The power of magic

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 55660

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Amy Z" <lupinesque at y...> wrote:
> 
>Elements like concentration, intention, a certain emotional state, 
and even a certain moral orientation all seem to play into it.  E.g.,  
you can't just say "Riddikulus" in a firm voice and make a Boggart go  
away.  You have to have your mind fixed on something amusing in the  
midst of terror, and that basically means you have to conquer your own 
fear.
> 
Making magic also expends energy, which crops up in other fantasy 
works, but I agree with Terry Pratchett (who parodies the concept) 
that it is not a simple equation:  Lumos takes 100 kcal, conjuring a 
Patronus takes 10,000 kcal, that kind of thing.>  


I agree with Amy here.  There are a number of examples in HP that show 
us how much work it takes to effectively use magic.  In class, the 
students have trouble turning one object into another.  They need to 
practice and focus numerous times to get things right.  Fake!Moody 
also told his students that the Avada Kedavra curse wouldn't work if 
they tried it, but he was able to do it.  Sirius is also able to turn 
into a dog without a wand, which is pretty impressive, IMO.  There are 
even times when Harry is able to perform magic without a wand, 
ballooned Aunt Marge being an example of that.

Any books I've read or tv shows I've seen dealing with magic always 
stress the work witches/wizards have to put into their craft.  On the 
show "Charmed", the sisters' magical abilities grow over time and the 
sisters have to learn to control them.  On "Buffy", Willow's powers 
drain when she uses them too much.  HP is similar in that students 
enter Hogwarts not knowing much, but learn spells, charms, hexes, and 
even curses through practice, exams, and focus.  I would say that 
their classes even help them learn how to focus and harness their 
emotions, which is the key to powerful magic.

--jenny from ravenclaw ******************