newbie with questions

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 159229

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Stephen and Angelique" <mrnmrswatters at ...> 
wrote:
>
> Hey. I just joined this group today. Both my husband and I are Harry
> Potter fans. As are our children and even my dad! I have a few questions
> that I'm hoping somebody might be able to answer.
> 
> First, I believe it's in the 5th book that the Thestrals are first
> mentioned. They say that only those who have witnessed death can see
> these creatures. Well, once you enter your 2nd year at Hogwarts you
> travel up to the school in these Thestral drawn carriages. In the 1st
> book, Harry has witnessed the death of not only his parents when he was
> a baby, but also the death of Professor Quirrell. Why does he not see
> the Thestrals until his fifth year?
> 
> And, it is well-known that you cannot apparate inside of Hogwarts, so
> why can the house elves do it? I don't remember Rowling giving any
> reason behind this.
> 
> Also, I think that Crookshanks the cat might turn out to be an animagi
> but my husband thinks not. Does anybody else think this cat might be
> something besides just a cat?

Geoff:
Welcome to the madhouse. :-)

With regard to the Thestrals, if you visit JKR's own website - 
www.jkrowling.com - she answers your question in the section 
FAQ>About the books. It's well down the list - the third 
(SPOILER WARNING).