HBP and the Ages of the Black Sisters

[gehayi]

Something that occurred to me last night while I was reading over commentary on the early chapters of HBP:

Comments

[midnitemaraud_r]

With regard to "The Lestranges" Perhaps the reference was to the two brothers and not the married couple? I don't think she mentions Lucius as part of the 'gang of Slytherins' he ran with, but we know they became friends. Sirius doesn't mention Regulus or Narcissa either, I don't think.

Perhaps Bellatrix was several years older than her husband.

Also, Snape was all alone after his DADA O.W.L and, it seemed, friendless. I get the feeling that many of his 'closer' friends had either already left school (or perhaps - if the supposition that he and Regulus were friends is true, then they were younger as well) If he came to school knowing so much about the dark arts, you'd think he'd nose up to the older students who were more on his level, you know?

[gehayi]

With regard to "The Lestranges" Perhaps the reference was to the two brothers and not the married couple?

No, sorry. Here's the quote:

"Snape knew more curses when he arrived at school than half the kids in seventh year, and he was part of a gang of Slytherins who nearly all turned out to be Death Eaters."

Sirius held up his fingers and began ticking off names.

"Rosier and Wilkes--they were both killed by Aurors the year before Voldemort fell. The Lestranges--they're a married couple--they're in Azkaban. Avery--from what I've heard he wormed his way out of trouble by saying he'd been acting under the Imperius Curse--he's still at large. But as far as I know, Snape was never even accused of being a Death Eater--not that that means much. Plenty of them were never caught. And Snape's certainly clever and cunning enough to keep himself out of trouble."

I don't think she mentions Lucius as part of the 'gang of Slytherins' he ran with, but we know they became friends.Well, no, but Lucius would have been in seventh year when Snape was

[midnitemaraud_r]

She really is god-awful with ages, isn't she! She did the same thing with regard to Charlie's age, too.

*sigh*

I suppose we'll see when Tonks' birthday is - maybe that will give us a clue.

[gehayi]

She really is god-awful with ages, isn't she! She did the same thing with regard to Charlie's age, too.

What annoys me is that she KNOWS damned well that she can't figure out anything mathematical, and yet she doesn't--or at least doesn't seem to, judging by the books--get someone who is good at math to beta-read for her to keep her from fouling up her own timeline. I'd expect at least that much care from a fanfic writer, let alone a professional. After all, "I SUCK AT MATH LOLZ!!" wouldn't fly with me if I were reviewing the story of a thirteen-year-old fanbrat at the Pit of Voles. I don't see that sloppiness with canon becomes any more acceptable when it's done by the canonical writer. (And yes, I AM looking at you, Orson Scott Card and Terry Goodkind.)

[snorkackcatcher]

Lots of ingenious theories - but I think the true explanation is quite simply that JKR, as on a number of other occasions, simply didn't sit down and work out the math. In fact, in the latest Mugglenet/TLC interview she actually admits that's "not how she works". (I think we'd kind of noticed, Jo

[gehayi]

Lots of ingenious theories - but I think the true explanation is quite simply that JKR, as on a number of other occasions, simply didn't sit down and work out the math.

Well, yes, OBVIOUSLY, but I was trying to work out a functional explanation for fanfic.

Why do you suppose she doesn't just get a beta reader or two to look over things like dates and birthdays to make sure she doesn't fuck up her own timeline? Especially as she knows that she's bad at maths?

Incidentally, I don't consider interviews canon. She's been known to contradict the books more than once, and she gives so many interviews that it's practically impossible to tell what she's said when. Information given in interviews can be useful, like the bit about Ginny's full name being Ginevra Molly Weasley, but the interviews do not have the same weight, canonically, as the books. That's my view, anyway.

[cloudofcalm]

I don't think Bellatrix needs to be the eldest surviving Black sister. Blasting Andromeda off the tapestry could constitute disinheriting her - so she doesn't stand to inherit. Bit different with an 'heir' like Sirius - he was the only surviving one of he and Regulus, so it would revert to him, in the wake of relatives who could legitimately take on property.

It's a bit convoluted, but if she were disinherited, it would pass to either Harry or Bellatrix.