Gryffindor Quidditch team

The **Gryffindor Quidditch team** was the Quidditch team of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's Gryffindor House. They played in robes of scarlet and gold, their House colour. The mascot of Gryffindor House and its Quidditch team was a lion.

Interestingly, a member of the Weasley family had held every one of the positions on the team. For example, Ginny was a Chaser and a substitute Seeker, Charlie was a Seeker, Fred and George Weasley were Beaters, and Ron was the Keeper.

## History

### c. 1691–1692 school year

Gryffindor suffered a heavy defeat, and it would be three hundred years until they suffer one worse.

### Early 20th century

Minerva McGonagall, like her mother, was a gifted Quidditch player, who represented Gryffindor during her time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is currently unknown how the team performed during this time period.

At some point in the early 20th century, during her last Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match which would decide the Quidditch Cup winner, Minerva had a nasty fall caused by a foul that left her with a concussion, several broken ribs, and a lifelong desire to see Slytherin crushed on the Quidditch pitch.

### 1960s

R. J. H. King played on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and won an award for it in 1969. It is currenty unknown how the team did during this time period.

### 1970s

James Potter played as a Chaser for Gryffindor this decade. M. G. McGonagall played on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, winning an award for it in 1971. Willow Evans played as Seeker for most of the decade, winning an away for never loosing a game. James Potter also captained the team, leading it to two Quidditch cups.

### 1980s

During the 1985–1986 school year, Charles Weasley played as Seeker for Gryffindor, and Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup.

During the same year, the Gryffindor team was considered the fastest team among the four houses. Gryffindor Quidditch team however failed to win the Quidditch Cup during school years of 1986–1987, 1987–1988, 1988–1989, and 1989–1990.

### 1990–1991 school year

According to Gryffindor Head of House, Minerva McGonagall, Gryffindor was "flattened" by Slytherin. Oliver Wood was Gryffindor's Keeper and Fred and George Weasley were Beaters. Alicia Spinnet was only a reserve for Gryffindor this season.

### 1991–1992 school year

When Harry Potter played during his first year at Hogwarts, he was the youngest player in more than a hundred years. He also had to be given special dispensation to have his own broomstick at school, (a Nimbus 2000). This was due to the fact that first years were not allowed their own brooms, most likely because of safety reasons.

This broomstick was a present from the Head of Gryffindor house, Minerva McGonagall, delivered to him during breakfast in the Great Hall one morning. This was a racing broom that would come in handy regarding chasing and catching the elusive and incredibly fast Snitch. The Gryffindor Quidditch team practised three times a week under Oliver Wood's very strict supervision.

The opening game, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, was played on a cold November's day. This was Harry Potter's debut match. Angelina Johnson was first to score, shooting the Quaffle past Bletchley. The first time Harry spotted the Snitch, so did Higgs, but as Harry sped towards he was blocked by Flint. For this, Madam Hooch awarded a penalty which Alicia Spinnet scored, but the Seekers had lost sight of the Snitch.

Professor Quirrell then began to magically interfere with Harry's broom, but Harry was saved when Hermione Granger cast a spell to start a small fire in the stand that Quirrell was occupying. Harry regained control of his broom and caught the Snitch by accidentally swallowing it. Although Flint complained to Hooch, she judged the incident fair play and Gryffindor won the match 170-60.

Professor Severus Snape refereed the Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor match. His decisions were biased in favour of Hufflepuff. Gryffindor Beater, George Weasley hit a Bludger at him. Harry caught the Snitch in record time and won the game for Gryffindor.

In Harry's absence at the hospital wing, Gryffindor was defeated in their final game of the season against Ravenclaw, costing them their chance at the Quidditch Cup that year.

