What enables you to actually see the Thestrals? I think it's having developed an awareness of death and of what death actually means. In some ways, it's like a loss of innocence. (Outside of the HP books, kids have a similar experience; death isn't really real to them until someone they know dies.)
Can Muggles see Thestrals? Hmm. I don't know. Can Muggles see dragons or unicorns or any of the other magical creatures? If so, then I'd guess yes, but that they don't often encounter Thestrals.
Why can't Harry see the Thestrals at the end of GoF? It's a weak answer, but perhaps he's still in shock and hasn't really come to terms with Cedric's death?
Why can't Harry see the Thestrals from the very beginning? I don't think it's the having been in another room thing, because I think I remember reading that Lily had been standing between Voldemort and Harry by placing her body in front of the crib. Then again, perhaps he couldn't see out of the crib? Or perhaps one has to be able to comprehend death at the time for the vision to take effect.
How does a Thestral know where to go when you give it a London street address, like Harry does? Well, a Thestral isn't the traditional "pale horse," but it's certainly very closely associated with death. Death goes everywhere and comes to everyone, sooner or later; therefore, I think the Thestrals could go everywhere that death does.
Why are their names always capitalized? They are? I hadn't noticed that (US edition of the books, fwiw). I'll have to go back and look. Someone else above had a good discourse on capitalization, though.
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What enables you to actually see the Thestrals?
I think it's having developed an awareness of death and of what death actually means. In some ways, it's like a loss of innocence. (Outside of the HP books, kids have a similar experience; death isn't really real to them until someone they know dies.)
Can Muggles see Thestrals?
Hmm. I don't know. Can Muggles see dragons or unicorns or any of the other magical creatures? If so, then I'd guess yes, but that they don't often encounter Thestrals.
Why can't Harry see the Thestrals at the end of GoF?
It's a weak answer, but perhaps he's still in shock and hasn't really come to terms with Cedric's death?
Why can't Harry see the Thestrals from the very beginning?
I don't think it's the having been in another room thing, because I think I remember reading that Lily had been standing between Voldemort and Harry by placing her body in front of the crib. Then again, perhaps he couldn't see out of the crib? Or perhaps one has to be able to comprehend death at the time for the vision to take effect.
How does a Thestral know where to go when you give it a London street address, like Harry does?
Well, a Thestral isn't the traditional "pale horse," but it's certainly very closely associated with death. Death goes everywhere and comes to everyone, sooner or later; therefore, I think the Thestrals could go everywhere that death does.
Why are their names always capitalized?
They are? I hadn't noticed that (US edition of the books, fwiw). I'll have to go back and look. Someone else above had a good discourse on capitalization, though.