Not entirely sure where this came from, but it seemed like an interesting thought exercise.
What if the muggles and magicals were reversed? Everyone who was a wizard or a witch is a muggle, and everyone had no magical powers now has them.
Society: Given that muggles have no means of magically concealing themselves, they wouldn't be able to hide themselves from society at large. Being without magical power would likely be more of a social stigma.
Depending on how magical genetics works, things could even be worse. If the canon "Magic" gene was dominant, then intermarrying in this world would basically doom your children to be without magic. Knowing this, muggles might be ostracized, or even hated.
This would probably result in the Dursley's treating Harry even worse, since everyone would know that Lily was a muggle, and their desires to be normal would mean they would hide the fact that any of their blood was lacking. Harry might be hidden away and not even publically acknowledged.
They may start treating him better after Dudley displays magical abilities, since his poor blood didn't pass on to him, but I still can't see them treating him well. Maybe just neglecting or ignoring him. He can get food or read books, but they aren't going to go out of their way to make him happy.
Civilization: Given the resistance wizards have towards technology, I would see their tech level somewhere around 14th or 15th century levels. At the absolute best, they may have progressed to a Steampunk level society, but that's unlikly and certainly computers and other modern tech don't exist.
Depending on how this is spun, that could mean they still think the earth is flat, or that the only recently discovered the Americas, and the native magicians and their society. Could be an interesting thing to explore.
Pure Bloods: No longer the pinnacle of magical ability in their minds, they most likely resent their failings. They might even think like the canon Dursleys, and say that it's unnatural. Could easily begin forming a KKK type group.
Probably have more thoughts for this later, but I'd appreciate any thoughts or perspectives you guys all have to offer.
What if the muggles and magicals were reversed? Everyone who was a wizard or a witch is a muggle, and everyone had no magical powers now has them.
Society: Given that muggles have no means of magically concealing themselves, they wouldn't be able to hide themselves from society at large. Being without magical power would likely be more of a social stigma.
Depending on how magical genetics works, things could even be worse. If the canon "Magic" gene was dominant, then intermarrying in this world would basically doom your children to be without magic. Knowing this, muggles might be ostracized, or even hated.
This would probably result in the Dursley's treating Harry even worse, since everyone would know that Lily was a muggle, and their desires to be normal would mean they would hide the fact that any of their blood was lacking. Harry might be hidden away and not even publically acknowledged.
They may start treating him better after Dudley displays magical abilities, since his poor blood didn't pass on to him, but I still can't see them treating him well. Maybe just neglecting or ignoring him. He can get food or read books, but they aren't going to go out of their way to make him happy.
Civilization: Given the resistance wizards have towards technology, I would see their tech level somewhere around 14th or 15th century levels. At the absolute best, they may have progressed to a Steampunk level society, but that's unlikly and certainly computers and other modern tech don't exist.
Depending on how this is spun, that could mean they still think the earth is flat, or that the only recently discovered the Americas, and the native magicians and their society. Could be an interesting thing to explore.
Pure Bloods: No longer the pinnacle of magical ability in their minds, they most likely resent their failings. They might even think like the canon Dursleys, and say that it's unnatural. Could easily begin forming a KKK type group.
Probably have more thoughts for this later, but I'd appreciate any thoughts or perspectives you guys all have to offer.