What about the Door?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 99665

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "potioncat" <willsonkmom at m...>
wrote:
> 
> > Marianne:
> > 
> > No, it wouldn't.  The tunnel to the Shrieking Shack extends from 
> > the Shack to the Whomping Willow.  It doesn't go into the castle. 
> > So, whether or not Dumbledore knew or suspected that Sirius knew 
> > about that tunnel, it wouldn't necessarily mean that Sirius knew 
> > of other tunnels that actually did lead into the castle.
> > 


> 
> 
> Potioncat:
> Boy, it's hard to keep things together when you aren't very visual!  
> I always thought the tree was inside the castle walls.  
> grade. ...edited...
> 
> Potioncat 



bboy_mn:

'Castle walls'; seems like a pretty clear-cut term, but not so. 

There are the 'castle walls' that are not part of the castle itself,
but are the walls that surround the grounds like a large garden fence.
They define the parimeter of the grounds, not the castle. These are
what prevent unwanted people and creatures from entering the castle
grounds.

Then, based on common castle design, every castle has a courtyard; a
large open area like a big protected garden that is surrounded by a
combination of the castle itself and barrier walls. This would be the
area/courtyard where students wait outside when they have long breaks
between classes

Then there is the castle building structure itself which contain
'castle walls' that hold up the ceilings.

I think the Whomping Willow is on the grounds of Hogwarts, and
thereby, within the boundaries of the walls that surround the grounds.

I doubt that it is within the boundaries of the protected courtyard
because that would put a very dangerous tree in a very confinded space
with a lot of impulsive students. 

And logically, it is not inside the walls of the castle building
structure. It's far to dangerous and large to be an indoor plant. Not
to mention that it would have been unlikely for Ron to fly the car
into the castle and hit the tree.

The Whomping Willow seems to be in an open area of the grounds near
the forest, partway between the castle and Hagrid's Hut.

For what it's worth.

bboy_mn