Hogwarts Point System

[fred]

In the first 1 or 2 books(maybe even 3) when the teachers give or take points away its alot less then in 4&5. In book one when they got points for beating the cave troll that would have been at least 15-20 in the other books. Also for mischeif there was always 5 points taken away but in the later books its more.

This has confused me everytime i re-read the books. Does the point system change when u get in ur 3rd yr or did JK think 5 points wasnt enough punishment for wandering around the school at night?

[Scellanis]

It probably does depend on the year and the offence and how many times you have been naughty before....I mean...not like they behave, maybe its a deterent...perhaps the teachers are trying to stop them by taking away more and more points each time they catch them....

[Phinea Rogue]

Do you think that there is a fixed point system? Maybe the teachers take points also according to their personal opinions on students (e.g. Snape taking points from Harry...).

[Scellanis]

yeah, I think its totally up to the teacher although they may have some guidelines to base them on....

[fred]

But do u all understand what im asking? how in the 1st book 1 point in the 4th book was 5? and how harry and ron got 200 points each for the chamber. it all baffles me

[Nightcrawler]

I've noticed this too. I'd say a large part of the problem is just a mistake in the writing.

[Mint]

I think its because they were still little kids when they were in 1st grade, so punishments get tougher as you grow up and take on more responsibilities.

[Scellanis]

I doubt its a mistake in the writing...as I said above...perhaps punishment increases the more times you actually receive one. Its not like they behave...first offence you get 5 second offence you get more etc as a deterrant...not that it works.

Probably its totally up to the teacher who gives out the punishment aswell though perhaps there could be basic guidelines for them to follow.

But I mean.....after stealing a car and flying it to Hogwarts you'd rather expect that the punishments might get more severe

Theres also that they are getting older and should be more responsible and know better so perhaps older students get harsher punishments.

Its like in my Hall of residence...you lock yourself out...get a warning....do it again...get a warning....3rd time you get a £5 fine and fourth time you get a £20 fine....its designed to try and put you off reoffending...

[Augusta Longbottom]

and how harry and ron got 200 points each for the chamber. it all baffles me

I think a large amount of points earned for the chamber was right too because they were just children and really did some exceptional magic to save the stone. I suspect Dumbledore felt this was an amazing feat for children their age and now that he sees what they can do, other feats like this will get less points. It's like when a baby takes his first steps the mother practically sqeals over this amazing acheivement but as the child gets older and does some equally amazing things, there is no more squeal, just a good pat on the back or told "good job".

[Ferrus]

Well, I always understood it this way: The older the students get, the more responsible they (supposedly) are, so if they are cought breaking rules, the punishment will be larger, on the other hand, perhaps to balance things out, the prises they get are also larger.

[Mint]

Well, I always understood it this way: The older the students get, the more responsible they (supposedly) are, so if they are cought breaking rules, the punishment will be larger, on the other hand, perhaps to balance things out, the prises they get are also larger.

exactly! Its just like if you look in real life the little kids are not punished the same way as their older siblings are ^-^

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Yeah lol, exactly. I'm a younger sibling and my punishments aren't half as bad as my brother and sister's. Unlucky I'm a bookworm and never get into any real trouble, otherwise I could really milk it for all it's worth.
Not being mean or anything lol

[Hagger 9003]

yeh, but if snape hates harry so much he tends to take off five points for harry breathing in his lesson, how come in the first book snape takes of 1 point at a time, and harry is furious? i reckon its a writing trick. it makes you think that the points being lost in the later books are more.

what i want to kno, however, is how quidditch affects the house cup. i kno it does, but how? sometimes, it seems to be a set amount per win, but then the quidditch cup is even more confusing. is it a league? a knock out? its so confusing!!!!!!

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

The Quidditch Cup goes on a points system I think. Say 1 point for a win and no points for a loss. The most points at the end of the three games wins the cup. But if after two games two teams r tied on 2 points with two wins each. The final game is the decider. Which makes it The Quidditch Final.

[Lexi_potter]

I think everyone is just getting point happy. either giving them or taking them away it depends on that persons mood i seems.