Wolfsbane/Portkey questions

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 191427



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Alanna <lilandriss at ...> wrote:
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> 1) Wolfsbane potion is supposed to let Lupin/whoever else keep his mind, right? So, would that make him more like an animagus ...
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Steve:

Keep in mind that Wolfbane is not a cure, and is barely a treatment. I would speculate that even under the influence of Wolfbane, the  transformation is still a painful exhausting process. While the Wolfsbane does soften Lupin's mood, and make him safer, safer is not the same as safe. Plus, Lupin's status as a werewolf is something of a secret, so it is best to keep him separate during those 'delicate' times. 
 
> 2) Portkeys.  If someone has a Portkey, say in his pocket, timed to go off at a certain time, do they need to be holding it when the time is up or will it still transport them regardless ...
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> Thanks!
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> Alanna :)     
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Steve:

I think this gets down to a question of proximity, and what constitutes a touch. For example, if someone willfully touched a Portkey that was about to activate while wearing a silk glove, would that constitute 'contact'? 

How thin does the separation have to be? If your finger was dirty could that dirt constitute sufficient separation to cause it not to work? Are there variations on the spell to account for details like this? Does the intent of the holder or the spell caster come into play? If you intend for it to actively take you while it is in your pocket, will it then take you? I confess, though I'm usually very good at speculating at these things, I'm really not sure.

I suspect, it could be make to work as you describe, but in all the cases we see, there must be direct skin contact. So, knowing it was about to activate, you would have to reach into your pocket and literally touch it. 

But, then that is just a guess on my part. 

Steve/bboyminn