Apparating into Hogwarts

[heather the buzzard]

No: HPFGUIDX 131228

I think I just fanwanked something about the problem of the floo 
network, apparating into Hogwarts, etc.

We know that the protection on the school is in the form of *spells*.  
We don't know, as far as I can recall, if these spells were cast by DD 
or if they were pre-existant.  Possibly, they're pre-existant, but their 
strength is supported and determined by the strength of the current 
headmaster, who maintains the integrity of the protective spells.

We also know that DD can be quite tricky with his protective spells; and 
we know that magic has an awful lot to do with *intent*.

I thought way back to the Philosopher's Stone, and the Mirror of 
Erised.  Only one who wanted to find the stone -- find it, but not use 
it -- could get it out of the mirror.  "One of my more brilliant ideas", 
says DD.

If this sort of intent-based spell could prevent Voldemort himself from 
getting a stone, why could the same sort of thing not protect Hogwarts 
from the bad guys?

A bad guy trying to apparate into Hogwarts would find himself like 
Quirrel in front of the mirror... tantalizingly close to almost being 
there, but just not able to do it.  The spell would sense their intent, 
and thwart them.  Similarly with the floo network -- only one who wanted 
to find a Hogwarts fireplace -- find it, but not attack through it -- 
could use it.  I think it really could be a matter of the baddies not 
being able to FIND the place (it is unplottable, after all -- again a 
related magick?) 

Perhaps the same is true for Portkeys.  Maybe anyone can portkey OUT of 
Hogwarts, but only those with good 'intent' can portkey in.  So Harry 
was able to get back in at the end of GOF... we know that Voldey 
*intended* to use the Portkey to get back to Hogwarts after killing 
Harry, but maybe, if I'm guessing right... it wouldn't have worked 
anyway.  If anyone can use a portkey to get into Hogwarts, you think 
those bad guys would have done it long ago!

Now those of you who are observant should be saying "that's all quite 
brilliant, Heather, we bow to your intellectual prowess... but you're 
forgetting one thing.  Canon says that NOBODY can apparate into 
Hogwarts, not just the baddies". 

Well I haven't forgotten.  What I think might be possible, is that 
there's a bit of a catch with the apparation, unlike the portkey or the 
floo network.

See, the portkey, in general, is pretty much infallible.  It's 
'no-brainer' transportation.  You grab it, it takes you.  Similarly, the 
only 'risk' with the floo network is ending up in the wrong grate.  
There's no actual danger. 

With apparation, though, there is training required, a certain level of 
maturity and magical development, and a great risk of doing it wrong... 
ending up in totally the wrong place or, even worse, splinching yourself.

So... I would guess that the protective layer around Hogwarts is 
possible to get through with good intent, but it's difficult.  With 
portkeys and the floo network, the object or network itself works 
through the difficult part, you're just along for the ride.  But with 
apparation, you yourself have to get through the difficult part.  And 
even if your intent is noble, your risk is very, very high.  So they put 
the story out that no-one can apparate into Hogwarts, period.  Baddies 
might try it, and will quickly discover it's true, since their negative 
intent totally blocks them.  Good people, being good, believe the story 
and don't try it.  Or perhaps a few try it just for kicks, are 
unprepared for the difficulty, splinch themselves, which reinforces the 
story and no-one tries it again.

I would not be at all surprised if *very* powerful witches and wizards, 
who know the ins and outs of the protective spell and who have good 
intent, can apparate into Hogwarts.  But they wouldn't make this a 
well-known fact...

heather the buzzard