Identifiable flying object

[lupinesque]

No: HPFGUIDX 35857

Eloise wrote:

> The Beauxbatons carriage couldn't be mistaken for a muggle artefact, 
which is 
> the basis of the law. You see, lots of us have oriental style 
carpets, but 
> not so many of us have witch-type broomsticks. 

I've wondered about this.  The movie and the illustrations in 
Quidditch Through the Ages indicate an old-fashioned broom--round, 
made of twigs.  The books also talk about twigs rather than straw.  
This would seem to make modern brooms rather conspicuous.  However, 
the original reason for using brooms, according to QTTA, was precisely 
that they *were* everyday objects.  That way one could have them in 
the house without arousing the suspicions of one's Muggle neighbors.

Perhaps the newer laws reflect the change in Muggle-wizard relations 
over the centuries.  Where the WW's most important consideration used 
to be concealing themselves from the Muggles, who were apt to tie them 
to stakes, (however fruitlessly), it is now more important to protect 
Muggles from wayward enchanted objects.

> My thoughts on broomsticks are far more prosaic, more to do with the 
'ouch' 
> factor. I mean, sitting on one...even if you can balance on 
it....well, isn't 
> it just painful?

Again, check out QTTA, where the magic of Cushioning Charms is 
explained.

Amy Z

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 Those who have been stung by a Billywig suffer 
 giddiness followed by levitation.  Generations of 
 young Australian witches and wizards have attempted 
 to catch Billywigs and provoke them into stinging 
 in order to enjoy these side effects . . . 
           -Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
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