Who can Apparate?

[Megan]

No: HPFGUIDX 27873

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Cindy C." <cynthiaanncoe at h...> wrote:
> I'm surprised at the consensus that Dumbledore apparated to Privet 
> Drive in PS/SS.  I thought it was possible that he arrived there as 
> an animagus and then transformed.  If he were a small animagus (e.g., 
> a bee), then this is possible because his animagus transformation 
> would look just like popping in out of thin air.

Canon gives no suggestion for us to believe otherwise.  If Animagi is
so rare (according to McGonagall) then why are readers so willing to
accept the fact that so many other characters are Animagi?  It really
doesn't make sense to me why you guys seem so willing to make these
things up.  There is, I repeat, no proof.

> But isn't it possible that Sirius is apparating at points during his 
> journey to Hogwarts?  Wasn't there the occasional Sirius Black 
> sighting in PoA? If he is living only as a dog, then these sightings 
> wouldn't happen, and it would be curious for MoM to put dementors in 
> Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.  I mean, how would they know where to focus 
> their search?  

Has it been said that Sirius remains a dog the /entire/ time of his
escape?  Seems like that would be too energy-draining.  Also, does
Sirius have any motivation to Apparate?  He doesn't have a wand &
wishes to remain very discreet.  Travelling cross-country as a dog
seems much wiser.

> <snip>
> But then again, to play devil's advocate, if Sirius can apparate, 
> then MoM must know about it.  He would probably have taken his exam 
> like Percy did, and MoM would have a record of it.  So that suggests 
> MoM knows he can't apparate, so that's how they know to concentrate 
> their search in Great Britain.

Seems to me like Apparating is something nearly every wizard/witch
does as a means of transportation.  I equate it to driving in the
Muggle world.  It has also been stated something to the effect of
long-distance Apparating is impossible or extremely difficult.

> I don't think Sirius would have apparated to Bali or wherever he 
> decided to hide because he needed to keep Buckbeak safe, and it's 
> clear that Sirius still has Buckbeak by the time of GoF.

Sirius probably flew there using Buckbeak.  As stated above, he no
means and motivation to Apparate in the course of time we see him in
the books thus far.  This does NOT mean that he CANNOT Apparate,
however...remember, Sirius IS a fugitive!  I imagine criminals in the
UK would use discreet public transportation even if they CAN drive.

><snip>
> Cindy  (getting a little confused about whether Sirius can apparate)

I see no reason to believe otherwise!!  It sounds to me like
Apparating is something even Neville could manage (in time).  Just
because we don't actually SEE him doing it (and he has darned good
reasons not to, if you ask me) in POA or GOF doesn't mean he's not
physically able to!!

-Megan (quite certain that Apparating beats driving any day)