[April Challenge] Introduction to The Invisible Book of Invisibility
Title: Introduction to The Invisible Book of Invisibility
Author: snorkackcatcher
Rating: G
Length: ~1000 words
Summary: Albus Dumbledore's introduction to the aforementioned book.
Author's note: Suggested by marginaliana, so I hope it at least resembles what they had in mind! The references to this, this, and of course this are intentional, as are those to various JKR works. :)
Firstly, I must offer my congratulations to you, the reader of this brief introduction -- for you have demonstrated, by the mere fact that you are reading it, your excellent grasp of the basic principles of the fascinating branch of magical study that is Invisibility.
Of course, those basic principles can only take the student so far. For those who wish to delve more deeply into the subject, reliable sources of information have hitherto been surprisingly difficult to find. Invisibility is, after all, a cross-disciplinary field of magical knowledge, one that embraces not merely Charms but also aspects of Transfiguration, Magizoology, and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Research has often been piecemeal, and its results have been scattered among numerous different works and learned journals.
The most comprehensive treatment of all forms of concealment is of course the classic work How Not To Be Seen: A Guide to Invisibility, Unplottability, Nonmappability and Generally Preventing People Knowing You're There (Transe, Lucius; Unseen Press 1933). Unfortunately, this volume is now long out of print, and only rarely obtainable second-hand from shops that stock old and obscure books for the connoisseur. I regret to inform you that the well-thumbed copy on my own bookshelf is not available for sale, nor even for loan.
I have, however, long felt that there was a need for a straightforward but rigorous overview of the single subject of Invisibility, pitched at a level suitable for the use of NEWT students. Therefore, when I attended the International Conference on Experimental Transfiguration in Rome recently, I was delighted to hear during the post-lecture discussions in the bar of Professor Occlusio's intention to publish such a book. I was further pleased, and indeed greatly honoured, to be invited by him at the end of the evening to contribute this short introduction to the English-language edition that you now see before you (at least, if you have remembered to maintain the counter-charm).
One of the main fascinations of the theory of Invisibility Magic is the light it sheds -- if I may be permitted to use that phrase in this context without seeming incongruous -- on the more general theoretical frameworks that underpin our study and teaching of magic, and which are sometimes sadly neglected in favour of practical tuition. By analysing the circumstances and procedures which allow one to manipulate light and vision, much can be learned from these simple cases about the general magical manipulation of more solid objects, not to mention the potential effects of magic on the mind itself.
Professor Occlusio does not disappoint in this regard. His treatment of the theory brings out certain aspects of the subject that even I had not previously considered, while still remaining admirably clear (the pun is of course intentional) and accessible to its target audience.
With regard to that audience, I am of course aware that some voices both within and without the Ministry have argued that this branch of knowledge is one readily susceptible of abuse, and thus far too dangerous to be studied by mere children of sixteen (indeed, some go so far as to maintain that it should only be taught to Aurors and others in the profession of law enforcement). Although their contention is certainly not without merit, I confess that I have always been highly reluctant to condemn as Dark Magic those spells and potions with applications that do not involve causing considerable harm to our fellow creatures.
Even if we discount the numerous entertaining but essentially harmless practical jokes that may be played with the aid of Invisibility Magic, there are many such applications that the ordinary wizard or witch in the street may find invaluable. After all, hiding from others, concealing objects, observing without being seen -- all are ways in which Invisibility may equally be employed by those of good or ill will, as useful to the honest man or woman (or other magical being) as they are to the criminal.
In addition, I should perhaps point out that those who are fascinated by the Dark Arts will doubtless seek out ways to study and abuse such methods in any case. Thus it behoves the more reasonable witch or wizard to know the possibilities of Invisibility, as well as the defences against such nefarious use.
The subject is, in fact, one of considerable practical worth in everyday life. I am sure that we have all found ourselves in situations in which we have wished to avoid tedious or offensive people without going to the lengths of Apparating away from the scene; or needed to screen an item from prying eyes without the bother of finding a hiding-place and arranging suitable charms around it. And of course those among us who keep fantastic beasts in areas where they may possibly be encountered by Muggles are currently required, as a matter of law, to turn them invisible -- or run the risk of Ministry representatives swooping down and imposing a heavy fine.
Even a simple Disillusionment Charm or Vanishing Spell can be of immense value under these circumstances. And it has been my experience that those individuals fortunate enough to possess an Invisibility Cloak find numerous possibilities open to them. (Although a true master of the art does not need one to become fully invisible, it cannot be denied that this is a difficult skill in which to achieve such a level of proficiency. Such garments are therefore rightly prized.)
Professor Occlusio's work will not make the reader into an expert on Invisibility overnight. Diligent study of its contents will, however, provide the attentive reader with the theoretical background and practical training that they will need in order to become an expert in due course, and it comes with my heartiest recommendation.
It is my hope, therefore, that this book will be found both useful and instructive by students of Invisibility. Or at the very minimum, that it will be found.
