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

[txjen70]

No: HPFGUIDX 64074

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Taryn Kimel" <amani at c...> 
wrote:
> |
> | 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
> |
> 
> Dumbledad:
> 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).
> 
> Me:
> Yes, we do have canon.
> 
> "You'd better hurry up!" Ron called loudly after her. "The 
carriages'll be here in a minute!"
> 
> and
> 
> Hermione turned away, smiling at the horseless carriages that  
were now trundling toward them up the drive, as Krum, looking 
surprised but gratified, signed a fragment of parchment for Ron.
> 
> Both pages 726, US GoF Paperback.
> 
> --Taryn
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yes, as shown it was stated that they used the carriages in GOF.

I have three big beefs with the Thestrals.  
1.How long have these been in use?  Because I find it hard to 
believe that word about them has not gotten around.  I am sure there 
are sufficient enough amount of students who have seen death that 
they would have asked about them before now.  

2.  They are obviously not dangerous animals.  They are quite 
magical and they live on the grounds.  So no COMC teacher ever 
showed these animals to their class?  Sure it may not be 1st year, 
it may be 7th, but word would have spread.  Older students would 
probably talk about them when the carriages were used and whether 
they were seen or not would have said something to each other and 
the other students.  

3.  They are not mentioned in Hogwarts, A History?

OK, neither are house elfs apparently, so maybe the 3rd one could be 
explained, but not the others.