Wizard supremacy (was:Re: Nel Question #4: Class and Elitism)

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 125928



> Betsy:
> Every piece of Wizarding history given to us by JKR speaks to a 
large 
> calamity that occured back around the middle ages and ended in a 
mass 
> retreat of the entire Wizarding World. 

a_svirn:

When you say "every time JRK speaks
" do you mean the same footnote 
in Quidditsch through Ages"?

> Betsy:

 The entire WW revolves around 
> keeping their existence secret.  This is not the actions of a 
> victorious people.

a_svirn:

Is that a fact? We know that the MoM insists on observing secrecy 
when it suits them, but I didn't notice that ordinary wizards bother 
to do so. We saw one major event so far in books – the World Cup, 
and no one except the ministry wizards who where on duty and Arthur 
Weasly bothered about Muggle security. 

You are right when you say that hiding is not the actions of 
victorious people. You have a point here, I agree. But Muggle sure 
don't look any more victorious, do they? You assume that there was a 
conflict and wizards lost to Muggles, and those who survived went 
into hiding. But what if they went into hiding in order to avoid the 
conflict? Because wizards knew that Muggles didn't stand a chance 
and they wasn't prepared to eradicate fellow humans just for safety 
reasons? 

Betsy:

> 
> When the wizards went into hiding, they were also given the right 
to 
> carry their wands with them at all times, including the quidditch 
> pitch.  This is not a routine percaution.  Can you name *any* 
country 
> in the world where the citizens are encouraged by their government 
to 
> go about armed at all times, even in the middle of a sporting 
event?  

a_svirn:

I believe that in 17th century Muggles went around armed to their 
teeth. 


> Betsy:
> We know quite a bit actually.  We know that things were bad enough 
> that the only school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Britian was 
built 
> in a remote area, hard for anyone to reach. 

a_svirn:
For one thing Hogwarts was founded almost 7 centuries earlier than 
these dark and bloody times that ended up with the Statute. For 
another we have another explanation for its secrecy in GoF:

"There's traditionally been a lot of rivalry between all the magic 
schools.  Durmstrang and Beauxbatons like to conceal their where-
abouts so nobody can steal their secrets," said Hermione matter-of--
factly.

Betsy:

 We know the times were bad enough to be 
> refered to as "dark" and "bloody".  

a_svirn:

Yes, but we don't know who cause this "darkness" and "bloodiness" in 
the first place. Could have been wizards. 


> Betsy:
 There are Special Operation groups from all over the world who 
> could *easily* infiltrate the Burrow and subdue and capture any 
> Weasley on premise before a wand was drawn.  The Burrow doesn't 
have 
> any warning system against Muggles, Mrs. Weasley isn't combat 
> trained, neither are the children.

a_svirn

First, we don't know what kind of warning system the Burrow has. 
Second, the kind of scenario you suggest can only be possible if the 
Weasleys are caught by surprise. But if there is an ongoing conflict 
with Muggles it's not likely. 

a_svirn