"Conjured" food (was Re: The Nature of Galleons)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 118041


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Vivamus" <Vivamus at T...> wrote:
> 
> > potioncat harkened unto me:
> > > Q: <snip> What are the limitations on the material objects you 
> > > can conjure up ? <snip>
> > > A: <snip> Something that you conjure out of thin air will not 
> > > last. 
> 
> Patrick:
> > Though, then does the food vanish from your stomach after you 
eat it?  
> > How unsatisfying!
>  
> vivamus
> I think the food appearing is a matter of something similar to 
apparating.
> Remember the kitchen under the main dining hall has tables that 
mirror the
> hall above?   Food magically goes up from the kitchen into the 
dining hall
> to appear on the tables.   
> 
> When McGonagall or someone else conjures up a plate of pastries 
and pumpkin
> juice, I imagine they are summoning from the kitchen, rather than 
conjuring
> ex nihilo.
> 
> Just a theory, I know, but has anyone read anything to contradict 
that?
> 


Potioncat:
We don't know.  Nor do we know what JKR intends when it comes to 
food.  I think the sandwiches that McGonagall magicked were from the 
kitchen.  And we were told that the plate kept refilling itself.  
I'll bet it wasn't the first time a student(s) had to eat sandwiches 
by himself/themselves while everyone else had a feast.

As for the sauce that sprayed from Molly's wand (sounding less and 
less appitizing as I think about it) she may have summoned it from 
somewhere else...the ultimate carry out, or it may have been 
conjured.  

I  wonder how parents teach kids the day to day magic if magic isn't 
allowed over the holidays?  "Gee, Mum, I'd help with the dishes, but 
it's against the rules." "Hey, Mum, would you do my laundry?  I'm 
not allowed you know."

Potioncat (who would have a word or two with DD about that underage 
magic rule!!)