system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Harry Potter] Why wasn't Harry able to see the thestrals before Cedric's murder?

He saw his mother murdered in front of him as an infant, does the death only count if you can remember it?
gpt
According to JKR, Harry didn't actually see his mother's death it because he was in his crib and it happened out of his field of view. He did't witness Quirrell's death because he passed out before it happened, and he didn't actually *see* Cedric die because he had his eyes closed when it happened.

Apparently literally witnessing a death isn't a requirement to be able to see them - rather, it seems to be that you have to have an intimate appreciation and understanding of death. Seeing someone kick the bucket in front of you just seems to be a good way to get there.