Fred & George's Business

[Catlady (Rita Prince Winston)]

No: HPFGUIDX 184471

Marianne wildirishrose asked in
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/184409>:

<< How did Fred and George continue running their joke shop out of
Aunt Muriel's house if it was under very strong magic, and Mr. Weasley
is the Secret Keeper. Wouldn't MM and DE see all the owls coming and
going and intercept them? I highly doubt the joke stuff would be any
use to DE and MM, but it would be an inconvenience to G&F if they
didn't get money. Plus, because of the comings and goings of all the
owls, wouldn't the MM and DE have an idea where the Weasleys are in
hiding at, and couldn't they use some really strong magic and get
through the enchantments and get to them? >>

There already is canon in HBP that the joke stuff was of use to Death
Eaters (the Peruvian Darkness Powder used by Draco) and to Ministry
staff, who buy Shield Hats, Cloaks, and Gloves because they never
learned to cast a decent Shield Charm.

Rowling's website FAQs say in
<http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/faq_view.cfm?id=18>:

<< Q: In 'Prisoner of Azkaban', why couldn't the Ministry of Magic
have sent Sirius an owl, and then followed it, to find him?

A: Just as wizards can make buildings unplottable, they can also make
themselves untraceable. Voldemort would have been found long ago if it
had been as simple as sending him an owl! >>

Personally, I think post owls fly through 'hyperspace' (something like
where you are while Apparating) for most of their mail delivery
travel, and therefore the only chance of seeing them, following them,
intercepting them, is right near the departure and arrival points.