Creative Magic (was: Fred and George good?)

[Vivamus]

No: HPFGUIDX 123898

> Sherry:
> 
> actually, in a strange way, I do think Fred and George are 
> good.  They are pranksters, sure, but that doesn't 
> necessarily mean bad or evil.  in fact, they have an 
> abundance of qualities I admire.  Chief among those for me is 
> loyalty.  They are very loyal to their family and friends.  
> They aren't concerned about their position in the world like 
> Percy.  They are strangely compassionate kids, too.  I mean 
> strangely, because you wouldn't think it of such practical 
> jokers.  But I think they showed a truly caring side of their 
> natures by giving the marauder's map to Harry.  I don't think 
> they did that just to allow him to get into mischief.  I 
> think they were upset about his not being allowed to go into 
> Hogsmeade and did something to help him.  Even their battle 
> with Umbridge was more than just pranks to me.  I believe 
> they will join the order, use their jokes to good purpose in 
> the war, and fight bravely when necessary.  So, yes, in an 
> odd sort of way, I consider the twins very good characters.  
> I would love to know them, or kids like them!
> I agree with Harry, that the WW needs people like them, 
> because as things heat up, a little humor and some jokes will 
> be precious.

Vivamus:
I think you are absolutely right, Sherry.  Giving away something as valuable
to them as the map was quite something.  They are truly heroic characters,
partly BECAUSE they don't take themselves seriously.

It brings up a separate question for me, though, having to do with Creative
Magic.  F&G are the principle perpetrators of original magic in the books,
with all their inventions, jokes, etc., but we also have the Marauder's Map,
and many other examples of someone doing something with magic that has not
been done before -- i.e., used magic in an original and creative way.   

The spells Harry and company are using all seem to be cookbook spells, that
is, they are recitations of spells out of books.  That includes even the
Patronus and the Protean charm.  But many spells done by others --
especially F&G -- seem to be invented spells, and some magic (such as the
MMap and TR's diary) seem to be invented properties to making a magical
object.  Someone had to invent the spells that are in those books, and it is
apparent that magic spell invention is going on all the time.

I'm wondering when Harry & co. are going to start inventing spells, and what
the process is for figuring out how to do something magical when there is no
known spell for it.  It may actually have a lot to do with whatever Lily did
to protect Harry, and what Harry will have to do to defeat LV.

Will it be a part of NEWT classes to learn to use improvisational magic, do
you think?  Or to know the spell so well that you can focus your mind on it
without using a wand (such as Quirrell with the ropes that bind Harry, or
the innkeeper at the Leaky Cauldron with the fire)?  (Sorry, I know wandless
magic was part of a long discussion recently.)

Vivamus