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Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, February 2015, chapter 113
narfanator40

So, release of magic doesn't require movement. That's something.

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Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, February 2015, chapter 113
narfanator100

Thought some more, and I have some ideas.

One of the realizations I think I had is that magic recognizes divisions where there are none. PT being the prime example, but also the ability of armor to block spells. PT relies on removing the caster's understanding of divisions; what if there is a way to add divisions? If Harry can convince himself that his skin is not part of himself, will it block spells the way thick leather does?

Conversely, are there other divisions that open possibilities if removed? Like between people and the ground, or people and people?... (read more)

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1Unknowns
The Map says that Harry is Tom Riddle. So although it probably doesn't satisfy Eliezer, since you could say it is not "avoiding immediate death" in the physical sense, and it is not through his own efforts (Eliezer's stipulation), in reality the ending in which he survives could simply be they kill him as planned, he ends up in Tom Riddle's Horcrux network and can go and propose to someone that he take over his body at least temporarily.
Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, February 2015, chapter 113
narfanator30

I think a big question here is "what kinds of magic, if any, are available?". Answer might be "none". Partial transfig takes too long, everything else requires motion.

That seems to leave to possibilities:

  • Realizations that allow for re-access to magic
  • Talking your way out of it

In other words, no known magic is useful in this situation.

Does that seem reasonable? Does anyone remember a form of magic that doesn't require motion or time?

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3EricHerboso
He learned that he can will his own transfigurations to end wandlessly and without spoken words.
Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 11
narfanator00

(Dinner interrupted)

Sorry, didn't go into recommended courses of action.

/If/ Hermione is innocent under the above scenarios, then you need a way to detect magic use, either via an examination of what Hermione has cast by looking at her wand, or an examination of Draco for magical traces.

If she isn't innocent, or, rather, no evidence can be found that shows innocence - they key is Lucius and his rage. He's acting particularly irrationally because it involves his son, so Harry may be able to do something with regards to Draco. The concept of "reasonabl... (read more)

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0DanArmak
Has been suggested before. Rather than adoption, a betrothal contract could work. However, needs approval of Dumbledore (Harry's legal guardian) and would still need a Wizengamot vote to transfer the penalty from Hermione to Harry (since the Wizengamot has already, in this chapter, voted to punish Hermione). And the Wizengamot isn't going to vote to send the Boy-who-Lived to Azkaban to die - think of the political repercussions! Remember how strangers in the street think of Harry, now imagine how they'd think of those in the Wizengamot who sentenced him to death for being self-sacrificial and loyal to his friends. Lucius would never ask such a thing of the Wizengamot, nor would they vote in favor if he did.
Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 11
narfanator10

Chapter 80 -

Damnit, lost my nice long post. Here's a short summary:

If this a plot designed by Quirel, it's to help Harry. If this is a plot to help Harry, my guess is that it's via the governmental destabilization that will result - Unrest will be caused by the ruling, a lack of trust in the sanity of the government, and this just gets worse when Harry does something drastic to get her out, like taking the whole thing out. If it's a legit attack, not sure what to do or what will happen.

As for the events themselves, I think they happened. "Oblivation... (read more)

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0narfanator
(Dinner interrupted) Sorry, didn't go into recommended courses of action. /If/ Hermione is innocent under the above scenarios, then you need a way to detect magic use, either via an examination of what Hermione has cast by looking at her wand, or an examination of Draco for magical traces. If she isn't innocent, or, rather, no evidence can be found that shows innocence - they key is Lucius and his rage. He's acting particularly irrationally because it involves his son, so Harry may be able to do something with regards to Draco. The concept of "reasonable doubt" is almost certainly not codified in Wizarding law, but the concept probably exists. The problem with applying it is again Lucius' rage. So - Our goal is to return Hermoine to Hogwarts in a reasonably healthy state - say, no damage that won't heal in weeks. The issues standing in the way are that is popular to hate on Hermione, and the Lucius is out for blood, /potentially/ on his son's behalf. Harry could take actions to make hating Hermione unpopular - other comments suggest Harry challenge duels, or threaten to leave the country. Alternatively, he could promise favors; on the gripping hand, he could threaten duels and promise favors. Lucius' rage is unlikely to be abated by any interference from his son - he already considers Draco "compromised" with regards to his new opinions on Muggle-borns. Any information regarding Hermione as, in fact, wizard-born wouldn't work either - he'd be enraged anyway, although he'd likely turn towards other avenues... Which makes me think - Hermione, as a muggle-born, holds a status somewhat similar to an orphan, and is thus presumably adoptable. In such a case, Harry (or another friendly noble house) may be able to adopt Hermione, take the blood-debt on the House, and pay it another manner... such as Harry, who Lucius has reason to hate due to Draco, going to Azkaban instead. (And summarily destroying it) My original idea for abating his rage is actually Fawkes - If
January 2011 Southern California Meetup
narfanator50

I think I should give this a go. I'll be coming from Santa Monica, and am likely to be late.

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