Portkeys - Curses foiled again

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 76156

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "T.M. Sommers" <tms2 at m...> wrote:
> Steve wrote:
> > 
> > My conclusion is that they aren't used because the charm is too
> > difficult and dangerous for the average wizard. It requires a 
> > powerful wizard with specialized training.


> T.M. Sommers
> 
> One factor you didn't mention is that it probably requires an 
> intimate knowledge of the destination so that, for instance, you 
> don't materialize in a wall or whatever.  If true, then you 
> wouldn't create a portkey to go anywhere you had never been 
> before, such as a field near the QWC.

bboy_mn:

I have a theory in this area of magical travel. Much like Star Trek
Transporter teleportation, I think, with in reasonable limits, magic
has a certain safeguard built in that prevent you from materializing
inside solid objects. 

Even if you are familiar with a location, you might not have an exact
mental image of the exact placement of every tree, rock, and piece of
furniture. For these types of things to be precisely accounted for
would be nearly impossible. 

We have one example of this when Fred and George apparate into Harry
and Ron's bedroom and apparate onto Ron's bed/knees instead of the
middle of the room. They were off target but at the sametime, they
landed ON the bed; the bed wasn't cutting them off at the knees, and
their physical forms weren't merged with Ron's. While I don't have any
solid proof, I take this example, and a general Sci-Fi common sense to
reach the confident conclusion that there is indeed some built-in but
limited protection against arriving at a destination via magical means
and finding yourself halfway through a solid wall or cut off at the
waist by a kitchen table.

Oddly, I don't think that invalidates your point, there are dangers in
Apparating and Portkey travel. This seems a very reasonable
conclusion, and you could very well injure yourself if you get it
wrong. That's part of the reason, I think that Portkey creation is
both difficult AND dangerous. 

As far as intimate knowledge of the destination, I haven't completely
resolved my feelings on that. True, you do have to know where you are
going, but I wonder if you are limited to places you've been, or
places you can see (for short trips)? 

If I want to be in a small field hidden from view just out side the
town of Working, Surrey, or perhaps down a dark alley inside that
city; having never been there, is that general knowledge and intent
sufficient to produce the intended result? I'm not sure. 

Are Portkeys so demanding that you in essence need the exact
geographical coordinates to reach a location? Or is a clearly focused
intent of destination enough? Or is a clearly focused mental image of
the destination enough? I really don't know. I think to some extent,
I'm stalled on my theories until we see an example of Apparating from
inside someone's head. Since the book is from Harry's point of view, I
don't think we will see that until Harry starts taking Apparation
lessons, or perhaps, in the heat of the moment, we see him
spontaniously apparate.

Just a few thoughts.

bboy_mn
(who is deeply disappointed that his original portkey theory was
proven wrong, and consequently, he is no longer a candidate for the HP
Lexicon.)