Question about wizards and living....

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 47725

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Andrea <ra_1013 at y...> wrote:
> --- bboy_mn wrote:
> 
> > I have always assumed that the Burrow had basic enchantments like
> > Apathy Charms so muggles would ignore it. The Weasley's have been
> > living at the Burrow for many years, and it doesn't appear as if
> > anyone from the town even knows they are there. Also, that land 
> > that isn't owned by the Weasley and isn't wooded land, is farm 
> > land. So the Apathy Charm has to be strong enough that the farmer 
> > ignores them when he is out working his fields.
> 
> I assume you're talking about the land they played Quidditch on,
> since you weren't very specific but I can't figure out what else 
> you would've meant. :)  
> 
> ...edited...
>  
> Andrea


bboy_mn responds:

Actually, no, I wasn't talking specifically about the paddock although
the paddock was included in what I was refering too. The Weasleys live
on what we here in the heartland refer to as an acreage. An acreage is
the plot of land upon which a farmhouse, it's associated building, and
the surrounding woods sits.

The Weasley's land consists of the home and out-buildings area, a
pond, a clearing between the pond and the paddock, and the paddock
which is surrounded by trees and also contains an orchard (apple
trees). When they threw the gnomes over the hedge, they threw them
into a another clearing which I took to be surrounding farm fields.

I think the Weasleye's house and out-buildings are blocked from view
of the main road by surrounding trees. However, there has to be a
driveway leading up to the house (the taxis used it), and in a small
community it would be hard for people to ignore that driveway. If
nothing else, the local kids would explore is as a possible place to
park and drink.

Next, in a small rural area like this, any land that isn't houses or
woods is farmland; either fields or grazing land which means that
sooner or later the farmer is going to be out in his field and will be
able to see the Weasleys and their house. Also, since the Weasleys are
somewhat specific about what land they do and don't own, we must
assume they bought the land from the farmer who owns the surrounding
fields. Although, it is more likely that they bought it from the
farmers grandfather or great-grandfather. This would help account for
the current farmer not knowing that they are there. 

Oddly, I can picture the farmer driving his tractor up the Weasley's
driveway, past their house, and out into the field and never giving
their house a second (or even a first) glance. As the farmers passes
by, the Weasley brothers are bored with it all, Mrs. Weasley is
apprehensive, and Mr. Weasley is incredably fastinated by this
marvelous contraption the farmer is driving and has the uncontrollable
urge to go over and talk to the farmer about it; and of course, the
farmer is oblivious.

Since they must be careful not to fly above the trees in the paddock,
there must be some limits to the Apathy (or whatever) Charm. Maybe it
only takes effect when people get close. So people driving down the
road would be uneffected until the got to the driveway, at which time
they would completely ignore it. By the time they were out of range
they would be well past the Weasley's driveway.


Just a few thoughts. Actually, the nature and history of the Weasley
farmstead/acreage is tied into a story I am writing, so I have given
it some thought.

bboy_mn