I am still counting
but here are here are sum of the number references I've figured out so far.
THE NUMBER FOUR
In Harry's world four
is not a very lucky number. Right of the bat there's Number 4 Privet Drive where
Harry lives not a happy life with Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and of course,
Dudley. Here are a few more four-boding examples: Harry became the unlikely and
unexpected fourth champion in the Tri-Wizard Tournament; he was fourth and last
to draw his dragon, the Hungarian Horntail, arguably the most vicious of the
dragons to face, out of the bag; Harry's watch stopped working in his fourth
year... suggesting one phase of his life has ended and another is about to
begin... as well as suggesting that time has once more stopped, suspended, until Voldemort's return; Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts he not only faced dragons
but witnessed the return of Lord Voldemort and had to face the dark lord in a
real battle for his life; Wormtail was the fourth member of the band of school
pals which included James, Remus, and Sirius. Is Jo hinting there is a four-gone
conclusion to this tale?
THE NUMBER SEVEN
Seven also is used
again and again: The Gryffindors are on the 7th floor, as is the Room of
Necessity; there are 7 Players on a Quidditch Team; there are; there are 7
Weasley children; it takes 7 years to complete Hogwarts Training; there are 7
bottles of potion in the PS/SS; Gilderoy wrote 7 books; there are 7 registered
animagi; Harry’s birthday is July, the 7th month.
THE NUMBER ELEVEN
Among the several
references to the number “11” is the fact that both Harry and his father’s wands
are 11 inches length.
If you count Harry
and Hermione as part of the Weasley family then there are 11 members, and it’s
obvious that Molly does consider Harry her other son, and probably Hermione as
her other daughter.
In POA Harry stays in
Room 11 at the Leaky Cauldron. The Hogwarts Express leaves London at exactly
11:00 AM. There are several more time, place, and things equaling eleven
throughout the series.
THE NUMBER TWELVE
Twelve is used again
and again throughout the series. Once again there is a 12th hour feel.
Examples in: 12
Streetlights on Privet Drive; 12 O.W.L.S; 12 Blast-Ended Skrewts; Time and Date
References; Chapter 12 in each book is a significant chapter. (Also chapters 7,
11, and 13); 12 doors in the Dept. of Mysteries; Wormtail killed 12 muggles then
faked his own death and went underground for 12 years; etc. Sirius is in
Azkaban for 12 years; Aunt Marge has 12 bulldogs.
THE NUMBER
THIRTEEN
Harry’s birthday is
on the 31st, which is 13 backwards.
Sirius Black is
accused of killing 13 people including Peter Pettigrew; Voldemort rises again
after 13 years.
Bad luck people and
events seem to happen in all HP Chapter Thirteens.