Full Version: L/J's age when Harry was born
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I always imagine Lily and James to be in the same year at Hogwarts and have Harry at about age 21. What do you think?
I agree with you, Liz. I figured somewhere in the 21-23 range.
I always figured they were born 1960, graduated 1978, had Harry at 1980 and died in 1981. Which would make them 21 at death, 20 at Harry's birth, and I figure 19 at marriage.
My math follows something similar to Ashes. I think that we are looking at really young proud parents here.
God it's sobering to know that Lily and James were my age when they were being all noble and dying.
God it's sobering to know that Lily and James were my age when they were being all noble and dying.
For some strange reason I've always thought that L/J were 22 when they died so 21 when they had Harry. 
~*~KareN~*~
~*~KareN~*~
Well, Snape is "35 or 36" in book 4, so he would have been 21 or 22 when Harry was born. Lily and James were in his year at school, so they would have been 21 or 22 also. I always thought of them as being very young when they had Harry, so this makes sense. I consider their first year at Hogwarts 1970, so there you have it. 
Elle
Elle
Hi,
i'm new here and i just thought i would say that i think both Lily and James were 21 when they died. I was watching Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone a while ago and i saw that shot of the year that James Potter was playing Quidditch. It was in 1978 and i personally thought that that was the year that they would have all graduated and he would have been around 18 or something. Same with Lily. Of course the film isnt exactly accurate.
Monique
Two days to go! YAY!
i'm new here and i just thought i would say that i think both Lily and James were 21 when they died. I was watching Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone a while ago and i saw that shot of the year that James Potter was playing Quidditch. It was in 1978 and i personally thought that that was the year that they would have all graduated and he would have been around 18 or something. Same with Lily. Of course the film isnt exactly accurate.
Monique
Two days to go! YAY!
I'd have to agree with most of the people who posted before me. The 21-23 age bracket seems about right; not too young, and not too old. I think about about 21.
Mika
Mika
I thought of them to be pretty young, getting married right after Hogwarts. Also, I thought that since there was still McGonnagal and Dumbledore, they had to be quite young, or else Mcgonnagal would have had to start teaching the year after she graduated.
*keakealani
P.S. I was wondering, is it possible that Bill Weasley could have been a first year during MWPP's 7th year? I did the math, and although Bill Charlie and Percy would have to be 4-5 years apart, it should work. Any comments?
*keakealani
P.S. I was wondering, is it possible that Bill Weasley could have been a first year during MWPP's 7th year? I did the math, and although Bill Charlie and Percy would have to be 4-5 years apart, it should work. Any comments?
I have to agree with Just Like Hermione. One of my friends did the math and it seemed like Lily and James were about 22 when Harry was born, so they died at the age of 23.
Ok...I seem to be the only one who thinks that they had Harry at 28. Beats me for thinking of that number. I guess I choose that age because personally I believe in having fun before marriage and having children. Another thing that makes me choose was the amount of maney Harry inherited. I know that they never really did say how much but to accumulate an amount that is sufficient for Harry's education and for him to live confortably takes ages. Maybe they too inherited the money...who knows?
JKR said James didn't need to make a lot of money because he had a big inheritance.
I never really thought about that, but yes, after having discussions on a German board I suppose they were somewhere in the age between 21-24 .... somewhere there 
What strikes me NOW is the fact, how old-looking James Potter in the movies is .... that is alright with me when Harry looks into the mirror (maybe he sees James like he would look now), but when Harry looks at the photos of himself as a baby with his parents, James seems to be just as old as in the mirror! Ain't that a mistake? Considering the fact how good-looking and kind of womanizer James was, it's just ..... awful to see him turned into someone THAT old and boring ..... get my point? 
