The Rare Cloaks( and vanishing spells)

[confusinglyso]

No: HPFGUIDX 87089



In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Adi" "spang_b" Message #86901
Thur Dec 11,2003 began thread 'The Rare Cloaks'
Then "Geoff Bannister" Message #86908 Dec 11,2003
Then "Melissa" "mfisanich"     #86933 Dec 11,2003
Then "Steve" "bboy_mn"         #86949 Dec 11,2003
Then slight change as "Melissa" "mfisanich" #86996 Dec 12,2003
adds 'The Rare Cloaks( and vanishing spells)'


Then "Steve" "bboy_mn"         #87020 Dec 13,2003

"mfisanich" <mfisanich at e...> wrote:

> Finally, Melissa:
>
> ... This makes me think, ..., then why not just develop a spell
> that renders the spellcaster or another person invisible?
>

bboy_mn:
>There is indeed such a charm; Fred and George use an invisibility
>charm on their 'joke' hats (Headless Hats).

--- Quote - OoP UK Hb pg 477 ---
... Fred and George were demonstrating their latest bit of joke shop
merchandise.

'Headless Hats!' shouted George, as Fred waved a pointed hat decorated
with a fluffy pink feather at the watching students. ....

'How do those hats work, then?' said Hermione, distracted from her
homework and watchng Fred and George closely. 'I mean, obviously it's
some kind of Invisibility Spell, but it's rather clever to have
extended the field of invisibility beyond the boundaries of the
charmed object ... I'd imagine the charm wouldn't have a very long
life though.'
--- end quote ---

>We see the existance of the Invisibility Spell but we also see it's
>flaw or shortcoming, it doesn't last very long, and as we see from
>Hermione's comment, having the invisibility field extend beyond the
>charmed object is quite an unusual accomplishment.
end of bboy_mn post (snipped)


now "confusinglyso" "Phil":
I would like to comment on Hermione's reaction to Fred & George's
"Headless Hats". This scene is possibly the only occassion that
Hermione reacts positively to any of the twins' behaviour.
The original purpose of the Invisibility Cloak (IC) was probably
for hiding the wearer in a static position.
The Invisibility Cloak has been used by Harry alone and on other 
occasions by 2 or even 3 of HRH at once. Each time the storyline 
describes how difficult it is to walk and be sure that one stays 
covered by the cloak. I am sure that Hermione sees Fred & George's
success with the Headless Hats as a means to improving IC usefulness.

1) With a "Headless Hat" the Invisibility Cloak may be able to be
   worn like a cape, with much improved awareness of your
   surroundings, since you would be able to stand up properly.
2) Develop "Armless Gloves", i.e. charmed gloves that would make 
   the wearer's arms invisible.

Since Hermione thinks the charm may only have a short life (we as 
readers did not get an answer to her query on the charm's life,
JKR diversion :-)  ) Hat and Gloves may be all that are practicable,
otherwise the cloaks would, long ago, have been replaced by charmed 
suits.
By the same reasoning, "Legless Boots" would be of limited use 
because the Invisibility Cloak would still have to hide the wearer's
feet when the charm wore off.
If the Hats and proposed Gloves are viable then Harry could be much
more mobile while invisible, standing instead of hunched under the 
cloak, and with arms free. 
Can Lord Thingy see through Invisibility Cloaks ? Maybe not, if the 
wearer is running rings round him.


Phil(istine)