Ban on Magic for the Summer

[marian_chen]

No: HPFGUIDX 33457

Crystal wrote, on why students can't use magic over the summer:

>Why do you suppose they banned the students from using their magic L>> >during the summer except under a dire emergency?  Is it because they >>haven't learned enough magic yet?  Or maybe because it's considered an >adult thing, and shouldn't be used until they are adults?  And doing 
>adult things meant you had to responsible for your actions.  Or it
>could be that most of the students lived in the Muggle world 
>during the summer, and they aren't supposed to let the Muggle world 
> know they exist.

Alexander replied:

>   Being responsible for what one does - I haven't found any
> example of magic being dangerous to the caster (unless your
> wand is broken, of course :) - funny results are definitely
> possible, but even one of the most complicated spells
> (apparate) does not put the caster in danger of death of
> physical damage. Thus, disagree on this one.

Apparition without a license is not only illegal, doing it wrong can 
result in splinching, so it does put you in some danger of physical 
damage.

I imagine the ban on underage magic is partly to protect the students, 
and partly to relieve the parents. At Hogwarts, the students already 
get into enough trouble through the incorrect use of magic (Eloise 
Midgen cursing her nose off, Ron belching slugs after his wand 
backfires, Hermione's teeth, etc.). With no Madam Pomfrey around to 
cure them or professors to unhex them, I imagine things would get hairy 
for their parents. Infinitely more so for those with Muggle parents, 
like Hermione.

It could also be an issue of control. Harry creates enough problems by 
blowing up Aunt Marge *unintentionally*. Imagine what he could do if he 
had the freedom.

Marian