What's up with the Ignotus Peverell / Godric Gryffindor lineage?

Question

It says in HP7 that Gryffindor is a descendant of Ignotus Peverell (Apparently Gryffindor was named after the village, not the other way around.) But how could Gryffindor, who had helped found Hogwarts about a thousand years ago (according to Prof. Binns in book 2) be a descendant of Ignotus Peverell, who founded Godric's Hollow in the 1600s after the International Statute of Secrecy (according to Hermione's research in book 7)?

Okay, maybe I am wrong about who was first, but that won't change the fact that that is what I think I remember from the book. But I know it does say DIRECTLY, somewhere in the book who came before who (Hermione was reading a history book). Can someone give me the page because I don't know where to find it.

Never mind, I think I found the source of my confusion. Godric's Hollow was not founded after the International Statute of Secrecy; according to http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizworld/places/godrics_hollow.html it already existed and simply attracted a new population of wizards. This means that Ignotus did not found Godric's Hollow and I am wrong about Ignotus being older. So a thousand years ago Gryffindor lived and established Hogwarts, then he had a descendant 650-odd years later named Ignotus Peverell. It all makes sense to me now.

Answer 1

Godric's Hollow is over a thousand years old, evidenced by the fact that it was the birthplace of Godric Gryffindor (Deathly Hallows 16) who we know helped found Hogwarts at least this long ago (Chamber of Secrets 9). Since we know the village was named for Gryffindor (Deathly Hallows 16), it seems likely it originally bore a different name, and was renamed for Gryffindor sometime after his historical achievements became commonly known.

Over the years Godric's Hollow had a number of magical residents; we know "the graveyard is full of names of ancient magical families" (Deathly Hallows 16). Ignotus Peverell, one of the three brothers of Deathly Hallows lore, is buried here and passed his Cloak of Invisibility down through his descendants in the village, leading later wizards to come visit in search of his Hallow (Deathly Hallows 35).

From these statements (Taken from Harry Potter Lexicon) It seems that you've been mixed up. Ignotus Peverell is actually the descendant of Godric Gryffindor and Godric's hollow was named after Gryffindor, not the other way around. Maybe you should re-read some parts of the book.

Answer 2

No, its said that Harry is a descendant of Ignotus Perverell, and that he lived in Godric's Hollow.

"The Cloak, as you know now, traveled down through the ages, father to son,mother to daughter, right down to Ignotus's last living descendant, who was born, as Ignotus was in the village of Godric's Hollow." (DH, Chapter 35, P. 714 [US hardcover ed.])

I think you might have mixed this up with the idea that some fans had that Harry was the heir of Gryffindor--this idea was scotched by JKR in one or more interview/chat.

wl

Answer 3

Actually jk rowling was asked by a reporter if harry was related to godric Gryffindor. And she said "maybe"