Time-tracking Voldemort

[ronale7]

No: HPFGUIDX 39007

In PA, chapter 19, Sirius says Voldemort has been in hiding for 15 
years.  This statement is made in June, 1994.  Thus Voldemort has 
been hiding since 1979.

There's another event we're sure happened in 1979: Harry's 
conception, probably on October 31.  Is there a connection?

In GF, chapter 33, Voldemort says it's been 13 years since he and the 
DE's last met.  He states this in June of 1995.  But that would put 
the meeting in 1982.  Yet in October, 1981, Voldemort lost his  
powers--he was in no condition to meet anyone.  

True, the meeting could have happened 13 years, 7 months earlier--
immediately before the Potters were attacked.  But Voldemort is 
stressing the time that has passed.  Surely he would be inclined to 
exaggerate rather than minimize the period.  

Additionally, in chapter 10, PA, we learn Dumbledore had a "number of 
useful spies."  At least one alerted him to Voldemort's being after 
the Potters.  It must have taken time to report to Dumbledore, to 
choose the person who would keep the secret of the Potter 
whereabouts, and to perform the Fidelius charm.  I know, I know.  
Voldemort attacked barely a week after the charm was worked (chapter 
10, PA.)  But that makes the elapsed time since the meeting with the 
DE's longer.  

We seem to have another time inconsistency here.

We also have a few character inconsistencies.  Voldemorte held his 
last meeting, whenever it was, after he had gone into hiding.  I 
can't believe he didn't know there were spies in his following.  He 
must have realized they would run to Dumbledore.  Why chance coming 
out of hiding?

Similarly I can't believe a man as astute as Dumbledore would rely on 
one, just one, protection for Lily and James.  Could he, or someone 
he selected, have arrived at their home in time to help Harry and 
thwart Voldemort?  Perhaps when Harry heard someone stumbling from a 
room, (PA, chapter 12) he was really hearing someone stumbling _into_ 
the room where he and Voldemort were.  Someone a concentrating 
Voldemort may or may not have noticed....

If that indeed happened, I'll place my money on the man who seems 
very sure about the way James died--Snape (PA, chapter 19.)

I'm not happy with this theory.  Not only did I conjure it 
reluctantly but I hold it gingerly.  And yet I must ask myself
"Why not?"

The theme of the books is the conflict between good and evil.  That 
conflict is present in Harry's name.  Harry is also a name for the 
devil (Old Harry.)  And Potter is often a title given to the 
Creator.  Thus the name of the protagonist alludes to good and evil 
coexisting in one person.  

If true for Harry, why not for Snape?

--Ronale7