How powerful are witches and wizards?

[zoehooch]

No: HPFGUIDX 34667

We seem to have a lot of similar, recurring questions.

Why couldn't Crouch Sr. heal Mrs. Crouch?
Why did Tom Riddle's mother die during childbirth, as she's a witch?
Why can't the Weasleys conjure up new clothes and books for their 
kids?  Or even conjure up some more rooms for their overcrowded house?
Why don't wizards with not-so-lovely features give themselves a new 
look using magic?

I've been wondering ... just how powerful are the witches and wizards 
in this magical world of Harry Potter?  If we look at the faculty at 
Hogwarts, we see that they each have their specialities, except for 
Snape who probably has 2 specialities, and indeed each contributes 
according to his or her speciality in protecting the 
Philosopher's/Sorcerer's stone. Does this then indicate that they 
aren't quite as powerful in other areas?  Is it only a few quite 
exceptional wizards, such as Dumbledore, who are truly gifted in a 
great many areas?

Perhaps wizard talent maps more to human talent.  Some of my friends 
are technically and scientifically talented. Others excel at writing. 
Still others are artists. And my best friend is a massage therapist 
and acupuncturist. All of them are very smart and very wonderful, but 
each has his or her very special gift.

I guess my point is that I think we sometimes expect too much from 
our characters as they face life in the wizarding world.

just a thought,
Zoe Hooch