Harry's cloak

[PTeppic]

Isn't the first Christmas in Gryffindor dorm a perfect example that they ARE somehow partially visible:

Ron: I know what that is, it's really rare, it's an invisibility cloak - try it on.
(paraphrased)

[Riker]

I think if you wear it one of the sides out then the person is invisible, but if you were to wear it the opposite side out then it is visible. So, one side is invisible while the other is not. That way, when it is laying down somewhere, it will fold and such, and be partially visible while partially invisible. Does that make sense? That's what I've thought at least. And if you watch the movie where he gets the cloak, you can see flash as both visible and invisible when Harry goes to put it on.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Riker

I think if you wear it one of the sides out then the person is invisible, but if you were to wear it the opposite side out then it is visible. So, one side is invisible while the other is not. That way, when it is laying down somewhere, it will fold and such, and be partially visible while partially invisible. Does that make sense? That's what I've thought at least. And if you watch the movie where he gets the cloak, you can see flash as both visible and invisible when Harry goes to put it on.

Actually, that makes a lot of sense if it were a real 'invisibility cloak' rather than a magical one. There is technology being developed to make real 'cloaking devices' and it is based upon 'metamaterials' that harmonise light frequencies causing 'plasmonic shields'. You have to coat the outside of objects with these materials, so coating the outside of an soldiers uniform or a wizards cloak with these invisible properties is practable.