Apparating on Hogwarts grounds

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 43981

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "mitchbailey82" <MITCHBAILEY82 at H...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Grey Wolf" <greywolf1 at j...> wrote:
> In repsonse to  Julie Stahlhut' post:
> 
> > No, canon (and in this case, Hermione) clearly states that *no 
> > apparation* is possible at Hogwarts grounds ...snip...
> > 
> > Grey Wolf
> 
> Now Me:
> 
> Also in POA when Snape's ... at Fudge  that you apparation is 
> not possible in Hogwarts - ...snip...
> 
> Also Dobby - I know a few people wonder how Dobby could have 
> seemingly used apparation at the end of COS however it is never 
> stated that he did - he could have just turned himself invisible.
> 
> 
> Michelle

bboy_mn ponders:

I can't prove this position but I've always wondered if the real
apparation rule was that you could not apparate INTO and OUT OF
Hogwarts grounds but that apparation within the boundaries was
possible. Apparation from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade =NO; apparation from
Great Hall to Dumbldore's office =YES. 

Of course, that brings up the question; why haven't we seen anyone do
this?

Apparation within the boundaries could explain what Dobby did. But I'm
more inclind to think that Dobby with his own special brand of magic
doesn't technically apparate. It is an apparation-like magical
transportation from one place to another, but isn't really the same
magic or the same method as human apparation. 

A very valid alternative regarding Dobby, as pointed out by Michelle,
is that he didn't apparate. I think Dobby apparating is the common
assumption, but we have no proof of that. So it is VERY MUCH possible
that Dobby just became invisible and flew/levitated or walked out of
Hogwarts castle.

Personally, I believe in the special form of elfin magic theory that
allow elves to perform an apparation-like action. But I have to admit,
the available evidence is very much in favor of Michelle's theory.

I do see a flaw in Michelle's theory but I also have an explaination
that could explain this potential flaw. When Dobby is visiting Harry
in the hospital after the rogue bludger incident, Harry is holding
Dobby's wrist when Dobby disappears, and Harry is left holding a hand
full of air. That would seem to imply that Dobby physically vanished
(apparated) as well as visually vanished. However, there is no reason
why Dobby couldn't have shrunk himself down to the size of a gnat,
making him functionally invisible, and then flew out of the room. 

As far as students learning and practicing apparation, all they really
have to do is step outside the front gates of Hogwarts and they can
practice. I'm guessing at first they just apparate a distance of five
feet, then move to apparating from one room to the next, then from one
building to the next (all outside Howarts grounds). Once they reach
that stage, they probably start apparating over longer distances
(quater mile/half mile) but still line of sight. In other words, from
mountain top to mountain top where the students and teachers can see
both mountain tops (starting point and destination). Then they
gradually expand the distance from there. Having to be outside Howarts
doesn't seem like that big a problem to me.

bboy_mn