[HPforGrownups] Re: Portkeys and Floo Network

[eloiseherisson at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 43209

Vera Selkie:

> I think it's likely that a muggle *could* be transported by a portkey, 
> but only in the direct physical presence of (i.e., touching) someone 
> with the talent to invoke it.
> 
I snipped your other arguments about Portkeys, which point out some big 
problems with the system (although I think these are still problems, whether 
or not Muggles can be transported by them).

There seem to be different types of Portkeys and I think this is critical to 
the question.
The Triwizard Cup seems to have been transfigured so that the *first person 
who touched it* would activate it (and we know that the situation was 
engineered, so that Harry would be that person).

The Portkey that is used to transport the party from Stoatshead Hill, 
however, seems to have been *time* sensitive.
The party had to be there by a specific time and it is announced on their 
arrival as the 'seven past five from Stoatshead Hill'.

Now *had* a Muggle happened to pick it up at seven minutes past five, I have 
no doubt in my own mind that they *would* have been transported by it (and 
dealt with by MOM officials at the other end) and it certainly could have 
caused great difficulty for the wizard party if any Muggles had been hanging 
around at the time. But presumably that's why the location and timing are 
chosen: to make that event extremely unlikely.

The return journey Portkeys seem to have been customised on the spot. 
Presumably (notwithstanding the rush to get away) they would have been 
anyway, as no-one knew when the match would end, meaning Portkey departure 
times couldn't be scheduled in advance.

.................
Vera Selkie again:
>I was also under the impression (please correct me if I'm wrong) that 
>Floo Powder is used for travel between fireplaces.  Not certain if 
>both fires (sending and receiving) need to actually be lit, although 
>every one I can remember has been.

Yes, the Floo network works between fireplaces. It seems that the fireplace 
of origination has to be lit, but that the destination one doesn't have to 
be: the Weasleys get to the Dursleys' blocked in one, but Arthur has to light 
a magical fire before they can return. He himself had to apparate back, after 
repairing the damage.

Eloise


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