OotP flints

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 69994

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lexy582003" <lexy582003 at y...>
wrote:
> Hi There,
> ... Dumbledore uses the Thestrals if he is going on a journey and 
> doesn't want to apparate ... I thought no one could apparate or 
> disapparate in Hogwarts - Hermione is very clear about this ....
>
> Does this mean that Dumbledore can do it because he is such a great 
> wizard, or that he is the one who casts the protection spells over 
> Hogwarts and is therefore exempt?

bboy_mn:
Yes and No.

Dumbledore is able to move into and out of Hogwarts in ways that other
wizards can't because he is a.) a very powerful wizard, and b.)
Headmaster of Hogwarts and the man who control the spells and wards
that protect Hogwarts. 

He Floo's into his own office fireplace(OoP), and he and Harry portkey
into Dumbledore's office using a portkey enchanted by Dumbledore. But
his office fireplace and the exact nature of the portkey are things he
personally controls, as again, is Hogwarts.

Also, you are making an assumption that if Dumbledore choses not to
use the Thestrals, he would apparate from inside Hogwarts grounds.
That is a false assumption. People apparate to and from Hogwarts all
the time, but they never apparate INTO or OUT OF Hogwarts. They
apparate into and out of Hogsmeade, and then walk up the drive to the
castle. Anyone wishing to apparate or disapparate simply has to step
outside the front gate, and walk down the trail a short distance.

Now back to the Thestrals, think about the Beauxbatons Academy
students and their arrival at Hogwarts(GoF). They flew in, in a
carriage pulled by flying horses. So, I suspect Dumbledore would use
the Thestrals in a similar fashion. When it is time for the next
Tri-Wizards Tournement, he would simply hitch the Therstrals to a
coach, gather his passengers, who if underage would not be allow to
apparate, and fly off to Beauxbatons Academy. Or if Dumbledore were
traveling a distance that was out of apparation range, say to Africa
or Asia, he would probably use the Therstrals and a coach.



> Also, a continuity question - OotP24 states that Pigwidgeon bursts 
> out of his cage on Ron's knee when the Knight bus veers - when did 
> Ron get Pigwidgeon from Hogwarts? If I remember correctly Ron and
> his siblings were transported to Grimmauld Place by portkey from 
> Dumbledore's office and he didn't have Pigwidgean with him.
> These are just questions that have come to me now that the first 
> read frenzy is over and I can digest the book properly.
> Thanks,
> Lexy582003


bboy_mn continues:

Somewhere in the story just after they arrive at Grimmauld place (the
next day I think), their trunks and other possession arrive. (OotP
Am-Hb pg 481) "Their trunks arrived from Hogwarts while they were
eating lunch, so that they could dress as Muggles for the trip to St.
Mungo's." I could assume that 'trunks' meant all their possession
including pets.

There is just one problem, later when Harry is thinking about running
away from Grimmauld place because he think that he is the one who hurt
Mr. Weasley, he specifically say that Hedwig is back at Hogwarts and
it will be one less thing for him to carrry. BUT later while he and
Ron are playing chess, Crookshanks is there, and as you pointed out,
Pigwigeon is on the Knight Bus.

While it can be explained with a little imagination, it is a bit
'flinty'. 

Just a thought.

bboy_mn