OoP FLINTs: Canon for horseless coaches on return journey in 1-4?

[Tim Regan]

No: HPFGUIDX 64061

|
| Let's have a poem by William Carlos Williams as spoiler space (my 
wife's favourite) 

|
| This Is Just to Say 
| 
| I have eaten
| the plums
| that were in
| the icebox
|
| and which 
| you were probably
| saving
| for breakfast
|
| Forgive me
| they were delicious
| so sweet
| and so cold
|

Hi All,

Several people are claiming that Harry's inability to see the 
Thestrals pulling the `horseless' carriages is a mistake on JKR's 
part, since he saw the death of Cedric in GoF. Do we have any canon 
evidence that they use the carriages to return to the Hogwarts 
Express on the way home? I think not. They may walk down a hill, 
they may go in boats, or they may apparate (only joking, Hermione).

The relevant passages are:

Hagrid was there to take them down to the fleet of boats
that sailed across the lake; (SS p. 248)

Too soon, it was time for the journey home on the Hogwarts Express.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny got a compartment to
themselves. (CoS p. 292)

As the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station the next mornIng,
Hermione gave Harry and Ron some surprising news. (PoA p. 363-364)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had managed to get a compartment to
themselves. (GoF UK p. 629)

I.e. it is a boat trip or not mentioned at all.

Cheers,

Dumbledad