Harry Potter HP Fanon and canon devices
- Thread starter half baked cat
- Start date
Magic is like an extra pair of hands, for me, at least. It's useful, of course, but people can coil it into a fist and knob another bloke in the nose with it, too. Of course, dark magic's known to influence people as well, at least, according to Sirius and some of the other adults.
But power levels aren't something I'd bring into Harry Potter. I'd like to think that magic's more about how you use it, and your experience with it, the myriad of ways that it can be used to perform tasks. Like, say, if we compare in real-life, computers. Voldemort knows programming language, manual virus engineering and the like, while, say, Harry in the fifth year just became aware of C++. Magical cores (Within Wizards/Witches, not objects) were brought up by Madam Rowling, but I don't think we were given an elaborate dissertation of how these apply to the skill levels of wizards.
But power levels aren't something I'd bring into Harry Potter. I'd like to think that magic's more about how you use it, and your experience with it, the myriad of ways that it can be used to perform tasks. Like, say, if we compare in real-life, computers. Voldemort knows programming language, manual virus engineering and the like, while, say, Harry in the fifth year just became aware of C++. Magical cores (Within Wizards/Witches, not objects) were brought up by Madam Rowling, but I don't think we were given an elaborate dissertation of how these apply to the skill levels of wizards.
On "muggle" devices not working in Hogwart's...
I've seen discussions on various reasons that electronics in particular don't work in Hogwart's. The answer I don't believe I have seen is the fact that Hogwart's isn't attached to the power grid. Outside of hauling in an absurd amount of batteries to power an electronic device, there is no way to charge or re-charge a device. The other issue is anyway to create electricity would run the risk of "crisping" the device due to inconsistant power flow.
That and I don't believe there is any true enchantment or charm built for electronics. Most devices that are crossed-over are mostly mechanical, such as Sirius's bike or the Ministry cars.
I remember something in Book 4 about Harry having a watch that broke during the second task. An ordinary watch that was Dudley's, and Vernon would not have purchased a wind up watch for his son, no matter how spoiled Dudley was.
I've seen discussions on various reasons that electronics in particular don't work in Hogwart's. The answer I don't believe I have seen is the fact that Hogwart's isn't attached to the power grid. Outside of hauling in an absurd amount of batteries to power an electronic device, there is no way to charge or re-charge a device. The other issue is anyway to create electricity would run the risk of "crisping" the device due to inconsistant power flow.
That and I don't believe there is any true enchantment or charm built for electronics. Most devices that are crossed-over are mostly mechanical, such as Sirius's bike or the Ministry cars.
I remember something in Book 4 about Harry having a watch that broke during the second task. An ordinary watch that was Dudley's, and Vernon would not have purchased a wind up watch for his son, no matter how spoiled Dudley was.
I've heard in a few fanfics that it's actually a massive disinformation campaign by the wizards. I've heard other fics say that EMP-hardened devices work in Hogwarts. I've also heard a theory that since magic disrupts electricity, it explains why all wizards are stupid in general. After all, bioelectricity is what keeps your brain working. I think it was more of a joke theory than anything,though.
It's canon that magic interferes with electricity, and that electronic devices can be altered to run on magic. There are even creatures called Chizpurfles that feed on magical objects that are also known to feed on electronic devices. I would guess that the more complex the device, the more likely or severe the effect of being inside a magical field would be. I'm not sure if there's any example of a complex electronic device coming into the vicinity of a strong magic field, but it's possible the two energies would react to each other causing the electronic device to damage itself, or it could simply stop working.
Huh. I always thought the electricity thing was purely fanon, because if I can recall correctly, and it has been a while, then the only mention of tech not working around magic was Hermione saying that Radio's don't work at Hogwarts. I might be wrong, but that's what I remember.
Personally, I don't see exactly how magic could affect electricity; to me it's like saying gamma radiation throws off magnetic fields. The radio thing I always figured was due to the wards cutting off any non-magic based signal from going through them, like a very specific communication jamming field.
Personally, I don't see exactly how magic could affect electricity; to me it's like saying gamma radiation throws off magnetic fields. The radio thing I always figured was due to the wards cutting off any non-magic based signal from going through them, like a very specific communication jamming field.
It's later revealed that Rita's method of gathering information is her Animagus form. There's nothing I could find about Rita having a magical device that doesn't work on the Hogwarts ground. The quote also quite specifically states the reason for things going haywire around Hogwarts is the volume of magic in the air.
Hard to say really. I'd guess the Burrow would be another candidate given magic is one of the only reasons it continues to stand upright iirc. I wouldn't be surprised if most magical homes had too much magic for electronic devices to function correctly. Interestingly a Wizarding Travel Agency by the name of TerrorTours on Diagon Alley was advertising a cruise to the Bermuda Triangle to view a) the wrecked ships and b) the monster, which would suggest the monster itself is giving off enough magical energy to cause muggle navigation devices to go haywire.
I wouldn't be surprised if electronic devices are fine in most magical locations and only stopped working in Hogwarts because it's just that magical; composed of countless enchantments, host to hundreds of magical beings each year and with centuries of spell casting history within its walls. Depends on how much magic is too much magic.
