Something I Can't Understand.

Why was Hagrid sent to pick up Harry when he was a baby? It seems to me that sending the only member of Hogwarts staff who can't apparate to pick up Harry and then have him travel across London to drop him off was a bit pointless when someone like McGonagal could have been there, picked him up and been back in about 20 seconds. Also Hagrid isn't the most incospicuous character and was likely to be noticed by muggles, I think Dumbledore must have had a really good reason to send him, but I can't think of one. Any ideas anyone?

While that may be true about floo powder travel, I dont know why McGonagal couldn't have apparated to Harry's house, even Dumbledore himself could have done it. I have been wondering about this for some time myself.

But what if they are able to monitor Apparation as well...how else would you explain hoe the Minisrty know when someone spliches themselves?

well the ministry can tell when an underage witch or wizard uses magic. How do you know they can tell if someone splinches maybe its only after someone gives them the message. Maybe Dumbledore believed hagrid could better defend himself against any death eaters that might still be lurking around, still Dumbledore is a powerfull wizard so why didnt he retrieve harry?

I guess another question is what was Dumbledore doing that day that meant that he was occupied with other things, other than picking up Harry? Maybe, he didn't want to risk the possibility of running into Sirius (remember, Dumbledore thought Sirius was the Potter's secret keeper) and getting angry at him. We know what McGonogal was doing - she was looking at the map in Privet Drive, and spying on the Dursleys, as a cat.

The answer is simple
dumbledore doesnt want to alert the death eaters by using magic in
privet drive to bring harry

I think you're trying to read too much into it.
JKR just wanted to introduce some main characters, especially Hagrid.
This set up his dramatic appearance on the Dursley's rock by the sea.
I think it was just for fun, just for the drama of it all.

But now that you mention it, I might have another look at that first chapter.
Some throw-away line might give a clue. It did mention young Sirius.
Maybe Diggle will be important, or someone or something casually mentioned.
The lemon drop, Dumbledore's watch, the scar on his knee?
Or maybe she'll just close the last book with more shooting stars in Kent.

[quote]
The answer is simple
dumbledore doesnt want to alert the death eaters by using magic in
privet drive to bring harry
[/quo


didnt harry arrive at the dursleys doorstep the night after the godrics hollow incident? as i recall uncle vernon seeing alot of "weirdo's" celebrating during that day. Perhaps dumbledore needed someone to look after harry (hence the hagrid) for a day whilst he set up the dursley arrangements. Perhaps himself apparating to get harry would be to quick ?

confusing , i know

That thing about Hagrid could easily be true. In the fifth book, he had stunning spells sent at him and they were just bouncing off. So even if he did meet Death Eaters, their spells, jinxes and curses wouldn't like bother him.