Firebolt

• Type: Broomstick, Transportation
• Owners: Harry Potter
• Maker: Randolph Spudmore (Pottermore)

The Firebolt is a state-of-the-art, world-class racing broomstick that was released in 1993. It is described as sleek and gleaming, with a handle made of polished ebony. The tail consists of individually selected and aerodynamically perfected birch or hazel twigs. The entire broom is finished with a hard-diamond polish and features a unique registration number engraved on its handle. At the time of its release, it was considered the fastest and most advanced broomstick available, coveted by professional Quidditch players and enthusiasts alike.

The Firebolt was engineered for supreme performance, incorporating several advanced magical features that set it apart from its predecessors like the Nimbus Two Thousand and One.

• Speed and Acceleration: It can accelerate from zero to one hundred and fifty miles per hour in just ten seconds.
• Braking: It is equipped with an inbuilt, infallible Unbreakable Braking Charm, allowing for precise stops even at top speed.
• Control and Balance: The broom possesses superb balance and pinpoint precision. It hovers perfectly at the correct height when the rider lets go of the handle, a significant improvement over older models.
• Responsiveness: Harry Potter noted that the broom seemed to respond to his thoughts more than physical touch, making it incredibly agile and easy to handle for sharp turns and complex maneuvers. Its performance was considered far superior to any other consumer-level broomstick.

The Firebolt first appeared in Quality Quidditch Supplies during the summer of 1993. Harry Potter longed for one after his Nimbus Two Thousand was destroyed by the Whomping Willow during a Quidditch match against Hufflepuff. Harry received a Firebolt as an anonymous Christmas gift in 1993. Fearing it was sent by the fugitive Sirius Black and potentially jinxed, Hermione Granger reported the gift to Professor McGonagall. The broom was confiscated and subjected to a thorough examination by Professor Flitwick and Madam Hooch, who stripped it down to check for curses. After several weeks, it was deemed safe and returned to Harry. It was later revealed that the Firebolt was indeed a gift from Sirius Black, who, as Harry's godfather, used his own money from his Gringotts vault to purchase it for him. He had Crookshanks take the order form to the Owl Post Office to ensure his own anonymity.

The Firebolt played a significant role throughout the series as Harry's primary mode of transportation and Quidditch broom.

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The broom's arrival caused a temporary rift between Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione. Once returned, its superior performance was instrumental in helping the Gryffindor team win the Quidditch Cup for the first time in years.
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Harry used the Firebolt's exceptional speed to outmaneuver the Hungarian Horntail during the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, summoning it from Hogwarts Castle with an Accio charm.
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The broom, along with Harry's right to play Quidditch, was confiscated by Dolores Umbridge as punishment for fighting Draco Malfoy.
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Harry used the Firebolt during the Battle of the Seven Potters to escape from Number Four, Privet Drive. During the aerial chase, the Firebolt fell from a great height and was lost when the motorcycle sidecar it was in was blasted by a curse from a Death Eater. Harry was unable to recover it.

• In the film adaptations, the Firebolt has a more intricate and mechanical appearance than described in the books, featuring metal stirrups and a distinctive, angular design.
• According to Pottermore, a successor model called the Firebolt Supreme was used by the Bulgarian and Irish national teams during the 2014 Quidditch World Cup. (Pottermore)
• The name “Firebolt” combines “fire,” suggesting power and speed, with “bolt” (as in a lightning bolt), further emphasizing its incredible velocity.