What can squibs do or not do?

Post by Dryad
I've really been thinking about this lately. We hear of some squibs
that live/work in the muggle world, and some that do so in the wizard
world.
Squibs obviously can't do wand magic; that would seem to be a given.
But what about things like using the floo network (either "calling" or
travel?) What about what they see? (remember, muggles who view
Hogwarts see only a tumbled down castle...yet, obviously, Filch can
see it, as he works there) Do you think there are varying degrees of
squibship? And while we're on Filch, do you think we'll ever hear the
story about Mrs. Norris? (something's going on THERE, i'm sure)
What is to stop a squib from doing potions or herbology or even care
of magical creatures? Can squibs use charmed items? (oh, i don't know,
like self cleaning cauldrons?)

It's my understanding that they can't do actual magic, but they can interact
with the magical world, know of its existence and what exists therein, and
can make use of stuff like floo network, portkeys etc, and other muggle
objects that have been *charmed* by wizards......
After all, wasn't Filch doing some sort of correspondence course in
*self-learn* magic?.....

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Richard Eney

2004-02-07 03:35:18 UTC

Post by Fat Sam

Post by Dryad
Squibs obviously can't do wand magic; that would seem to be a given.
But what about things like using the floo network (either "calling" or
travel?) What about what they see? (remember, muggles who view
Hogwarts see only a tumbled down castle...yet, obviously, Filch can
see it, as he works there) Do you think there are varying degrees of
squibship?

No, but there are varying degrees of wizardliness. If you have even the
slightest amount of magic, you're not really a squib, you're just a weak
wizard. There may be some wizards who are so weak they might as well be
squibs - maybe they can transfigure a teabag but nothing else. But
they're not squibs. A squib has _no_ power.

Post by Fat Sam

Post by Dryad
What is to stop a squib from doing potions or herbology or even care
of magical creatures? Can squibs use charmed items? (oh, i don't know,
like self cleaning cauldrons?)

I agree. Filch was using Mrs Skower's Magical Mess Remover, wasn't he?

Post by Fat Sam
After all, wasn't Filch doing some sort of correspondence course in
*self-learn* magic?.....

That was a scam aimed at wizards who are so weak they might as well
be squibs, and perhaps average wizards who didn't pay attention in
school and now have to take remedial training. Real squibs can't
self-learn magic.

=Tamar

Markku Uttula

2004-02-07 03:51:31 UTC

Post by Fat Sam
It's my understanding that they can't do actual magic, but they can
interact with the magical world, know of its existence and what
exists therein, and can make use of stuff like floo network,
portkeys etc, and other muggle objects that have been *charmed* by
wizards......

I agree. Filch was using Mrs Skower's Magical Mess Remover, wasn't he?

In CoS, right? If I remember correctly, he was not achieving wished
results, so this only proves he can use it - not whether he can make
it work :)

And of course, there might be other occasions I can't remember offhand
:p

--
Markku Uttula

Richard Eney

2004-02-07 04:10:00 UTC

Post by Richard Eney
Filch was using Mrs Skower's Magical Mess Remover, wasn't he?

In CoS, right? If I remember correctly, he was not achieving wished
results, so this only proves he can use it - not whether he can make
it work :)

Or it might be a mediocre product to begin with, so even a normal
wizard would have trouble making it work. Anyway, he was using it
on a message that was at least partly done with magic. (The name
is ambiguous - is it a magical remover of messes, or a remover of
magically caused messes?)

And I imagine dried-on chicken blood might be hard to remove from
an uncoated oak wall. Oak is very porous.

Post by Markku Uttula
And of course, there might be other occasions I can't remember
offhand :p

I can't think of any offhand either. But he can get around the castle,
magic doors and all, and he can even use many of the secret passages.

=Tamar

Jennifer

2004-02-07 05:21:32 UTC

Post by Richard Eney
Filch was using Mrs Skower's Magical Mess Remover, wasn't he?

In CoS, right? If I remember correctly, he was not achieving wished
results, so this only proves he can use it - not whether he can make
it work :)

Or it might be a mediocre product to begin with, so even a normal
wizard would have trouble making it work. Anyway, he was using it
on a message that was at least partly done with magic. (The name
is ambiguous - is it a magical remover of messes, or a remover of
magically caused messes?)
And I imagine dried-on chicken blood might be hard to remove from
an uncoated oak wall. Oak is very porous.

