I don't understand this.

[Dark Ruler]

This might not really be a big deal, but the whole thestril thing doesn't make any sense. At the end of the fourth book, the book describes the carriagaes that take the students to the station as "horseless carriages". However, this is after Cedric is killed. It therefore makes no sense to have the thestrils in the fifth book because Harry would have seen them at the end of the fourth book as well. Is there some kind of explanation to this or should I just accept that there are inconsistencies between the fourth and fifth book?

[DigiAngel]

People have asked this before.

J.K.'s explanation is that the death has to ''sink in'' before you can see Thestrals.At that point in the story(the end of the fourth year) Harry was still in shock,I expect.He hadn't accepted Cedric's death.

[vdraconis]

I imagine them slowly fading into reality if one were to watch them for the amount of time it takes for the death to sink in - shortly afterward, they might see a distortion in the air; a bit later they can make out the shape, and then colors start to appear.

[Hollow Golem]

One thing I still don't get, but has probably been answered, is why Harry didn't see them the first day of school, I mean, he saw his parents die didn't he?

[Masterdramon]

One thing I still don't get, but has probably been answered, is why Harry didn't see them the first day of school, I mean, he saw his parents die didn't he?
No. Harry's father was in an entirely different room when he died, and Harry was tucked in his crib, unable to see his mother when she died. A certain scene in Deathly Hallows makes this pretty clear.

[Hollow Golem]

No. Harry's father was in an entirely different room when he died, and Harry was tucked in his crib, unable to see his mother when she died. A certain scene in Deathly Hallows makes this pretty clear.

True.. yeah, now that I further think about it I realize you're right. The first movie has it all wrong then.

[Sun Tzu]

the movies and the books are so far off at times its best to not use the movies for information

[Hollow Golem]

the movies and the books are so far off at times its best to not use the movies for information

I know, that's why I hate them. The images just kind of get stuck in your head, though.

[orange peel]

JKR made a mistake and tries to cover up.

and badmamjama i totally agree with you