What strikes me NOW is the fact, how old-looking James Potter in the movies is .... that is alright with me when Harry looks into the mirror (maybe he sees James like he would look now), but when Harry looks at the photos of himself as a baby with his parents, James seems to be just as old as in the mirror! Ain't that a mistake? Considering the fact how good-looking and kind of womanizer James was, it's just ..... awful to see him turned into someone THAT old and boring ..... get my point?
I'm not exactly sure. I mean, I guess that 21 would make sense and all... but I could have sworn that someone told me once that it actually says somewhere that they were 20 when Harry was born. Either that, or it said that they were 21 when they died. Which would make them 20 when he was born... So I dunno.
I found an official JK Rowling issued Time line in a magazine called Book. James and Lily were born circa 1959 and Harry, Hermione and Ron were all born in 1980, so, that puts them at 21.
Cass
Cass
| QUOTE (Cassie Valentine @ Jul 16 2003, 08:09 AM) |
| I found an official JK Rowling issued Time line in a magazine called Book. James and Lily were born circa 1959 and Harry, Hermione and Ron were all born in 1980, so, that puts them at 21. Cass |
Is that magazine on-line that we could see a link to?
Just curious because I've never seen that timeline before, and I'd like to
I also thought that James and Lily were around 22 when they died. I have no rational reasoning for it, but that's what I've always gone with.
I always think that Lily and James were about 20 when Harry was born and died when they were about 21, but that's because I put them in the class of 1960 for no real reason. I see them as coming of age during the years when Voldemort was really getting powerful, and in that kind of desperate situation some people just don't wait around to marry and have kids. Which, of course, makes things rather sobering for me, since I'm almost 21. Egads.
in the movie his parents look 30. But i think they where about 20. That seems right...right?
| QUOTE (innermurk @ Jul 16 2003, 05:12 PM) | ||
Is that magazine on-line that we could see a link to? Just curious because I've never seen that timeline before, and I'd like to I also thought that James and Lily were around 22 when they died. I have no rational reasoning for it, but that's what I've always gone with. |
no idea. The magazine it's self was called Book. Maybe it's out there, I've never really looked.
Cass
I always assumed that Lily and James had Harry when they were younger...like around 21-23. I also thought they were in the same year at Hogwarts, I dont really know why though.
Ooooo....a question I've always wondered about. I couldn't decide between 20 and 21, so I just put 21-23.
Umm...Arnina and anyone else who put 27-30, if you do the math with Snape's age, it just doesn't make sense. But it does seem kinda odd about the fourtune. I figured they inherited it too. Or James did, anyway. But anyways, could you explain your math reasoning to me? And if you don't have a math reason, thats okay.....
Umm...Arnina and anyone else who put 27-30, if you do the math with Snape's age, it just doesn't make sense. But it does seem kinda odd about the fourtune. I figured they inherited it too. Or James did, anyway. But anyways, could you explain your math reasoning to me? And if you don't have a math reason, thats okay.....
Honestly? I thought the HPL said that they were born in 1960. Shows how much I know.
I always thought that they were in the 21-23 range, because they graduated Hogwarts when they were 17-18 (depending on birthdays), they were in the Order, and I thought that they would be in there for about 2-3 years, so that would make them about 20-21 when they got married, and had Harry when they were about 22.
I think they got married just after Hogwarts. So they had Harry when they were 20-21.
| QUOTE |
| What strikes me NOW is the fact, how old-looking James Potter in the movies is .... that is alright with me when Harry looks into the mirror (maybe he sees James like he would look now), but when Harry looks at the photos of himself as a baby with his parents, James seems to be just as old as in the mirror! |
Oh my god! I know what you mean! I mean, come on, in the movies James is practically balding and does not look like he's in his early twenties at all.
I mean, i'm sure that guy is really nice, but he isn't a James. At least give him a wig or something! And this brings me to another rant, why does everyone seem so old in the movies? I think Alan is a good Snape, but what is with Dumbledore never smiling? And is it just me or in the promo pics does that guy they got for Lupin look a little old too? Maybe its just the pictures, and I know he's supposed to be all sickly looking because he's a werewolf...but still....
