Squibs verses Muggles

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 86171

KT Waters <Jadeau xxx> wrote:
> << Well a Squib is a non-magic person born to magic parents. So they
> are non-magic. Non-magic people are Muggles. A squib is just a type of
> muggle, so a Squib would only live an average of 76 years I think it
> is, whereas a wizard - I don't know, 150 years? >>


 Catlady responded <snip>
>  
> I don't think that a Squib is the same as a Muggle -- the two Squibs
> we've met, Filch and Figg, have special communication with their cats.
<snip> 
> 
> In addition, Hogwarts is enchanted so that any Muggle who blunders
> upon it sees just an old ruin with a "Danger, Keep Out" sign, but
> Filch finds his way around Hogwarts. It has been suggested that Squibs
> innately are not affected by Muggle-repelling spells because of not
> being Muggles.

Excellent point. I just want to add that squibs can apparently see
Dementors. We have no reason to suspect Mrs. Figg of lying on that point.

There also appears to be a possibility that a squib can learn magic.
Filch is apparently trying to do so, though not with much success. I
think, though, that Mrs. Figg will find that she's been mistaken all
this time about her own abilities and will prove to be the person who
learns magic late in life mentioned in a JKR interivew. In that case,
though, maybe she'll cease to be a squib. Maybe a squib is just a
witch or wizard is just a witch or wizard in whom the magical ability
is so weak or faint that he or she appears to be little different from
a muggle. Those who choose to live as muggles with no connection to
the magical world marry muggles and have muggle children; those who
maintain a connection to the WW even after marrying a muggle (Mrs.
Figg) still have the potential of discovering the latent magic within
themselves. I know I'm only speculating, but I do think there's an
important difference between squibs and muggles. (Someone, I think it
was Hermione, pointed out that a squib is the opposite of a
muggle-born witch or wizard and is much more rare.)

Carol