Summary
InHarry Potter, compared to muggle lives, being a wizard does come with a lot of convenience. Although the lives of the wizards and witches are easier with the help of magic, it does not mean they do not possess any greed or longing for a greater power.
They are fundamentally humans, with slip-ups and sometimes deal with the legal authority. Just like muggles, the magical community also has a governing body that oversees the use of magic. To keep society in line, wizards inHarry Potterare bound by rules and regulations that sometimes apply to non-human beings such as Hags, Vampires, and even house elves.
6Underage Sorcery
Using Magic Outside of School is Illegal for Under 17s
For wizards and witches who are under the age of 17, it is illegal to use magic outside the school area. This law is legally bound under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery (1875), issued by the Ministry of Magic. Underage sorcery is forbidden for two reasons; to avoid injury or harm from precarious and life-threatening situations, as well as to keep an ancient secret about the magical world from muggles.
That is why Harry Potter almost got into trouble duringHarry Potter and the Order of The Phoenixafterhe casts a Patronus Charmagainst the dementors' attack in Privet Drive. Although the magic used was for survival purposes, it was detectable, as he still had a trace from the Ministry. Once said witches and wizards are above the age restriction, the trace will be lifted permanently.
5Wand Use
For Non-Human Wizards
Although non-humans such as Goblins, vampires, hags, giants, house-elves, veela, and werewolves (in their human form) are still considered as beings just like magical humans and muggles, there are a few things that they are not allowed to do. One example is using and having a magical wand. According to the Wand Ban of 1631, non-human beings are not allowed to have a wand, as according to the Ministry, they do not possess an equal legal position in society.
Some of these non-human beings, however, can use magic, even without the help of a wand, and work along–and with–wizards and witches. Goblins andhouse elves are non-human beingsthat often work hand in hand with the magical community.
4Conjuring Living Things
No Accio-ing A Person
Conjuring existing objects is a usual occurrence, especially for convenience. Although conjuring living things is possible, it is illegal due to its nature of tampering with a source of life. This legality also mostly falls into the Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration. While it is possible, it is highly dangerous and complex. For instance, when the caster does not do the conjuration spell correctly, a hybrid of toad and rabbit may show up instead.
Imagine if aliving person is the onewho is summoned. The legality of this law is mostly for safety reasons, as even the most skilled wizards and witches might mess up in the process. For this reason, only simple conjuration spells are taught to young students, such as conjuring fire, water, birds, or snakes.
3Keeping XXXXX Creatures As Pets
Keeping Them Is Illegal For Safety Reasons
There are a few levels of danger for magical creatures classified by the Ministry of Magic, X being the least to XXXXX as the most hazardous ones. While X creatures such as Horklums and Flobberworms are considered a nuisance, XXXXX creatures such asAcromantulas, Basilisk, Horned Serpents, Dragons, and Werewolves (while fully transformed), are known as murderous creatures. Therefore, these creatures cannot be kept as pets.
Rubeus Hagrid and Newt Scamander are not particularly fond of this law. However, it is needed to avoid collisions and accidents that might occur if these creatures were seen in public. It is quite similar to laws of prohibition for keeping exotic and dangerous animals as pets in the muggle world all over the world. Just like them, it is safe to say that no one wants to see a beast capable of in a public setting.
2Illegal Breeding
For Magical Creatures
Breeding exotic, dangerous magical creatures is strictly prohibited, according to the Ban on Experimental Breeding that was first introduced in 1965 by the Ministry of Magic. For this law, although Newt Scamander is a fan of unique beasts, the law itself was first written by him. It is later reinforced by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
This law also has a few loopholes, as many wizards and witches are still breeding magical creatures, albeit the less dangerous kinds, such as Pygmy Puffs and Blast-Ended Skrewts. Rubeus Hagrid, for instance, also has agreat deal of playing with the lawas he often mingles with illegal breeders or exotic animal dealers. In one example, Hagrid meets Lord Voldemort who was in disguise in the Hog’s Head Pub, obtaining a dragon egg that is considered illegal by the Ministry.
1Unforgivable Curses
These Spells Feature Manipulation, Pain & Death
There are three Unforgivable Curses; Imperius Curse (gaining total control of one’s mind and body), Cruciatus Curse (Inflicting Pain),and the Killing Curse(Instant Kill). For obvious reasons, these curses are illegal to use as they possess life-threatening qualities for both the target and the caster. The unforgivable curses are rather complicated magic, even Harry Potter has a hard time casting the Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix Lestrange.
In her words, the high level of unforgivable curses, the Cruciatus, and the Killing curse, need their caster to mean their intention to harm others. The legality of these curses is mostly broken during wartime, as they were usedleft and right by Voldemort’s supporters, and even by Harry Potter himself (except for the Killing Curse). Casting such spells usually bears prison consequences, being confined in one of the most terrifying places all across Britain, Azkaban. Under the puppet government of Voldemort’s underground control, the unforgivable curses are made legal. It became illegal once more after his defeat, under the reign of Kingsley Shacklebolt.
