Magical Radar - Unwitting Request for Theory

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 89413

Steve threorized:

> The wizards monitoring magic occurrences at the Ministry of Magic are
> able to detect magical events. That allows them to closely monitor
> specific locations like Harry's (actually the Dursley's) house. If
> that magic exceeds a particular threshold, it then appears on Magic
> Storm' radar. 
> 
> When substantial bursts of magic occur or magic events occur at 
> critical locations, that may automatically trigger more sophisticated
> magical detectors that can divine the nature of the magic that 
> occurred. This would allow the Ministry of Magic to dispatch
> Accidental Magical Reversal Teams and Teams of Obliviators very 
> quickly to deal with dangerous magical events.

And Fred Walthrop asked: 
> 
> One of the problems I have had is from OOTP, Chapter 3, "The Advance 
> Guard".
> When the guard "breaks" into #4 Privet Drive, how many spells are 
> used? ....

> So, 6 charms in what, 15 to 20 minuntes? And even if you say most of 
> the charms were mild, from what I understood from the reading, the 
> Disillusionment Charm was some pretty big magic. (and I still have 
> not mentioned all the times Mundungus was popping in and out around 
> Harry. If they cound not tell it was Dobby in CoS, how could they 
> tell it was Dung, and everyone else, in OOTP?)
> Seems to me that if Fudge really wanted to get Harry, he would have 
> kept charging Harry for every bit of magic done around Privit drive.

For my comments, I'm going to first agree with Steve's theory; it
seems very logical and also fits with my own ideas very nicely.

Regarding the Advance Guard spells, it's only a problem assuming
there's direct communication between the Underage Magic monitoring
people and the Minister of Magic at all times.  But I seriously doubt
there is typically much communication between the two.  There are
plenty of other options for dealing with problems (sending warnings
when needed, calling in the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, etc.)
without going to the most powerful person in Wizarding government.
Perhaps a monthly report submitted by the branch head to the Minister
(or more likely, an aid) discussing the amount of magic observed, the
severity, etc.  And, of course, serious breaches (such as the pudding
incident and the Patronus) that could lead to Wizarding World
emergencies would be reported immediately.

However, the spells cast by the Advance Guard all far under the
non-emergency sort of magic.  The Disillusionment Charm may be
advanced magic in its production, but it certainly isn't a dangerous
spell from a muggles-detecting-magic point of view.  Under normal
circumstances, Harry may have received a mild warning for this. 
However, I doubt the Improper Use of Magic department knew exactly
what was going on between  Harry, Dubledore, and the Ministry.  From
their point of view, Harry cast a Patronus and was immediately
disciplined severely for this, as per protocol.  In a matter of
minutes, they received word from the Minister of Magic that the
expulsion and wand-destroying should be reversed pending a trial. 
Suddenly, the matter has passed out of their hands and seems to
involve not only the Minister of Magic but also the very controversial
at the moment Albus Dumbledore.  I expect that when, a few weeks
later, a handful of minor spells were performed at Harry's residence,
it didn't seem dangerous enough to go running to the Minister again,
especially considering that a trial was already expected.

-Corinth