The Scar

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 160259

> bboyminn:
> 
> Here is where I think you are wrong. Harry would not be
> a Squib. I would be a once magically powerful person who
> made the ultimate sacrific to save the wizard world from
> oppression and tyranny. That is quite different from 
> someone who is born without magic and never accomplishes
> anything magical in their lifetime. 

Magpie:
Yes, he would be someone who was once a magical person and was now a 
Squib.  Or a Muggle.  A person without magic.

bboyminn:
> 
> Harry would be the Hero of the Wizard World, the one who 
> defeated Voldemort more times than any person dead or 
> alive. Dumbledore said it himself, that Harry had acted
> bravely, heroically, and with great magical skill; though
> as we all know, he also is very lucky, but none the less
> that does not diminish his accomplishment; past, present,
> and future.
> 
> Harry would still have a very special place in the wizard
> world because while he was magical, he did great magical
> deeds.

Magpie:
But a place in the world that's all in the past, is my point.  I 
can't speak for what JKR would say on the subject, but I can't 
imagine the Harry I know in the books enjoying a life where he's 
trotted out to commemorate what he no longer is.  Being a good 
Wizard is very important in his society.  Sure everyone would know 
that he once was that and gave up his magic.  Wouldn't change the 
fact that he's now incapable of the simplest tasks other Wizards 
take for granted. I imagine Harry, in that situation, might prefer 
to not be personally noticed at all.

> bboyminn:
> 
> Warren Buffet and Bill Gates were on TV tonight, and they
> we asked by college students about success. Warren Buffet
> said that successs is not accumulated wealth. Many wealthy
> people have empty lives. Wealth is being surrounded by the
> people you love and who love you. Harry could still be 
> very successful, as long as he has the people he loves 
> there to support him.

Magpie:
I'm not sure what wealth has to do with it.  I just think Harry, 
based on what I've read of him in the books, would have a very 
difficult time dealing with the loss of his powers.  He'd have to 
deal not with being supported (something he struggled to get used 
to) but being taken care of.  His abilities are a fundamental part 
of his identity that he's formed growing up.

bboyminn:> 
> Don't get me wrong, his life as a non-magical person 
> would be very very bittersweet, yet even with the 
> undeniable 'bitter', there would be plenty of sweetness 
> to be had. It would be a tough life, but it could still 
> be a rewarding one. Especially if the wizard world 
> continues to appreciate the great sacrifice Harry has 
> made for them.

Magpie:
I think that's where I doubt he'd be satisfied, since I wouldn't 
count on the WW to do that.  More importantly I just can't see 
Rowling doing it to him.  The books just don't seem to be prepared 
to even deal with something like that.  

I should probably admit that I'm realizing that I'm glad they're not 
prepared to deal with it.  I'm glad that as far as I can tell magic 
is what Wizards are and not something you can lose.  I find the idea 
disturbing--and also maybe it makes the whole thing a little less 
real to me if it's the magic is separate enough from the wizard that 
it can be taken away wholesale.

bboyinn:
There are plenty of 
> Muggle/Magic marriages in the wizard world, and they 
> seem to work. They seem to reach some compromise between
> the two worlds. I don't see any reason why Harry can't 
> do the same.

Magpie:
As I said, I don't see that.  We've been told of Muggle/Magic 
marriages but canon doesn't really give us much to go on in terms of 
how it works, so I can't really say whether they seem to work or not.

-m