- Bartemius Crouch Senior: "Oh and I've been wanting a word with you too, Arthur. Ali Bashir's on the warpath. He wants a word with you about your embargo on flying carpets."
- Arthur Weasley: "I sent him an owl about that just last week. If I've told him once I've told him a hundred times: Carpets are defined as a Muggle Artefact by the Registry of Proscribed Charmable Objects, but will he listen?"
- Bartemius Crouch Senior: "I doubt it. He's desperate to export here."
- Ludo Bagman: "Well, they'll never replace brooms in Britain, will they?"
- Bartemius Crouch Senior: "Ali thinks there's a niche in the market for a family vehicle. I remember my grandfather had an Axminster that could seat twelve--but that was before carpets were banned, of course."
- — British Ministry of Magic's embargo on flying carpets[src]
A flying carpet,[1] also known as a magic carpet,[2] is a form of magical transportation used by some nations (mostly Asian countries) of the wizarding world.
Description
As the name implies, it is a carpet that has been enchanted to fly. Flying carpets are particularly popular in Asia and the Middle East, with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Mongolia among the main nations using them.[3]
History
Flying carpets were once an accepted form of travel for Great Britain's magical community, but they are now banned due to being defined as a Muggle Artefact by the Registry of Proscribed Charmable Objects. It is therefore now against wizarding law to charm carpets or fly them there, although they are still legal in other countries. Arthur Weasley was very much involved in the introduction of this legislation due to his position in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. It is known that the ban was relatively recent, not only from Arthur's involvement, but also from the fact that Barty Crouch Senior's grandfather owned a 12-seater Axminster back in the days before they were prohibited.[1]
The advantage of the carpet over a broomstick is that they can seat a number of people or luggage with ease, and are far more comfortable to ride on without having a Cushioning Charm placed on them, unlike broomsticks. It's still likely to be pretty chilly travelling on one, however, as like a broomstick, they offer no protection from the elements.[3]
A merchant by the name of Ali Bashir was very keen to export flying carpets to Great Britain and was very upset that local laws prevented him from doing so. He regularly berated Arthur about the subject but it is very unlikely that the law will ever be changed.[1]
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (Mentioned on a book cover)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
- Quidditch Through the Ages
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 7 (Bagman and Crouch)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 6 (The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Quidditch Through the Ages
