Thoughts on Apparating

[corinthum <kkearney@students.miami.edu>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51264

Not really a theory, but just some thoughts on the subject of
apparition.  No books on hand, so forgive the lack of specific quotes.

It's been brought up on this list several times that wizards often
seem to overlook Apparition as an easy method of travel.  For example,
Dumbledore flies to London in SS/PS, very time-consuming for such an
urgent matter.  Also, why do so many adult wizards use floo powder? 
There are other instances, I'm sure, but they aren't coming to mind at
this moment.

We know one can't apparate on the grounds of Hogwarts.  This is
generally taken to be an exception to the general wizarding world, but
what if this is the common situation?  My theory is that there are
only a few specific places where one can apparate, areas that are
isolated and well-protected from Muggles.

Where have we actually seen a wizard Apparate?  At the World Cup, it
was mentioned that specific areas had to be set up and designated for
Apparating.  These areas are heavily regulated, including the times
one can arrive at each location.  In GoF, Ron mentions that Percy
apparates downstairs to breakfast each morning.  Well, the Weasleys
live far from the Muggle town, in a seemingly isolated area (hidden
enough to practice flying), so it seems natural that they could have
their home designated Apparate-allowed, especially since Mr. Weasley
has connections at the MoM.

Some people have theorized that JKR simply hadn't thought about
apparating much yet when she wrote SS/PS.  However, I think the first
example of Apparating comes in the very first chapter of SS/PS.  When
Dumbldore arrives, JKR says something along the lines that it looked
as though he appeared from thin air.  Sounds like he apparated to me. 
He appears on the corner of Privet Drive, in the exact same spot that
Vernon Dursley first sees McGonagall the cat.  McGonagall proceeds to
sit on the Dursleys wall and watch that corner, as though she knows
exactly where Dumbledore will appear.  Seems like a bit of a
coincidence for them both to choose that exact spot, even if their
eventual destinations were the same.  So I think that that specific
corner is the only Apparating-allowed area near the Durleys, possibly
in all of Surrey.

London, being so crowded with Muggles, is not ideal for Apparating. 
Probably allowed somewhere, but highly regulated.  Thus, Dumbledore
flies when urgently summoned by the MoM.

Any thoughts?

-Corinth