Muggles and Magic

[Skimmel_98 at yahoo.com]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C501
From: Skimmel_98
Subject: Muggles and Magic
Date: 2/22/00 8:43 am  (ET)

There is one inconsistency that nags at me within the books: Muggles
and Magic.

Didn't they say in the first book that they go to some lengths to keep the
Muggles from knowing that the Magic world exists? Minerva McGonagal was
upset that people were celebrating in plain view of the Muggles. They hide
platform 9 3/4 from the Muggles. When Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew
had their fight that killed all the muggles they cooked up that story
about the gas explosion to hide the fact magic was involved. Everyone
was upset when the Weasley's flying car was actually seen.

On the other hand, the Dursleys, who are about as Muggle as you get,
are well aware of Magic. Weren't Hermione's parents with her in Diagon
Alley? Wasn't that one kid, name escapes me, taking pictures of everything
at Hogwarts to show his Muggle parents when he was petrified? Didn't
Cornelius Fudge let the Prime Minister know the true nature of Sirius
Black when he escaped from Azkaban?

I'm unclear as to when Muggles are allowed to see Magic. I thought I
had it figured out with only immediate relatives getting to know. Not
that it matters much. I don't insist on perfect consistency. I'm just
a little confused.