PoA MOVIE DISCUSSION.

[Carol]

--- In HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com, "Nightbreed" <md at ...> wrote:
>
> I wasn't voicing an issue with the train, I was simply saying that when you have magical means of transport such as flying, apparating and the floo network there is more than a question of why would one wizard use a train, but why would any. I hardly think the reason is because it's part of the Hogwarts experience, especially during a time when Voldy is loose, it's a grand place to strike a terrifying blow while students are neither protected by their homes or Hogwarts - that security on the train is never discussed in the books or films seemed to me a grave error.
> 
Carol responds:
I already gave my reasons why I think that the students, most of them to young to Apparate, need the train. Please don't take my sig line as my whole argument! The main consideration is probably luggage, which is difficult to transport by broom, Floo Network, or Side-Along Apparation. And Muggle parents would have no way to get their children to Hogwarts *except* the Hogwarts Express (Hogwarts is hidden from Muggle eyes.) I was also giving reasons why older students still take the train when they're capable of Apparating.

Voldy, of course, is not really loose in PoA, the book/film under consideration, but I think that Dumbledore has Lupin take the Hogwarts Express because he's afraid of an attack by the supposed DE Sirius Black or by Dementors. Why he doesn't have Mad-Eye Moody  ride the Hogwarts Express after the Dark Mark is cast at the QWC I don't know--possibly because JKR didn't want Fake!Moody on the train with the kids or because nothing happened--Voldy was keeping a low profile. Obviously, neither DD nor JKR wanted Umbridge on the train, and having Snape ride it as DADA instructor would spoil the surprise. (Essentially, JKR put a teacher on the train only when her plot required her to do so. Deus ex machina, maybe, but it works.)

Nightbreed: 
> It should also noted that Slughorn rides the express to the school grounds as well (next film for those not reading the books). Why would that be?

Carol responds:
Because he's too fat and lazy and self-indulgent to Apparate or ride a broom (or use the Floo Network if it's not being watched)? Also because he wants to meet and treat his Slug Club members. Certainly, he's not there because he's poor or to protect the students. He has his own agenda (which, I assume, we'll see in the film).

Carol, who thinks that perhaps adult wizards don't normally need trains but the Hogwarts students do