Draco and the imperius

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 137524

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Lynx412 at A... wrote:

> > Potionat:
> > Draco turns 17 on June 5 of his 6th year. When does the Tower 
Scene 
> > happen anyway?
> > 
> > But the Underage rule seems to apply away from Hogwarts, but 
Hogsmeade 
> > during the school year appears OK. 

The Other Cheryl:
> Yes, Draco does seem tobe a better wizard than we've realized. 
Casting and 
> maintaining the Imperious on Rosmerta, fixing the cabinet via 
instructions by 
> Owl mail, all showing real talent. As for why he could get away 
with underage 
> magic, I think DD covered that in his talk with Harry by saying 
that the 
> Ministry could only detect magic, not who cast it or what was cast. 
We were all 
> looking at that comment as why Harry got blamed for Dobby's magic, 
but it was also 
> a setup for Draco's control of Rosmerta. Who would notice another 
spell being 
> cast in the most magical village in England? 

Geoff:
I agree that the Ministry are unable to detect who cast a spell where 
there may be a nmber of wizards present.

However, a sentence from COS throws up an interesting point:

'Harry stood in the kitchen, clutching the mop for support as Uncle 
Vernon advanced on him, a demonic glint in his tiny eyes.
"Read it!" he hissed evilly, brandishing the letter the owl had 
delivered. "Go on - read it!"
Harry took it. It did not contain birthday greetings.

Dear Mr.Potter
We have received intelligence that a Hover Charm was used at your 
place of residence this evening at twelve minutes past nine.'

(COS "Dobby's warning" p.21 UK edition)

They may not know who has cast a spell but they /do/ know what has 
been cast. So, if their "intelligence" picks up an Imperius curse, 
which is an Unforgiveable, why wasn't something done about it or are 
they just slack about monitoring to the point of incompetence?