official-secrecy question

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 88261

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "meriaugust" <meriaugust at y...> 
wrote:

Meri: 
> Check in Sorcerer's Stone, in the "Diagon Alley" chapter when 
Hagrid 
> is reading the Daily Prophet and tells Harry about the Ministry of 
> Magic. I believe there he mentions why the WW is "best left alone". 
> Hope it helps. 

Geoff:
The relevant bit appears to be -

"'There's a Ministry of Magic?' Harry asked before he could stop 
himself.
'Course,' said Hagrid. 'They wanted Dumbledore fer Minister o' course 
but he'd never leave Hogwarts so old Cornelius Fudge got the job. 
Bungler if ever there was one. So he pelts Dumbledore with owls every 
morning askin' fer advice.'
'But what does a Ministry of Magic /do/?'
'Well, their main job is to keep it from the Muggles that there's 
still witches an' wizards up an' down the country.'
'Why?'
'/Why/? Blimey, Harry, everyone'd be wanting magic solutions to their 
problems. Nah, we're best left alone.'"

(PS "Diagon Alley" p.51 UK edition)