the families apply to various schools and choose from one that accepts the child.
My guess would be that muggle born students are introduced early enough to accommodate for the speed of muggle post and travel at least as far back as when the ministry of magic was created (1707) but probably even earlier.
