Question about thestrals

[Kelley]

No: HPFGUIDX 89399


Anneli:
> Did Harry not see his mother die when he was a baby?  Even if 
he doesn't remember it would it not still mean he could see the 
thestrals? >>>

Hi, Anneli!

Yep, you're right; this was asked of JKR in the Royal Albert Hall 
webcast, and she answered:

~~~
"Harry saw his parents die so why hasn't he been able to see the 
Thestrals before?" 

JK Rowling: I knew I was going to get that one
that is an excellent 
question. And here is the truth. At the end of Goblet of Fire we sent 
Harry home more depressed than he had ever been leaving Howarts. I 
knew that Thestrals were coming, and I can prove that because they're 
in the book I'd produced for Comic Relief (UK) "Fantastic Beasts and 
Where to Find Them".

These are lucky Black Winged Horses. However, if Harry had seen them 
and it had not been explained then it would cheat the reader. So, to 
explain that to myself, I decided you had to have seen the death and 
allowed it to sink in a bit
 slowly
these creatures became solid in 
front of you. So that's how I'm going to sneak past that one. 
~~~

I buy it, anyway. ;-)

Here's a link to the full transcript of this event:
http://www.msn.co.uk/liveevents/harrypotter/transcript/

--Kelley