When you think of Harry Potter, you can’t help but also think about Quidditch. It’s the magical game that has made its way over to the real world, even if participants can’t fly on broomsticks like they do in the novels and movies. And it’s a significant part of the wizarding community, their own answer to the likes of football, baseball, basketball, and soccer, not to mention very prominent at Hogwarts.
Quidditch is shown in the movies but nowhere near as much as it is in the books. We now take a look at 10 moments involving the sport that the blockbusters didn’t show us.
Cedric Beating Harry
Sure, the Prisoner of Azkaban shows Harry falling off his broomstick after Dementors make their way onto the pitch - much to the anger of Albus Dumbledore. The movie also gives us a scene where Harry is informed that Gryffindor lost the match to Hufflepuff, prompting him to feel angry and hurt inside.
But the film doesn’t actually reveal that Cedric Diggory was the one who beat Harry to the golden snitch. While unimportant at this stage, Cedric goes on to become a significant character in the next book and movie, the Goblet of Fire, and it would have made sense to give him an introduction this time around.
Malfoy Being A Dementor
After Harry’s fall following the invasion of the Dementors, it’s common knowledge that the Boy Who Lived isn’t a fan of the Azkaban guards. And, in order to exploit this, Draco Malfoy decides to play a distasteful prank on his enemy in the next match in the third book of the series.
Draco, Crabbe and Goyle all dress up as the claoked creatures - but their decision to do this backfires spectacularly. Harry is able to cast a Patronus charm that sends them flying backwards, having been taught how to defend himself by Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Remus Lupin. This isn’t shown on screen, though.
Harry Vs Cho Chang
The first time we see Cho Chang in the movies is in the Goblet of Fire, when it’s clear Harry has a rather big crush on the Ravenclaw student. But, in the source material, Potter’s feelings actually manifest a year previously in the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Harry and Cho end up battling it out on the Quidditch pitch, with the two students both Seekers. And it’s the Boy Who Lived who reigns supreme, edging out Cho on his Firebolt broomstick to end the match and send the stadium into ecstasy.
Gryffindor Win The Cup
Not only is Harry’s capture of the snitch against Ravenclaw enough for Gryffindor to win the game, it’s also the moment that ensures they end their agonising wait for the Quidditch Cup.
Fans don’t ever get to see this play out on the big screen but, in the books, it’s a joyous moment. Harry is mobbed while captain Oliver Wood breaks down, delighted and emotional about winning the cup in his final year at Hogwarts. It’s also the only time Harry himself wins the trophy, with numerous incidents robbing him of more glory in the years that follow.
The Quidditch World Cup Final
Quidditch is off the agenda for Hogwarts in the Goblet of Fire book and movie, with the school instead hosting the famous Triwizard Tournament. That’s not to say it doesn’t get any mention, however.
Before Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts he, along with the Weasleys, get to watch the Quidditch World Cup final between Ireland and Bulgaria. In the movies, they show the build-up to the match and the aftermath but not the actual game himself. Consequently, this means there’s no Veela, no Viktor Krum catching the snitch and no sight of Ireland lifting the trophy.
Weasley Is Our King Chants
With Oliver Wood gone, Gryffindor find themselves on the lookout for a new Keeper when Quidditch returns in the Order of the Phoenix book. And Ron Weasley gets the nod, despite being rather erratic and leaving much to be desired.
When Ron’s nervousness threats to engulf him, Slytherin students bombard him with mocking and abusive chants. The most famous is ‘Weasley is our King’, a rather crude, rhyming song that makes the Gryffindor student feel even more unsure of himself. This is just one of a few things from the book that didn’t make its way into the movie of the same name.
Harry, Fred, and George Being Banned
Gryffindor manages to beat Slytherin in the Order of the Phoenix book, despite Ron’s dodgy performance as Keeper. However, their triumph prompts more mockery from Draco Malfoy, who antagonizes people to such an extent that Fred and George Weasley, as well as Harry himself, have to be restrained from beating him to a pulp.
This delights the villainous Dolores Umbridge, who then proceeds to ban the trio in a crushing blow. Fred and George would later secure the return of their banned broomsticks, torment Umbridge and fly away from Hogwarts - leaving the Ministry of Magic employee plenty of pranks as a parting gift.
Ginny Wins The Cup
With Harry banned, Gryffindor finds themselves urgently in need of a Seeker. And, having seen Fred, George, Ron, and Charlie Weasley all give the sport a good go, new captain Angelina Johnson opts to recruit another member of the family in the form of Ginny.
Ginny is actually pretty good, too, and lands them the cup with a brilliant performance in the final game against Ravenclaw where she grabs the snitch from under Cho Chang’s nose. And that’s not the only time she does this. We’ll get to that…
Seamus And Dean Thomas Battle
When Dolores Umbridge leaves Hogwarts, Harry’s ban gets overturned. And, in a huge boost, he’s given the honor of being Gryffindor Quidditch Captain for his sixth year at the castle.
He’s left with a problem, though, when he’s forced to pick between close friends Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas for the position of Chaser. Dean ultimately gets the nod, something Harry comes to regret due to his feelings of love for Ginny (Dean’s girlfriend at the time) and Seamus is far from happy about it. The two friends are certainly more prominent in the books, with their screen time drastically reduced throughout the movies.
Ginny Wins The Cup (Again)
Harry’s time as Gryffindor captain is ended when he receives another ban. This time it’s deserved, with Severus Snape forbidding him from the sport after the Boy Who Lived uses Sectumsempra, nearly murdering Draco Malfoy by accident in the process.
Ginny, in his absence, switches from Chaser to Seeker and delivers the trophy once again. Amid the celebrations, the duo exchanges their first kiss in front of Ron, who reluctantly gives them his seal of approval. This is different in the Half Bood Prince movie, with Harry and Ginny instead having their kiss in the Room of Requirement.
