What was the Order of the Phoenix?

[jodel_from_aol]

No: HPFGUIDX 101380

vmonte responds:
> 
> Maybe the order is a lot older than even that. The name of the group: 
> The Order of the Phoenix, implies a much longer lived society.  The 
> Phoenix is a bird that lives for thousands of years and continuously 
> dies and is reborn.  


I wouldn't necessarily run away with the idea. We've also seen that the 
Phoenix makes a *superior* messenger. It is quite possible that it was 
that function that was being invoked. Particularly given Dumbledore's 
reputation for knowing everything and gathering information.

And there is the little fact that Moody states that the photo shows the 
members of the "original" Order. So, it may have replaced an earlier, 
traditional organization (as the DEs replaced the Knights of Walpurgis) 
but the Order itself, seems to have originated on Dumbledore's watch.

After all he is credited to have "founded" it.

As to both families already being members when the kids were born...

Well, Dumbledore knew the terms of the prophesy. He could have founded 
the Order from a core of the people he knew to have escaped Voldemort's 
attentions the requesite 3 times. More than one of the people on that 
casualty list of Moody's had families as well.