Albus Dumbledore
Author: snorkackcatcher
Rating: G
Length: ~1000 words
Summary: Albus Dumbledore's introduction to the aforementioned book.
Author's note: Suggested by marginaliana, so I hope it at least resembles what they had in mind! The references to this, this, and of course this are intentional, as are those to various JKR works. :)
Firstly, I must offer my congratulations to you, the reader of this brief introduction -- for you have demonstrated, by the mere fact that you are reading it, your excellent grasp of the basic principles of the fascinating branch of magical study that is Invisibility.
Of course, those basic principles can only take the student so far. For those who wish to delve more deeply into the subject, reliable sources of information have hitherto been surprisingly difficult to find. Invisibility is, after all, a cross-disciplinary field of magical knowledge, one that embraces not merely Charms but also aspects of Transfiguration, Magizoology, and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Research has often been piecemeal, and its results have been scattered among numerous different works and learned journals.
The most comprehensive treatment of all forms of concealment is of course the classic work How Not To Be Seen: A Guide to Invisibility, Unplottability, Nonmappability and Generally Preventing People Knowing You're There (Transe, Lucius; Unseen Press 1933). Unfortunately, this volume is now long out of print, and only rarely obtainable second-hand from shops that stock old and obscure books for the connoisseur. I regret to inform you that the well-thumbed copy on my own bookshelf is not available for sale, nor even for loan.
I have, however, long felt that there was a need for a straightforward but rigorous overview of the single subject of Invisibility, pitched at a level suitable for the use of NEWT students. Therefore, when I attended the International Conference on Experimental Transfiguration in Rome recently, I was delighted to hear during the post-lecture discussions in the bar of Professor Occlusio's intention to publish such a book. I was further pleased, and indeed greatly honoured, to be invited by him at the end of the evening to contribute this short introduction to the English-language edition that you now see before you (at least, if you have remembered to maintain the counter-charm).
One of the main fascinations of the theory of Invisibility Magic is the light it sheds -- if I may be permitted to use that phrase in this context without seeming incongruous -- on the more general theoretical frameworks that underpin our study and teaching of magic, and which are sometimes sadly neglected in favour of practical tuition. By analysing the circumstances and procedures which allow one to manipulate light and vision, much can be learned from these simple cases about the general magical manipulation of more solid objects, not to mention the potential effects of magic on the mind itself.
Professor Occlusio does not disappoint in this regard. His treatment of the theory brings out certain aspects of the subject that even I had not previously considered, while still remaining admirably clear (the pun is of course intentional) and accessible to its target audience.
With regard to that audience, I am of course aware that some voices both within and without the Ministry have argued that this branch of knowledge is one readily susceptible of abuse, and thus far too dangerous to be studied by mere children of sixteen (indeed, some go so far as to maintain that it should only be taught to Aurors and others in the profession of law enforcement). Although their contention is certainly not without merit, I confess that I have always been highly reluctant to condemn as Dark Magic those spells and potions with applications that do not involve causing considerable harm to our fellow creatures.
Even if we discount the numerous entertaining but essentially harmless practical jokes that may be played with the aid of Invisibility Magic, there are many such applications that the ordinary wizard or witch in the street may find invaluable. After all, hiding from others, concealing objects, observing without being seen -- all are ways in which Invisibility may equally be employed by those of good or ill will, as useful to the honest man or woman (or other magical being) as they are to the criminal.
In addition, I should perhaps point out that those who are fascinated by the Dark Arts will doubtless seek out ways to study and abuse such methods in any case. Thus it behoves the more reasonable witch or wizard to know the possibilities of Invisibility, as well as the defences against such nefarious use.
The subject is, in fact, one of considerable practical worth in everyday life. I am sure that we have all found ourselves in situations in which we have wished to avoid tedious or offensive people without going to the lengths of Apparating away from the scene; or needed to screen an item from prying eyes without the bother of finding a hiding-place and arranging suitable charms around it. And of course those among us who keep fantastic beasts in areas where they may possibly be encountered by Muggles are currently required, as a matter of law, to turn them invisible -- or run the risk of Ministry representatives swooping down and imposing a heavy fine.
Even a simple Disillusionment Charm or Vanishing Spell can be of immense value under these circumstances. And it has been my experience that those individuals fortunate enough to possess an Invisibility Cloak find numerous possibilities open to them. (Although a true master of the art does not need one to become fully invisible, it cannot be denied that this is a difficult skill in which to achieve such a level of proficiency. Such garments are therefore rightly prized.)
Professor Occlusio's work will not make the reader into an expert on Invisibility overnight. Diligent study of its contents will, however, provide the attentive reader with the theoretical background and practical training that they will need in order to become an expert in due course, and it comes with my heartiest recommendation.
It is my hope, therefore, that this book will be found both useful and instructive by students of Invisibility. Or at the very minimum, that it will be found.
Albus Dumbledore