Exeter college & "the old gang"

[dragondor1709 at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29497

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., raolin1 at h... wrote:
> First, just a quick note on the JKR faq.  It says there that JKR 
went 
> to Exeter University, which is a slight mislabeling.  Exeter 
College 
> is the language and linguistics school of Oxford University.  It is 
> also, as a note of trivia -- where JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis taught, 
> although many years before JKRs time there, obviously.
> 
> Now, my real question.  I just finished GOF recently, and I was 
> struck by Dumbledore's instructions to Sirius at the end: gather up 
> the old gang (and then he mentions a few names, including Arabella 
> Figg!) and lay low at Lupins.  Who is "the old gang?"  Certainly 
> not "the old school gang" because Arabella Figg is not Black's 
age.  
> And what is Dumbledore's connection to "the old gang?"
> 
> Here's my speculation: and let me be upfront is saying that it is 
> completely unsupported by any textual data.  "The Old Gang" is 
> probably an underground resistance-type organization that 
Dumbledore 
> assembled in the worst of Voldemort's initial rise to power.  Quite 
> possibly, James Potter figured very prominantly in this "old gang," 
> making him a prime target for Voldemort.  Also, quite possibly "the 
> old gang" is synonymous with the Order of the Phoenix, and will 
> feature prominently in future books, including new members Harry, 
Ron 
> and Hermione, as well as others.
> 
> Well, there you have it... any comments?
> 
> Joshua Dyal

Since no one seems to be responding to the "old gang" reference. Here 
is my thinking on it. I don't have the book GOF but bear with me. In 
the end,when Harry is in Dumbledore's office,and they are looking 
into the mirror or something of the future or rather the past,and 
Dumbledore explains to Harry about the trial that he witnessed. Sorry 
can't remember who it was Voldemort or Sirius; I think the gang he 
was referring to includes Sirius,Snape and all involved in the trial. 
Don't know if that helps. The Phoenix in question has got to refer to 
his bird. Maybe the "old gang" as well.The Phoenix must be in it like 
in (was it book 3) on the cover? Boy am I all messed up with which 
came first. Chris