The Evolution of the Flying

Broonstick

 

No spell yet devised enable wizards to fly unaided in

human form. Those few Animagi who transform

into winged creatures may enjoy flight, but they are a

rarity. The witch or wizard who finds him- or herself

transfigured into a bat may take to the air, but, having a

bat's brain, they are sure to forget where they want to go

the moment they take flight. Levitation is commonplace,

but our ancestors were not content with hovering five feet

from the ground. They wanted more. They wanted to fly

like birds, but without the inconvenience of growing

feathers.

We are so accustomed these days to the facts every

wisarding household in Britain owns at least one flying

broomstcik that we rarely stop to ask ouselves why. Why

should the humble broom have become the one object

legally allowed as a means of wizarding transport?Why

did we in the west not adopt the carpet so beloved of our

Eastern brethren? Why didn't we shoose to produce flying

barrels, flying armchairs,flying bathtubs - why brooms?

Shrewed enough to see that their muggle neighbours

would seek to exploit their powers if they knew their full