Would prefer, if I am unable to do so for a time, that someone checks on the rules of the Trace concerning parents and how they effect it. It may be in CoS, but exactly where it is mentioned is not known. Kyouraku-taichou 23:07, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
How It Works?
How exactly does the trace work? I know that it detects underage magic, but it seems to work differently depending on the circumstances. Harry is unable to use magic in his home, even though his aunt, uncle and cousin all know about magic (as the whole thing is designed to hide magic from muggles), but Hermoine states in one of the books (i can't remember which one) that she has been practsing spells over the holidays, with her muggle parents. --Pratstercs 18:43, April 10, 2010 (UTC)
The trace doesn't actually makes it impossible for underage wizards to perform magic. It just alerts the Minestry of Magic to every spell used by or around a witch/wizard younger than 17. However they do not punish for spells used before one attends Hogwarts because young wizards often can't control their powers. This explains Hermione's statement, because she used the spells before attending Hogwarts. Harry could not have performed magic around the Dursleys, because he wasn't 17 not because they were muggles.Coleon 06:48, February 3, 2012 (UTC)
I think The Trace doesn't prohibit underage wizards to perform all kind of magic, I think The Trace prohibits certain spells/charms/etc. For example: 1) If I'm not wrong, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when Hagrid goes to first take Harry to Hogwarts, Petunia Evans Dursley says that when her sister, Lily Evans Potter, spent the Hogwarts' vacation at home, she performed some magics like the Vera Verto charm; 2) In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry casts the Lumos Maxima spell to read a book on the bed, which disturbed Vernon Dursley. Andre G. Dias (talk) 18:52, April 3, 2014 (Brazil)
As to the inconsistency regarding Tom Riddle...
I believe that this can be explained if we take Voldemort's birthday into account. Voldemort was born December 31, making him older than his other batchmates. I don't really do much math, but this canon data will show us that Voldemort was already seventeen during his sixth year. This calculation is also applied by Rowling to Cedric Diggory. Although only in sixth year, he was able to participate in the Triwizard Tournament because he was already seventeen. The same goes for Angelina. If we were to count the age based only on the year level, then I guess it would be safe to say that Hermione should be one academic year higher than Harry and Ron, since her birthday is September and she isn't younger than both, as evidenced by her being able to take the Apparition test when Harry and Draco could not (due to the age limit). Thanksherman 14:01, January 6, 2012 (UTC)
At the Burrow
When Harry left the Dursleys' home in Deathly Hallows, his mother's charm broke but the trace remained intact. While at the Weasleys' home, magic was used around him (before he came of age and the trace broke). Shouldn't the Ministry have been alerted to this? And if they were, why didn't Pius Thicknesse get word of it and report his location to Voldemort?
69.207.203.242 06:25, February 3, 2012 (UTC)TheDanya
- Why the Ministry should be alerted? The Ministry is alerted only if the underage uses magic and not if someone else uses magic around him. And why Pius Thicknesse would report Harry's location since it was already known that he was at The Burrow? Andre G. Dias (talk) 23:21, April 3, 2014 (UTC)
A possible explanation is that the Fidelus charm was placed on the Burrow because it doesn't transmit any information that could reveal the location. Although this is contradicted by the fact that deatheaters were able to attack the Burrow during the wedding of Bill and Fleur. If the Fidelus charm realy was placed on the Burrow than the deatheaters should have only been able to attack the Burrow, if they were told the secret by the secretkeeper (which is highly unlikely).Coleon 06:40, February 3, 2012 (UTC)
- It is possible that a Fidelius Charm was placed on The Burrow but I think that it's purpose was not to conceal but to "seal"/protect the place, so that only authorized people could enter. Personally, I don't believe that a Fidelius Charm was placed, I think only Protective enchantments was used. Andre G. Dias (talk) 23:21, April 3, 2014 (UTC)
Image
I recall that, in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, it briefly shows Fudge being aware that Harry is using the Patronus Charm and looking disgusted, presumably because the Trace just activated. Would a .gif of said scene be helpful for this article, and is there anyone here capable of making one? -- 1337star (Drop me a line!) 03:28, November 17, 2012 (UTC)
Done--Hunnie Bunn (Owl me!) 21:46, January 27, 2013 (UTC)
