It was 9 p.m. on a Wednesday, and I was on my way to play Quidditch.
If I were to ask a friend to describe my best qualities, “athletic” would fall low on the list. Mix in a lack of knowledge about “Harry Potter” and a fear of embarrassing myself, and the night was not looking good. I’m more comfortable with a paintbrush than a broomstick, and a Quaffle sounds like a breakfast food.
My hands felt clammy as I scanned the Blatt Fields for the team, and almost immediately I heard the first “Potter” reference of the night: “She needs to sort out her priorities!” I had found them.
Now, it takes a lot to make me nervous. I can speak in front of an auditorium of people, I don’t think twice about bungee jumping and I’ve relaxed comfortably in a cave full of bats. I’ve even ventured so far as to eat mystery meat from a jungle hut in Belize. But the thought of playing Quidditch terrified me, and from the moment the team’s captain, Patrick Conroy, placed a pretend broomstick in my hands, I felt my heart race.
Knowing I had to make a move sooner or later, I walked out onto the field and awkwardly held the broomstick between my legs. I couldn’t understand how the other players were making it look so natural; not only were they keeping their broomsticks in place, but they were throwing and catching balls as well. The clump of players moved quickly around the field, and after almost being hit in the head by a Bludger, I realized I was just getting in everyone’s way.
I looked to Conroy for help, but he was too transfixed by the practice to assist me. Defeated, I walked off the field and offered my broomstick to one of the players waiting on the sideline.
Off the field, I realized how complex the sport of Quidditch actually was; with multiple balls, hoops and positions, each player had to be on his or her guard at all times. I also realized how violent it was as players sank to their knees after being hit in very sensitive places. I asked Conroy about the roughness, and he told me that at their last tournament, three of the ten players got concussions. Suddenly, I was even more relieved that I had stopped playing.
Conroy also told me that the team is working hard to get to Regionals, at which point they may qualify for the World Cup. The team has made it to the prestigious competition twice in the past and is determined to keep getting better.
I have a whole new appreciation for what is undoubtedly one of the roughest sports played on
our campus. I learned how the background of the sport attracts a certain kind of person–a “Harry Potter” fan, of course, but also someone who isn’t afraid to have fun at the risk of looking silly. I also learned that while I have my strengths, playing sports still isn’t one of them.
