[HPforGrownups] Re: Memory Charms and why they bother me

[Becky Walkden]

No: HPFGUIDX 57258




"Tom Wall" wrote:
> Memory Charms, and their frequent use in the WW, bother me, I 
think, more than just about anything else that we've seen to  date.


ME:  I think the point about memory charms is right on.  They are only LEGITAMITELY used by Minester of Wizardry officials for whiping out the memory of Muggles accidently descovering there are wizards and witches. That, afterall is the primary reason the ministry exists. That is also why it was not used on the Dursley's.  Eliminating a memory of a bad incident just because it's bad would be a definite misuse of the memory charm.  They already know about witches and wizards and Aunt Petunia knew since she was a kid as her sister was one.  

Now we have seen a number of examples of the misuse of memory charms but those were always by either evil characters or like Crouch, somebody hiding something they did that was very, very wrong and so they had nothing to lose.  OR, like a certain "charming" pathological liar parading as a DADA teacher who has used it continuously (seems only in more remote places) to advance his fraudulent career.  Considering how useful this spell could be (Think about it.  How useful would it be  to any of our day-to-day lives if we can erase or modify anybodies memory that we choose)it seems like it is really rarely used and must therefore be highly illegial with serious punishment for getting caught. Not like the unpardenable spells of course but seriously enough.  Maybe it's a very advanced spell too.  In a way it is sort of like the United State's predicament with guns.  Using a gun to blow a hole in somebody is highly illegial but in a society infatuated with firearms and violence and owning guns, people here are blowing each other away daily no matter what the laws say!  It is possible that memory charms are the Wizard World's scourge and nuisance much like guns are in the US.  Bad guys can and will use it.

Now about it being a main plotline.  I wouldn't at all be surprised if it turns out to be.  After all, Voldemort and his DE's wouldn't hesitate a moment in using memory charms.  My guess is it may play a significant role in the future storyline.  Huggs Becky


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