Gliding

"Running? Dementors don't run, they glide."

— Madam Bones

The ghosts of Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington and Helena Ravenclaw, gliding across a hall mid-conversation

Gliding was a method of magical locomotion where the beast, being or spirit moved at a walking rate slightly above the ground, but without using feet. It was similar to Levitation or Flying, but distance above the ground was limited.

Description

Several magical beings were seen to glide across a solid surface. This seemed to be something other than a graceful walk to reduce or eliminate the normal jerky motions associated with walking. However, as witches and wizards often wore floor-length robes that covered their feet, grace in walking couldn't be ruled out.

Not much is known about this magic; for instance whether one could glide where one could not normally walk, such as across a gap in the ground, or over water. If the latter is the case, then this would be another possible means for Hagrid to have reached the Hut-on-the-Rock, which was in the sea. (He said he flew.)

Ghosts mainly moved about through gliding. However, as they were insubstantial and could move through solid walls, they may have been able to fly through floors and ceilings instead of having to use the stairs. They may have been able to move long distances very quickly. For instance, some ghosts were able to journey long distances to visit Hogwarts for Nearly-Headless Nick's 500th Death-day party, and Myrtle Warren, as a ghost, was able to follow Olive Hornby to her brother's wedding.

History

Before Harry Potter was Sorted in 1991 in the Great Hall, twenty Ghosts streamed through the wall and glided across the room.

Professor Trelawney on Christmas Day, 1993, entered the Great Hall and glided toward the table seating twelve.

Dementors at Hogwarts in 1994, glided around the lake.

A hundred Veela, mascots of the Bulgarian National Quidditch team, glided onto the field for their opening presentation during the final of the Quidditch World Cup.

Lord Voldemort upon entering the Hogwarts grounds, glided alongside Professor Snape before sending him away so he could open Dumbledore's Tomb in private.

Behind the scenes

• The Dementors in the film series seem to possess the ability to fly, whereas in the book they only seem to glide.
• Fleur Delacour (whose grandmother was a Veela) was described as seeming to glide at times, such as at her wedding or out of Harry's room at The Burrow. However it's unknown if she was actually able to glide or if this was a descriptive term regarding the grace of her movements.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter (website)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery