[HPforGrownups] Convenient Plot Devices

[Barb P]

No: HPFGUIDX 43685


--- In HPforGrownups at y..., manic <manic1066 at y...> wrote:
> Does anyone else realize how easy JKR has made it for people to do
> anything and everything in her universe? Aside from killing 
> Voldemort, of course. There's a spell or device for everything. 
 
I have to strongly disagree.  There are limits on the things you mention, and ones you don't, as well.  The fact that the wizarding world has organized itself, that it has a government and laws, says that they realize that folks shouldn't just be allowed to run around wreaking havoc with magic.  Dark wizards are considered dangerous because they don't recognize these limits.  It's said by McGonagall that Dumbledore could do types of magic he chooses not to, presumably because it's Dark Magic.  Just because someone with no moral compass could, in theory, do whatever they like doesn't mean that is how the wizarding world works.  Clearly they are trying to prevent that kind of anarchy.
 
> Need to know someone's innermost thoughts? look into their 
> pensive. 
 
That's assuming a) they have a Pensieve; b) they've put the thoughts you're interested into said Pensieve; c) you know where they keep their Pensieve; and d) you can break through any locks or charms being used to protect the Pensieve.
 
> Need a few more hours, use a time turner. 
 
This is closely regulated by the Ministry.  They don't let just anyone have Time Turners.  And Hermione was only supposed to use it to attend classes.  Dark wizards don't seem to have access to these, for instance, or Voldemort would be able to kill Harry in a trice.  And clearly the Ministry doesn't think it's worth mucking around with time or they'd use a device like this when they know that Death Eaters or Voldemort himself have been in a certain place at a certain time.  It would be pretty easy to vanquish old Riddle if the Aurors used Time Turners, wouldn't it?  But it seems they choose not to, on principle.
 
> Want to sneak around? Don't worry, there's an
> invisibility cloak. 

 

It was established that this kind of cloak is not only rare but quite costly.  Everyone and his brother does NOT have an Invisibility Cloak.

 

> Need to do something? Create a potion or spell.
 
Like what?  We haven't seen anyone create a new spell or potion in the books.  I don't know where you get the impression it's easy to invent a new potion or spell.  It's certainly not canon.  We've seen Harry, Ron and Crouch turn into other people by brewing an existing potion, Polyjuice Potion, which is hard enough.  It takes weeks at a time to brew, and needs all kinds of ingredients not readily available, plus the recipe for it was in the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts library, probably in a book that's been out of print for hundreds of years.
 
> I feel like Chuck Jones might have felt when giving the Wile E. 
> something to do, need a tool? Simply place a 'ous' or something 
> after it to give the thing a vaguely Latin feel and go with it.
 
I think you've greatly oversimplified the wizarding world JKR has created.  And many spells and potions (like the Wolfsbane Potion) are beyond many people.  Apparating isn't something all magical people can do.  Conjuring a Patronus is "very advanced magic," according to Hermione (who, incidentally, isn't even very good at flying a broom, so one hopes she'll eventually learn to Apparate).  As Moody/Crouch said, if any of the fourth-year Gryffindors had tried to cast the Killing Curse on him, they might be lucky to give him a nosebleed.  Do you think if this stuff were easy they'd have to spend seven years learning it?
 
--Barb

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Psychic_Serpent
http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Barb


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