OoP - Wizard's Ages

[Kirstini]

No: HPFGUIDX 67236

Steve wrote: > Dumbledore is about 150; divide by two and that make 
his equivalant
muggle age about 75. He's old and wrinkled, but still has his wits 
and vitality, as does my mother who is the same age. So, about 75 for
Dumbledore equivalent muggle age seem reasonable.
 McGonagall is about 75; divide by two and that makes her about 37 in
functional muggle years. Although based on her description, I would
have place here physical appears at mid- to late 40's. Keep in mind, 
people don't age at the same rate. I remember people in highschool 
who seemed middle aged and I have a friend who is mid-50's who you 
would swear is mid- to late 30's
Overall, I think this general 'divide or multiply by two' rule hits 
it pretty close.>

Me (Kirstini): yes, this is a good way of thinking about Dumbledore 
and McGonagall's ages, but how do you explain within this equation 
the early maturing of all of the MWPP generation? Voldemort 
recruited a large majority of his followers from a particular age 
group in Hogwarts. The original Order, as is reinforced with Sturgis 
Podmore's age in OoP, were mostly in their early twenties. Eleven, 
then? Dumbledore doesn't consider Harry's version of eleven old 
enough to understand the essential truth about his life, and yet 
this Harry is old enough to have defeated Voldemort. The only way I 
can see wizarding ages "working" in this sort of sense is if we 
imagine that wizarding *middle age* lasts longer than that 
experienced by Muggles. Therefore, it's possible that Molly and 
Arthur can be in their sixties (see the pre-OoP Weasley thread 
concerning the man who was Groundskeeper before Hagrid), but also 
that MWPP+S, aged 38, Fred and George, running their own business at 
17, and Tonks, aged 22 (cheers to whoever pointed that one out!) can 
be valued members of the adult wizarding community.
Kirstini