Portkey

Portkey
Purpose	Transportation from one place to another

A Portkey is a magical object that has been enchanted to transport anyone who touches it to another designated location.

About

A Portkey is an object that appears to be unmagical, and has to be something a Muggle will be uninterested in so that they don't pick it up. Once someone touches the object, they are transported to a designated location. It is possible to enchant a Portkey to only transport travellers at a specific time.

When someone is being transported, they are pulled forward sharply and lifted up from the ground. They speed forward "in a howl of wind and swirling colour". Their finger or otherwise is kept attached to the object like a magnet. They hit the ground with force which makes it difficult to arrive standing.

History

In an unknown year, a Quidditch referee had their broomstick transformed into a Portkey without their knowledge and disappeared. They were discovered in the Sahara Desert months later.

During the 422nd Quidditch World Cup, Portkeys were set up on five continents. Two-hundred Portkeys were strategically placed around Britain for people to travel to the venue. They had to go to their Portkey at a prearranged time. An old boot was placed at the top of Stoatshead Hill which was due to travel to the Cup venue at seven past five in the morning of the final. Amos and Cedric Diggory, along with Arthur Weasley, his children Fred, George, Ron, Ginny and their friends, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, travelled there through this Portkey.

Upon their arrival at their destination, Basil announced the time and place they have travelled from. He had to hurry them along because he was expecting a big party from the Black Forest to arrive shortly after. Other objects that were used as Portkeys, in addition to the old boat, was an old newspaper, empty drinks can and a punctured football.

After the final and subsequent Death Eaters attack on the campsites, witches and wizards flocked to get Portkeys home very early in the morning. Arthur and his group had to wait in a queue before Basil returned them to Stoatshead Hill.