James & Lily

You know you are right they never did say although from the sounds of how others spoke they were well respected. I'd guess since they were in the Order and friends with others that they were Aurors or similar. Probably worked for the ministry in one form or another. Of course the money could have been inherited or it could be that the money left to Harry was from a life insurance policy, after all his parents were killed. Who knows on that one. I did get the impression that James Potter came from a long line of wizards so he might have been well off to begin with and they didn't need to work.

I have to say I've never actually thought about it! Now it's going to annoy me too! They were in the Order of the Phoenix weren't they? And were friends with the Longbottoms, so perhaps they were aurors, although it doesn't say anywhere that I can recall that aurors make a lot of money. Maybe it was an inheritance from the Potter side of the family

Oh, thanks a lot. Now I am going to be spending all my time rereading all the Harry Potter books to try and find the answer to that question. lol I don't remember any of the books ever saying what they did to come across all the gold they left to Harry. Maybe it will tell us in the last book. Geez, I hope so because now I am going to go crazy wondering.

Hmmm, I was under the impression that they didn't have official jobs outside of the order of the Phoenix. Once again, according to the Harry Potter Lexicon, Lilly and James had to have been married quite soon after leaving Hogwarts. About a year or two after leaving Hogwarts, that would need to happen to give Lilly enough time to give birth to Harry (9 months) and let Harry age a year. Since James had all that money from his inheritance, they didn't need any money. With Voldemort causing such destruction, I just assumed that The Order was pretty much a full time job in those days. Also, with Aunt Petunia saying he was unemplyed, I guess it is possible that they didn't need official jobs. Either way, I doubt that they were working when they were killed because by then they had gone into hiding. It's a good question though, because I suppose they both could have had a job at some point. I hope we get more information about this in the next book.

Hmmm, I know they were in the original Order of The Phoenix, but obviously that wasn't a paying job, so maybe they were Aurors. Lol, this is going to annoy me now. It's kind of strange that given that the books all revolve around their son Harry, that there would have been more mention of what they did for a living, especially as they were said to be one of the best Witches and Wizards of their time. I wonder if maybe there'll be some more mention of this in book seven.

I think at least some part of the gold was inherited. Harry's father's family were one of the old wizarding families so there should be some amount of inheritance. As for what kind of job they did? I can't imagine.

To be honest I haven't ever heard of them till now nor have I ever thought about it.

Now that's something to think about.lol! I've read the books, and although I'm not one of those whose super fanatic about it, I'm quite curious if all the loose ends will be tied up on book seven. Although I very much doubt if Rowling will shed light into this mystery. We may see some background info regarding their financial situation (i.e the James Potter's family), but I don't think what they do for a living will be touched in book 7.

Interesting that you should think about the Sr. Potter's money. Hmm.. that certainly is a mystery. Yes there might some inheritance involved, but so much is definitely questionable. Probably Voldemort has a deeper reason to go after them :) Cheers! Ram

O i keep wondering too but from Moody showed they were defentily in the order of the phoniex! Thats the only solid fact we know about them!!...in fact i read on mugglenet or someother Harry Potter site that they must be the desendents of Gordic Griffindor and must be related to Dumbledore as well b'cos he is a defintely a Griffindor...but iam guessing they were Aurors....it will really interesting to know what they actually did though :)

well, now that you mention it, i'm starting to question there work as well. What could there job be in the wizarding world. We can only make suggestions and speculations. Oh! one pops into my mind. They are AURORS I think. It just appears in my mind. :)) But since they work for the order they must be good at fighting dark forces.

James and Lily Potter are both Aurors. They are members of the Order of the Phoenix.They worked together with Neville Longbottoms parents. I think I read this in book 5. Being an Aurors of both Harry Potter and Neville Longbottoms' parents play an important role in the Prophecy about the little boy and the Dark Lord.