Chapter Discussion: Chapter Fifteen, Goblet of Fire: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 192226



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Geoff" <geoffbannister123 at ...> wrote:
>
> 
> 
...
> 
> > 5. How do you think the Durmstrang ship arrived in the lake? 
> > Was this apparition? Something else? Why do you think this mode
> > of transportation was not more widely used in the Potterverse?
> 
> Geoff:
> From canon:
> ...
> 
> OK, that's Apparition eliminated...
> 
> We do know that a number of people can Portkey together as the 
> group did from Stoatshead Hill in Chapter 6. But this begs the 
> question 'Can you Portkey something big like a ship?' Also, from 
> the description of a Portkey's operation in that chapter I get 
> the impression that this journey, like Apparition is very quick
> and you "come out of warp" at the point you choose which, 
> incidentally,  rather makes a mockery of the way the films have 
> handled the two transportation methods.
> 
> To be quite frank, I haven't thought about it in the past but I
> feel it has to be something other than these two we have mentioned.
> Maybe there are spells to transport objects plus users which are 
> not generally known... Maybe a Dark Arts spell? We do have 
> instances later, certainly in DH, of Voldemort and Snape flying 
> without broomsticks so there must be other methods which JKR 
> didn't trouble to document.
>

Steve:

I think it is safe to say, it was not Apparition. Though I will point out that Dumbledore could have granted an exception for the Durmstrangs. Though I still don't think it was Apparition. 

I think it was closer to a Portkey, but I don't think it was a Portkey. As has been suggested, I think it was a whole new form of magical transportation that we are not made aware of. 

Notice that they are in a Sailing Ship and that they arrive by water. Even more so, they pop up out of the water, indicating or implying that they arrive at that location UNDER Water. 

Much like the Floo Network uses fireplaces, I suspect there is also a Floo-id (fluid) Network that allow magical travel by above ground and underground waterways. 

Or perhaps the emerging and submerging were just an effect for show. Meaning, ignoring the grand entrance and exist, this is just some unique variation of a Portkey. 

Notice I say a variation of a Portkey rather than a Portkey. It is similar to a Portkey. 

Still, it is a very interesting question. 

Steve/bboyminn