Squibs vs Muggles

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 57534

Joe:  
> Are Squibs the same as Muggles?  
> 
> Since we understand that squibs are those that are from wizarding 
> familys who simply are void of enough magical power to be a wizard.  
> This pretty much makes them a muggle.  The only difference is that 
> they are aware of the two worlds.
> 
> Muggles are simply unaware that the WW exists and are void of magic 
> just like the squibs.

The Muggle Prime Minister is aware of the Wizard World, as are the parents 
and other relatives of any Muggle-born.  We know through the Grangers that 
Muggles can enter Diagon Alley.

We know Gringotts can change Muggle money to Wizard money, indicating 
that at least enough Muggles to justify a changing station  shop in the Muggle 
world. Presumably, wizards wishing to use Muggle currency can do the 
reverse. (The Goblins would have to do something with that Muggle currency 
-- wonder if the exchange rate fluctuates. Can't you just see some wizard who 
has to work undercover in the Muggle world bitching about how the Galleon is 
weak against the pound?)

It's interesting that the Grangers only make one appearance at Diagon Alley. 
This may be a cultural difference -- the homebound U.S. schools vs. the 
boarding schools in Britain -- but they seem to have a frightfully blase attitude 
toward the whole thing.

> This is where the argument comes up.  FILCH for example is a squib we 
> know.  He lives and works at Hogwarts,  so we know there is a way for 
> those that are non-magic folks to visit magical places with the 
> charms.  My question is, is the simple knowledge that the WW exists 
> what enables Filch and other squibs to visit magical places?  Is 
> there a spell that is placed upon them?  Are squibs still more 
> magical then a normal muggle?

Here is where Dumbledore comes in. We only know of two Squibs, Filch and 
the unnamed Weasley cousin, who is an accountant? (as I recall) 

I disagree with the theory that Petunia is a Squib. I think Lily and Petunia's 
parents' reactions to Lily's witchness strongly indicate Muggles. (I don't 
dispute, however, the possibility that Petunia has repressed magic ability, but  
that makes her a late-blooming witch, not a Squib.)

The Weasley cousin gets a Muggle job and apparently doesn't associate with 
his magic kin.  I mean, this is the Weasleys., some of the nicest people in the 
Wizard World, and there is not a place for this cousin?

That indicates, a bit, that Squibs really aren't welcome, and probably are 
strongly encouraged to embrace their forced Mugglehood. But that leaves 
Filch.

Perhaps Filch has a job in the magic world through the open-mindedness of 
Dumbledore, employer of werewolves and giants, payer of house elves, 
granter of second-chances to Death Eaters, and generally all-around great 
guy.

If Dumbledore knew -- and he probably does -- about Filch's attempts with the 
Kwikspell stuff, he'd likely say -- and may have said -- "Argus, you really 
shouldn't fall for foolishness such as that. I have confidence that your skills, 
magic or no, will fit in nicely here at Hogwarts."

Darrin
-- Here's another one though. Could the Grangers, now that they are in the 
know, see the Knight Bus?