Why Didn't Ron Get In Trouble w/the Ford Anglia?

[Cathy Drolet]

No: HPFGUIDX 114246

Angie
"In the COS, Ron used his wand to open the trunk and start the car -- 
so why didn't he get into trouble for practicing magic outside of 
Hogwarts?"

DuffyPoo:
My personal theory on this is that it is an old law on the books that doesn't get used, for the most part, unless there is someone watching you to know what you've done or someone reports it.  Hermione and Ron both lit their wands in GoF, F&G set off Filibuster Fireworks (at home), improve Percy's Head Boy badge, make all kinds of explosions in their room, Hermione's "I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me" the first day on the train, yet no owls, no warnings.

The two times HP got caught, IMO, were because someone was informed.  When Dobby 'did magic' at Privet Drive, what he did was also inform the Improper Use of Magic Office. Dobby was trying to keep him from going back to Hogwarts, remember, and since he wouldn't stay home on his own, he tried to get him expelled by informing IUMO.  When HP was caught using magic to repel the Dementors, it is because he was being watched.  The Dementors knew exactly where he was; he was being tailed by more than just the OotP.  

HP received no owl the night he shattered Aunt Marge's wine glass  nor three days later when he blew her up.  No one knew until, IMO, Mrs. Figg informed the Ministry that 'something' had happened at four Privet Drive - after she'd seen HP dragging his trunk up the road.  She informed the Knight Bus, and she informed the Ministry to go and check on the situation, as she felt something very serious had happened there.

Some folks believe the Dursley residence was monitored which is how the IUMO found out about Dobby's smashed pudding and attributed it to HP.  However, when the Avanced Guard shows up in OotP, there is lots of magic going on (cage cleaning, wand lighting, truck packing and moving, disillusioning) and again, no owls, although the Ministry would believe, if we believe it, that only one wizard lives at number four so it must be him doing all the magic.  

IMO, the notes handed round at the end of first year, warning students not to do magic, to Fred's dismay, are warning them not to perform magic in front of  non-magic-related Muggles.  Harry, Hermione, Justin, Colin, Dennis, etc., could do magic at home without being in trouble because their parents know they are magical.  Magical children can as well.  The problem with the Flying Car is that non-magic-related Muggles saw the car and it risked exposure of the magical world to them.


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