The silver hand (Was: The Darkness Within)

[kjirstem]

No: HPFGUIDX 119366


 
> Geoff wrote:
> > <snip> Secondly, where does the idea come from that conjured 
> objects are transient? There is evidence in at least two places - 
> probably more - that objects are removed by using the spell
>"Evanesco".
> 
> Carol responds:
> It comes mostly from one of JKR's interviews, where she explained
>that she had placed certain limits on magic, and one of them was that
> objects conjured out of thin air were transient. Otherwise, Harry
>and Hermione could have conjured up a feast for Sirius in GoF instead
>of taking him chicken legs from Hogwarts and the Weasleys could
>conjure up money to pay their expenses. 
> 
> But conjured money melts into thin air, as we've seen with
>Leprechaun gold. Which is why I raised the question about Peter's
>silver hand possibly suffering a similar fate. (Still wondering what
>other people think on that question.)
> 
> Also, isn't it just spilled liquids that can be "vanished"
>permanently with Evanesco? Otherwise, Umbridge would probably have
>Evanescoed Harry's and the Weasley Twins' brooms rather than
>confiscating.
> Unfair, yes. Unethical, yes. But what would Umbridge care?


kjirstem:

This thread is probably gone by, but I thought it was interesting, so
here goes.

Reading the passage where Voldemort conjures the silver hand, it
sounds to me that he may have brought the silver itself from somewhere
and perhaps then transfigured it into the hand.  The quote is:

"Voldemort raised his wand again and whirled it through the air.  A
streak of what looked like molten silver hung shining in the wand's
wake.  Momentarily shapeless, it writhed and then formed itself..."
(GOF Ch 33)

The transient nature of conjured items is puzzling to me, I'm not sure
how to tell what stays where it is conjured and what does not. 
Perhaps as long as an item is in use it doesn't return to its previous
location?  I think this would keep the silver hand from disappearing
off Peter's wrist.  Or, perhaps if what is conjured is a substance
that actually exists somewhere (and that the person conjuring has a
right to take?) it stays where it is brought by the spell.   

As far as Evanesco goes, that is definitely used on items other than
liquid.  Bill uses it to remove some scrolls off the kitchen table in
OotP, the fifth years use it on mice in Charms class, I think there
were other examples too.  I wonder where things go when they are
Evanescoed - back to where they came from, or where someone directed
them to go?  If it can be used on mice, why didn't Lily just Evanesco
baby Harry?  For that matter, why not use it on Voldemort when he's
being nasty?  I'm sure there are probably good reasons, probably it is
hard enough to do correctly on a mouse, never mind a child or an evil
overlord, but I can't help wondering.

Kjirstem