PoA - nameless old wizard at Buckbeak's execution

[bowlwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 56772

This has been bugging me for a couple of days since I finished my re-
read of PoA.  

At the end of the book when the Committee for the Disposal of 
Dangerous Creatures comes to execute Buckbeak, there are 2 people who 
come from that department:  Macnair and unknown wizard.  His name is 
never mentioned in the text, and there are six times he's mentioned.  

Here are the 6 occurrences (all references are in Prisoner of 
Azkaban, US hardback):

Page 320:

Before Fudge could answer, two wizards came through the castle doors 
behind him.  One was so ancient he appeared to be withering before 
their very eyes; the other was tall and strapping, with a thin black 
mustache.  Harry gathered that they were representatives of the 
Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, because the very 
old wizard squinted toward Hagrid's cabin and said in a feeble 
voice, "Dear, dear, I'm getting too old for this
 .  Two o'clock, 
isn't it, Fudge?"

Page 329:

Harry, Ron and Hermione whipped around.  A group of men was walking 
down the distant castle steps.  In front was Albus Dumbledore, his 
silver beard gleaming in the dying sun.  Next to him trotted 
Cornelius Fudge.  Behind them came the feeble old Committee member 
and the executioner, Macnair.

Page 399:

But Hermione nudged him and pointed toward the castle.  Harry moved 
his head a few inches to get a clear view of the distant front 
doors.  Dumbledore, Fudge, the old Committee member, and Macnair the 
executioner were coming down the steps.

Page 401:

"Well, let's get this over with," said the reedy voice of the 
Committee member from inside Hagrid's cabin.  "Hagrid, perhaps it 
will be better if you stay inside --"

Page 402:

"Where is it?" said the reedy voice of the Committee member.  "Where 
is the beast?"

Page 404:

The moment they disappeared, the tree began to move again.  Seconds 
later, they heard footsteps quite close by.  Dumbledore, Macnair, 
Fudge and the old Committee member were making their way up to the 
castle.


I admit he's a relatively obscure, extremely minor character.  So, 
why go to all the trouble to NOT EVER mention his name?  There are 
some other wizards not mentioned by name (a few in GoF when 
describing the Quiddich World Cup, for example), but for the most 
part we at least get a last name when new characters are introduced.  
Especially for those wizards involved in major-ish plotlines.

My personal feeling is that Mr. Oldy Unknown will show up again 
sometime, possibly in connection to seeing Buckbeak and/or Sirius.  
But because we never got a name the first time around, if he shows up 
by name in a future book, we won't necessarily know it's him.

Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here?

bowlwoman