Chapter 72: Quidditch Origins

"Well... you can take your time reading here while we go out and fly for a while," Fred glanced at Albert's Firebolt lying next to him, then turned around and left the changing room with the others.

Albert picked up the book and the broomstick and headed to the spectator seats. He found a spot, opened "Quidditch Through the Ages," and started reading carefully:

The name Quidditch originated from its birthplace, Queerditch Marsh.

Albert's knowledge of Quidditch was limited to the simplest common knowledge. As for the origin of the name, it seemed unexpected yet reasonable.

In the 11th century, there was a description in the diary of the witch Gertie Keddle, who lived near Queerditch Marsh:

One day, a group of people were flying on broomsticks playing a game over Queerditch Marsh. Unfortunately, the ball fell into the vegetable garden of the witch Gertie, and she confiscated it.

The next day, the players didn't give up. They made a new ball and started scoring by throwing it into the woods on the other side of the marsh.

On the third day, the players brought two stones to fly in the air, trying to knock each other off their broomsticks.

That was the origin of the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch.

Albert gently turned another page:

In a Quidditch match in 1269, the Chief of the Wizarding Council, Barberus Bragge, came to watch. He told the players on the pitch that whoever could catch the Golden Snitch during the match would receive 150 Galleons.

At that time, catching the Golden Snitch was popular, and any wizard who caught it would gain fame.

Since then, the Golden Snitch became connected with Quidditch.

Later on, Quidditch had specialized seekers responsible for catching the Golden Snitch.

If a seeker could catch and kill the Golden Snitch, their team would earn 150 points, symbolizing the promised 150 Galleons from Bragge.

"150 Galleons in 1269? That Chief of the Wizarding Council must have been damn rich," Albert murmured softly. "No wonder catching the Snitch later earned 150 points."

However, Albert could already guess the fate of the Golden Snidget.

Indeed, in the mid-14th century, the population of the Golden Snidget drastically declined due to Quidditch matches. It was deemed a protected species by the Wizarding Council led by Elida Kragg.

Later on, a metalsmith named Bowman Wright from Godric's Hollow invented the Golden Snitch. The Snitch ultimately became a substitute for the Golden Snidget, allowing the continuation of the Quidditch sport.

Albert had seen the Golden Snitch before, and it was hard to imagine that wizards in the late 15th century could create such intricate Snitches.

Of course, as the Cushioning Charm wasn't invented until the 19th century, Albert couldn't help but speculate with malice about how Quidditch players before then dealt with the sorrow of the Snidget while riding broomsticks during matches.

In the latter part of "Quidditch Through the Ages," there were also explanations of Quidditch match rules. The rule regarding the Golden Snitch caught Albert's attention the most.

Apart from Seekers, any player who touched or caught the Snitch would commit a foul. In other words, there was no room for players catching the Snitch and delivering it to their own Seeker in a flashy maneuver.

Only by catching the Snitch would the match end.

Of course, there was another situation where the match could end, and that was when the team captains of both teams agreed to it.

It could be simply understood as one side conceding defeat.

In any sport, conceding defeat was always allowed.

Albert continued flipping the pages and found several interesting rules.

In a Quidditch match, if a team suffered injuries, there was no allowance for other players to substitute in. However, it was permitted to provide medical treatment to injured players. If a player had to leave the field, the team would continue the match after the injured player was replaced.

Hmm, so no substitutes then?

Albert stumbled upon another question: If there were no player substitutions, why did Charlie ask them to be reserves?

"So that's how it is, real substitutes, huh?" Albert couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.

Perhaps there were several players in the team who would graduate next year, so Charlie was busy finding players who could replace their positions. After all, it wouldn't be efficient to start training excellent players next year when they could start nurturing them this year. That way, they could just go through the formalities during next year's selection and avoid unnecessary gossip.

In the later part of "Quidditch Through the Ages," Albert actually discovered that player substitutions were allowed during Quidditch matches. It meant that if the match lasted for several days, teams would be allowed to send in substitute players and have the Seekers replaced to get some sleep.

This was the only scenario where substitute players were allowed.

But seriously, the audience wouldn't be crazy enough to stay awake for several days watching a match, right?

In Albert's opinion, once a Quidditch match exceeded a day, it had already lost its meaning to continue.

He continued flipping through the pages and found some foul play tactics in the later section of the rules:

For example, igniting the tail of an opponent's broomstick.

Using a club to strike an opponent's broomstick. (Albert was certain that Ernie and Marcus had done this before.)

There was also intentionally colliding with opponents during flight or using elbows to collide with them. (Basically, every Quidditch player except the Keeper had done this kind of thing.)

Grabbing an opponent's broomstick tail to slow down their speed or impede their progress. (Malfoy had used this move against Potter.)

...

Of course, violating the above rules would generally result in a penalty, and in severe cases, a player could be banned from playing.

In fact, Marcus was a perfect example; he didn't hesitate to intentionally collide with opponents.

If using an elbow could get the opposing team's Seeker off the field, Albert believed he would do the same. In a way, it would provide a tremendous advantage.

With malicious thoughts, Albert speculated, "Could that three-month-long match be like this?" Both sides would get rid of each other's Seekers, no one would catch the Snitch, and neither side would willingly concede. The match would naturally have to continue.

Noticing someone nearby, Albert turned his head and saw that Charlie and his group had finished their training.

Charlie asked, "Why didn't you go practice flying?"

"The broom seems to have some problems; it's trembling a lot."

"I guess they're too old. The brooms at school have been used for a long time, so they have some issues," Charlie sighed lightly and waved to the few people still flying in the sky. "George, Fred, and the rest of you, come down for a tactical analysis."

"Is training over?" Fred and the others also descended and came to Charlie, asking.

"Not yet, I'll give you a Quidditch tactics briefing later. Come over and listen."

"But we've already heard it."

"You've been talking about it all summer."

The twins exchanged glances, each speaking a sentence.

"Shut up."

Angelina, on the other hand, was quite pleased. Charlie was willing to give them tactical guidance, which meant he didn't consider them outsiders.

After putting the Bludgers and the Snitch back into the box, Charlie led the group into the locker room. He stood in front of the blackboard and began explaining the Quidditch tactics he had come up with over the summer.

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(End of this chapter)