[HPforGrownups] Magic and Law

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 42737

bboy_mn writes:

> Harry on the other hand lives with muggles, and it seem like the main
> job of the Ministry is to keep muggle from finding out about magic
> people. So when Harry performs magic, he is violating the 'mischief'
> misdemeanor which wouldn't be a big deal, but he is also violating the
> gross misdemeanor/felony of performing magic in front of muggles. This
> is a big deal. This may require the Ministry to send over a team of
> obliviators from the Improper Use of Magic Office to erase peoples
> memories, and smooth things over. This is exactly what the Ministry
> had to do when Harry blew up his aunt. So this is certainly a more
> serious crime; very serious in the eyes of the Ministry.

I agree.  And to elaborate a little, not only is Harry living with Muggles,
but he is *Harry Potter."  The boy who lived.  Since he is sent to live at
least part of every summer with the Dursleys for protection (through no
fault of their own of course ;) !) performing magic draws attention to that
particular Muggle residence.  And he's they're for protection, not to put up
a flashing sign saying, "Harry Potter lives here, come on over!"  Yet when
he *does* do magic it pulls out the top notch people to run after him and
repair whats been done and others to make sure he's okay.  I somehow doubt
anybody went to the Weasleys after Ron's teddy bear was turned into a
spider to see if he was coping. ;)

On the other hand, if Harry *were* to perform magic at the Weasleys, big
deal.  There are lots of wizards there, and a couple of witches, so who's to
know the difference?  Who would care?

Richelle