Why Muggles Can’t Find Hogwarts

As revealed in «Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,» the Muggle Repelling Charm was a nifty little security measure that could keep anyone who didn’t know their Patronus from a Portkey at bay. Initially revealed in the books as a spell used for the Quidditch World Cup, it can lead to varying reactions. In the case of the tournament, Arthur Weasely explained that «Every time Muggles have got anywhere near here all year, they’ve suddenly remembered urgent appointments and had to dash away again.»

In the case of Hogwarts, the spell was known to provide a more intense barrier for non-magical folk. A Muggle venturing the stunning view of the school would instead be greeted by a worn-down castle warning the viewer to turn back. Thankfully, the security measures were lowered for some, including the likes of Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and decades earlier for Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) in «Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.» Getting the VIP treatment would allow them to see the world they were missing out on while the rest of us had to miss out on a really cool school where its pupil’s future was chosen by a hat.