NationStates

The other day, I saw the "No Post on Sundays" scene from the first Harry Potter movie by accident, where there was an avalanche of letters out of the fireplace which really amused me. Really well done acting by all of that cast. This gave me inspiration for a discussion:

Lets pretend for a moment that the silly, absurd, ridiculous but interesting world created by JK Rowling were real. You're a Muggle or No-Maj parent, guardian, or relative and one day your child or an 11 year old in your immediate family gets their Hogwarts or Ilvermorny admission letter. How would you react to this?

At one end, you could perhaps be delighted at this development and be willing to embrace their becoming part of the Wizarding world or alternatively, you could be like Uncle Vernon- where you go to extreme lengths to prevent the letter from ever getting to them and to steadfastly refuse to let them go or take some action in between those two extremes.

I truly think that Uncle Vernon is perhaps the greatest unsung hero in the Harry Potter franchise- so far as Muggles go. Vernon had a dislike for Harry's father but still kept his son safe for over a decade. He knew Harry's parents met a bad end and probably assumed like Petunia did that no good could ever come of magic. He was protecting Harry from the magical world and figured he could over time "stamp the magic out" of Harry.

"He will not be going, I tell you! We swore when we took him in we'd put a stop to all this rubbish!" I find that Vernon was quite reasonable in telling Hagrid, "I am not paying for some crackpot old fool to teach him magic tricks!" If the Dursleys were as anti-magic as there were, every extreme length they went to is arguably justified. From Petunia's perspective, her sister got killed by magic and it was at the root cause of their estrangement from each other earlier in life.

If my child were Half Blood or Muggle born, I'd think I'd probably have no choice but to let them join the Wizarding world for the sake of their well being. Even though it'd probably mean that they don't see me for a good part of the year. If they suppress their magic, they could die from becoming an Obscurial. Thus the logical choice is probably to let them become a Witch or Wizard if this is what fate has decided for them.

I'd want them to be able to function perfectly in both the magical and non-magical worlds so, I'd perhaps be tempted to give them extra education over the summer vacation months. I'd see what I could do. I wouldn't have much in the way of money to get them any magical equipment or supplies so I'd want Gringotts or some other Wizard to pick up the tab for them. I'd need to get arrangements with regards to that.

If Pure Bloods give them a hard time, I'd tell them to just deal with it on their own, they have no choice but to after all. If they don't like the magical world, I figure there is nothing stopping them from living in the non-magical world after they've mastered any magical abilities they have. They might need to get a GED and to go to a college because they missed out on tons of formal Muggle education, but I'm sure they could manage. Life is a journey in some ways and it'd be up to them where they want to take themselves.

Hey look at that, Saiwania's getting into the IM game.

Anyway, I was gonna say "no because magic is haram", but seeing that this universe actually has the magic gene, which if not used, is harmful to one's health, I'd let my child go to the school.

I thought this was an IM thread at first. It did make too much sense, though.

Anyways, my hypothetical child would have to go to Hogwarts or Ilvermorny. If they have that gift then they need to learn to use it.

Kubumba Tribe wrote:Hey look at that, Saiwania's getting into the IM game.

Anyway, I was gonna say "no because magic is haram", but seeing that this universe actually has the magic gene, which if not used, is harmful to one's health, I'd let my child go to the school.

The Koran actually says something that doesn't exist is haram?

I'd be worried about Rowling retroactively changing my child's sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or religion, but on the other hand this could be my in to get the Wizarding world to come out of the closet and integrate into wider society and use their magic to help the whole world instead of just themselves.

Use it.

I'd murder them in a blind, jealous rage probably.

Fartsniffage wrote:

Kubumba Tribe wrote:Hey look at that, Saiwania's getting into the IM game.

Anyway, I was gonna say "no because magic is haram", but seeing that this universe actually has the magic gene, which if not used, is harmful to one's health, I'd let my child go to the school.

The Koran actually says something that doesn't exist is haram?

It's probably like in the Bible, practicing magic is a sin too.

Ifreann wrote:I'd be worried about Rowling retroactively changing my child's sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or religion, but on the other hand this could be my in to get the Wizarding world to come out of the closet and integrate into wider society and use their magic to help the whole world instead of just themselves.

One look at Donald Trump and they'd tell you your crazy to expect them to leave their secluded world.

Though, that drives a good question. You know how the British Minister of Magic has to tell the Muggle British Prime Minister about important things that might effect Muggles; such as the Quidditch world cup, bringing dangerous magical animals into the country, breakouts from Azkbaban, etc. Mainly as a courtesy of course, since the Muggle Prime Minister can't stop them, but it's a polite thought. Also a meeting between the two to meet each other whenever either one is newly elected.

My question is how would Donald Trump react to the President of MACUSA coming into the Oval office from a portrait in the wall to either meet him for the first time or meeting him again to tell him some important news. How would Trump respond/handle it? I imagine he'd run his bloody mouth and try telling the world about wizards.

Geneviev wrote:

Fartsniffage wrote:
The Koran actually says something that doesn't exist is haram?

It's probably like in the Bible, practicing magic is a sin too.

It's almost like there is a theme here....

No because magic is illicit.

Kannap wrote:

Ifreann wrote:I'd be worried about Rowling retroactively changing my child's sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or religion, but on the other hand this could be my in to get the Wizarding world to come out of the closet and integrate into wider society and use their magic to help the whole world instead of just themselves.

One look at Donald Trump and they'd tell you your crazy to expect them to leave their secluded world.

