[HPforGrownups] Privit Drive Safety Zone and Dobby

[Laura Huntley]

No: HPFGUIDX 36739

uncmark wrote:
>I have a question about the supposed safety zone at No. 4 Privit 
>Drive. According to Voldemort himself in GoF, he could not attack 
>Harry at the Dursley's "Dumbledore invoked an ancient magic to ensure 
>the boy's protection as long as he is in his relations care." GofF 
>Ch. 33.
>So HOW did Dobby get in in ChoS? Agreed, he didn't physically harm 
>Harry, but he was able to intercept mail, cast magic on a pudding, 
>and do some elf-magic equivalent of Apparation. Shouldn't the magic 
>protect Harry from this?

I pretty sure the "ancient magic"  that Dumbledore invoked had alot to do with intent.  Magic can be done inside the safety zone, as long as it isn't done with the *intent* to harm Harry.  This may sound a little sketchy -- why would Dumbledore use a shield with such an exception? -- but at the same time, we must remember that this is *ancient magic*, which, frankly, seems to have a mind of its own.  I'm sure that if there was spell Dumbledore could have used to protect Harry *no matter what* and allow him to leave the Dursley's loving care, he would have used it.  However, it seems that this spell doesn't exist.  Therefore, it seems that Dumbledore was forced to compromise by invoking the ancient magic stuff...it kind of sounds almost as if the magic is sentient or something, the way they talk about it.  Not a spell, exactly -- but perhaps some kind of guardian radical magic conjured up by ancient wizards and not fully understood by the present wizarding population.

Furthermore, Arabella would have needed to use *some* magic, I think, during her surveillance of Harry (to keep up her disguise, if she has one, etc.).  That kind of cancels out the theory that the ancient magic was designed to stop *all* magic in Harry's safety zone.  Furthermore, I seem to remember Arthur Weasley using quite a bit of magic during his visit in GoF.

And remember, Dobby thought he was acting in Harry's best interest.  He wasn't trying to harm Harry -- he was trying to save him.  So the ancient magic would not have kicked in.

Hmmm...makes me wonder what would happen to Ron if he got angry and cast a schoolyard curse at Harry.  Of course, they aren't allowed to use magic outside of school -- but just think about it...Would the curse simply not work, or would there be adverse effects for Ron?

hmmm..

laura

is safe to look within
and to erase
all that's been
and all that's been between
is it gone
tell me what we've won
cause baby i'm not that strong
and I'm walking wounded
all alone
all alone
THE TEA PARTY


Hmmm..I wonder what would have happened


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]