Request/Two General HP-Related Questions...

[Ebony AKA AngieJ]

No: HPFGUIDX 22010

I wrote:

> > 1)  Is the Hogwarts Express the only way that kids get to 
> > Hogwarts?  [snip]

> This has been discussed a few times.  

Yeah, I know.  But we've never come to a consensus... and I can 
finally see why.  It really does not make much sense when you're 
actually sitting over here trying to plan weekend jaunts, and it 
takes half a day to travel a couple of inches on a map.

I think I now favor this explanation...

> 5.  JKR did not really think about it.  She just wrote the train 
> sequence in SS/PS as a way for Harry and Ron to get to know each 
> other and continued it as a nice transistional device between the 
> wizard and muggle worlds, without really thinking about the logic 
or logistics of the whole thing.  

Lots of writers are guilty of this, aren't they?  They wanted 
readers... but I'm sure they don't expect us to spend a significant 
part of our free time dissecting their work!  Hmm... wonder if she's 
one of those who's annoyed by readers' nitpicks or overanalyzing?  I 
know *I'd* be guilty as charged...

>Note that this implies that the HP 
> books are works of fiction and that the wizarding world does NOT 
> exist -- an implication many HP4GU members are loathe to admit.
> 

Nah, not necessarily true.  I'm a firm believer that one's 
imagination is just as real as any tangible place, and while it does 
not do to live in dreams (Dumbledore), they are certainly nice places 
to visit once in a while, aren't they?

Take care, all...

--Ebony (looking from the pile of articles and texts on the shelf to 
her unopened UK HP1-3 set, and weeping bitter tears)