### 1992–1993 school year

> It'll be down to you, Harry, to show them that a Seeker has to have something more than a rich father. Get to that Snitch before Malfoy or die trying, Harry, because we've got to win today, we've got to.
>
> Oliver Wood's intense need to win, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Wood planned to begin training before the other three sides. Unfortunately for Gryffindor, who had got up at the crack of dawn for their first training session, Slytherin had been given use of the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch by Severus Snape. Draco Malfoy the Slytherin team's new Seeker called Hermione Granger a Mudblood. This happened after she insinuated that the only reason he made the team was because of his father's generous donation of Nimbus 2001s. This accusation might have very well been the truth. To make matters worse Harry had to leave with Ron after the spell Ron attempted to cast on Malfoy backfired, causing Ron to belch up slugs.

During the rainy Slytherin versus Gryffindor match, the Slytherin Chasers were dominant, taking a 60-0 lead at one point. Harry was relentlessly pursued by a rogue Bludger, so Oliver Wood called for a time-out. However, Harry agreed to play on, telling the Weasley twins to stop flying around him so he could pursue the Snitch.

When the action resumed Harry was struck on the elbow by a Bludger, which broke his right arm. Despite this, when he spotted the Snitch he was able to chase after it and grasp it in his left hand, winning the match for Gryffindor. Gilderoy Lockhart then attempted to mend Harry's broken arm, but instead removed the bone. Harry was given Skele-Gro in the Hospital Wing, where that night Dobby revealed it was he who had tampered with the Bludger.

In anticipation of their next match against Hufflepuff, Wood insisted on Gryffindor team practises every night after dinner. Unfortunately, the Quidditch Cup was completely cancelled due to attacks on Muggle-born students before the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff match.

### 1993–1994 school year

> This is our last chance — my last chance — to win the Quidditch Cup. I'll be leaving at the end of this year. I'll never get another shot at it.
>
> Oliver Wood explaining his last chance to win the cup, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

In the 1993–1994 school year, the team was said by Lee Jordan to be "the best team Hogwarts has seen in the last few years". This was the first year that they had won the Quidditch Cup since Charles Weasley was on the team. Violet Evans replaced Alicia Spinnet, who suffered an injury and was unable to play. It was seventeen-year-old captain Oliver Wood's last season. They trained three times a week.

The Slytherin versus Gryffindor match was re-scheduled as Flint claimed his Seeker, Malfoy had an injured arm, so the first match was Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff.

The game was played in heavy rain, ferocious wind, thunder, and lightning. The wind was so powerful that the players staggered sideways as they walked onto the very muddy pitch. The sound of the thunder drowned out the crowd's shouts. Madam Hooch's whistle to start the match coincided with the first bolt of lightning. Harry's vision was hindered by the constant raindrops on his glasses and he was almost struck by a Bludger twice.

Wood called for a time-out when Gryffindor were fifty points up. Hermione Granger used "Impervius" so Harry's glasses would repel any water. When both Seekers had spotted the Snitch, Harry then saw at least one hundred Dementors that had entered the stadium. Violet was swarmed by them and she fell about fifty feet to the ground. Albus Dumbledore ran onto the pitch waving his wand and slowing Violet's fall. Harry heard his mother's scream and fell from his own broom, though close to the ground. Dumbledore then got rid of the Dementors, magicked Violet onto a stretcher and carried her to the castle floating upon it.

Cedric caught the Snitch, giving Hufflepuff a win by 100 points. He offered a re-match, but Gryffindor accepted the defeat. Harry's Nimbus 2000 was blown to the Whomping Willow which destroyed it, Violet's broom had split into two when it hit one of the tents.

Gryffindor increased their training to five times a week (under the supervision of Madam Hooch) For a time, Harry and Violet used old school Shooting Star's as substitute brooms, but this changed when they received Firebolts for Christmas (later revealed to be gifts from Sirius Black ordered via owl mail order).

Gryffindor's final practice before their match against Ravenclaw was their current side's best ever, suggested to be the result of them being inspired by the Firebolt. Harry caught the Snitch within ten seconds of its release. The team performed their moves faultlessly and Wood had no criticisms, which Fred noted was a first.

