Underage/misuse of magic (was Re: Percy and Pyramids)

[annemehr]

No: HPFGUIDX 190143



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, June Ewing <doctorwhofan02 at ...> wrote:
>
> > Carol responds:
> > <snip> As for the pyramid, it would have taken magic to shut
> Percy in the pyramid, so I doubt that underage magic is a concern.
> (The Twins perform magic all the time under cover of the adults
> with them; in the Weasley household, underage magic or magic
> performed in the presence of a minor is an everyday occurrence.
> (Remember, the Ministry didn't know that Dobby had performed the
> Hover Charm in CoS, only that it had occurred in the Dursley
> household in the presence of a minor Wizard--and in the presence
> of Muggles, which was probably more serious.) And it's unlikely
> that the Ministry's powers of detection reach as far as Egypt.
> > <snip>
> 
> 
> June:
> One thing that I always had issues with was in Order of the Phoenix
> when they were berating Harry in court about using magic in front of
> a muggle. Ok I understand that using magic in front of a muggle is a
> big no-no and they did not believe the story about the dementors,
> however does it not make sense that if he is going to use magic and
> his cousin sees him do it that it may not be that bad of an offence
> as obviously his own cousin whom he is living with would probably
> know he is a wizard. As I say, I totally understand the law but one
> would think that they would not be as upset over him using magic in
> front of a muggle who (in most cases such as Hermione's with her
> parents) who would likely know a bit about magic any way just from
> living with a wizard/witch.
>

Annemehr:

Well, for one thing, government officials often enforce rules without making use of any common sense whatever.  It's like the time we were in a drought and some official stopped people from running the fountain in the pond in their yard.  This fountain wasn't *using* any water, just squirting it up into the air and it fell right back into the pond.  Which wasn't connected to the rest of the water supply anyway.  But it was apparently "against the rule."

And it's not quite true that "they" didn't believe the story about the dementors since Umbridge is the one who sent them.  No one else knew that, but she certainly did.

But what was really going on was that Harry was being railroaded.  Fudge wanted him expelled and silenced so he wouldn't spread panic about Voldemort being back.  The trial was a sham.  Since underage wizards *are* allowed to use magic in an emergency, they could not afford to admit to the possibility of dementors in the area.  It had nothing to do with finding the truth.  That's why Dumbledore had to have Arabella Figg lie about seeing the dementors -- to provide and "eyewitness" account that tipped the scales to justice for Harry.

I actually really like that scene.  Arabella recognized from her feelings that there were dementors there, and knew Harry was perfectly innocent and had done very well, but to really convince a majority to vote with Harry and prevent a terrible injustice, she felt she had to add a lie.  It's a nice illustration of the dilemma that can come up between doing the right thing and following a set of rules (no matter how much you believe in them generally).

Annemehr