Can Wizards LOSE Their Magical Powers? - Harry Potter Theory

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we’re discussing MAGIC and whether or not this powerful force of nature can ever be STRIPPED away from those who wield it. In the world of Harry Potter where magic is omnipresent and omnipotent, I can’t help but wonder 

whether the extraordinary abilities possessed by witches and wizards can ever be lost. 

Typically, witches and wizards (who are destined to wield magic) begin exhibiting signs of magical ability in childhood. Though within this timeframe there is considerable variety. 

For instance, individuals such as Professor McGonagall exhibited clear indications of magic from an early age. In her earliest moments, she demonstrated remarkable abilities- playing her father's bagpipes, summoning toys to her crib, and even exerting control over the household cat. Similarly, Ariana Dumbledore showcased her magical prowess during her early childhood. 

Conversely, individuals like Neville Longbottom took a longer time to manifest their magical abilities. Although he, too, exhibited magic in his earliest hours by discreetly manipulating his blanket for added security, this subtle act went unnoticed. Neville did not demonstrate magic again until a more pressing situation forced it out of him. It occurred when he was dropped from a height and fortuitously bounced, resulting in his rescue from a potentially dreadful fall.

Overall, however, it’s agreed that magic is displayed (at a MINIMUM) by the time the witch or wizard reaches eleven years old, otherwise known as Hogwarts age.

But I wonder…Can magic be stripped away just as quickly as it manifests? Can one who finds themselves accustomed to their magical capabilities be then reduced to what is effectively a..Squib?

Today we’re going to discuss witches and wizards losing magic in Harry Potter. We will also touch upon instances of losing magic in other fictional works, such as the concept of severing in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time or the magic loss depicted in Lev Grossman's The Magicians. Hopefully, by drawing comparisons to these fictional universes, we can shed light on whether similar occurrences exist in J.K. Rowling's own creation.

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