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harry potter - Is it illegal to do magic outside of Hogwarts?


It’s quite clear from the Harry Potter series that doing magic underage is illegal. Two infractions and your wand is broken and you’re kicked out of Hogwarts. The Ministry keeps tabs on underage wizards and witches with the Trace. Harry thought he was bound to be expelled after making his uncle’s sister float in “The Prisoner of Azkaban.”


Yet on the other her hand, we know from “The Deathly Hallows,” before Voldemort took over the Ministry, it was not obligatory for young wizards or witches to enroll in Hogwarts. They could in stead choose to learn all their magic at home with their parents.



A contradiction arises: can a young wizard/witch do magic at home, outside of school? Is it only illegal for enrolled students? If so, why? One could suggest the Trace is only put on the students once they enroll but isn’t it true that the Ministry keeps track of underage Muggle-born witches/wizards with the Trace?




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