What was that thestral up to?

[jenjar2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 93435

In OoP page 282, "A great, reptilian winged horse, just like the ones 
pulling the Hogwarts carriages, with leathery black wings spread wide 
like a pterodactyl's rose up out of the tress like a grotesque, giant 
bird.  It soared in a great circle and then plunged once more into 
the trees.  The whole thing had happened so quickly Harry could 
hardly believe what he had seen, except that his heart was hammering 
madly."

Then using one of her usual methods, JKR distracts us with Cho's 
entrance followed by the dungbomb epside with Filch.  For this 
reason, I think this thestral moment was significant and more than 
just a way to convince Harry thestrals were real.  Hagrid took care 
of that later anyway.  So, what was this thestral up to?  Why would 
JKR show us this scene and then distract us from it?  It doesn't seem 
to connect to anything else.  I think we will here more about this in 
the next books but in the meantime...any ideas?

Jenjar