Anyway, I think that Lily and James and the crew were born in 1960, so when they died they would be 21-ish.
| QUOTE |
| 21-23 |
At the beginning of the first movie, they looked so young and I just always imagined that they would be around that age.
I argee that they were 21 when died and I agree with astrophilia about the James in the movie. He's fat,balding and not at all someone girls would swoon over!!! Stupid movie people 
. Ruining James image!
. Ruining James image!
I always figured they married straight out of Hogwarts and had Harry soon after, around the age of 20. This would put them dying around 21 or 22.
I totally agree with you about James!! The movie completely ruined his image. I picture him as hot and sexy, and the movie made him ugly, old, and balding!! I hope they get someone new to play the young James in the pensieve sequence when they make OotP. Their James is a disgrace!!
I totally agree with you about James!! The movie completely ruined his image. I picture him as hot and sexy, and the movie made him ugly, old, and balding!! I hope they get someone new to play the young James in the pensieve sequence when they make OotP. Their James is a disgrace!!
| QUOTE |
| I argee that they were 21 when died and I agree with astrophilia about the James in the movie. He's fat,balding and not at all someone girls would swoon over!!! Stupid movie people . Ruining James image! |
Agreed. When I first saw Lily and James in the movie, I was like "Why is Lily next to Harry's grandfather?" He looks so OLD! Who cast these people?
| QUOTE (aniolek @ Jan 15 2004, 04:08 PM) | ||
Agreed. When I first saw Lily and James in the movie, I was like "Why is Lily next to Harry's grandfather?" He looks so OLD! Who cast these people? |
LMAO! that made me laugh. i think i may have already posted what i think but not sure, i thin Lily and James were about 23 when they had harry, so making them 24 when they died. do we know how old snape is?? can anyone tell me?
| QUOTE (Ashes @ Jun 18 2003, 11:22 AM) |
| I always figured they were born 1960, graduated 1978, had Harry at 1980 and died in 1981. Which would make them 21 at death, 20 at Harry's birth, and I figure 19 at marriage. |
That's my exact math too! But I know someone who made a Sirius banner and it said 1961. It must vary by a year.
right-o. i went to leaky for some timeline back then and i came up with harry being born when lily was 20 and both j/l died at age 21. my sister just couldn't be convinced -- she thinks they had harry at age 21. oh, well, i don't know....
I imagine 24-26. This leaves time for them to have jobs and lives, to become friends, and to fall in love.
My math shows them being 20 years old when they had Harry, but I may be wrong. It is kinda scarry if my math is correct that Lily and James only got to be 21 years old. 
Well, the 1960/1961 thing could be explained by birthdates. They could have been born in September - December 1960 or January - August 1961, right? If they died on Hallowe'en they could be nearly 22? Oh, don't pay any attention to me, I'm terrible at Maths anyway...
I also agree with the 21-23 year old range.
It just seems the most logical.
It just seems the most logical.
Yeah I think they would have been around 21. I guess because I know a few people wwho had kids at 21-22 and there all really cool. I guess I just pivture them having harry then. Although they might have had him at 25 or so I mean i think they died kindda young but maybe not youth.
Gemma
Gemma
I think they were around 20 when Harry was born. I mean Snape isn't that old, he might be 36, I don't see him as a 40 year old. Also another thing is: they couldn't have possibly been in school with Lucius Malfoy, well maybe one year when he was in seventh and they were in first, because he was there with Voldie and L/J weren't ok I'm rambling now sorry.
My two cents.
My two cents.
i've always figured that they went to hogwarts in the 70's and around 20-21 when they were married and had harry and 21-22 when they died, they died in 1981 and i'm sure they weren't married incredibly long before lily became pregnant and all so the 21-22 ish limit seems most reasonable, give a year out of hogwarts because they started dating in 7th year so after another year of dating, James proposed one way or another and they were married soon after, madly in love and all that mumbo jumbo and then they had harry and well i hope i dont have to tell you the rest of the story lol
I'm 99.9% Harry was born when James and Lils were twenty years old. I did my math gazillion times already and it always gives me the same answer--20! Anyway, in addition, they died at age 21.
