Re Power of Magic

[Mac]

No: HPFGUIDX 55729

Amy Z said in response to my post <snipped>

It isn't just a matter of saying a couple of words, or else the kids
could just memorize vocabulary lists and they'd be able to do all
those advanced things like make their nose hair grow into ringlets.
Hermione *does* learn things out of books ("Alohomora!"), but it
takes work beyond learning the words, and I think it takes more than
what we might call "natural ability" as well. Hermione's a natural;
so, it seems, is Harry, at least at some kinds of magic. But it's
more than that, and more than the swishing and flicking they learn in
class as well.

And Mac (who is a "she" by the way) responds:

My initial reaction was that Hermione was a lot more adept at spell magic 
than Harry.  Not only had she memorised a lot of spells, but I cannot 
recall an instance where she misused a spell or where a spell failed to 
work for her.

I agree that I feel that magic is a natural ability - or more precisely, a 
talent.  Just as some people take to playing a musical instrument almost 
without effort, I am totally hopeless at it and could never get that 
natural co-ordination between the music, my brain and my fingers.  It's a 
talent I lack.  I could be taught to read music and to understand how it 
works, but actually making it work is something I can't do - because I have 
virtually no musical talent.  If magic were music, I'd be a squib at best.

I guess the reason I asked about how people feel magic works in Rowling's 
books is because I'm not exactly certain how it DOES work.  Granted some 
people have magical ability and some don't - hence the world is split into 
wizards/witches and muggles.  (Somehow apparently Dumbledore or the Powers 
that Be sense that and the kids get an invite to attend Hogwarts, after 
which even totally muggle parents would be aware of the magic world.  I 
wonder if they have to sign a Secrecy Pledge, rather like one does when 
going to work for a sensitive government agency.)

So if you equate Hogwarts to something like the Academy of Music, where 
musically talented children are sent for an education, then you have some 
children who are prodigies, some who are very skilled and the remaining 
majority who are just technically competent.

The music is the same for all.  The notes are there to be read and 
played.  I'm beginning to think that this is something like Rowling had in 
mind.  Anyone can open a piece of sheet music and reel off what the notes 
are - but only the musically talented can take the sheet music and turn it 
into something like the composer intended.  Dumbledore, for instance, could 
perhaps spin out Snape's Expeliamus and knock half the student body through 
a window.  Ron might only manage to lift Hermione's cat.  It may be a 
matter of degree + ability = strength.

But I still have to wonder - could any 12 year-old twirl her/his wand and 
say the death curse and kill someone?

Mac