For the game against Ravenclaw, Harry flew his new Firebolt. His opposing Seeker, fourth year Cho Chang, flew a Comet 260. In clear, cool conditions, Gryffindor took an eighty point lead, but Ravenclaw managed to claw it back to 80-30. When Harry spotted the Snitch for the third time, Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Flint walked onto the pitch, dressed as Dementors. Harry having been given anti-dementor lessons, shot his Patronus at them and then caught the Snitch. This gave Gryffindor a victory, whose fans ran onto the pitch in celebration.

On the first Saturday after the Easter holidays, Gryffindor played Slytherin. Gryffindor had trained every day in preparation for the game. Slytherin were leading the Championship by exactly 200 points, meaning Gryffindor needed to win the match by 210 points to claim the Quidditch Cup.

Three-quarters of the crowd supported Gryffindor. Johnson scored first after George hit Warrington with a bludger. Then Flint crashed into her, and Fred threw his bat at the back of Flint's head which smashed into his broom handle, bloodying his nose. Penalties were given to each side. Violet scored and Wood saved. Bell scored another penalty after Montague grabbed her head. Flint then scored for Slytherin. Bole hit Violet with his club and Fred elbowed him in the face, resulting in two more penalties.

Wood saved again and Gryffindor scored. A goal from Bell made the score 50-10. Bole and Derrick winded Wood with two Bludgers to the stomach. Johnson scored the resulting penalty, and Gryffindor moved into a 70-10 lead when Violet scored. As Harry chased the Snitch, Malfoy grabbed his Firebolt. Bell then missed a penalty and Montague scored for Slytherin. After Johnson scored to make it 80-20 Malfoy plummeted towards the Snitch. Harry pursued him and took both hands off his broom to reach out and capture the Snitch, winning Gryffindor the Quidditch Cup.

This Quidditch Cup win was also the start of Gryffindor's back-to-back winning streak, winning again during the 1995–1996 school year, and the 1996–1997 school year. No matches were played during the 1994–1995 school year due to the Triwizard Tournament, therefore the second win during the 1995–1996 school year.

This was Wood's last season. Harry wore the number seven this year.

### 1994–1995 school year

Due to the Triwizard Tournament being held at Hogwarts in the 1994–1995 school year, the Quidditch Cup was cancelled, and the team did not play.

### 1995–1996 school year

> Weasley cannot save a thing,
> He can't block a single ring.
> That's why Slytherins all sing,
> Weasley is our king!...
>
> Weasley is Our King lyrics mocking Ron, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

During the 1995–1996 school year, Angelina Johnson was the Quidditch captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Due to Oliver Wood having graduated, selecting a new team player to fill his former position as Keeper involved a tough try-out. Ron Weasley was able to make the team as their new Keeper.

Gryffindor began their season with a victory against Slytherin. Shortly after the match, Draco Malfoy insulted and provoked Fred and George Weasley and Harry Potter. Harry and George promptly attacked him, but the two of them and Fred had their broomsticks confiscated and were banned from Quidditch for life by Dolores Umbridge, then-High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, exploiting her new authority in Hogwarts and her vendetta against Harry. They were replaced by Andrew Kirke, Jack Sloper, and Ginny Weasley, respectively.

The second game of the season went poorly, with Hufflepuff scoring so many goals that Ginny catching the snitch only gave them a ten-point loss. In the final game of the season against Ravenclaw, Ron finally managed to pull himself together as Keeper, and Ginny Weasley beat Cho Chang in the race for the Snitch. Gryffindor won the match and the Quidditch Cup.

Following Umbridge's removal from the school, Harry's, Fred's and George's bans were lifted, so Harry could play again in the next year at school.

### 1996–1997 school year

> After two hours, many complaints, and several tantrums, one involving a crashed Comet Two Sixty and several broken teeth, Harry had found himself three Chasers: Katie Bell, returned to the team after an excellent trial; a new find called Demelza Robins, who was particularly good at dodging Bludgers; and Ginny Weasley, who had outflown all the competition and scored seventeen goals to boot.
>
> 1996 Quidditch tryouts, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter was appointed as the Quidditch Captain during the 1996–1997 school year. The tryouts lasted two hours and involved many complaints and several tantrums, one involving a crashed Comet 260 and several broken teeth. Many first years tried out (who clearly had never flown before) and in addition, some of the people trying out were from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Katie Bell warned Harry not to be biased for tryouts, such as keeping old players or letting friends in, which were mistakes that led good Quidditch teams being ruined.

