JKR said that James inherited a lot of gold, so he didn't need a well paying profession.

They were probably Aurors.

that's what i thought! yeah, i'm not the only one who thinks that! think about it people - it all makes sense!!!

What makes you think that?

well, i may be wrong, but she was always very clever, and also seemed to know what she was doing that...terrible....night 15 years ago. i think she knew what protecting her son would do, and that she had given birth to the wizarding equivelant of jesus (hehe sorry a lot of you may disagree with the fact i called him that so please don't take offence from it) - and also, she may have been studying death (the veil) for a long time if so.

i am open to objections, so if you don't agree with my theories please tell me. in my mind it makes sense anyway...

I guess it's possible.

I always thought that Lily was just EXTREMELY good hearted and loved her son very much. I don't think she realized what it would do.

But you could very well be right.

good point - it's probably that she just loved him. but she had so many chances of life that night, and yet she chose death over them all.

I think they both worked for the ministry, but who knows

^ Possibly they were Unspeakables. That would explain why a lot of people didn't know much about them.

we have to remember that lilly and james died on october 31st 1981 aged 21

Dumbledore was headmaster from 1955 untill his death! fudge became ministrer formagic in 1990 hence how ron knows about it!

unspeakables could be a possiblility

I think that James was an auror and that Lily worked in the Department of Misteries actually...

They were Aurors werent they?

I always thought that James was a) a Quidditch Player b) An auror. They did say he was fabulous at Quidditch. Lily however was a bit more hard she could have been a Mediwitch or an Auror. For sure something which helped people though.

James did play Quidditch at school but we have not heard anything about him playing professionally.

Lily we know less about but for some reason I think that they were both Ministry workers. Most likely Aurors but Unspeakables makes a great bit of sense .:: mind starts new theory::.

We'll find out a little bit more I think, but not much.

A couple people have already said this. I think Lily was an Unspeakable and James was a auror- I think that makes a lot of sense.....

First of all Jesus died on the cross to save the entire world of their sins. Harry is nowhere near the equivelent.


I think that it is very possible that both Lily and James worked for the ministry. Lily would probably have a job that involved different potions and charms, so maybe she was an unspeakable. The only thing we know about James was that he was good at quidditch and defense against the dark arts. He could have possibly been an auror or he too might have worked in the department of mysteries. However I think he had another job for the ministry that we have yet to hear about.

i think that james was an auror and lily was a ministry official or stay at home mom or someone who owned a shop in diagon alley.also they worked in the order and that we know for sure.and the only reason aunt petunia said he didn't have a job is because she didn't want aunt marge to suspect anything weird.

I think that is right on target. I think that is why Lily will play an important part in the final book.

One of his parents who have to do something that paid very well to explain why Harry has so much money. Mr. Weasley works for the minstry and his family doesn't have a safe filled with money.

I think James would have to have a non-minstry job to explain all that money. Maybe James worked for Grigots?

Well they never realy metion Lilly and James jobs. I think James worked at the Ministy of Magic and Lilly stayed at home with Harry.

If Harry scarfice's his life to defeat Voldemort (evil) to save the wizzarding world - that is what Harry would be doing. He would be the savoiur of the wizarding world. Harry is not the equivelent to Jesus but there is a parallel to the situations.

There wasn't enough time between Lily & James grauating from Hogwarts to become Aurors.

According to Professor McGonagall, to be accepted for Auror training, one has to have a minimum of five N.E.W.T.s (and no grade lower than "Exceeds Expectations") in subjects such as Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology. Then, prospective Aurors are required to undergo a stringent series of character and aptitude tests to show they react well under pressure and have very high skills in practical defence. Two of the disciplines included are "Concealment and Disguise" and "Stealth and Tracking". Once accepted Aurors must train extensively in advanced magical fighting, and must have excellent academic credentials before they are accepted on a rigorous training program (which normally lasts three years).

I don't think James would of had the grades to qualify but Lily could have been in training to become an Auror. Again I just don't think there was enough time after graduation and before she was killed. An Unspeakable is also a good guess becuase we don't know a lot about Lily or what unspeakables do and that could work for part of the plot for book 7.

From an AOL chat on October 19, 2000 JK said when asked:

"What did James and Lily Potter do when they were alive?

Well, I can't go into too much detail, because you're going to find out in future books. But James inherited plenty of money, so he didn't need a well-paid profession. You'll find out more about both Harry's parents later."

So I guess James has family money so maybe he just worked for the Order. Which would explain how Lily could further her training because they didn't have to worry about money.

If James did work I think he would of had a non-minstry job. I could see James working for Grigots as a curse-breaker. I remember reading in OoTP when the kids were reading the brochures for career advice that you could earn large bonuses working for the bank on special assignments.
James would like the adventure!

Also a very interesting note from the same interview:

"Where did James get his Invisibility Cloak?
That was inherited from his own father-- a family heirloom!"

With Lilys talents for potions, her knowledge of prophecies and the fact that noboby ever spoke about her job, she must have been an unspeakable. As far as James is concerned, it a little harder. We know he was an unregistered shape changer, we know his wand was perfect for transforming and we know he was a very charismatic. He was probably too young to be a qualified auror, but he could have been in training. Therefore as Petunia said he didn't have a job. Both of these professions would allow them the oppurtunity to defy LV thrice.

I honestly don't know what they could have been. My best guess is Aurors.

I have a question though... were Lily and James well-known/famous before the Voldemort attack, or did they become famous after their deaths because Harry lived and was their son? Because I got the impression from the books that they were well-known, well-respected people even before the Harry/Voldemort incident. And if James really did inherit a fortune, could he have possibly been well known because he came from a rich/powerful family?