Late Start to Magical Education (Was: Re: WQ)

[netfrog6 <heather.hildebrandt@ncmail.net>]

No: HPFGUIDX 53190


> bboy_mn:
> 
> Yes, magic kids do have a cultural advantage in that they know all
> about the wizard world. Things that Harry finds fascinating, Ron 
finds
> boring and ordinary. So there is a familiarity that does give them
> some general advantage but when it comes to applied knowledge of the
> school's curriculum, there isn't that much difference between magic
> and muggle.
> 
> Just a few more thoughts.
> 
> bboy_mn

I have been following this thread since I joined and each time I see 
the argument presented that those raised in the WW would have an 
advantage, the converse screams in my head.  Personally if I were 
presented with magic and all that it can accomplish, I would be more 
apt to believe that anything (or most anything) were possible through 
magic.  And with that belief, I think a student may inherently 
understand the fundamentals of magic and try things that wizard bred 
student wouldn't think to try.  I think Hermione is a perfect example-
 rather than just using spells that she has heard or learned, she 
invents spells on the fly. (or so I contend...  I personally don't 
think "alohomora" came from any book of spells- I think she was 
combining a muggle word for goodbye, while a wizard would have used 
the latin for goodbye or remove.)  They may not be text book examples 
of how it *should* be done, but they work.  Just as a child picks up 
his parents' idioms, a wizzard raised child may know (and only think 
to use) spells that he has heard his parents' use.  Not being able to 
think "outside" the box as it were would be a limitation.  So 
Hogwarts brings the students together to the beginning teaching the 
theory to the Wizard born (excitement- magic is NOT mundane) and 
teaching the structure (and maybe limitations) to the muggle born.

Just a thought.  

Heather (very much enjoying this group)