There was a group of girls involving Romilda Vane who tried out but just giggled and fell over each other when Harry blew the whistle. Another group had a pileup halfway around the pitch, and the fourth group came without broomsticks. Ginny Weasley and replaced Angelina Johnson who had graduated from Hogwarts the year before, joining Katie Bell, the only person (along with Harry) from the original Quidditch team Harry was in during his first year, as Chaser. Violet remained as Chaser. For Beaters, Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote were eventually chosen, and Ron was chosen as Keeper.

Ron Weasley and Katie Bell both became unintended victims of Draco Malfoy's attempts to kill Albus Dumbledore this year, and while they were unable to play, their spots in the team were taken over by Cormac McLaggen and Dean Thomas. After they were healed they both returned to the team. Violet didn't attend many of the practices due to her search for Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes, and was subsequently thrown off the team. She was replaced by Demelza Robins. Harry missed the season's last game due to detention with Professor Snape.

Therefore, for that final match, Ginny Weasley played as Seeker, and her position as a Chaser was taken over once again by Dean Thomas. Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup for the second year in a row.

### 1997–1998 school year

It is unknown if the cup was played for in the 1997–1998 school year, what would have been Harry's last school year. It is unlikely, however, that the Quidditch Cup was played for, as Snape was quoted as "*Bringing back Umbridge's old rules.*"

## Uniform and equipment

QuidditchCaptainHarryPotterWU.pngQuidditchKeeperRonWU.pngGinny Weasley Quidditch Seeker.png
The Gryffindor Quidditch team's uniforms were red and gold like their house colours.

For Beaters, they also carried small black clubs (similar to baseball bats) to help them ward off Bludgers during matches. The Keeper wore gloves.

### Safety features

Generally, only protective arm-length gloves and knee-pads were used. However, the Keeper might wear shoulder-pads, chest armour and a helmet.

## Team spirit

The students of Gryffindor House took Quidditch seriously. Students would attend matches in mass, supporting their House colours and the House symbol. They would even create banners and chants to spur the team on. For example, in 1996 they took the Slytherin's song *Weasley is Our King* and rewrote it their favour. They would also chant *Go Go Gryffindor!* during matches. When Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup during the 1993-1994 school year some Gryffindors were jumping up and down all dignity forgotten.

Students from other Houses would support Gryffindor if the team was not playing against their House. For example, Luna Lovegood would support Gryffindor when they were not playing Ravenclaw.

## Record in the Quidditch Cup

* Two centuries before 1990s - 4th
* Minerva McGonagall's last school year - 1st or 2ndTemplate:Fact
* 1970s - 1st at least once
* 1985–1986 - 1st
* 1986–1987 - 2nd or 3rd
* 1987–1988 - 2nd or 3rd
* 1988–1989 - 2nd or 3rd
* 1989–1990 - 2nd or 3rd
* 1990–1991 - 2nd or 3rd
* 1991–1992 - 2nd or 3rd
* 1992–1993 - *Incomplete: attacks on Muggle-born students (Gryffindor defeated Slytherin though)*
* 1993–1994 - 1st
* 1994–1995 - *Not held because of the Triwizard Tournament*
* 1995–1996 - 1st
* 1996–1997 - 1st
* 1997–1998 - *Unknown if Quidditch matches were played that year*

## Behind the scenes

* Interestingly, each of the positions of the Gryffindor Quidditch team has been held by one of Arthur and Molly Weasley's children, however it is unknown if Bill Weasley held a position on the team (Although Percy Weasley has never been shown to have an interest in the game beyond possibly the occasional family competition).

## See also

* Inter-House Quidditch Cup
* Hufflepuff Quidditch team
* Ravenclaw Quidditch team
* Slytherin Quidditch team