Chapter Four: In Which The Internet Is Mentioned
"So go on - how d'you hide a place like Hogwarts?"
"It's bewitched," said Hermione. "If a Muggle looks at it, all they see is a moldering old ruin with a sign over the entrance saying DANGER - DO NOT ENTER, UNSAFE."
"And that's supposed to keep Muggles from finding out?" Harry asked.
"Well, yeah-"
"Huh. Turns out the Wizarding World isn't that secret after all. . . The Muggle government must've declared it under Official Secrets Act or something, though how they manage to hide it with the Internet and all nowadays. . ."
"What's that Net thing, eh?" Ron asked, bewildered.
"Oh, it's the connection between millions of computers worldwide that can be used to share information to any part of the world. . ."
"Ah," Ron said, though he didn't really understand.
Hermione was bursting to the brim with questions, "Harry, what did you mean when you said the wizarding world wasn't secret anymore? What does the Internet have to do with all this?"
"Do you really think not one guy out of the several thousands that visit the Scottish Highlands tried to climb to the ruin? Especially one that says DANGER! on the front door? That's practically an invitation for adrenaline junkies, y'know? They would find themselves in front of a large castle that's not an abandoned ruin, but rather a school for witches and wizards! It must happen several times a year, I guess. Obliviators have a really frustrating job!" He mused.
Hermione stared at him in horror.
"And by the Internet, I mean to ask the question - 'what if someone would livestream themselves going to the ruin?'. The Obliviators won't be able to remove it from the memories of all those who are watching, would they? It would probably be seen by billions of people when it goes viral, so the Statute would be in pieces. Also, what about satellite images? Satellites have mapped the whole world, and chances are that at least one guy noticed Hogwarts or Diagon Alley!"
"I don't know, Harry, I don't know. . . " Hermione shivered at the implications.
Based on speculation by fanfiction writers and Potterheads such as me -
"Maybe the enchantments make sure satellites don't notice anything unusual? Kind of like camouflage, or maybe it looks like a ruin from top too! And maybe there are Muggle Repelling Charms on Hogwarts so adventurers will forget what they came there for and remember some important thing to do, just like at the World Cup!"
Hermione said, "Yeah, maybe. JKR wasn't very clear on which of those protections are used for Hogwarts and whether cameras are bewitched by the DO NOT ENTER thing. I don't really know for sure, but I think it's safe to assume that Hogwarts is protected by at least Muggle Repelling Charms. I'm 30% confident the Muggle Government keeps the existence of magic under wraps. . ."
AN: I'm starting to doubt myself now. Now that I think about it, there are some pretty big blank spaces on Google Maps. They could be magical locations. . .
Just kidding! As a great man once said, 'Any sufficiently advanced science can be called magic!'. So, don't worry!
As always, I appreciate suggestions and plothole ideas in reviews/PMs. Toodles!