Question for fans of the Harry Potter books?...

[DR.MID-NITE]

Sadly, I have not read the HP books yet. But, have seen the movies. And I have a question maybe someone can answer. How is the muggle world and the magic world seperated. At times they seem to share the same technology (buses) and live nearby. But, at other times the magic folk seem oblivious to things in the muggle world. For example if I remember correctly. Ron's dad seems to be in charge of studying muggle items. And is it ever explained how such large areas are kept hidden. In the first movie you just have to hide Hogwarts and the surrounding forest. Now, we see their are numerous towns (ie-Hogsmead) that are also hidden.

Thanks!

[Evil Dr. Reef]

...Magic?

No, seriously. In the beginning of Goblet of Fire, the seperation of the magic & non-magical world is discussed and pretty much explained. At the Quidditch World Cup, Ron's dad talks about all the time and manpower the Ministry spent enchanting a large plot of land for the match and campsites so that any muggle who came anywhere near it "suddenly remembered that they had something extremely important to do at home". As far as Hogwarts and Hogsmeade go, they're both in the middle of nowhere in Scotland to begin with, and in every book, it's always mentioned how many enchantments the place has on it. The magic community is by and large smart enough to keep themselves hidden from the rest of the world, and the Ministry uses magic to cover up any holes or to prepare for large events like the World Cup.

VV: Obliviators. Forgot about them (no pun intended).

[Sharklady]

^ Explaination for Obliviators: they're a MiB-like division that re-arranges the memories of any Muggles who have unauthorized encounters with the Magicals.

There are, BTW, a few exceptions. The first chapter of 'Half Blood Prince' establishes that the Prime Minister of the UK Magical World makes a point of introducing himself/ herself to every elected Prime Minister of Great Britain, and may make further contacts in times of crisis. Presumably, the magical governments of other nations must follow similar protocols.

[Azrael24]

you might want to put that in a spoiler box ^^

but they've pretty much explained it. the wizard community does not use electricity but they use some of the non electric things we use. and they sort of live like in the 1880s and they dress like in the 50s or something, but thats only in the movies.

[Stewie]

Adding on, they use devices and objects that muggles use, though often aided by magic.
Example: They cook with pots and pans, but the fire is lit by their wands, and the pots and pans are stirred, moved to the table, and the dishes serves by use of magic.

And part of Ron's dad's thing is that he collects and studies muggle "artifacts" as a hobby.

[Azrael24]

hes just weird like that ^ (mr.weasley not stewie)