[HPforGrownups] Magical objects vs Magic WAS Dumbledore and other leaders

[Lee Kaiwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 181923

Lee asked:
> Hagrid riding a flying motorcycle. That's not magical activity?
> Mooody's packing a six-er of polyjuice. That's not magical activity?

Carol answered:
> I don't think those two [Hagrid and Polyjuice] count.

akh jumps in:
> I think COS supports Carol's position that it's the spell that's 
> detectable, not the object or creature.

It could be. However, what I had in mind was the operation of the spell, 
not just its initiation. For example, Hagrid's motorcycle flies because 
presumably somewhere in the past someone waved a wand over it and 
chanted the proper incantation. Though the spell was initiated in the 
past, it continues to operate in the present, else Hagrid and the bike 
would fall out of the sky. Ditto for, e.g., brooms.

So it would appear only the casting of a spell constitutes detectable 
"magical activity", not its continued operation. Additionally, we see 
that the Trace doesn't detect magical creatures, potions, 
transfigurations (e.g., of the polyjuice variety) or Canary Custards 
(OK, I just made up that last one), nor can it distinguish precisely who 
cast the spell, which is why Dobby's magic is attributed by the MoM to 
Harry. This Trace is starting to sound pretty useless ;0)

So if I'm an underage wizard hankering to do magic, the safest bet is to 
do it at someplace like Diagon Alley, which is shoulder-to-broomstick 
with witches.

> JKR may have some inconsistencies in 
> the DH scene, but I don't think this 
 > particular instance is one of them.

Perhaps, but at this point the expression "death of a thousand 
qualifications" springs to mind.


CJ