Detecting magic

[Kirstini]

Kneasy wrote:
>>>>I suspect that this "the Ministry sees all, knows all" has got a 
bit out of hand from Jo's viewpoint and that we've been drawing 
conclusions we weren't meant to.
What was a useful bit of plot business in CoS just doesn't stand up 
when applied to the wider WW. Given the resources available no 
criminal is safe; spell-tracking identifies the place, spell 
identification identifies the spell used, Prior Incantato identifies 
the wand <snip> [the Ministry] even know that a Muggle was present 
when he 
produced a Patronus. Now really, is this likely? Not unless it was a 
Ministry set-up from the start - which it was.

Dobby and the floating cake - if they can't tell the difference 
between  wand magic by a minor and non-wand magic from a House Elf 
then the identification system can't be trusted.>>>>

Kirstin: 
Not to mention the use of (at least) Alohomora, Scourgify, the Packing 
Charm(!) and yet another Hover (Locomoter Trunk) by Tonks/other 
members of the Order at Privet Drive in OoP. Surely in the wake of a 
breach of the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery decree, the 
Ministry sensors would be charged and pointed on young delinquent 
Potter. 

You know, scratching around for flints always leaves me feeling 
slightly sordid.

Kirstini