Students Expelled? Lost? Leaving?

Original post was made on Willow's Peek on Tumblr.

Since entering Pottermore, I was able to finish the first book within 24 hours, and I was able to collect all of the hidden objects within two days. Now what’s left to do are to earn points for my house (Go SLYTHERIN!) and to try to think of ways to improve the site before it opens to everyone.

While I have many suggestions on the site, which I’ll mention on a different post, some of my other Pottermore Family noticed that the student population posted in the Great Hall has decreased. Since I just entered Pottermore Sunday morning and was too eager to get started, I did not notice this at all.

So last night, I took a screenshot of the numbers in the Great Hall to keep track of the points and number of students. Here it is:

Student Population: 144,224

These numbers were as of Monday, September 5, 10:30pm in the Philippines (September 5, 10:30am in the U.S.A)

Then this morning, Tuesday, September 6, at 10:15am in the Philippines (September 5, 10:15pm in the U.S.A.), I checked the numbers again and found this:

Student Population: 144,210

Notice that the student population has decreased from 144,224 to 144,210. So far, no explanation has been given by Pottermore so there are several theories about this. Once again, these are theories some of us in the Pottermore Family have, so they may be true or may not. As hardcore Potterheads, we just want to try and make our own guesses.

The theories:

1.    After SeekerRose184, pointed out to Pottermore and to the rest of us that there have been cheaters roaming around Hogwarts, one theory is that Pottermore might have been able to identify these individuals and have “expelled” them. (For more information about this issue, please visit: http://seekerrose.wordpress.com/)

2.   Another common theory amongst us is speculation that Pottermore may be trying to use different servers to accommodate the growing number of students in Hogwarts. We are guessing that one effect may be that we are all going to “different Hogwarts”, and thus, some of the new students may be "lost" to others.

3.   One reason, which I won't call a theory because it is happening, is that there are some students who get sorted into a different House than what they wanted. And so, they decide to "leave" Hogwarts by deleting their account. I have my own opinions on this matter, but that deserves an entirely different post.

4.   And lastly, since the site has been experiencing glitches, we cannot deny that there is a possibility that this is just another glitch in the site.

Once again, I stress that these (except for No.3) are merely THEORIES that may be true or not. We are all waiting to hear any updates from Pottermore, and I hope they explain what’s happening so at least we have a clear understanding of what’s going on in Hogwarts.

So keep your eyes and ears open while exploring Pottermore. Who knows what new information we may stumble upon.