Why Harry Potter was not arrested when he used magic on the opening scene in The Prisoner of Azkaban?

Question

(If you remember) In the opening scene of the prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter used the magic "Lumo Miximar" in his bedroom (under his blanket). Later on, there was a scene when he said (to the minister of magic) that underage wisards weren't allowed to use magic at home. If that so, how come Harry wasn't arrested at the first place? (Actually, same as Hermaonie in the Philosopher Stone, she did said on the train (where she first met Ron and Harry) that she had tried some of the spells at home and they all worked for her!)

Answer 1

If you remember correctly, Dumbeldore has told Harry before that underage wizards can't use magic. However, he also says that there is no real way to know whether the children use magic outside of school. He says that the ministry generally relays on the parents to stop this and punish for it when necessary. That's how they can always get away with using the magic outside of school. The ministry does not arrest people unless it is a serious violation that others find out about.

Answer 2

I completely agree. It's hard for people who haven't read the books to really understand just how trapped and isolated Harry feels at Privet Drive when, in the books, he can't even use magic to unlock his door or Hedwig's cage. J.K. Rowling, however, has been quoted as saying that she herself looked over every script before it was put into the film. She must have felt that by allowing the directors to show Harry having to sneak around, just to do his homework, was a good enough example to display the sense of isolation he feels with the Dursleys. (which, after all, is the major point of keeping the Dursleys in the movies at all.) I know it's difficult to accept contradicting quirks about the movies, but I also do my best to understand that no director and no screenwriter could ever capture all the brilliance that is J.K. Rowling, and that they mean to appeal to audiences of every age (including young people that might not understand the complexity of having to follow rules for a school over the summer- I think it makes much more sense for young viewers when they physically see Harry having to hide his books.)

Answer 3

This is just an opinion mind you, but, I'd have to call it artistic license. Most screenwriters and directors forget that we are intelligent enough to notice the script or plot errors. They are usually more interested in the individual scene than the whole picture. I don't think they really mean to do things like off campus magic mistakes, it just happens in their zest for a good scene or story. You know, sacrifice accuracy for excitement.

Answer 4

Perhaps because HE is the Harry Potter & Hermaonie could go backwards in time to take things & re-arrange them! No memory means no proof, therefore, no arrests could be made! Magic is a wonderful thing!

Answer 5

Didn't the Minister for Magic find him when he got off the bus, and let him off because it was an emergency? I think that's how it was in the book.

Answer 6

Because "He's Harry Potter....The one who lived."

Let's face it that rule is not enforced.

They owled his house.

They kidnapped him on his birthday.

They picked him up in a flying car.

He blew up his aunt.

He stuck his cousin in a snake pit.

The list goes on and on.

And magic on a magic train does not count.

Answer 7

The Minister said that not even the best of wizards could control their emotions.

Answer 8

Don't forget he also blows up his aunt!

The minister of magic let him off as he'd be safer at Hogwarts with Dumbledore to look after him.

Answer 9

Kids will be kids, they were only doing their homework, which clearly isn't allowed in the enlightened world of magic.

Whereas in the world of Muggles homework is compulsory, so kids don't do it. simple really.

Answer 10

Well the movies are very inaccurate.

If you read the books there are a lot less mistakes.