Use of Memeory Charms (was Re: Dumbledore casting memory charms?

[naamagatus]

No: HPFGUIDX 38553

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "marinafrants" <rusalka at i...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., Susanne <siskiou at e...> wrote:
<snip>
> > 
> > Would Dumbledore really perform a memory charm on a student
> > who found out about the tree?
> > 
> > And should he?
> 
> I definitely don't think he should, but then I'm with the camp that
> thinks the WW's casual use of memory charms on Muggles is extremely
> wrong.  
> 
> Nor do I think Dumbledore would've done it.  After all, he could've
> used a memory charm to make Snape forget all about the Prank, but he
> didn't.
> 

My impression is that in the WW, legitimate use of memory charms is 
limited (by law or custom) to MoM officials. The other cases we've 
seen are obviously illegal. In Lockhart's case, the memory charms 
were used to perform fraud and in Crouch's case, to cover up a very 
serious crime.
There is a concensus in the WW regarding the use of memory charms to 
conceal manifestations of magic from Muggles. But use of memory 
charms on fellow wizards is probably not viewed as legitimate. As far 
as using memory charms on Muggles goes, there is some sense in doing 
that, under the assumption that Muggles would not be able to live 
with this knowledge. (It's also a must, in terms of the logic of the 
story, that Muggles - i.e., the readers - are ignorant of the 
existence of magic and the WW. Memory charms provide an easy 
explanation of our ignorance. Question: what's the term for such a 
literary device?)

Naama