Boggart powers and the moon

[davewitley]

No: HPFGUIDX 39420

Elkins wrote:
> 
> > > Hmmm?  What's that you say?  You want to know about the dimming 
of
> > > the lights?
> > >
> > > Er.  Yes.  Well.  I think *that* is probably 
a ::coughFLINTcough::
> > > manifestation of Harry's spontaneous magic.  

Pip essayed:
> 
> >  The Boggart seems to have the ability to reach into people's 
minds
> >and tap into their darkest fears, taking on the appearance of those
> >fears. In which case the dimming of the lights and the cold are all
> >part of the Boggart's powers of illusion.
> >
> >

And Amy Z's contribution: 

> I think the Boggart really does a very impressive Dementor 
imitation, 
> complete with doused lights and genuine cold for the classroom and 
> nightmarish memories for Lupin (allowing those of us who 
particularly want 
> to wrap our arms around him and murmur "there, there" to get our 
sadistic 
> little jollies imagining what they might be) as well as ill effects 
for 
> Harry.

There is a fourth possibility, which combines elements of all these: 
the Boggart uses Harry's magic to create the Dementor effect.  So 
it's similar to a psychosomatic effect in that the chosen 
manifestation (Dementor) is out of Harry's experience, it's Harry's 
magic but not spontaneous, and because Harry really does have magical 
powers the effects, including those on Harry himself, are real.

I think this explanation has the merit that the Boggart's powers are 
limited by its victims' (including the limiting case that Muggles 
appear not to be plagued at all), while allowing for real effects to 
be witnessed by others.  I see no real difference 
between 'appearance' (such as turning into a spider) and 'effect' 
(such as dimming lights) here: either requires magic.

Without knowing more about the precise nature of lycanthropy (magical 
parasites who are unaffected by the Boggart?) it is impossible to say 
what effect on Lupin the Boggart would have if not dealt with.  But 
IMO the fact that, as his greatest fear, it takes on the appearance 
of the moon suggests that being exposed to the full moon is a factor 
in Lupin's transformation, in support of the 'natural' (dodges canon-
interpretation brickbats) reading that he transformed because the 
moon came out.

Incidentally, a while ago, there was discussion of magical things, 
and somebody said that there are plenty of magical beings, beasts and 
plants, but could not think of any magical objects other than those 
derived from these or charmed by wizards.  Does the moon count as 
a 'natural' magical object?

Amy again:

  Here are a few, simpler explanations for why Lupin doesn't 
> transform:

and another: Lupin is teaching third-year magic.  As teacher he 
prepares before the lesson by doing a more advanced spell to allow 
himself to control (back in its case), as opposed to merely counter 
the Boggart.

David