Theory on James and Lilly Potters occupations

[lilypo2007]

No: HPFGUIDX 109378

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "potioncat" <willsonkmom at m...> 
wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "charme" <dontask2much at y...> 
> wrote:
> > From: "nihil8750o"
> > 
> > > First I'll start with James.  I believe that he was an Auror.  
I know this is absolutely not unique, but there has been a lot of 
clues in the books
> > > especially "OotP".  Such as Kingsley Shacklebolt's familiar 
refrence to James when being first introduced to Harry.
> 
> snip
> > 
> > > Now if it is hard to swallow that Lilly was the DAtDA teacher 
> here are some
> > > points that show that possibly at least one of the Potters 
> (Lilly o James) held
> > > that Hogwarts position.
> > 
> > Charme:
> > 
> > Hmmm.  While that's possible, one would have thought JKR would 
> mention this,
> > or someone would, as those that are Aurors are mentioned quite 
> often by
> > multiple characters.  

 
> Potioncat:
> Welcome to the list, nihil!
> 
> Well, I'd vote against auror.  I could be wrong (thought it's never 
> happened before) but I don't think there was time for auror 
training 
> and becoming an auror for James to have been more than a novice.
> 
> We're told in some interview that the Potters didn't have to work, 
> but it was said in a way that implied what they did was significant.
> 
> So, having one or both of them working at Hogwarts would make 
> sense.  Particularly given how fondly both McGonagall and Hagrid 
> speak of James and Lily.  (Not Potter and Evans.)
>
Lilyp:
There were many posts in this thread and I can't be fair to all of 
them. But I chose to keep the ideas above, to talk about them.

 Nice point about Kingsley knowing James. But that doesn't mean James 
is an auror. Arthur knows Moody and Bode and Bagman. What if James or 
Lily or both of them worked at the MoM?

JKR mentioned in an interview that she wouldn't tell us right now 
what their jobs were because it'll be important. It was in Scholastic 
Chat Febr, 3rd, 2000:
 
Q:"What did the Potter parents do for a living before Voldemort 
killed them?"
JKR:"I'm sorry to keep saying this, but I can't tell you because it's 
important to a later plot. But you will find out later!"

That means their professions are important to a later plot and she 
couldn't tell us before, because we would wonder about them and it 
would probably spoil the plot. What careers would have this effect?
What kind of job could give away anything about the plot? And why 
were they at home? Were they allowed to work at home?

Well, my bet is that they were Unspeakables. That's why nobody speaks 
about their jobs, since nobody knows much about it. In particular, I 
think they were researchers and Lily's researchs were about Death. 
(Part of the researches could be done at home, as muggle researchers 
know. At least the reading part of them.)
Evidences? There is no evidence what so ever, but it would explain 
some things:

1. Lily would know more about how to protect Harry.

2.It would explain why Voldemort hesitated to kill her. Some HP fans 
are always questioning  why Voldemort would want to kill James. I 
don't think it is quite a question. We have seen Voldemort killing a 
lot of people just because they were on his way: Frank Bryce, Bertha 
Jorkins, Cedric Diggory. Usually he doesn'n think twice. He just gets 
rid off what is bothering him . Yes, Harry was his main target, but 
Lily was on his way, why did he even asked her to give him the baby? 
He didn't give Cedric a chance to know where he was!
That's why I think that what must be explained is his attitude 
towards Lily and not the one towards James.

3. Dumbledore says to Harry: (Chapter 37 OotP)

"And then you saw Rockwood, who worked in the Department of Mysteries 
before his arrest, telling Voldemort what we had known all along -
that the prophecies held in the Ministry of Magic are heavily 
protected. Only the people to whom they refer can lift them"

That means the Order already knew it. How? If they had someone who 
worked at DoM, it would be an explanation.

   Lilyp