TobyBartels comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 2 - Less Wrong

13 Post author: dclayh 01 August 2010 10:58PM

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Comment author: gwern 04 August 2010 03:39:58AM 1 point [-]

One thing to check in canon would be the scene where the Wizarding minister pops in to the British PM and gives him a status report. I can't remember whether it is implied that PMs are routinely obliviated after their terms are up.

Comment author: TobyBartels 05 August 2010 03:32:28AM *  1 point [-]

From the flashback scene near the beginning of Book 6 Chapter 1, where the Muggle PM first meets Cornelius Fudge:

“But then,” bleated the Prime Minister, “why hasn't a former Prime Minister warned me — ?”

At this, Fudge had actually laughed.

“My dear Prime Minister, are you ever going to tell anybody?”

So it's implied that no Obliviation is needed. On the other hand, I wouldn't it past Eliezer to decide that this is not credible in a story for adults. And after all, Fudge never really answered the question.

Comment author: gwern 05 August 2010 04:17:35AM 1 point [-]

Thanks for the lookup. Yes, that implies that a limited number of muggles thought to be 'safe' are permitted to know about the wizarding world.