Case for Marauders (was Re: Marauders, Voldemort and the Map)

[romulusmmcdougal]

No: HPFGUIDX 109582

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" 
<justcarol67 at y...> wrote:
> RMM wrote:
> <snip>
> > Secondly, please note the ages of most of the DeathEaters.  They 
are 
> > mostly of James Potter's age or less. <snip>
> 
> 
> Carol:
> Actually, we have canon to prove that Lucius Malfoy is five or six
> years older than the Marauders and Snape (42 at the end of GoF),
> Bellatrix is three years older than Sirius, who last saw her when he
> was about fifteen and (apparently) just ending his fourth year, and
> Nott is rather elderly (JKR's website). Karkaroff is also older,
> white-haired by the time he shows up at the Tri-wizard tournament.
> Rabastan and Rodolphus are probably close to Bellatrix's age. Crabbe
> and Goyle have sons Harry's age and are probably slightly older than
> James would be (he got married young and died at only 21 or 22).
> Rookwood, Avery, Dolohov, et al seem older as well, mid-forties at a
> guess. Only Barty Jr. and Regulus Black appear to be younger than 
the
> Marauders and Snape.
> 
> I'm wondering what canon evidence you're using to draw this
> conclusion, other than Regulus' age, which I don't dispute. 

RMM:
Yes, after making the statement above regarding the DEs being 
Potter's age or less, I found those examples of Malfoy etal that 
showed that they were 4-6 years older than Potter.
I have adjusted my thinking on this issue.

My thoughts are that the Death Eaters were a POPULAR movement at one 
time.  Most of the pure blood families were very much behind what 
Voldemort was preaching. [See Sirius Black's statements in OotP]
Secondly, I believe that the Death Eaters were being recruited while 
at school.  Look at Regulus Black, he joined up very likely when he 
was still at school, since he died while still a teenager.

The timeline for the Death Eaters recruitment would fall between the 
years 1970 and 1978.
Yes, Karkaroff is much older, and he (and Dolohov) probably joined 
with Voldemort while Voldemort was "travelling far and wide".

Chances are Voldemort spent some time at Durmstrang recruiting, and 
teaching as well.  Durmstrang, after all, specializes in the Dark 
Arts.

Chances are that Voldemort taught as well at Hogwarts.  Granted, he 
was muched changed, and "hardly anyone at all" recognized him to be 
Tom Riddle, but he did not show his dark side until later.  I think 
he was a POPULAR guy in the early days of the movement.
After all, movements do not start up with following someone that is 
abhorent or unpopular.
We only look at them with abhorence and dislike after their fall.
The war did not start as soon as he showed up.  That is not how any 
strong political movement begins, grows, and ends.
There is a start based on an idea that gains a following, the 
movement grows and prospers all the while gaining new adherents to 
the cause, and then, once the movement reaches a certain point, 
the "true colours" start to come out.

Malfoy would have been entering his 6th year at Hogwarts, or there 
abouts, in 1970.  The other Slytherins like Crabbe and Goyle, 
likewise, or sometime thereafter.

The Marauders entered school in 1971, and they would be entering 
their 6th year in 1976. 
We know that Sirius Black is pureblood, Remus Lupin a halfblood.
We speculate that Pettigrew is a pureblood, and we further speculate 
that James Potter is a pureblood.
This would make the Marauders even more POPULAR at school, since they 
are now associated with a POPULAR movement like the Death Eaters.

I will go out on a limb and say that Dumbledore himself may have 
ventured into the ranks of the Death Eaters.  See his comment in GoF:
<<"It's coming back . . . Karkaroff's too . . . stronger and clearer 
than ever..."
"A connection I could have made without assistance," Dumbledore 
sighed, "but never mind.">>
Dumbledore needed no "assistance" to realize that Voldemort was 
coming back -- his own scar was getting stronger and clearer as well.
[of course, any counter argument as regards DD would be appreciated]

At any rate, Purebloodism was a big political movement, and many were 
caught up in it.

Carol:
> 
> Carol, who wonders if RMM has seen JKR's reaction to the suggestion
> that Lily might have been a Death Eater

RMM:
I do not know JKR's reaction to this suggestion.  However, I do not 
claim it.  I believe Lily saved James in the end.  I believe that 
James joined the Death Eaters, rose in rank to the very top, vied 
with Snape to gain the admiration and respect of Tom Riddle, and in 
the end "defied" Voldemort -- which defiance led to his death.
Remember what Voldemort said to Harry?  To paraphrase: I killed James 
but your mother need not have died.  And what happens to those that 
reject Voldemort after being close to him?
I believe the "mud blood" Lily Evans Potter turned James from 
Voldemort's influence.

RMM
www.hermionegranger.us