Spells (longish)

[samwise_the_grey]

No: HPFGUIDX 82526

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, James Sharman <jamess at c...> 
wrote:
> Eclipse Asked: 

> So I was wondering if this is something new or if a wizard or a 
witch gets better with magic, they don't need the words, just the 
thoughts? Thanks.
 
> James Said:
 
> I have given this one quite a bit of thought and I have come up 
with a theory. 
 
> What have we been told have an influence on spells?
> - Wand Motion (swish and flick etc..)
> - Incantation (crucio / accio etc..)
> - Mental focus on the task (wanting to cause real pain with the 
crucio curse)
 
> My theory is that only the last one actually matters, The first two 
serve as a mental tool to create the focus (sort of like a mnemonic 
tool). 

Here's a thought. I've studied Gorgias lately and he actually 
compares speech to incantations. It's purely metaphorical but its 
what brought all this to mind. Skillfully spoken words can have a 
physiological change on the listener and (I suppose) a passionate 
speaker. So perhaps a spell actually changes the wizard physically? 
The body calling on all those magical energies? 

And I agree with the mental focus point. Clearly a wizard must not 
only have natural talent but experience in using a spell. The more 
experience the more natural it is. Harry no longer needs to 
concentrate as hard on a summoning charm now that he's had sufficient 
training. A more difficult spell like apparating may need more 
concentration, but Fred and George don't appear to be thinking too 
hard when they use this form of magic. They've learned how to drive. 
How hard do you concentrate while driving your car? Splinching might 
even be caused by lack of mental focus and not just inexperience.   

Just saying the word "accio" brings to your mind what the effect of 
the spell is and on a purely psychological way makes the wizard 
capable casting the spell. To say it makes it real. Neville isn't a 
bad wizard because he lacks the natural talent, it's his self-
defeating mental block that gives him trouble. If he doesn't think he 
can do it he won't. Same thing with Harry's accio. When he was 
preoccupied with something else instead of his frustration at not 
being able to do it he gets the pillow into the box just fine.

As far as wandless magic goes two things tend to coincide with its 
happening: 1. Distress (psychological and physiological changes 
occuring at once) 2. Youth (inexperience, hormonal balance(?))

Harry doesn't use a wand or spell to blow up Aunt Marge. Evidence 
points to apparating needing neither. You either speak Parseltongue 
or you don't.  

Thing is though, wandless magic can occur reguardless of mood or age. 
So should we classify the different types of wandless magic? 
Accidental (which is like this primordial thing that occurs on an 
unconscious level but still meets our needs)and Purposeful (a 
practiced method of doing wandless magic). 

Are children the only ones capable of accidental wandless magic? 
Harry's been doing wandless magic for a long while now, although we 
should keep in mind that he's a special case. He's 15, pushing 16, 
surely if formal education stunted this type of magic he wouldn't be 
able to repeal Uncle Vernon in OotP. We don't know if Ron or 
McGonogal can do accidental wandless magic or not. Is it possible? I 
don't see why not, even if it is a rare occurrence, but there isn't 
enough evidence either way. 

And here's another thought concerning mind reading (sorry can't 
remember canon term). Snape uses a wand and an incantation to see 
Harry's mind and can usually tell when Harry's up to something (not 
much seems to go past Snape). Voldemort may be able to read 
Wormtail's mind with neither. It's strongly hinted time and again 
that Dumbledore is reading Harry's mind and he is never shown holding 
a wand or saying a spell. Harry sees into Snape's mind with an 
unusual choice of a counterspell and (IS IT POSSIBLE?? I HOPE SO!) 
possibly obtained answers to a test from Parvati's mind without even 
trying. So as far as mind reading goes it appears that a 
wand&incantation is neccessary for delving deep into the psyche and 
peripheral information can be obtained without either. 

But again, if you don't have the natural talent for a kind of magic, 
then there is little you can do. Sounds very Greek to me.     

Oh, one last thought and I'll shut up. Creativity appears to be very 
important as to how a wizard casts a spell and the actual effect. Ron 
uses wingardium leviosa to drop the club on the troll's head, which 
is not quite the way the spell is traditionally used. Planned or not, 
Ron's need to stop the troll are met. Either he does this 
unconsciously (primordial magic still being used to an extent) or 
he's just thinking outside the box. Dumbledore, greatest wizard of 
the day according to many, is praised on his ability to use magic in 
ways no one has ever thought of. So surely being a creative 
individual is important to being a "great wizard". 

~Samwise