Bigotry or NOT? Re: CHAPDISC:HBP19,Elf Tails

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 157615

Eddie:
> 
> I'm Curious: Can a squib see the magical things a muggle can't?  Leaky
> Cauldron, etc?

Since Filch can see Hogwarts, which to Muggles looks like an old ruin,
I'd say yes. And, though I'm not sure this counts, Mrs. figg can
certainly see the MoM. Also, both Mrs. Figg and Filch have an affinity
with cats that goes beyond any rapport a Muggle might have with an
animal. In at least one place, the narrator refers to Filch as a
"failed wizard." I'm guessing that a Squib has a touch of magic in his
or her veins (magic seems to be in the blood, literally as well as
figuratively), and I think that we'll see either Figgy or Filth, erm,
Filch, doing magic "very late in life" in Book 7. Every Knut I own
(which, fortunately, is none) is on Mrs. Figg.

A Squib is *not* a Muggle, contrary to the opinion expressed by one or
two posters recently. He or she is simply the reverse of a Muggleborn
witch or wizard, with magical parents but (almost) no magical ability,
as opposed to Muggle parents but full magical powers. These people
belong in the Wizarding World and speak like witches and wizards but
are always on the fringes because they can't use a wand or receive a
Hogwarts education, which is why Filch is so full of animosity toward
the students. Even Mrs. Figg, who passes as a Muggle, maintains her WW
contacts. Her ideas and values and vocabulary ("the cats among the
pixies again") are those of the WW. At least, despite her inability to
"so much as Transfigure a teacup," she maintains her self-respect. But
her idea of "normal" almost certainly differs radically from the
Dursleys', who consider themselves and their values normal.

JKR has said, BTW, that Petunia isn't a Squib because her parents are
Muggles and Squibs have at least one magical parent. 

Carol, wondering whether a squib (a "dud" firecracker) would crackle
and hiss a little bit rather than making no noise at all