Learning to apparate

[Grey Wolf]

No: HPFGUIDX 43923

> How do Hogwarts students learn to Apparate if they
> can't do it on Hogwarts grounds? Is it akin to
> learning how to drive (in the US) where you can take
> lessons privately or through the school? I can see how
> students from wizard families could probably just
> learn from another family member, but obviously,
> Muggleborns and/or orphans like Harry don't have this
> option. Besides this, we know that students aren't
> allowed to do magic over the summer, so if they're at
> Hogwarts during the school year and forbidden from
> using magic during the summer... the only thing I can
> come up with is that they might hold classes in
> Hogsmeade. I'm sure it's ultimately not that
> important, but just something I've always been curious
> about. Any thoughts?
> 
> ~ Aloha

IMO, apparating, like animagus transformation, can only be (legally) 
learned once you're officially an adult and yet only in especial 
schools habilitated by the MoM. Since both forms of magic require an 
official permit of the ministry, it stands to reason that they keep a 
close vigilance on the procedures. Like learning to drive, they first 
give you theoric and prctical classes, and at the end you demonstrate 
your capabilities by passing an exam, in case of apparating, and by 
transforming into your animal (which is then carefully observed and 
it's characteristics jotted down in a document) in case of the nimagus 
transformation.

I don't think they teach this sort of thing at Hogwarts: if it was 
compulsory, or even optional, there would be many more people learning 
it than there actually are. Remember, there have been very few oficial 
animagi in the last century, which indictes that no-one is willing to 
go through the training officially, and notice that Percy didn't learn 
to apparate until the summer after his last year at Hogwarts.

Hope that helps,

Grey Wolf