You know, I'm surprised that this poll even exists. We know from one of JKRs interviews that Snape (and thus Lily and the Marauders who were in the same class) was around 34-35 in GoF. That would mean that Lily and James were around 20-21 when Harry was born. Such a short tragic life. 
Eric
Eric
Did it say that Eric? Oh, I'm so sad for them...such a short tragic life, like you said...
Well, at least they were in love...
Anto
Well, at least they were in love...
Anto
I've always believed that they had Harry at 20. I've seen about ten different timelines (I can't remember where) and they all agree that James was born in 1960. So, using Harry's birthday, he was 20, with Lily around the same age.
I've done the math five times and get the same answer every time.
I've done the math five times and get the same answer every time.
Well, I'm 99% sure that they were 20 years old when they had Harry. I've done the math for few times and I've seen in somewhere, too (in HP Lexcion, I think). And they died when they were 21...
*sniff*
*sniff*
Well, I've also found something new to support a new theory... I'm crap at maths, so anyone do it for me? Lucius Malfoy was 41 in OotP, as it says in one of the articles by the Prophet... And if he was in the school when the Chamber was opened the first time... doesn't this complicate things up a bit?? Or am I miscalculating?
I was just actually thinking about this tha other day....
I really believe the 21-22 age line... because Snape is like 36? well 36 since the new book is coming out soon... i guess? and since they was in the same grade.. my math tells me 21... and yah about the James in the movies?
Gaw... i thought he would look so different.. all wild and sexy or sumthing..
I really believe the 21-22 age line... because Snape is like 36? well 36 since the new book is coming out soon... i guess? and since they was in the same grade.. my math tells me 21... and yah about the James in the movies?
Gaw... i thought he would look so different.. all wild and sexy or sumthing..
| QUOTE (MyOb @ Aug 30 2004, 10:57 PM) |
| Well, I've also found something new to support a new theory... I'm crap at maths, so anyone do it for me? Lucius Malfoy was 41 in OotP, as it says in one of the articles by the Prophet... And if he was in the school when the Chamber was opened the first time... doesn't this complicate things up a bit?? Or am I miscalculating? |
It's an interesting theory, but you were correct in the assumption you made a miscalulation (Did that sentence make any sense at all?).
Lucius Malfoy wasn't at Hogwarts when the Chamber was opened for the first time. The only people that we know were Hogwarts students at that time are Hagrid and Tom Riddle. Oh, and Myrtle. (edit: and Olive Hornby.)
I put together a bunch of facts from canon as to who was in what year with who a while back. It can be found on the top of this forum. It's a sticky called "Pinned: Research / Reference Thread"
Here's a link to the Easy-to-Read One-Stop-Shopping MWPP-Canon Post
Hope that helps!
Chee
I'm going with the majority on this one, I think that they were in their early twenties.
I haven't done the math, because I never really cared to think about it.. but after reading people's opinions and theories it seems the most correct and more likely then them having Harry any time later.
I haven't done the math, because I never really cared to think about it.. but after reading people's opinions and theories it seems the most correct and more likely then them having Harry any time later.
I'd agree w/ Oy! Angelia and Ashes, as I think if you go by wut the Lexicon says they'd have been 19 when they were marrid, had Harry when they vwere 20 and died at 21. At least that is my view on the matter.
So wuts yours?
Kewl discussion btw, this is an awesome topic!
So wuts yours?
Kewl discussion btw, this is an awesome topic!
I thought i heard somewhere that Sirius was 22 when commited into Azkaban, that would make Lily and James 22 when they died and 21 when Harry was born.
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