- "Captains, shake hands. Mount your brooms. On the whistle... three... two... one..."
- — Madam Hooch starting the match[src]
The Quidditch match was played between Gryffindor and Slytherin in November 1996. Gryffindor won 250 to 0. As a result of this match Ron Weasley gained confidence in his Keeping abilities. He also started dating fellow Gryffindor Lavender Brown.[1]
History[]
Background[]
- "Conditions look ideal. And guess what? That Slytherin Chaser Vaisey – he took a Bludger in the head yesterday during their practice, and he's too sore to play! And even better than that – Malfoy's gone off sick too!"
- — Ginny Weasley before the match[src]
In the 1996–1997 school year, Ronald Weasley was the Keeper. Harry Potter pretended to slip Felix Felicis inside his drink during breakfast, which resulted in Ron believing in himself, and was further convinced of this when two of Slytherin's players were unable to play. He saved every goal.[1]
On 12 October 1996, Gryffindor Chaser Katie Bell was put under the Imperius Curse to deliver a cursed Opal Necklace to Albus Dumbledore, which she found inside the girls' bathroom in Three Broomsticks Inn, which almost killed her. She was sent to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for recovery.[2] Harry Potter had to find a substitute in her place and Dean Thomas joined the team, who turned out to be better than Seamus Finnigan in training.[1]
Ginny Weasley told Harry in the changing room that the Slytherin Chaser Vaisey took a Bludger in the head during practice and could not play. She further added that Slytherin Seeker Draco Malfoy was off sick too. This made Ron confident and feel lucky.[1]
The match[]
- "With half an hour of the game gone, Gryffindor were leading sixty points to zero, Ron having made some truly spectacular saves, some by the very tips of his gloves, and Ginny having scored four of Gryffindor's six goals."
- — The match underway[src]
As usual Madam Hooch was the match referee for the match and Zacharias Smith was providing snide commentary, as Lee Jordan had graduated and left the school. This was Harry Potter's first match as a captain. According to tradition, the captains had to shake their hands. When Harry went to shake his hand with Urquhart, Slytherin captain and Chaser, he almost crushed Harry's hand. Urquhart rushed towards the Gryffindor pillars but Ron defended his shot. Zacharias started with commenting that they all would be surprised to see the team that Potter's put together that year and that many thought, given Ron's patchy performance as Keeper last year, that he might be off the team, but a close personal friendship with the Captain did help.[1]
Gryffindor were leading 60 to 0, by the time half an hour has ended. Ron feeling lucky made some spectacular saves, some by the very tips of his gloves, and Ginny had scored four of Gryffindor's six goals. That stopped Zacharias commentating that the Weasleys were only there because Harry liked them and focused on the Gryffindor Beaters, Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote, where about Coote he said that he was not really the usual build for a Beater and they had generally got a bit more muscle. Harry told him to smash Smith with a Bludger, but Coote aimed at Harper who was passing Harry, hitting the Slytherin Chaser.[1]
The whole Gryffindor team was performing very well and they were leading with 100 points, when Harper tried to provoke Harry by calling Ron a blood traitor and flying into Harry hard and deliberately, almost knocking him off his broom. When Zacharias announced Harper had seen the Snitch, Harry thought that Smith was an idiot not to have seen Harper colliding him and misinterpreting that he has seen the Snitch. Harry soon realised his mistake and he accelerated towards the Snitch. Harper was still ahead so Harry distracted him by loudly asking how much Harper was paid by Malfoy to play instead of him, which resulted in Harper missing the Snitch and Harry catching it. Gryffindor won 250 to 0.[1]
Whole team hugged him midair except Ginny who sped right on past them until, with an almighty crash, she collided with Zacharias in the commentator's podium. The crowd shrieked and laughed, the Gryffindor team landed beside the wreckage of wood under which Zacharias was feebly stirring. Harry hugged Ginny and clapped a cheering Ron on the back. The Gryffindor team left the pitch arm in arm, punching the air and waving to their supporters.[1]
Aftermath[]
In the changing room Harry revealed to Ron and Hermione that he had not at all spiked Ron's juice with Felix Felicis at breakfast. Ron was astouned with this as well as himself but got angry with Hermione and strode past her out of the room. Harry's plan of patching up things between them both backfired. Ron ended up snogging Lavender Brown breaking Hermione's heart.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
- While not immediately visible, there is a continuity issue with the match in the film adaptation. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the Slytherin team received Nimbus 2001 broomsticks from Lucius Malfoy. In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, none of the team members appear to be riding them.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
