Hit Wizards

[foxmoth at qnet.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29151

Donna wrote:
> What is the difference (or is there) between a hit wizard and an 
> auror?  Although aurors are mentioned several times 
throughout the  books, I can only remember hit wizards 
mentioned once.  In POA, they  are discussing Sirius Black's 
capture and Fudge mentions them as 
> being from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad.

 
As the HP lexicon does not appear to have dealt with this burning 
question as yet, may I take a stab at it ? (curtsey in Steve's 
direction)
   First, where besides GoF does it mention aurors? I can't recall 
hearing about them in any of the other books. 
   In GoF, Bill explains that an auror is a Dark Wizard catcher. But 
later, Sirius says that during Voldemort's first reign of terror, the 
aurors were given new powers...to kill rather than capture, and 
that Crouch authorized the use of the unforgiveable curses 
against suspects.
  So I suppose when Fudge referred to trained hit wizards, he 
meant  the  aurors who had been trained to use the 
killing curse.  Whether the term "hit wizards" is also used to 
refer to criminals, on the analogy of "hit man", we don't know.

Pippin