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

[Vivamus]

No: HPFGUIDX 118143


> > Vivamus:
> >snip 
> > So kids from wizarding families would be using magic from the time 
> they were
> > small in their own homes and families.  Wizard kids in muggle 
> families, of
> > course, would have different rules.
> 
> 
> Potioncat:
> But in OoP, at the Weasley household, it is stated that the trio 
> have to hand carry dishes to the tables, but that the older members 
> of the family (Bill and Charlie) can use magic.  Then at some point, 
> the twins use magic at every opportunity, even when Molly would 
> prefer they didn't.

Vivamus:
Wasn't that at 12GP, rather than in their own homes?   Also, given the
paranoia about Harry at the MoM, I suspect the rules were held EXTRA tight
with regards to the trio, to help them stay out of trouble with the
Ministry.

What about all the kids who know lots of magic (e.g., Snape and hexes)
before they even come to Hogwarts?  What about all the stories about kids
hexing each other, charming objects (Ron's pillow/spider), etc., while
growing up?  If none of them could use any magic at all before coming to
Hogwarts, and it was monitored by the Ministry, it would strain credibility.
Can you imagine growing up in a wizard family, knowing you were magical, and
never being able to DO any of it?  Would you be able to resist?   I know I
wouldn't.

I think the answer to this is probably simple, in that the ministry only
monitors magic in the presence of muggles, and underage magic outside the
allowed areas of Hogwarts and the children's homes.  The monitoring spells
could be made to do it in just that way; otherwise, they would drown in
information from all the spells cast everywhere.   (Also, it's clear that
dark magic done in secret IS in secret, so magic in general must not be
monitored.)

(Actually, I'm not sure about magic in muggle areas being generally
monitored from canon.  Perhaps I extrapolated that from the notes Harry
received about the hover charm and the patronus.  Both mentioned that the
magic was performed in muggle areas and in the presence of muggles, which
suggested to me that the Ministry ALSO watches magic in muggle areas in
general, but that's probably a stretch.)

If that's the case, then the spells would only have to watch magic by
underage wizards outside approved areas (Hogwarts and WW homes).  Much
simpler.  Parents probably still give kids the line, "don't you dare even
TRY to do magic, you'll be brought before the Ministry, think of your
family, etc., etc.," and it probably is technically illegal, but for
practical purposes, no one pays attention to it in the home except the
parents.

Vivamus, whose cat Snickersqueak wants to know if catnip can be made more
potent by magic