Hogwarts Express and the Magic Compartment

[Whirdy at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 31476

IIRC train terminals in the UK are terminals; trains cannot continue beyond 
them (as happens in some American terminal to a train yard) so the engine is 
in the front.  In PoA, Mr. Weasley and Harry looked up to see the Hogwarts 
Express (the engine) after falling through the barrier.

Then Harry and Ron led the way to the end of the train to a carriage that 
looked quite empty in which they stowed their stuff, lock, stock and Hedwig 
and then went outside.  This must be at the end of the train furthest from 
the engine.  No mention is made of where the rest of the Weasley contingent 
are positioned for the trip.

After his conversation with Mr. Weasley, that took place behind a nearby 
pillar on the platform, Harry ran to the compartment door that Ron threw open 
for him.  However, when Harry wanted to talk to the other two, they "set off 
down the corridor, looking for an empty compartment, but all were full except 
for the one at the very end of the train" that had an occupant.  But weren't 
they already at the end of the train and in the compartment.

It has to be the very same compartment, since Harry's Sneakoscope is taken 
out of his trunk and then relegated to Vernon's socks.  

How and when did Lupin get into the compartment?  Did he apparate or was he 
under an invisibility cloak that he removed before falling asleep or did they 
just fail to notice him sitting in the corner when they were storing their 
trunks?

Finally, how did the scarlet engine get to the other end of the train to pull 
it out of the station?

whirdy




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