OT: Can there be Magic?

[uilnslcoap]

No: HPFGUIDX 34466

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "boyblue_mn" <boyblue_mn at y...> wrote:
> When a first year comes to Hogwart's and they go to Charms class 
and 
> everyone tries to levitate the feather, what can't some of them do 
it. 
> They have the wand exactly match to them, the have the correct 
> movements, they have the correct incantations. They have every bit 
of 
> information now that they will have a week later when they can 
easily 
> levitate the feather. So what's up with that?
> 
> I see magic as being very similar to meditation; more meditation 
than 
> education. For any charm or curse, you have to open that part of 
your 
> mind, spirit, magic, or whatever you want to call it. Knowledge 
isn't 
> enough. You have to be able to free that part of yourself that 
allows 
> that particular magic to flow.

Interesting theory, but I don't think it stands up to canon 
evidence.  What about Hermione?  She's in their "Wingardium 
Leviosa"ing the first feather that comes up, and informing Ron that 
his accents in the words are wrong (which seems to indicate the words 
are actually important in casting a spell).  She has to teach Harry 
how to use a Summoning Charm properly.  It seems to me that this 
indicates that practicality is a vital portion of magic.

Having said that, perhaps certain PARTS of magic have to do with 
opening an inner part of yourself, and just letting flow.  For 
instance, Harry has an instantaneous connection with flying on a 
broomstick, and with breaking out of Imperius.  Perhaps these are the 
more ethereal, psychic connections (along with Divination) whereas 
levitating a feather and transforming mice into snuff boxes (or is it 
the other way around?) and creating potions are more practically 
oriented.  Besides, Hermione does put a lot of focus on knowledge, 
and never mentions a sort of connection/flow with the magic that 
Harry seems to feel the first time he flies on a broom.

Devin