Limitations of magic on the Harry Potter series

[wcdawson at optonline.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 29932

Good questions. The magic system is very vague in the HP universe 
(compared to other books like "The Wheel of Time" where it is 
extremely detailed). I doubt even JKR knows the precise limits. As 
for appearance-improving magic, Snape and Moody aren't the type of 
people who would do that. Remember Hermione in GoF - just 
straightening her hair took a couple hours. Not very powerful magic, 
it seems.

Harry realizes in PS/SS that "there was much more to magic than 
waving your wand and saying some words". But we never get any 
details. In fact, with Flitwick's 'Wingardium Leviosa' lesson, it 
seems that wand-waving and word-saying are crucial.