I think you're correct, as Draco couldn't just Portkey the Death Eaters into Hogwarts, but Dumbledore didn't seem to have to do anything special before he gave Harry the Portkey to his office. Of course, it's logical to assume that the Headmaster has control over the wards in a magical school like Howarts; and while we never see how wards actually work in canon, I could guess that it wouldn't need some Ancient Hogwarts/Potter(as seen in a lot of fanfiction) Tome of Warding to sign names into a ward.

Rather, I think it would just require the ward coordinator to specifically think that a certain person, or maybe even a group, isn't welcome.

 

With a shit load of help from Hermione.

But I gotta say, if I was faced with a 50ft basilisk that can kill with a look I would not waste time trying on head couture.

 

Indeed. Off the top of my head, I can think of two ways in which Hogwarts might be protected against unwanted Portkeys.

1. You might need to be the Headmaster to make a Portkey into or out of Hogwarts; we do have some examples of Headmaster-specific magic in canon, such as his office "sealing itself" against Umbridge. If needed you could also add in an option for the Headmaster to authorize certain staff to do the same.

2. It might have required a password, which Dumbledore could have given nonverbally after his verbal "Portus." Knowing him, it'd probably be something like "Fizzy Bumblefucks," but whatever.

That's one of the benefits of Rowling's vague-as-fuck magic system: ordinary hacks like me can pull stuff out of their asses all day long.

 

Were you referring to Harry noticing that Hermione had already found the answer as to what/where the monster was, or were you referring to the point where a magic bird literally dropped the solution to the entire problem in his lap?

Either way, I agree; it is a pretty good example of Harry's intelligence.

 

I was thinking about the scene in the Hospital Wing and when Harry correctly accused Malfoy after Dobby's hints.

Harry is usually decently quick on the up-take under pressure (except in HBP), but he almost never proactivly seeks knowledge and answers, until it's almost too late.


Harry's brain seems very lazy to me. It lies dormant for long periods, until Adrenaline or hints from others force it to wake up, it does a decent job afterword until the crises is over. But that's just my impression.

 

I had that impression too. I prefer a smarter/driven Harry. I can't read the books anymore.

 

Harry is a KID of course he doesn't think things through and has to rely on luck and others to save his ass!

I actually see some signs of growing up in the 6. book.
He actually starts noticing that everything is not OK (aka Draco) and realizes that it would be a good idea to tell this to someone and get some help (not the most common teenage action).
Just for some reason nobody listens...

And the whole scene with the minister at the Weasley home in my opinion shows that harry can now be calm and composed (a change from before).


But the 7. book is downhill with the emo angst over Dumbledores true motives till Dobby's death makes him finally grow-up.

 

I currently have three favorite fanfiction stories: Bungle in the Jungle and its sequel and The Lie I've lived. Why? Because in each story, Harry the dumbass gets some responsibility and finally matures. In cannon, Harry is an irresponsible teen who gets by because great ol' Dumbledore holds his hand all the way. I used to love the cannon, and would have argued vehemently against you. Now i can't believe I liked that shit. Fanfiction FTW

 

I used to love the cannon too, but then I dropped the "n" and had a great ol' time since then!

 

Before Harry became a Dumblefuck parrot, he was reasonably mature for his age, granted for living with the Dursleys and such. Even though, he can be immature, he wasn't as whiny and reckless as he got in the later books. Especially in DH where his magical abilities can easily be compared to that as a squib or a first or second year. A long way he's come down since PoA, GoF and OoTP.

 

I thought that was firmly fanon....

 

Fanon does that to you. But no, is being my answer.

I hate the "cannon" plague. Did you know Joan of Ark died twice? The first time she was burned at the stake, and the second she was cannonised. Evil Catholic bastards.