Broomstick Question

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 94819

J. Spencer wrote:
> Heads up, Quidditch fans and canon experts!
> 
> My apologies if this has been dealt with previously, but can anyone 
> tell me whether it's indicated in canon whether a racing broomstick 
> can carry more than one person?
> 
> If it can be done, what effect does it have on speed, 
> maneuverability, etc?
> 
> If it can't, what happens if one tries?
> 
> If it's not mentioned at all, can I get some opinions on the subject?


The only applicable instances I can recall (not having read QTA) are
the Quidditch World Cup, in which the injured Irish seeker rides on
the back of a teammate's broom for the victory lap and Ron's
suggestion to "Professor Moody" (Barty, Jr.) that Mr. Crouch was
carried away from the Forbidden Forest on a broom (to which
Crouch!Moody, who knows very well what really happened, replies
noncommitally, "We can't rule out kidnapping"). Both examples are from
GoF: Sorry I don't have time to look up the page numbers.

As for the effects on speed and maneuverability, I can't say, but I
imagine that a kidnapper who literally had his hands full keeping an
unconscious victim on the broom would not be terribly concerned with
such matters. (The Quidditch player's broom, a Firebolt, IIRC, didn't
seem to be affected by its extra burden.)

Hope this is helpful.

Carol