Harry Potter 5 inquiry (Why does harry get in trouble for using magic)?

Question

Since Harry lives with Dudley (so he obviously knows about magic), why does he get into so much trouble regarding his patronus (other than the underage magic part)? So... is that the standard punishment for all underage magic or is it b/c of Dudley or just b/c he is Harry and the ministry doesn't like him? And if it IS b/c Dudley being there, would Hermione get the same treatment if she performed a spell in front of her parents?

Thanks in advance, these questions have been bugging me for a while now.

Answer 1

Normally, using a patronus would be okay because you're using it to save your soul, even though it's in front of muggles. The reason he got in so much trouble was because the ministry was out to get him. The Fudge-followers didn't believe Harry when he said dementors were there. It's later found out that Umbridge sent them herself to get him kicked out of school.



If Hermione(or anyone except Harry in this situation) used a patronus in front of her parents, she wouldn't get in trouble because underage wizards are allowed to use magic outside of school in life threatening situations.

Answer 2

In the books it says that Dolores Umbridge sent the attack on Harry knowing that he would use magic, which he's not supposed to do. She did this because the Minisrty was looking for ANY excuse to get rid of Harry because of all the things he was saying about Voldemort being back. Which the Ministry did not want to accept.



He performed underage magic before, but it wasn't a big deal because the Minister of Magic didn't see him as a problem. If another student did magic outside of the wizarding world they wouldn't get in as much trouble as Harry.

Answer 3

Underage witches and wizards use magic all the time. The Weasleys all did, Luna certainly did. Draco would have as well, as would most of the characters. The difference is that they all had families who could do magic, so their uses were hidden. Also, of course, Harry was being persecuted for his role in claiming Voldy had returned, which the Ministry was trying to deny.



I would assume it's one of those crimes that no one thinks of as a crime, like jaywalking or running a red light at 3 AM. It's just something you do after making sure no one's going to see you do it.

Answer 4

The thing is, Harry was an exception to all those laws (refer to Prisoner of Azkaban with the Aunt). However after Goblet of Fire when he said that everyone is danger because of Voldemort's return, and with the Ministry's refusal to accept those claims he was then targeted along with Dumbledore in a smear campaign.

Answer 5

You aren't allowed to use magic outsde of Hogwarts when you're underage.

Answer 6

I'm pretty sure you aren't allowed to practice magic outside of Hogwarts, could be wrong.