Reconciling Prophesy Dates and Re: OOP: Harry's Career Choice- Mentor

[Liz Muir]

No: HPFGUIDX 62148

I feel the need to do some nitpicking with the dates of the prophesy 
on some dates mentioned in the Shreiking Shack in PoA. But 
first . . . .

<flutterbyhex at y...> wrote:
> Harry wants to be an auror.  The requirements are: 
<snip, snip, snippity snip> 
> since Snape seems 
> unlikely to lower his standards or will Dumbledore force him to 
accept
> Harry since it is his "destiny" to fight dark wizards?

I'm actually thinking that Harry will change his career goal to 
involve the Department of Mysteries (DoM). My theory is that before 
Harry gets over his grief, he will be come very obsessed with Nearly-
Headless Nick's mention that the DoM is looking into what makes a 
ghost in an attempt to see Sirius again. He may try to break in again 
or force someone to tell him about the research. Or perhaps he could 
have an internship? Doubtful . . . I wonder what the DoM standards 
are for exceptance. I doubt they publish a pamphlet: "So You Want to 
Become an Unspeakable?" Just some thoughts and theories -- really no 
cannon to support this...

Anyway, back to my original reason for posting. I hope I'm not 
mentioning things that have already been talked about. Every time I 
read two posts, four more appear! So many posts, so little time. 
Here's the story behind this nitpicking: My family and I were on 
vacation for the week before OoP came out. As usual, we bought the 
next HP Audio Book to listen to in the car as we drove, PoA. While 
listening, I noticed something I never noticed before: Countless 
times during the scene, people mention Voldemort being gone for 12 
years, or Peter having been dead for 12 years, or Sirius being in 
Azkaban for 12 years. Then, I read this in PoA ch 19 pg 371 (US 
Hardback)

"I'll tell you why," said Black. "Because you never did anything 
unless you could see what was in it for you. Voldemort's been in 
hiding for fifteen years...."

And I thought, that's odd. I wonder why. Of course, now that I've 
read OoP, I would assume that this is when he found out about the 
prophecy. BUT I'm having a hard time reconciling these 15 years in 
book 3 with Trelawney's stated "almost 16 years" at Hogwarts in Oop. 
I also have problems with V's defeat being 12 years ago, because it's 
really 12 1/2 years at the end of book 3.

Could I get some theories or explanations by someone who is good with 
time? I think it all depends on whether JKR is rounding up or down in 
her years, but it doesn't seem consistant. I always have a hard time 
dealing with ... time. Ok, but you know what I mean.

Again sorry if it's a repeat. I'm working on reading the posts...

Rowen Avalon