Portkeys - Curses foiled again

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 73735

Hi, remember me? I'm the guy who had the complex elaborate explanation
of how Portkeys work. A theory which has been severely wounded by the
latest book.

For detailed Portkey Discussions see-
Most Recent Discussion-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/59088
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/59108

Theory restated-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/52127

Limited commnents-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/55472

Comments of various means of magical transportation-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/55332

Again... a very elaborate well thought out theory that has been
substantially disproven.

However, while the details of my theory were disproven by the latest
book, the foundation upon which I build the theory is solid. My
objective was to try to come up with a likely explaination of why
Portkeys aren't the preferred method of travel in the wizard world. It
certainly has advantages over the other methods we've seen so far. No
smoke, soot, powerder, bumping into things, or the danger of getting
out at the wrong grate like Floo powder. No freezing wind and rain, or
risk of being seen like brooms. No need to have, maintain, and hide
strange magical animals like dragons or thestrals or flying horses,
plus all the hazards of weather. 

Logic would seem to dictate that Portkeys would be the preferred
method of travel and that everyone would use them most of the time. So
why don't they? There has to be a reason. Originally, I said it was
because it was a long complex multi-stage process involving complex
potions and difficult programming spells. A theory that got me this
close (holds up thumb and forefinger very close together) to getting
into the HP Lexicon. Now the lastest book comes out and proves me
wrong. Curses foiled again!

So, I got the details wrong, but the foundation of my theory is based
on the Portkey charm not being easy to do, and I still say that is true.

What we know so far-
- the incantation for the Portkey charm is relatively straight
forward; 'Portus'.
- there are three forms of activation.
- = On Time - 8:23pm
- = On Touch - activated automatically when touched
- = On Cue - activates on command as in "one, two, three, NOW!"
- Portkey are strickly regulated by the Ministry of Magic.

There has to be a reason why everyone and his brother isn't using
Portkeys, and there has to be a reason besides mere bureaucracy that
that Ministry regulates Portkeys. Fudge seems very incensed that
Dumbledore would so casually create a Portkey right in front of him
without authorization. I sense that that outrage is founded in more
than the Ministry wishing to have it's hand in all aspects of wizard life.

So, my conclusion is that the Portkey charm, while being a relatively
simple incantation which Dumbledore performs easily, is actually a
difficult and dangerous charm for all but the most powerful and well
trained wizards. 

So much of magic is driven by intent, and while Dumbledore may
extrenally charm a Portkey object easily, internal there could be
factors similar to apparating involved, whereby many precise factors
must be allowed for and included in the wizards intent when casting
the spell. Externally, he says the word 'Portus', internally, his
intent must include the destination, the activation, and several other
as yet unknow factors. 

There is some speculation, although I can't find the source, that
phases of the moon must be taken into account before apparating. Fail
to account for the moon's influence and you either don't end up where
you intended or you have a nasty 'splinching' accident. Portkeys could
be similar, there could be external factors that must be weighed when
casting the charm. How much power you give the charm - more power for
more distance. Fail to add adequate power and you could fall from
flight short of your destination instead of landing gently on your
feet. Use too much power and you could reach your final destination,
but you would slam into the ground like a cannonball. Failing to
factor in external influences like the moon gravitational pull. Not
making proper adjustments for the number of people being transported.
Etc... 

So, the foundation of my attempt to find an explaination for Portkeys
was rooted in the belief that there has to be a reason why every Tom,
Dick, and Harry isn't using them as the preferred method of travel in
everyday life.

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.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn