Bellatrix's age (Was: Narcissa Malfoy )

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 122230


Juli:
> > We already know that Snape and the Marauders are about the same
age, so if Bella is about Snape's age, this means she and Sirius are
both the same age also, which is about 36.
> 
> 
> Based on the Black tapestry and where the sisters are at and the 
> order of their names, I would place Narcissa as the youngest and 
> Bellatrix as the oldest. She's probably around Lucius' age. 
> 
> "phoenixgod2000"

Carol responds:
Not to repeat myself, but Sirius says near the beginning of OoP that
he last saw Bellatrix when he was Harry's age (just rurned fifteen,
between his fourth and fifth years). Since Bellatrix was part of the
Slytherin gang, her school years would indeed have overlapped Sirius's
and Snape's, but she can't be the same age they are or Sirius would
have last seen her at the end of his own seventh year, which would
have been the same as his. Instead, her seventh year seems to
correspond with his fourth. Note, too, that neither she nor any other
members of the Slytherin gang is present during the Pensieve scene.
That would, BTW, make her only two years younger than Lucius Malfoy,
who is five years older than Snape. 

The quote, to repeat, is in "The Noble and Most Ancient House of
Black" in OoP.

And if my calculation for her age is right, she can't be the oldest or
Andromeda would not have had time to marry and give birth to Tonks. So
again I suggest that Narcissa is Lucius's age, Andromeda a year
younger, and Bellatrix the youngest (two years younger than Narcissa).

Not fact, I realize, but I don't see any other way to interpret the
canon as we have it.

BTW, Narcissa could easily have had Draco seven years or so into her
marriage. She probably would have been in no hurry to spoil her figure
by producing an heir for Lucius. And she would still have been quite
young when she had Draco (about 26), especially by WW standards.

Carol