A different question about Thestrals

[sharana.geo]

No: HPFGUIDX 68419

Eleanor wrote:
> What is the point, from the Hogwarts point of view, of keeping
> Thestrals? 

The first reason that comes to my mind is to be able to travel 
quickly in an emergency, avoiding the possibility of being tracked 
down by someone in the MoM (which is good at times of war).

Harry says when he is riding one of the Thestrals that he never 
imagined he could travel so fast, consider that he owns a Firebolt 
(which is used by professional Quidditch players, so it must be the 
fastest broom ever).

Remember that you can't Apparate in Hogwarts, so for safety measures 
I believe it's a good idea to have some alternate method of 
transportation, and it's not a common one. 

One of Dumbledore's greatest strengths (to me, and the reason that I 
love him so much) is that he considers every living being to be of 
value and to be respected, and does not dismiss other creatures 
(like it seems most of the Wizards do) just because they are not 
Wizards. I think most Wizards would never dream of using a Thestral 
to travel great distances (not every adult Wizard can Apparate, it's 
difficult and dangerous), especially if they consider them unlucky.  

Eleanor wrote:
> The first time a kid sees the Thestrals, they'll probably think
> they've gone crazy because no one else can see them; 

Well, Neville didn't think he's nuts, and Harry was confused, but 
after a few questions he understood what they are.

Eleanor wrote:
> 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).  

Not necessarily, if those kids who've witnessed a death see the 
Thestrals, they'll get over it as Harry did, and as you say, they 
won't see them any other year. I have always wondered if this 
special treat that first years receive has something more to do than 
just a nice way of greeting them. I think they are somehow marked or 
checked. Among other things, maybe Dumbledore checks if any kid can 
see a Thestrals, judging by his reaction.

Eleanor wrote:
> If not, and they're just Hagrid's idea for another fun pet,
> someone should tell him it's really insensitive.   

I don't see what would be insensitive about it, they live in the 
Forest, which is Forbidden to the students. I doubt that using the 
Thestrals for the new kids, is Hagrid's decision. Dumbledore clearly 
approves it.

Hope it helps :-D

Sharana