Course subjects - Ghosts

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 15084

Jennifer wrote:
> > 
>  It is said that Hermione "took nobody´s advice but signed up for 
> everything". By doing that she had to study arithmancy, ancient 
> runes, care of magical creatures, divination and muggle-studies. 
> the other subjects we´ve get to know of are history of magic, 
> herbology, transfiguration, charms, potions, astrology, DADA (and 
> Advanced DADA). there is also a broomstick-riding-course, although 
> this one is short. 
>  I don´t think Hermione took any other course beside those we get to 
> know about, considering that she usually speaks a lot about what she 
> studies. However, this doesn´t mean that there are nothing more is 
> taught at Hogwarts. There might be courses added as the student gets 
> older 

Or it might just be our narrator being a wiseass.  He and Ron, being 
sane, balanced, and also lazy, signed up for two new courses; she 
signed up for five; that equals "everything" from Harry's POV.

> Durmstrang and Beauxbatons does seem to teach English, since Fleur 
as 
> well as Krum (although with a rather noticeable accent) speaks it. 
> This could of course be some kind of translation-charm, thrown over 
> everybody - but this being the case, shouldn´t it have been 
mentioned?

I never thought of that.  Goes to show how English-centric I am (and 
Europe is); I just figured they all knew English.  I like the 
translation-charm better.  Like the universal translator in Star Trek, 
or the Babel fish in Hitchhiker's Guide.

Jennifer, I am aware that you've posted your inquiry about ghosts' 
interactions with solid objects a couple of times.  It's the kind of 
subject that gives me a headache (The Metaphysics of Ghostly 
Existence/Nonexistence), so I haven't picked up on it.  But I'm 
feeling bad about that.  So:  my guess is that ghosts do not routinely 
interact with the solid world.  They do have their own paper, etc.  I 
figure if they can walk through walls, and if when they stop short in 
front of you you walk through them, then they also can't generally 
lift objects, etc.  BUT I've always thought that it has to be a little 
more complicated than this, or else ghosts wouldn't be able to sit 
properly at the table--they'd just float uncontrollably.  In Douglas 
Adams's Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, there's a ghost who 
can manipulate solid objects, but it takes a lot of effort.  I like 
that solution.

Peeves is not a ghost, properly speaking, and he obviously can 
interact quite effectively with solid objects, but that isn't the only 
reason that Nick got him to drop the thingamabob instead of doing it 
himself; I think Nick (a) is too dignified to throw furniture, even 
though he wanted to help Harry out, and (b) knew he was doing Peeves a 
favor by telling him about a great opportunity to tick off Filch.

Amy Z

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 Grenouille: I cannot go with you to the
   market today, Crapaud.
 Crapaud:  But Grenouille, I cannot carry
   the cow alone.
             -Quidditch Through the Ages
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