Wizarding world: Encyclopedia II - Wizarding world - Society

Wizarding world - Society

Wizarding world - Fundamentals

The society of the wizarding world is centred around two facts. The first and most obvious one is that its members can use magic. Presented as an inborn capability to do otherwise impossible things, magic is honed through study and training into a skill. It permeates every facet of the wizarding world, both as a near-universal tool and imbued in objects,such as wands, vital amplifying/focusing devices for spells, and creatures, including dragons and phoenixes. Spells can have almost any effect, from finding lost objects and turning on lights, to healing and murder. About the only feats disallowed by magic are the conjuration (creation from nothing) of permanent objects and the resurrection of the dead. Although on the surface magic appears morally neutral, the good or evil of a spell's intention is tied to its essence. For instnace, the torture curse Cruciatus cannot be effectively performed by someone who gets no pleasure from others' pain.

Secondly, it is not considered possible for the Muggle world to peacefully coexist with the wizarding one. As such, a great deal of effort is expended in keeping up the Muggles' ignorance about magic. Enchantment of Muggle artifacts is forbidden, underage students are restricted to using magic in school, and any deliberate revelation of magical ability is naturally punishable. These laws are enforced by the Ministry of Magic while a special arm of it, the Obliviators, has the job of making certain that Muggles will be left with no incriminating memories. This is usually done retroactively.

Exceptions to the secrecy include Muggle relatives and the highest echelons of Great Britain's (and probably other countries') government, likely only the Prime Minister (or relative leader) (see HP6, chapter 1).

Wizarding world - General

The terms wizard and witch are used in magical society more or less the same way the terms man and woman are used in the Muggle world. Mage and similar words are rare and usually only seen in titles or such. Since a person's most important capability – magical aptitude – does not depend on sex, gender equality is advanced and apparently never became much of an issue.

The technological development of the wizarding world is far behind that of the Muggle one. This is partly due to the fact that magic greatly lessens the need for such, and partly due to magic's tendency to cause interference with electrical equipment. While the designs of some Muggle inventions (such as trains and the radio) have been copied to their wizardric equivalents magic remains strongly dominant and there is little pressure to change the state of affairs. Long-range communication is typically done by letter-carrying owls, such as Hedwig, or with the help of the Floo Network.

Wizarding world - Government and politics

The Ministry of Magic is the British wizarding world's central authority, bureaucracy and law enforcement, led by the Minister of Magic (currently Rufus Scrimgeour). The Ministry does not answer to any part of the Muggle government, but its head is obliged to inform the Prime Minister of events that could cause Muggle notice, such as escaped criminals or the importation of highly dangerous magical creatures. Otherwise it is live and let live. The Ministry's stated job is to uphold secrecy and order in wizarding Britain, and it maintains countless departments, offices and so forth.

Politically, the British wizarding world is at the medieval level at best. There is no separation between executive, legislative and judicial branches of power, there are probably no elections (Dumbledore refuses to "apply," not to "run," for Minister of Magic), and courts send wizards and witches to prison after a short hearing without a lawyer and without any possibility to appeal. It is not surprising that Ministry of Magics is corrupted and inefficient, and that innocent people get in jail. It seems that nobody is concerned by the poor political system.

Wizarding world - Transportation

Wizards can travel using many different methods:

Floo Powder is a green-colored powder that is thrown into a lit fireplace. Its immediate effect is to turn the flames green. A witch or wizard then steps into the fireplace and says aloud the name of the place they wish to go. This method of traveling is also used quite frequently to communicate; this is typically done by sticking your head, as opposed to your entire body, into the fireplace. Floo Powder is a very popular method of transportation and communication, there is even a Floo Network. A fireplace must be on the Floo Network for one to travel to it. How exactly the Floo Network is operated is unclear, but we do know that it is able to be watched by Ministry officials.

Apparition and disapparition is another form of transport for witches and wizards. This is when they are able to disappear and appear at another place almost instantly. This particular mode of transportation is difficult to master and it becomes increasingly unreliable over long distances. It requires an ability to concentrate on the destination, focus that determination on the desired destination, and a sense of deliberation to reach your goal. Normally, only Apparation-licensed wizards, over the age of seventeen, may apparate at will.

Poor focus results in splinching, a term for the (apparently non-bloody) separation of body parts. Even experienced wizards hesitate when using this method to travel great distances—it is usually safer to use a broomstick.

The brooms wizards use have enchantments on them that enable them to fly. They are used to travel long distances, or for sport, particularly in the game Quidditch. Modern brooms have a Cushioning Charm (invented by Elliot Smethywick) to prevent great discomfort. For a greater knowledge of the evolution of broomsticks and of the various sports involving them, consult Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp.

The Knight Bus is a magical triple-decker bus. It is described as "violently purple", with "gold lettering over the windshield". To flag it down, all a witch or wizard must do is stick out their wand arm. The driver is Ernie Prang and the conductor was Stan Shunpike, who was imprisoned in Azkaban in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. For a more detailed description of the Knight Bus, and the magical abilities it possesses, consult Chapter Three of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

It is possible to travel using Hippogriffs or Winged Horses. Harry and Sirius traveled using the Hippogriff Buckbeak, and Albus Dumbledore used Thestrals to travel at times. However, neither of these methods are popular, as far as we know, although the Headmistress of Beauxbatons travels in a carriage drawn by several winged horses.

Portkeys are objects that have been transformed into transportation devices. Portkeys can be dangerous, as they can send you anywhere, and are illegal to operate without authorization. Portkeys can either activate at a prearranged time or once someone touches them. Portkeys are usually disguised as trash so that Muggles don't stop and pick them up.

• Hogwarts students are transported to and from Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express.
• Students from the wizarding school Durmstrang traveled to Hogwarts on a ship. Apparently, even though it suddenly appeared from a whirlpool in the Hogwarts lake, there is still rowing involved.
• Flying Carpets are a primary form of wizarding transport in Asia. Flying carpets are their equivalent to the broomstick. Flying Carpets are designated as contraband in Britain.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Society", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki