Wizard Radar?

[prefectmarcus]

No: HPFGUIDX 43294

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Olivia" <olivia at r...> wrote:
> Is there such a thing as wizard radar? Can one wizard tell another 
just by
> looking at him? Not taking into account obvious give-aways suchas 
robes,
> wands, bad attempts at Muggle dress, Harry's scar, Dumbledore's 
hair/beard,
> Mad-Eye's magical eye, etc. Is there anyway for them to instantly 
recognize
> another wizard? And vice-versa? Could a wizard spot a Muggle in 
Wizard
> robes?

> Olivia

Good question!  As far as canon is concerned, I don't think it is 
addressed.  The one case I can think of is Mr. Weasley recognizing 
Mr. and Mrs. Granger as muggles when they were at Gringotts in CoS.  
Hermione might of introduced them "off-camera", but we don't know.

The other case is the campground keeper in GoF.  Harry recognized him 
immediately ***because of his clothes***.  IIRC, he also mentioned 
that Mr. Crouch was about the only one that looked like a true muggle.

So I think it probably has to do with clothing and other details.  
Also, don't forget how small the wizard population is.  As in every 
small community, everybody knows everybody else.  

Marcus