Morality and Harry Potter

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 191908



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboyminn at ...> wrote:
>
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "nikkalmati" <puduhepa98@> wrote:
> > 
> ...
> > 
> > Nikkalmati
> > > 
> > > The prohibition on the use of underage magic always seemed 
> > > like an artificial and forced plot device to me. Especially 
> > > the way it is enforced; ...
> > 
> > Nikkalmati
> >
> 
> Steve:
> 
> I think JKR said that the Underage Magic rule was left up to the parents to enforce, since the Ministy has no way to make a distinction regarding who was actually using the magic. 
> 
> So, in magical households, it is up the the parents. If kids from magical households venture into muggle area, as Fred and George often to, the must be careful not to use detectable magic in a muggle area.
> 
> Harry (and Hermione) are different in that they live in Muggle neighborhoods, and with Muggle families. 
> 
> But, Harry is a very special case, he has always been very closely monitored by the Ministry, as well as by Dumbledore. But notice that the Ministries reaction of Harry's use of magic is based on the Ministries attitude at the time.
> 
> When Harry is still in good graces, the Ministry is very forgiving of his having used magic to blow up Aunt Marge, even though it was accidental and unintended.
> 
> However, in the next book, when Harry fights off Dementors to save his cousin, the Ministry is not happy with Harry, and pushes the event to the limit. Even Dumbledore is stunned that they would bother to hold a full court hearing for something as petty as underage magic. 
> 
> In Harry's case, the extent of the Ministry reaction is very much based on the Ministries attitude toward Harry. Which is itself a very poor and unequal enforcement of the law. 
> 
> I think for the most part, underage magic is just an annoyance for the Ministry. It is, after all, their job to keep muggles from finding out. But, it is probably the equivalent of a parking ticket, unless they have some motivation for being excessively vengeful, as they were in Harry's case. 
> 
> Steve/bboyminn
>
Nikkalmati

Actually, I was quoting Bart there.  Sorry, to be confusing.

Nikkalmati