Character of the Week

Oliver Wood

Determined, hardworking, passionate, and possibly a tad bit over concerned with Quidditch.

A tad bit over concerned? What’re we talking about? As far as we’re concerned, more team captains should have the passion and drive for success like Oliver Wood. This is the main reason why Wood has received our Character of the Week title. As a young wizard at Hogwarts he did everything he could to achieve success on the Quidditch pitch, when we say “everything” we mean within the rules. He may have pushed his team further than they thought they could go, he might have pushed them towards injury or within the vicinity of injury, but he never asked him team to do anything he wasn’t prepared to do himself. Those are qualities of a good leader, was he perfect? No, but for a teenage Quidditch player he had the qualities that make up a great player.

Just think for a second what Oliver’s workload was like during his final years at Hogwarts. He studied for Wizarding exams like O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S. all while coming up with new training regimens to try to win the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor. Whether or not it was just a game for other students/teachers Oliver Wood took this game seriously and shouldered the wins, losses, and responsibilities that came with it, on top of his school work.

Clearly, he had talent because after graduating Oliver was able to play with Puddlemere United as a reserve. The books of course focus on Harry’s talents as a Seeker, but Wood was a force guarding the goals posts.

Who can forget Woods reaction in Prisoner of Azkaban when Gryffindor finally wins the Quidditch Cup? Overcome with emotion Wood rushed towards Harry and sobbed uncontrollably in his shoulder. Finally, this goal Wood had been fighting to obtain his entire career at Hogwarts is his. We should all feel incredibly happy for Wood in this moment. All the players worked so hard, but when you have a captain who fights like Wood it means more.

We hope you join us this week as we celebrate Oliver Wood with the Character of the Week title.

Thank you for your time and remember, not all those who wander are lost.

– The Wandering One