Time-Sensitive Portkeys? (Was: Portkeys and Floo Network)

[jferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 43231

Olivia:"I was under the impression that the party touched the portkey 
at a certain time due to the careful planning of Wizard arrivals at 
the World Cup. The Ministry of Magic was afraid that Muggles would 
notice a sudden wave of new (odd-looking) people in the area so all 
portkey and arrivals by other means were carefully coordinated."

I agree, but neither Mr. Weasley or Mr. Diggory did anything to make 
the Portkey operate. When 5:07 came around, that was it, they flew.

It seems reasonable that a Portkey can be made time-sensitive or not, 
depending on the need. How otherwise could the Minstry's careful 
planning work out? You couldn't just trust everybody to wait until 
the right time to depart; there's always *somebody* who jumps the 
gun. OTOH, the Triwizard Cup wasn't time sensitive, so it must be 
possible for the wizard who casts the spell to choose what kind of 
Portkey to create.

Olivia:"By the way, I'm new to the list."

Cool. Welcome!