The Quidditch Final

Calendar and Dates

March to early May: This chapter takes place after the Hogsmeade weekend, through the Easter holidays and ends the Saturday of the Gryffindor vs Slytherin match.

Interesting facts and notes

She had slapped Malfoy around the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again.
"Don’t you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul – you evil –"

Hermione snaps and attacks Draco Malfoy. She is still feeling a bit guilty and emotional about Crookshanks eating Scabbers and Hagrid and Buckbeak losing at the trial hearing. Draco's nasty remarks about Hagrid make her lose control.

"I can’t believe I missed Cheering Charms! And I bet they come up in our exams. Professor Flitwick hinted they might!"

Unfortunately, losing control means Hermione forgets to go to Charms class. She has been extremely busy all school year - Ron particularly is puzzled how she can be doing so many third year subjects.

"The fates have informed me that your examination in June will concern the Orb, and I am anxious to give you sufficient practice."
Hermione snorted.
"Well, honestly … 'the fates have informed her' … who sets the exam? She does! What an amazing prediction!"

Her idol, Professor McGonagall, has always looked down on Divination and Hermione has never seen anything in Professor Trelawney's Divination class to make her doubt McGonagall's opinions.

And next moment, it had emerged: a gigantic, shaggy black dog, moving stealthily across the lawn, Crookshanks trotting at its side. Harry stared. What did this mean? If Crookshanks could see the dog as well, how could it be an omen of Harry’s death?

Harry wakes early and possibly sees The Grim outside. However, it seems to be conspiring with Crookshanks. A cat and a dog co-operating?

Harry put on a huge burst of speed, the wind roaring in his ears; he stretched out his hand, but suddenly, the Firebolt was slowing down –
Horrified, he looked around. Malfoy had thrown himself forward, grabbed hold of the Firebolt’s tail and was pulling it back.

Draco Malfoy commits the foul of Blagging.

‘Go! Go! Go!’ Harry urged his broom. They were gaining on Malfoy … Harry flattened himself to the broom handle as Bole sent a Bludger at him … he was at Malfoy’s ankles … he was level –

The speed of Harry's Firebolt overcomes Malfoy's head start in the race to catch the Snitch.

If only there had been a Dementor around … As a sobbing Wood passed Harry the Cup, as he lifted it into the air, Harry felt he could have produced the world’s best Patronus.

Gryffindor win the Quidditch Cup. At last.

Exceptional character moments

Ron's unease at being hugged by Hermione

Hagrid's vow to make Buckbeak's last days as happy as possible

Hermione finally losing control and slapping Draco Malfoy, and Ron needing to prevent her from hitting him again

Oliver's desperation to win the Quidditch Cup in his final year as Gryffindor team captain

Memorable lines

"I am sorry to say that from the moment you have arrived in this class, my dear, it has been apparent that you do not have what the noble art of Divination requires. Indeed, I don’t remember ever meeting a student whose mind was so hopelessly Mundane."

"Yes, my dear, I did indeed know that Miss Granger would be leaving us. One hopes, however, that one might have mistaken the Signs … the Inner Eye can be a burden, you know …"

"That will do!" shrieked Madam Hooch, zooming between them. "Penalty to Gryffindor for an unprovoked attack on their Chaser! Penalty to Slytherin for deliberate damage to their Chaser!"

"Too bad, boys! You’ll need to get up earlier than that to beat a Firebolt!" [Lee Jordan's match commentary]

Characters Introduced

• Warrington
• Bole
• Derrick
• Montague