Longevity in the Potterverse

Steve bboy_mn at yahoo.com
Fri May 14 21:25:50 UTC 2004


No: HPFGUIDX 98376

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <bcbgx6 at y...> wrote:
> Professor Marchbanks did seem phenomenal, didn't she?  Her presence 
> in OOTP does a few things.  First of all, she makes Dumbledore's age 
> seem less dramatic--....  Second, her comments establish that, at 
> least according to her word, DD was around in time to take OWLS or 
> NEWTS.  
>

bboy_mn:

While M. Marchbanks is dramatically old to us; I agree, I don't see
any particular drama in that fact relative to the wizarding world.

Am I correct in taking your second point to mean that you are amazed
that the wizarding world had standardized testing more than 130 years
ago when in the Muggle world that is a relatively recent invention? I
would agree with you on that point. To have standardized testing would
be very advanced concept in a world that seems to be as far behind the
times as the Wizard World.

 
> Brian:  
> 
> Now I dont' have an OOTP copy nearby, so I must rely on memory.  
> Didn't Marchbanks give the impression that, even back then, she was 
> an examiner, rather than a Hogwarts teacher?  
> 

bboy_mn:

Again, I agree. Madame Marchbanks would have to be old enough at the
time she tested Dumbledore to have risen throught the ranks of the
Ministry until she was trusted and authoritative enough to be an
Examiner. Although, I speculate she would need to be no more that 20
to 50 years older that Dumbledore, and that puts here well with the
normal lifespan of a wizard.

> Brian:
>
> ...edited...
> 
> I'm not convinced that DD or Marchbanks are beneficiaries of Flamel 
> association. ...edited...
> 

bboy_mn:

Once again, I agree. I see no reason to bring Flamel or the Stone into
the equation. As I pointed out above Madame Marchbanks doesn't need to
be 100 or 200 or 300 years older than Dumbledore; 20 to 50 years is
more than enough (between 37 and 67 years of age relative to a 17 year
old Dumbledore), and the puts her currently well within the normal
wizard's lifespan.


> Brian:
>
> Aside from DD and Marchbanks, the only other overt reference to age
> I  can think of regards McGonigall.  ...
> 
> Just a few thoughts from one who has an interest in longevity in
> both the WW and the muggle worlds.
> 
> Brian


bboy_mn:

An oldie but a goodie.

---- Quote: PoS Am PB pg 320 ---
[Scene] Harry, Ron, and Hermione are walking back to the castle and
meet Fudge as he is exiting the castle, following Fudge are the
executioner and a Ministry official. The narrator, through Harry's
eyes, comments on the Ministry official.

"Before Fudge could answer, two wizards came through the castle doors
behind him. One was so ancient he appeared to be withering before
their very eyes; ..."

---end quote---

Madame Marchbanks is close to but just short of age 200; somewhere
between 170 and 200 (85 to 100 in Muggle years).

Relative to her, this Ministry official from the above quote must be
over 200 years of age. My best guess about 210. Considering that age,
he is in extremely good shape, still able to walk up and down the
steep sloping lawns of the Hogwarts ground, although, indications are
that doing so was very stressful for him.

Also, from CoS, Headmaster Dippet seems to be described as very old
and frail, so I put him at close to 200.

In addition, and admittedly pure speculation, I have alway picture Mr.
Ollivander (who I love dearly) as over 100. Amazingly, his business
has been in the Ollivander family for nearly 2,400 years. But I see no
evidence the Mr. Ollivander has a son or any apprentices. Perhaps with
his passing, this will be the end of one of the great wizard world
institutions.

Also, I imagine Tom-The Innkeeper and Mr. Fortescue as being of
advanced age, both near the 100 range. (again speculation) But in the
 Wizard World 100 is hardly an advanced age, that's more like middle age. 

A comment on Dumbledore's age, if we adjust his age to 'muggle years'
then he is about 75, his discription and the incidences of suddenly
looking stressed and old, as well as his general vitality all seem
consistent with people in the real world who are age 75 and in good
health.

Don't know if that adds anything to the discussion, but there you have it.

bboy_mn







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