Bludger

"The Bludgers rocket around trying to knock players off their brooms."

—Oliver Wood^[src]

A Bludger is a black iron ball used in the wizarding sport of Quidditch. It is ten inches in diameter. There are two Bludgers used in every match, which are bewitched to fly around and try to knock the players off of their broomsticks. It is the Beaters' job to protect their teammates from the Bludgers and at the same time aim them towards the opposing players.^[1]

History

Early Bludgers (known as Blooders) were simply rocks bewitched to chase players around the field. These were eventually too fragile, and could be smashed by a Beater's bat, which ended up with players being chased by flying gravel for the rest of the game. After a few years, Bludgers were made out of lead, which was also too soft for Bludger manufacture. The magically reinforced Beater's bats could dent it, thus impairing their ability to fly straight. All Bludgers are currently made of iron. The history of this latest development was discovered by Agatha Chubb, who discovered sixteenth-century lead Bludgers in an English peat bog.^[2]

Rogue bludger — A Bludger coming toward the Gryffindor Quidditch team's captain, Oliver Wood

In 1992, Dobby the House-elf magically tampered with a Bludger to make it only chase Harry Potter, while it would normally try to attack all players equally.^[3]

Behind the scenes

Assuming a Bludger is solid iron, it would weigh approximately 149 pounds.^[4]
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sells toy Bat and Bludger sets. But the bludger ball measures 5 inches in diameter instead of 10.
The bludgers are black in the books, but in the films they are dark brown.

Bludger and bat — Replica bludger and bat

Etymology

The word is probably derived from "bludgeon".

Appearances

BludgerWU — A Bludger as seen in *Harry Potter: Wizards Unite*

Notes and references

↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 10 (Hallowe'en)
↑ Quidditch Through the Ages
↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger)
↑ A sphere 10 inches in diameter has 523.6 cubic inches. Iron weighs 0.2845 pounds per cubic inch

Game of Quidditch

Officials: Quidditch referee
Player positions: Beater • Chaser • Keeper • Seeker
Playing equipment: Beater's bat • Bludger • Broomstick • Golden Snitch • Quaffle

[PS10-0] Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 10 (Hallowe'en)

[QTAR-1] Quidditch Through the Ages

[COS10-2] Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger)

[3] A sphere 10 inches in diameter has 523.6 cubic inches. Iron weighs 0.2845 pounds per cubic inch

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