Motorbike?

[hpfan_mom]

No: HPFGUIDX 167332

> > Ken:
> > 
> > In SS/PS Hagrid claims to have "flown" to the sea island,
> > right? He and Harry took the boat back to the mainland.
> > We don't know how the Dursleys got back! But one plausible
> > theory has to be that the bike is still on the island.
> 
> bboyminn:
> 
> Yes, Hagrid's comment of having 'flown' is one of the many
> mysteries of the series. One that we will probably never
> know the answer to. I suspect, if you just Apparated or
> Portkeyed to a location and met someone who knew nothing
> about magic, a quick and easy explanation to inquiries as
> to how you got there, would be 'I flew'. Hargid was simply
> saving himself a long and complex explanation.
> 
> I doubt that Hagrid flew the Motorbike, because that would
> involve leaving behind a magically enchanted and therefore
> illegal object for muggles to find; seems unlikely.


hpfan_mom now:

I wondered about this in post 144248.  In PS/SS, just before
Hagrid arrives at the Hut-on-the-Rock, Harry hears noises: a creak
outside, something slapping hard on the rock, a funny crunching noise.

I don't think Hagrid apparated, since he was expelled in his third
year and presumably never received training in that skill.  I
suspected in that post that he took the motorbike, but on second
thought a thestral seems more likely.  Unlike the motorbike, it could
return to Hogwarts on its own.  (At least, I assume the motorbike
needs a rider.  Assuming is often a bad idea in the HP universe.)  And
we see thestrals in OOTP being ridden somewhere and finding their own
way back.

Hagrid has been cultivating a herd of thestrals at Hogwarts (OOTP, p.
447). He tells the COMC class that Dumbledore would use a thestral if
he's "takin' a long journey an' don' want ter Apparate." (p. 446)

But . . . when asked what happened to the motorcycle, JKR told us:
"You'll find out, but the real sleuths among you might be able to
guess." (World Book Day interview)  Hmmm.

hpfan_mom