Chapter 72: The Origins of Quidditch
Chapter 72: The Origins of Quidditch
"Well... take your time reading, we're going out for another fly." Fred glanced at Albert's broomstick placed beside him and turned to leave the changing room with the others.
Albert picked up his book and broomstick and made his way to the stands. He found a seat, opened his book, "The Origins of Quidditch," and began to read:
The name Quidditch originates from its birthplace, the Quidditch Marsh.
Albert's understanding of Quidditch was limited to basic knowledge, and the origin of the name seemed both unexpected and reasonable at the same time.
In the 11th century, the diary of a witch named Gerty Keddle, who lived near the Quidditch Marsh, included a description of the game:
"One day, a group of people were riding brooms in the air above the Quidditch Marsh, playing with a ball. The ball fell into Gerty the witch's vegetable garden and was confiscated by her."
The players didn't give up. The next day, they made a new ball and started throwing it into the trees at one end of the marsh to score points.
On the third day, the players brought two stones that they flew around with, trying to knock each other off their brooms.
This was the origin of the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch.
Albert gently turned the page:
"In a Quidditch match in 1269, the Wizarding Council Chairman, Barberru Breg, came to watch. He told the players that whoever caught the Golden Snitch during the game would be awarded 150 Galleons."
At that time, hunting the Golden Snitch was all the rage, and any witch or wizard who caught it would gain instant fame.
Thus, the Golden Snitch became forever linked to Quidditch.
Later, Quidditch teams included a Seeker whose job was to catch the Golden Snitch.
If a Seeker could catch and kill the Snitch, their team would be awarded 150 points, symbolizing the 150 Galleons promised by Breg.
"150 Galleons in the year 1269? That Wizarding Council Chairman must have been filthy rich," Albert muttered. "No wonder catching the Golden Snitch later became worth 150 points."
However, Albert could already guess the fate of the Golden Snitches.
Indeed, by the mid-14th century, the Golden Snitch population had declined sharply due to Quidditch matches, and they were declared a protected species by the Wizarding Council, led by Elida Cragg.
Albert had seen the Golden Snitch before, and it was hard to imagine that a wizard from the late 15th century could create something so intricate.
Of course, since the Shock-Absorbing Charm wasn't invented until the 19th century, Albert couldn't help but wonder how Quidditch players before that era coped with the "egg pain" while riding their brooms during matches.
The latter half of "The Origins of Quidditch" delved into the rules of the game, and Albert was particularly interested in the rules regarding the Golden Snitch.
Aside from the Seeker, any player who touched or caught the Golden Snitch committed a foul. In other words, there was no passing the Snitch to a teammate.
Only by catching the Snitch could the game be ended.
Of course, there was one other way to end the game, and that was with the mutual agreement of both team captains.
This could be simply understood as one team conceding defeat.
In any competition, conceding defeat was always an option.
As Albert continued reading, he discovered more intriguing rules.
In the event of an injury to a player during a Quidditch match, no substitutions were allowed, but treatment of the injured player was permitted. If the injured player left the field, the game would continue with the remaining players.
In other words, there were no substitutes? Albert noticed a problem. If players couldn't be replaced, why would Charlie want them as reserves?
"So, I'm an actual reserve player?" Albert couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He guessed that since several team members would be graduating next year, Charlie was busy looking for players to fill their positions.
After all, it would be faster to start training excellent players from the beginning of the year, rather than going through the motions of selection next year and risking gossip.
Later in "The Origins of Quidditch," Albert indeed discovered that substitutions were allowed in Quidditch matches. If a game lasted for several days, teams were permitted to send in reserve players to replace the exhausted players and allow them to rest.
This was the only situation in which substitute players were allowed.
Speaking of which, the audience wouldn't be crazy enough to watch a match that went on for several days without a break, would they?
In Albert's opinion, a Quidditch match that went on for more than a day lost its purpose.
As he continued reading, he came across a section on foul play:
For example, setting fire to an opponent's broom tail.
Hitting an opponent's broom with a bat. (Albert was sure that both Erin and Mark had done this before.) Additionally, deliberately ramming into an opponent or using elbows to jostle them while flying. (Basically, every Quidditch player except the Keeper had done this at some point.)
Grabbing an opponent's broomtail to slow them down or hinder their progress. (Malfoy had used this move on Potter.) ...
Of course, violating these rules would usually result in a penalty, and severe cases could lead to a ban from the game.
In fact, Mark was a prime example of someone who frequently rammed into opponents.
If using an elbow to take out the opposing Seeker gave him a significant advantage, Albert thought he would probably do the same.
Albert couldn't help but think maliciously: Could that three-month-long match have been caused by something like this?
Both sides took out the opposing Seekers, no one caught the Golden Snitch, and neither team was willing to concede defeat, so the match had to continue.
Sensing someone approaching, Albert turned his head and saw that Charlie and his group had finished training.
"Why didn't you go practice flying?" Charlie asked.
"My broom seems to be having some issues. It's shaking quite badly." Albert replied.
"It's probably because it's too old. This batch of brooms at the school has been in use for a long time, and they all have their quirks." Charlie sighed and called out to the remaining players in the sky, "George, Fred, and the rest of you, come down for the tactical analysis."
"Is the training over?" Fred and the others landed and gathered around Charlie.
"Not yet. I'll explain the Quidditch tactics to you later, so come and listen."
"But we've already heard them."
"We've been listening to you all summer."
The twins looked at each other and spoke in unison.
"Shut up."
Angelina, however, was pleased that Charlie was including them in the tactical discussion, not treating them as outsiders.
After putting away the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch, Charlie led the group into the changing room. He stood in front of the blackboard and began to explain the Quidditch tactics he had devised over the summer.
(End of Chapter)
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