Harry Potter: How Did Harry’s Parents Get So Stinking Rich?
James and Lily Potter were 21-year-olds barely out of school when they were murdered. So how come they still managed to leave Harry a bunch of money?
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, not only does Harry discover that he is a wizard, but he also learns that he is very well-off. However, the Dursleys definitely didn’t know about his riches, and Harry’s parents died way too young to be able to earn such a fortune. Is this an oversight?
Actually, it isn’t. In 2015, J.K. Rowling finally shared the story behind Harry’s mysterious wealth on the official Harry Potter website, Wizarding World. Turns out, the Potter family has been rich pretty much since the Middle Ages.
The Potters descend from Linfred of Stinchcombe, a twelfth-century wizard who was quite skillful in treating muggles for diseases and is considered to be the inventor of several potions, including Skele-gro and Pepperup Potion.
Linfred later sold his remedies to wizards and witches for a hefty sum, ensuring his seven kids wouldn’t have to worry about money.
Fast forward a few centuries, and that’s when Fleamont Potter, James’ dad, took center stage. He was the one who “took the family gold and quadrupled it” by continuing his ancestor’s Potions tradition. Fleamont had a talent for this art as well, as he invented Sleekeazy’s Hair Potion – the same one that Hermione used in the fourth book in preparation for the Yule Ball.
Fleamont’s product became immensely successful, and he eventually sold his company and comfortably retired. Even though he and his wife Euphemia had given up on having a child by then, fate was kind to them, blessing them with James, who later inherited his father’s money.
By the way, imagine how much Snape hated the fact that his mortal enemy’s family was rich thanks to inventing some of the most famous Potions in the wizarding world. We bet this was yet another reason he couldn’t stand James and then Harry!
If James and Lily’s lives hadn’t ended so tragically so soon, they would’ve surely multiplied the Potter family’s fortune further. It’s a shame they never got such a chance.
Source: Wizarding World