Creativity in the Wizarding World

[wfgriffeth]

No: HPFGUIDX 164870

In the WW magic is not just a set of skills to be learned -- it's also a realm that grows ever richer through the invention of new spells, potions, and magical devices.

Although I admire Harry's courage, loyalty, and force of will in confronting Voldemort and although Hermione is obviously intelligent and diligent, I confess myself disappointed that their generation shows very little magical creativity. The Weasley twins' inventions, including the swamp in OotP, demonstrate that they have the most imagination of any contemporaries of The Trio.

In constrast, the preceding generation of the Marauders, Lily, and Snape seem much more inventive. In HBP Slughorn was very impressed with Lily Evans' natural gifts for making potions. Snape documented his new potions and spells in the margins of his copy of Advanced Potion Making. Most impressively, the Marauders' Map in PoA can penetrate even
an animagus transformation to detect the true identity of everyone on the Hogwarts grounds and provide his or her location at each moment.

Wouldn't it be great if JKR would go back a generation to describe how the Marauders and their fellows developed such creativity and what other innovations they produced?

BillG