Wizard Wealth (was Weasleys being poor)

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 11208

This subject area is one of the most interesting: what are the limits 
of magic? Obviously it isn't omnipotent, or everything would be on its 
head.

Wealth: Wealth -- gold, for a wizard -- has to be the same as we 
understand it.  If any competent wizard could conjure it, gold 
wouldn't be all that valuable anymore.  The same goes for things like 
clothes or material items: if they were that easy to get, what use 
would money be?

We aren't sure about items we've seen magicked up.  When Dumbledore 
whips up a chair for Sybil Trelawney or a tray of tea and biscuits in 
Hagrid's hut, he might have created them out of thin air (as a most 
powerful wizard) or he might have summoned them from the kitchens or 
storage rooms or whatever. Certainly talent, experience, and skill 
means some wizards can do what other's can't.

Steve:"Ron would look a bit silly if his clothes vanished on him, 
items made from thin air may only last a few hours."

It all depends on what kind of parties you get invited to.