Flitwick/Fudge/the Potters

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 91554

I'm re-reading PoA, chapter 10 and noticed a few things (pp. 201-210 
Scholastic paperback)
McGonagall, Flitwick, Hagrid and Fudge arrive at the Three 
Broomsticks and sit near Harry, Hermione and Ron. Then they begin to 
talk to Rosmerta about Black.
Here are two interesting tid bits:

A few threads ago we were wondering about Flitwick and his role in 
OWLS. Although his subject isn't mentioned, he was a teacher during 
the marauders' days.  He recalls James and Sirius as being like 
brothers.  (I know as group we pretty much decided that Flitwick was 
teaching then, but here is canon.)

What surprises me is that Fudge refers to "James and Lily" several 
times as if he had been on a first name basis with them. Oddly 
enough, Professors McGonagall and Flitwick refer to James and Sirius 
always as Potter and Black. 

I'm not sure if this just made the storytelling easier or if Fudge 
knew the Potters well. Or if  he is just a name dropper. Do we know 
how old he is?

Potioncat