Post by Markku Uttula
And of course, there might be other occasions I can't remember
offhand :p

I can't think of any offhand either. But he can get around the castle,
magic doors and all, and he can even use many of the secret passages.
=Tamar

I'm inclined to think that muggles could use magic if it was offered to
them. What makes me think this is SS/PS, when Hagrid mentions that they
keep the wizarding secret because then everyone would want magic fixes for
everything ... I can't remember the exact wording, but it seems to me like
if the wizarding world were common knowledge, anyone would be able to "use"
magic-infused items.

Sirius Kase

2004-02-08 16:21:34 UTC

Post by Richard Eney
Filch was using Mrs Skower's Magical Mess Remover, wasn't he?

In CoS, right? If I remember correctly, he was not achieving wished
results, so this only proves he can use it - not whether he can make
it work :)

This was one of the first things he tried to do after Mrs. Norris was
petrified. He could have used her magic, assuming Mrs. Norris is a
magical cat.

Post by Richard Eney
And I imagine dried-on chicken blood might be hard to remove from
an uncoated oak wall. Oak is very porous.

What color is chicken blood dried on oak anyway?

Post by Markku Uttula
And of course, there might be other occasions I can't remember
offhand :p

I can't think of any offhand either. But he can get around the castle,
magic doors and all, and he can even use many of the secret passages.
=Tamar

Did he continue to do so while Mrs. Norris was petrified?

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another good website: <http://www.hogwarts-library.net/reference/>

2004-02-07 22:30:15 UTC

I agree. Filch was using Mrs Skower's Magical Mess Remover, wasn't he?

In CoS, right? If I remember correctly, he was not achieving wished
results, so this only proves he can use it - not whether he can make
it work :)
And of course, there might be other occasions I can't remember offhand
:p

Well it appears that non magical people do suffer the effect of magic, even
if they can't do it.(Dudley and the Ton tongue toffee) Apparently they have
access to magical pets (Besides Mrs Norris, Mrs Figg had one of her cats
keep her informed about Harry) And magical or charmed objects are already
magical and don't need a magic person to operate them. I expect that since
Squibs are already in the magical world they have knowledge of the stuff and
have the option of remaining in it. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the
Ministry of Magic has a Squib Obliviator Office, for the poor ppl that wanna
be go out in the muggle world.

Sirius Kase

2004-02-08 16:21:45 UTC

Post by D

I agree. Filch was using Mrs Skower's Magical Mess Remover, wasn't he?

In CoS, right? If I remember correctly, he was not achieving wished
results, so this only proves he can use it - not whether he can make
it work :)
And of course, there might be other occasions I can't remember offhand
:p

Yes, Magical Cats for the Squibs are like Seeing Eye Dogs for the Blind.

Filch might not be able to do magic directly, but he has Mrs. Norris to
do stuff for him which made it more than just losing a pet in CoS, he
lost what little magic he had.

And how can Muggles and Squibs see Hogwarts? Dumbledore invited them,
just as he invited Harry to Grimmauld Place. It's the Fidelous Charm.
No, the book doesn't say so, but it works perfectly as an explanation.

--
Sirius Kase

The FAQ, on your newsreader: <***@corp.supernews.com>

or on your web browser: <http://tinyurl.com/24czw>

another good website: <http://www.hogwarts-library.net/reference/>

Corinne Rainbow

2004-02-07 08:09:47 UTC

NewsGroups : Hello/Bonjour Dryad , tu nous a dit / you told us

Post by Dryad
I've really been thinking about this lately. We hear of some
squibs that live/work in the muggle world, and some that do so in
the wizard world.
Squibs obviously can't do wand magic; that would seem to be a
given. But what about things like using the floo network (either
"calling" or travel?) What about what they see? (remember,
muggles who view Hogwarts see only a tumbled down castle...yet,
obviously, Filch can see it, as he works there) Do you think
there are varying degrees of squibship? And while we're on Filch,
do you think we'll ever hear the story about Mrs. Norris?
(something's going on THERE, i'm sure).

If Filch is learning "quick magic" I guess that if he had absolutely no
power, obviously he couldn't... or else he is just dreaming...
Anyway, it seems that some muggle or squibs are allowed to see Hogwarts -
for exemple probably Moaning Myrtle Parents when she died - and of course
Filch. I guess it is some kind of trick allowing them to see it.

Post by Dryad
What is to stop a squib from doing potions or herbology or even
care of magical creatures? Can squibs use charmed items? (oh, i
don't know, like self cleaning cauldrons?)

A squib won't be called at Hogwarts - but yes, he could do potions or
herbology as it doesn't really require magic

Post by Dryad
(see what questions pop up when you stop sleeping?)
Any opinions would be appreciated!
Dryad

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Dryad

2004-02-08 13:59:59 UTC