HP4GU Contest #19

[Joywitch M. Curmudgeon]

No: HPFGUIDX 29028

Contest #19 – Magical Customs Around the World

We know a lot about the customs of British wizards and witches, but 
we also know that there are some things that non-British wizards and 
witches do differently.  In warmer regions, brightly-colored tropical 
birds carry the mail, rather than owls.  In some Eastern nations, 
flying carpets are more common than broomsticks.  In the U.S., 
Quodpot rather than Quidditch is the national magical sport.

This week, we're going to speculate about other possible cultural 
differences.  We've speculated here about wizarding schools in other 
countries, especially the U.S.  For example, as I have previously 
posted, I am convinced that there's a school called New Hogwarts in 
New York City, located somewhere on the West Side of midtown 
Manhattan, in a building that only looks like a small, dirty, 
abandoned two-story warehouse with a sign on the door that says 
CONDEMNED - KEEP OUT.  John Walton pointed out that there's good 
reason to think that the students get there by subway, because of how 
the NYC subway train sometimes mysteriously stops between stations 
for a minute.  It's really stopping at the New Hogwarts station, but 
muggles can't see the doors opening or the students getting on and 
off.  And NY area witches and wizards use pigeons, instead of owls, 
for sending mail.

What are the cultural differences between the magical communities in 
other places?  Not just the wizarding schools, but the customs, 
artifacts, and other aspects of local culture.  What kind of devices 
do wizards and witches use in different places?  Are the charms and 
potions different?  Do wizards and witches keep their existence 
secret from muggles everywhere?  What is the magical culture like in 
your hometown or home country, and how does it differ from the 
culture we see in the HP books?

To enter the contest, send your speculation to me by email, at 
HP4GUCon at aol.com or to the above address, and save what you write 
until you receive a response from me (if you don't hear from me send 
it again).

--Joywitch