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harry potter - Why Can Objects Fly and People (other than Dark Wizards) Can't?


While looking into broomsticks and their use in Harry Potter, I found that there was no spell or charm that would make a human fly. Originally, once they found ways to make objects fly, they needed to use objects that they could have handy and keep in the house, but which would not seem suspect to muggles. One easy choice was the broom, since it'd be inconspicuous in any home and would always be handy.


But I can't find any mention of spells, charms, or enchantments are used to make brooms fly. However, Voldemort and Snape have both flown on their own. So the only examples of flying people are two dark wizards.


What is it about the magic used to make a broom fly but that only dark wizards seem to want to use it on themselves? (Or, perhaps, did Snape and Voldemort use magic on, say, their clothes or something different?)




Addendum: In Quidditch Through the Ages it specifically states that there is no known spell that makes a human fly.



Answer





JK Rowling. Yes, nearly all wizards use wands, which makes magic easier to channel. Wandless magic is sophisticated and takes more talent.
Q. So would that work the same for brooms? Would more advanced wizards/witches not need a broom to fly?
JK Rowling. Exactly. Wands and brooms (and flying cars) are tools that channel magic. The most gifted can dispense with them.
Q. Are there many wizards/witches at Hogwarts who can do magic and fly without wands or brooms?
JK Rowling. No, there's a cultural tradition of using wands and broomless flight is (as you might imagine) very risky!
(Source)




We could interpret Kennilworthy Whisp's "No spell yet devised enables wizards to fly unaided in human form" as referring exclusively to spells and not to wandless magic.


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