What drives WW ? (was Chapter 24: Occlumency)

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 108999

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "a_reader2003" <carolynwhite2 at a...> w=
rote:
> 
> I think it is, put simply, the pursuit of `greatness', for example, 
> as expressed by Ollivander when he said about Voldemort in 
> PS/SS: `After all, He Who Must Not Be Named did great things – 
> terrible, yes, but great.'
> snip>
> And the list goes on and on – the WW's somewhat patronising, often 
> contemptuous attitude to Muggles is rooted in the fact that Muggles 
> have no magical powers to command respect. Their hierarchy of 
> responses to non-human magical creatures is governed strictly by 
> their magical abilities. On the whole, the WW doesn't muck about with 
> toughs like centaurs or goblins. Weaker creatures like House Elves 
> become enslaved. Dangerous dragons are so far subdued that they 
> appear to be farmed for their meat, blood and every last particle of 
> their carcasses. 
> 
> Between ordinary wizards, it is a rough and tumble of hex or be hexed 
> (getting a satsuma stuffed up your nose at Christmas seems to be 
> perfectly normal; no one blinks an eye at the Draco/Crabbe/Goyle heap 
> on the train each year). No wonder it is so important to get into 
> Hogwarts and get the best teaching on essential survival skills. And 
> if you are born without magical ability, heaven help you. The anxiety 
> in the whole Neville story is hedged about with is he/isn't he going 
> to be a squib; both Filch and Mrs Figg eloquently convey their anger 
> and shame at their condition.
> 

Um. Interesting.
Let me get this straight (this is putting it crudely) - are you wondering
/observing if the WW is in effect one big league table with the inhabitants=

magical expertise as a critical factor? 
And that power grows from the end of a wand?
And that HP is a morality tale woven around the use/mis-use of power
and ambition?

Logical, reasonable and not something I'd find it easy to dispute.

Of course wizards aren't all that powerful without their wands, are they?
And a wand would be a great boon to Goblins or Centaurs or other 
beings; it would probably boost their power and standing enormously.
But only humans are allowed  wands.
How very convenient -  for humans.
Who passed that law?
Wizards. What a surprise. Not taking any chances, are they?
And a wizard gets his wand when he enters Hogwarts. Why not before?
Youngsters practice with broom-sticks, why not wands?
Under elevens are taught at home. 
With no wand what do they learn? What can they learn?

Hmm. I'll think on this some more.

Kneasy