Picture this: Your boots make a sickening GLOP, GLOP sound followed by some sort of terrifying squelching noise. The ground is super muddy and your boots practically stick to the pitch as if someone cast a Colloshoo spell on you. But you are thanking Merlin for that fact because you are terrified that if it weren't for the icky, sticky mud you'd surely be swirling around in the air right now, being blown all over the place. The wind is making doubly sure that you know IT is the boss right now, not you, and certainly not Madam Hooch. A cosmic CRACK of thunder and an effervescent flash of lightning coincide with the blowing of the whistle to start the match regardless of all that is going on outside.
Sharp, quick droplets of rain fall on your face, stinging with each smack and leaving tiny, red welts all over. The clouds are hanging precariously low in the skies, blocking many aspects of the match from your view -even as a player on the actual pitch. What do you do?
I know, I know. Anyone with any interest at all in the game of Quidditch would be quick to answer - "I'd play! And win!" But would you, would you really? I adore this game as much as the next Wix, but I'm not so certain that I wouldn't have walked (or rather, scooted and squelched like a slug) right back off the field that day. I am, of course, referencing the infamous match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff in 1993. Fake Dementors aside, the entire match was a testament to the dedication and love that each of those players held for this wizarding sport. What would you have done?
Don't get me wrong, I've played plenty of pickup games where hijinks have ensued. Many of my friends seem to have a knack for weather-related charms and spells which doesn't bode well for their opponents. From the Nebulus charm that brought about fog as thick as the pea soup from the Leaky Cauldron, to a rather tricky alteration to the Hot Air Charm that caused the opposing Seeker to keep rising higher and higher in the air instead of drying out their robes, much like a Muggle hot air balloon. I am extremely grateful that I was playing Beater that day.
No, some of them were simpler and yet terrifying at the same time. Let me tell you if someone uses the simple Lumos Solem spell on you it can be quite painful. That was one heck of a fall, thankfully cushioned by a large pile of cotton balls thanks to a quick-thinking Lugh. Tabitha can be quite vicious when she wants to be. I guess that is what one gets when they cast Ventus Tria on the fiery Pureblood's elaborately coiffed hair. It goes without saying that Lugh thought twice about using the Tiny Twister product he had purchased from the Weasleys prior to that match.
Whether it's a weather-modifying charm that creates a shower of stars, bright sunlight, pounding rain, or even freezing snowfall it's all fair game during a pickup match at Hogwarts. Just make sure that Madam Hooch doesn't see you do it, the results of THAT are far worse than anything your friends will do.
I keep getting goosebumps just thinking about that sunlight and the ensuing fall, so I'll wrap this up. I'll be back next time either with some more anecdotal material or commentary on actual games being played over in the Quidditch Pitch forum, who knows? This is a still slightly sunburnt Kalina, signing off!