Though, that drives a good question. You know how the British Minister of Magic has to tell the Muggle British Prime Minister about important things that might effect Muggles; such as the Quidditch world cup, bringing dangerous magical animals into the country, breakouts from Azkbaban, etc. Mainly as a courtesy of course, since the Muggle Prime Minister can't stop them, but it's a polite thought. Also a meeting between the two to meet each other whenever either one is newly elected.

My question is how would Donald Trump react to the President of MACUSA coming into the Oval office from a portrait in the wall to either meet him for the first time or meeting him again to tell him some important news. How would Trump respond/handle it? I imagine he'd run his bloody mouth and try telling the world about wizards.

"Let's just not tell this President"

Ifreann wrote:

Kannap wrote:
One look at Donald Trump and they'd tell you your crazy to expect them to leave their secluded world.

Though, that drives a good question. You know how the British Minister of Magic has to tell the Muggle British Prime Minister about important things that might effect Muggles; such as the Quidditch world cup, bringing dangerous magical animals into the country, breakouts from Azkbaban, etc. Mainly as a courtesy of course, since the Muggle Prime Minister can't stop them, but it's a polite thought. Also a meeting between the two to meet each other whenever either one is newly elected.

My question is how would Donald Trump react to the President of MACUSA coming into the Oval office from a portrait in the wall to either meet him for the first time or meeting him again to tell him some important news. How would Trump respond/handle it? I imagine he'd run his bloody mouth and try telling the world about wizards.

"Let's just not tell this President"

Sounds about right, that's what my policy would be if I were the MACUSA President.

MAGITEK! MAGITEK! MAGITEK!

I'd probably have to struggle with immense jealousy, to be honest. While I would agree and enthusiastically support my child going to a magical school, there would be a part of my mind envious that my kid is going to accomplish more than I ever could. They better at least bring back a self-cleaning broom.

Fartsniffage wrote:

Kubumba Tribe wrote:Hey look at that, Saiwania's getting into the IM game.

Anyway, I was gonna say "no because magic is haram", but seeing that this universe actually has the magic gene, which if not used, is harmful to one's health, I'd let my child go to the school.

The Koran actually says something that doesn't exist is haram?

Well it says you should worship something that doesn't exist, so this shouldn't be a surprise.

I guess I'd have to let them go. I'd be incredibly jealous that my kid has magical powers and I don't, though.

Wonder if parents of geniuses/prodigies feel that way about their kids' gifts?

No, I would not send my kids to Ilvermorney, mainly because it's an increadibly half-assed school.

It's like JK Rowling didn't know about Canadian and US geography (Remember, Canadian kids also go to the place) and just took her understanding of the British school systems and applied it to the US/Canadian school systems. How is 1 school on a mountain surrounded by various towns all the way over in Massachusetts supposed to support a school population of ~800,000? How is the place allowed to house >100,000 students from another country (Especially with the language barrier caused by French speaking Canadians)? Why does it still use a British house system in the 21st century (Especially since it's been proven to be rather detrimental in the British Isles)? I could go on...

Xmara wrote:I guess I'd have to let them go. I'd be incredibly jealous that my kid has magical powers and I don't, though.

Wonder if parents of geniuses/prodigies feel that way about their kids' gifts?

A lot of them basically take control of their child's lives and start living vicariously through them.

My whole reaction would be, "Cool, so magic does exist. Well off you go kid."

Geneviev wrote:

Fartsniffage wrote:
The Koran actually says something that doesn't exist is haram?

It's probably like in the Bible, practicing magic is a sin too.

The Vatican has policies on how to deal with vampires and demonic possessions, while also noting that vampires don't exists and demons can't possess people.

Kannap wrote:

Ifreann wrote:"Let's just not tell this President"

Sounds about right, that's what my policy would be if I were the MACUSA President.

Besides, he'd just be pestered by Donnie asking him to magically let him cheat without Melanie or the rest of the world knowing.

Heloin wrote:My whole reaction would be, "Cool, so magic does exist. Well off you go kid."

Geneviev wrote:It's probably like in the Bible, practicing magic is a sin too.

The Vatican has policies on how to deal with vampires and demonic possessions, while also noting that vampires don't exists and demons can't possess people.

you can never be too safe.

I actually attended boarding school for 5 years, so my perspective might be a little different, as in the whole 'boarding school is scary they're aware from home' aspect doesn't really come into it as much.

I'd probably embrace it as I'd want my children first and foremost to be happy and successful.

Can't find it on YouTube anymore, but Key & Peele had a hilarious skit on what an American Public Magic School would look like in the Harry Potter world.

Petrasylvania wrote:Can't find it on YouTube anymore, but Key & Peele had a hilarious skit on what an American Public Magic School would look like in the Harry Potter world.

There's no American Public Magic Schools though, there's only the 1.

1 school, serving a population of over ~600,000-800,000 people of 2 different nationalities that lives spread out in an area of over 7,000,000 sq mi.

Am I the only one who sees a problem with this place? Honestly, I think a Public Magic School would probably be better than the half-assed monstrosity that is Ilvermorney.

New haven america wrote:

Petrasylvania wrote:Can't find it on YouTube anymore, but Key & Peele had a hilarious skit on what an American Public Magic School would look like in the Harry Potter world.

There's no American Public Magic Schools though, there's only the 1.

1 school, serving a population of over ~3,500,000 people of 2 different nationalities that lives spread out in an area of over 7,000,000 sq mi.

Am I the only one who sees a problem with this place? Honestly, I think a Public Magic School would probably be better than the half-assed monstrosity that is Ilvermorney.

FOUND IT!

INNER-CITY WIZARD SCHOOL