In the 1980s I read a short story in an anthology that also contained "The Ruum" by Arthur Porges and "Tickets Please" by D H Lawrence. The short story featured a group of possibly British people staying at a hotel. An old man claimed he could make anyone disappear totally, so that no one would even remember they had ever existed (no photos, physical evidence, memories of the person, etc.). No one believes him so he does it, and the story ends with a young newly wed man kicking over a stool that his bride (Jessamy?) had been sitting on, but she is no longer there, so she was the one who was totally eliminated. But no one believes the old man actually did what he claimed because no one could remember the young woman having been there, not even her new husband. I always found it a bit chilling and creepy, but can't remember what the story was called.
In Harry Potter we are introduced to Kwikspell course in The Chamber of Secrets (and never hear about it again). We see Filch taking courses, presumably by mail. The descriptions of Kwikspell make me think it is for people who are weak in magic (kind of like how Neville was supposed to be when he was younger), but had magic in them nonetheless. However, Ron's comments later in the chapter make it sound like it is mainly for Squibs to learn magic. However, it is strongly implied through out all the books that Squibs are essentially Muggles, and will never be able to do magic. How then is a Kwikspell course supposed to work? Do we have any information to know if it works at all? Is it a scam? An answer from any level of canon is welcome. Answer Kwikspell courses are (probably) useful to some wizards, but not to squibs. The Kwikspell course literature comes with two testimonials. Madam Z. Nettles of Topsham writes: ‘I had no memory for incantations and my potions were a family joke...
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