Consider a family that's living in Hogsmeade. Do they have to bring their children to London (Kings Cross) when they're going to be sent to Hogwarts or can they just bring them into the school directly?
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1First years can go to Hogwarts Station to catch the boats. Seniors can go directly through main gate of Hogwarts.– Doctor DoomCommented Dec 18, 2015 at 11:18
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2Strange that Rowling (as a Scot) did not consider people not wanting to travel from London. About 80% of the country is not handy for London. Maybe there were other trains, or it stopped on the way, though it wasn't mentioned.– RedSonjaCommented Dec 18, 2015 at 14:20
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Seems to me that riding the train was something kids would want to do -- it's a nice start to the school year, allows them to catch up with friends and so on. With that in mind, remember that getting around the country is no problem for wizards -- parents could take their children to London no matter where they were with Floo powder, for example.– trembyCommented Dec 18, 2015 at 23:16
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3 Answers
It's all entirely speculation but I'd have to guess they'd just take them to the train platform in Hogsmeade near the time in which the Hogwarts Express arrives, that way everything goes as normal from then on. Luggage taken care of and they arrive by Threstal carriage or boat depending on their year.
This is all contradicted by Pottermore, however, which states:
Many pure-blood families were outraged at the idea of their children using Muggle transport, which they claimed was unsafe, insanitary and demeaning; however, as the Ministry decreed that students either rode the train or did not attend school, the objections were swiftly silenced.
Pottermore - The Hogwarts Express
We do not know how relaxed this law can be, though, as we know both Harry and Ron attended school by Car in their second year and did attend school.
Also Headmaster Dippet mentions the possibility to Tom staying over the summer (in the diary flashback scene in CoS)
"The thing is, Tom,” [Dippet] sighed, “Special arrangements might have been made for you, but in the current circumstances…”
So clearly special arrangements can be made for those staying in the school, I would definitely say that permanent special arrangements can be made for those living much closer to the school.
(Thanks to @BMWurm for finding the quote special arrangement)
answered Dec 18, 2015 at 9:59
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Sounds very plausible - whenever Harry arrives after everyone else is there, it seems to cause Snape-related problems, so taking them to the train station makes sense.– LunaCommented Dec 18, 2015 at 10:26
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3It seems obvious to me that this decree referred to a refusal to allow different modes of (personal) transport rather than a blanket ban of students who didn't physically sit in the train. Hogsmeade students wouldn't need to travel to Hogwarts, they were already there.– user42419Commented Dec 18, 2015 at 12:40
They don't have to travel via Hogwarts Express, they could probably walk to the station from Hogsmeade. In OotP Harry returns to Hogwarts via the Knight Bus, which drops him off outside Hogwarts, so they don't have to travel to King's Cross.
They were to return to Hogwarts on the Knight Bus the following day
And they arrive at Hogwarts gates.
They were rolling through a snowy Hogsmeade. Harry caught a glimpse of the Hog’s Head down its side street, the severed boar’s head sign creaking in the wintry wind. Flecks of snow hit the large window at the front of the bus. At last they rolled to a halt outside the gates to Hogwarts.
I imagine the reason that other students seem to use the Hogwarts Express is that it's a bit of a rite of passage, nobody knows where Hogwarts is (so outside of Hogsmeade you can't walk there), and the Knight Bus is an unpleasant mode of transport.
“I’ve changed my mind,” muttered Ron, picking himself up from the floor for the sixth time, “I never want to ride on here again.”
Harry and Ron also travelled via a flying Ford Anglia in Chamber of Secrets, but this was seen as unorthodox.
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I'd always assumed (mainly based on the surrounding geology, as well as Rowling's own background) that Hogwarts was somewhere in the Scottish highlands. And you could walk (or fly) there if you knew where it was - they even do arrive by air more than once in the series - it's only Muggles that can't find it because the wards subconsciously convince them to turn away if they get too close, much like the Quiddich championship arena. (I imagine it also prevents people from looking in the right place on Google Earth...) Commented Dec 18, 2015 at 18:18
The other answers all act like they are in the muggle world. These are wizards/witches, it will be just as easy to apparate (or floo powder) to London as it would be to get to the Hogsmeade station, so it makes no difference to have them all travel on the train.
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4Seems like a colossal pain in the butt. I don't disagree (I made the same assumption) but I'd be pissed if I had to spend all day on a train when I live a short walk away from the castle :D Commented Dec 18, 2015 at 12:18
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Agreed but I imagine that the first years love it and it aligns with the Pottermore quotation– user001Commented Dec 18, 2015 at 12:21
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3First years maybe :D Bet it loses it's novelty by 7th year haha. Oh aye, I completely agree, just seems a stupid rule in-universe xD Commented Dec 18, 2015 at 12:38