A different question about Thestrals

[Mark D.]

No: HPFGUIDX 68397

I thought itwas presented that Dumbledore and others use Thestrals to 
fly long distances where apparating is not feasable. The HP Lexicon 
stated that apparition becomes more difficult with distance with only 
the greateast wizards attempting intercontinental apparition. 
In GoF, Arthur Weasley stated that many wizards don't bother with it.
So Hogwart's Threstral might be used for quick transport where 
Apparition of Floo powder are not feasible.

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Eleanor" <fuchsia100 at y...> 
wrote:
> At least, I hope it's a different question that hasn't been 
answered 
> yet

> 
> What is the point, from the Hogwarts point of view, of keeping 
> Thestrals?  Are they just there to pull the carriages twice a 
year?  
> Because if so, why use winged horses at all (they don't need to 
fly) 
> and why keep ones which are considered unlucky by wizards?  The 
first 
> time a kid sees the Thestrals, they'll probably think they've gone 
> crazy because no one else can see them; every time after that, 
> they'll be reminded of the occasion when they saw someone die, 
which 
> is hardly what you need on your first day back at school (on their 
> very first day at school, of course, they don't see them because 
they 
> travel by boat).  
> 
> It seems like there must be another use for Thestrals during the 
> year.  If not, and they're just Hagrid's idea for another fun pet, 
> someone should tell him it's really insensitive.   
> 
> Eleanor