James's age / Molly's Age

[jenanydot]

No: HPFGUIDX 173802


> bboyminn:
> 
> Molly's apparent age is established in GoF. She is
> likely slightly older than Hagrid and likely slightly
> younger than McGonagall. That makes he at or near 70 
> through most of the series. The Marauders through most
> of the books are in their 30's. 
> 
> Molly was at school before Hagrid started working there,
> which was over 50 years ago. She remembers the previous 
> Game Keeper. 
> 
> Molly and Arthur likely started having kids later in 
> life relative to most muggles considering that they
> are in their 70's and their oldest son seems to be 
> 30's at most. 
> 
> Just passing it along.
> 
> Steve/bboyminn
>


I've read this theory before, and it's something I've just never
bought into.  The only evidence that we have that Molly and Arthur are
that much older than the Marauders is one comment that Molly makes
when she says she remembers the previous gamekeeper at Hogwarts, Ogg.    

However, we've seen several times throughout the novels that Rowling
slips up with her timelines on more than one occasion (the ages of the
Weasley kids are good evidence of this).  Also (and correct me if I'm
wrong, here), wasn't Hagrid originally an assistant to the gamekeeper?
 If so, it's very likely that Hagrid AND Ogg were working at Hogwarts.
 Even if this wasn't the case...well, like I said, Rowling isn't known
for being consistent with her timelines.

I just don't think it's really likely that Molly and Arthur are in
their 70's.  We see absolutely no evidence of this anywhere else in
the books.  I've always been of the belief that Molly and Arthur
aren't too much older than Lucius Malfoy, and we know that he's 41
in....Order of the Phoenix, I think?  Or Half-Blood Prince?  I know it
was in a Daily Prophet article at some point.  I would look it up, but
I should actually stop reading Harry Potter discussions and get back
to work.  ;-)

~Mandy