Flying

[Scott]

No: HPFGUIDX 20643

Susanna wrote:
"There's that strange thing about flying lessons at Hogwarts: In 
Harry's 1st year, few weeks after school has started, the Gryffindors 
have their first flying lesson together with the Slytherins. After 
this lesson, which seems to have been inserted only for plot reasons 
(how else would McGonagall have discovered Harry has got a natural 
talent for flying?), there is no more mention whatsoever of flying 
lessons, other students flying (except for Quidditch training and 
matches)or, indeed, anybody flying."
<snip>
"Another word as to Apparating in the grounds of Hogwarts not being 
possible: In CF, Sirius black does some kind of Apparition, when his 
head speaks to Harry from the fireplace."

--I can think of two good parallels for flying. One is PE which 
students are required to take in their first year of High School, and 
is optional thereafter. Another and better example would probably be 
Driver's Education. The point of drivers education is to prepare one 
for getting their license, and no license is required for broomstick 
flying. Apparation lessons would be a better parallel. 

Anyway the flying lessons seem to be a first year thing, but I don't 
think they are a one time thing. We just don't see the rest of the 
lessons because they aren't important to the plot. Also before 
actually getting out and flying I'm suprised they didn't go over 
broom safety tips. Then again they might have and it wasn't mentioned.

As for Sirius sticking his head in the fire...well this has been 
explained pretty well. It seems to be likened to a telephone 
conversation, except it's a lot more trouble. Didn't JKR say wizards 
have something like the internet? Did I just Imagine it?

Scott