Intro, Q's Tonks

[Bex]

No: HPFGUIDX 110011

Steve asked: 
> 2. How long does Auror training take? In OotP Tonks says she 
> qualified a year ago. OotP US ed. Pg 52. Even if it takes 2 years, 
> she would have been at Hogwarts as a 7th year during PS/SS. I seem 
> to remember her saying she was in Gryffindor but I can't find the 
> quote right now.  From JKR's descriptions of Tonks she does seem to 
> be part of the part of the generation born in the mid 70's and grew 
> up during the 80's. The odd hair colors, and the talking back to 
> authority figures (Moody)

Hi there Steve! Yblitzka here:

I'm going on pure speculation here, but I suppose it takes 3-4 years 
at least to be fully trained as an Auror. There's probably a lot to 
learn. I see Tonks as early 20's, maybe 21 to 23, so she could be an 
80's child. If we take CoS to be '92-'93, then OotP would be '95-'96, 
so that would put her born in the early 80's. I have a hard time 
seeing her being older than 25, though she may just have a thing 
against acting her age.

Her being in 7th year when Harry was an "Ickle firstie" just doesn't 
seem right. I know the oldest student we saw that year was 5th year 
Flint, so maybe Harry could have just missed her, but someone who 
makes that much noise is bound to be noticed.

I see Auror training as about the length of a University program, or 
perhaps longer. The knowledge it requires (Tranfiguration, Potions, 
Charms, DADA, and ?Herbology?) is pretty broad, so it would take a 
while to get Advanced training in all those areas, plus probably a 
year in the field for practice. Just my thoughts.

~Yb