On Snape -- On Quidditch -- On Flying and Brooms

[themostepotente]

Yes, yes I know -- Snape refereed the Quidditch match in book one.

Should I be convinced on this alone that he knows how to fly a broom? Um, no.

I can just see his pale, skinny arse clinging to his broom for dear life while Harry zooms past to make a grab for the snitch.

He probably vehemently protested when Madam Hooch asked that he take her place. Of course, you know, Dumbly stepped in and twinkled at him. How could he say no? Easy -- with Albus, there is no saying no.

Snape just strikes me as very clumsy on a broom. Not the picture of grace, if you know what I mean. Dare I say, I can see him being a bit of an acrophobiac. In the air, Snape is completely out of his element.

That said...

I can't see him being much of a Quidditch player. I can see him in the stands reading a text, now and again looking up to wave a Slytherin banner. Oh yes, go Slytherin. So unenthusiastic. Like whoopdeefuckingdo! The pervy Snape/Lucius slasher in me would like to believe he's drooling over Lucius, but eh, I can't see Lucius playing Quidditch either. The wind would muss his hair.

So what's your take on Snape and flying a broom? And by fly, I mean well enough. Clinging like house ivy doesn't count.

Can he or can't he?

If so -- what's your take on Snape and Quidditch? Might he have played?

Let's hear what you have to say!

--P

Comments

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

I think that as a thirty- something adult, he flies okay. Certainly not Quidditch quality, but certainly decent enough. Just because he was not good at it as a child does not mean he would not be good at it as an adult.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

True enough -- but I rather like the idea of Harry being able to teach Severus something.

You know the two of them have zero patience/zero tolerance for the other.

I'm curious to see what hp_femme does with her little Severus :-)

[scarah2.livejournal.com]

I think he could fly okay, but probably wasn't a Quidditch jock. I totally think Lucius was, though. Maybe his last couple years at school he was even starting to get upstaged by the prodigal little Potter brat.

As for the bucking broomstick Occlumency lesson deal, my guess is maybe there was something wrong with the broom like Potter and Black jinxing it or something.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I think that Lucius was in his seventh year when James was in his first year. James would probably not been allowed to join the team until second year, which seems to be the general rule (Harry was the exception). Just my two cents. ;)

I like the hexed broomstick idea...sounds right up Black's alley.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

*chuckles* Sarah -- your Lucius cracked me up. I now associate Bily Idol with Lucius.

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

I've always thought that Snape wasn't a Quidditch player, and OotP kind of clinched it for me. In the pensieve is a memory of a girl laughing as he tries to mount a bucking broomstick, and when Remus is trying to explain to Harry that Severus was jealous of James, he cites that James was good at Quidditch. It's nothing concrete, but the image we get of him as a boy seems to be rather more academic than athletic.

(Just my two cents.)

[wikdsushi.livejournal.com]

Which is one reason I like him so much. I was always the slowest member of the softball team, no matter how well I wanted to play, and was more at home with a book or a chemistry set than on a diamond. Didn't make me any less jealous of the athletic types who got all the attention and were told how bright their futures were while I kept to my corner of the library.

Then, in high school, I ran into those athletic types again and couldn't believe how boring and straight-laced they were. *eg* Poor Severus. He really needed a few years away from the Marauders to see how much more interesting he really was.

[artimusdin.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm... Snape always struck me as the geek type during school. XD You know the kind I'm talking about, the type that all the Jocks would tease and make fun of and bully mercilessly. The kind that would much rather spend his time in a lab room, running experiments, instead of being out with friends/aquaintences. The kind that is very impatient with those who aren't as knowledgeable in a subject that is to him as easy as breathing.

That being said, can Snape fly a broom? Sure! Was he good at it? I'd say he would passable. Just enough to get where he needs to go but by not good enough to play on any team (nor any inclination to want to do so). I for one have always pictured him as somewhat graceful in movement, because of how he tends to swoop around everywhere. That takes talent! Because of this, I think he could be a decent player, if he so wished to be. I just can't picture him with any inclination to play. At all. It would take away from his precious potions after all.

I'll stop here, while I can.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

You're so cute, Dina. You always apologise for your 'supposed' long-winded explanations.

It would take away from his precious potions after all.

And we couldn't have that, could we? *grins*

[kaptainsnot.livejournal.com]

-scribbles out an answer



I couldn't agree more. -pets teh Snape

[scarah2.livejournal.com]

Aw his poor little feet!

[maelwaedd.livejournal.com]

I don't honestly think he would have, but I haven't really got any strong thoughts against it.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

*licks you any old way*

[alasandalack.livejournal.com]

Snape on a broom? if he were that helpless, i think he'd have fallen off when Harry nearly drove that good ol' Nimbus up his ahem.

Snape and Quidditch? i don't think so; he's too paranoid. i doubt he'd be able to take his eyes off the stands (and his fellow players) long enough to concentrate on a quaffle or a snitch or what-have-you. plus remaining trapped by a high-school frame of mind, i do think sports is a popularity contest, and Snape is/was simply not popular.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Paranoid -- yes! You know he had to grow eyes in the back of his head. He probably avoided more pranks that way. But what can a boy do when it's four against one? Well -- three, Lupin just watched.

[fadedcirce.livejournal.com]

NONONO.

This would be the universe backwards.

People who are bullied *never* do well in Physical Education (P.E. as we call it in this weirdo country) -- it's like, against the law or something. Unless you're interested in ballet.

Mister Potter often thinks about Quidditch and the feeling is described as a high or a means of letting go -- can you honestly imagine Severus Snape, for five whole minutes even, letting go?!

There is my evidence ;)

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Mister Potter often thinks about Quidditch and the feeling is described as a high or a means of letting go -- can you honestly imagine Severus Snape, for five whole minutes even, letting go?!

Think of all the orgasms he could have if he just did!

[neon-yellow.livejournal.com]

I'd say he can fly decently, but nothing too special. He probably got better as he got older, because I'd say, as a student he couldn't fly worth beans.

I can just see James and company tortuting him mercilessly over his flying skills. :)

[alasandalack.livejournal.com]

i personally would LOVE to see James etc. mercilessly tortuting Snape :-) someone write a fic about this, please?

(don't hit me.)

[kaysha.livejournal.com]

Ohh, interesting.
When I first read your post I thought I'd agree, then I read some of the comments and now I think I disagree. Hehe.

I believe Snape is an.. okay flyer. Or even a good one. Yeah, probably the latter. I was going to agree with you because I only pictured Snape. But think about Lupin, Moody or dunno.. Hooch. It doesn't matter really. ALL adults must look somewhat ridiculous on a broom. Except they don't, not in the WW. Err.. does that make sense?

Like, in RL, every grown-up would look ridiculous on a broom (I'm using would here because I don't think I've ever seen an adult hopping around a room with a broom between his/her legs..), so it's generally a bit difficult to picture the adult characters in HP on brooms (at least for me). But if I were used to that picture? I think Snape would look somewhat.. not elegant or graceful, but.. erm... dunno. Somewhat cool?

I agree with artimusdin here. He knows how to walk so that his robes billow behind him (and yes, this IS cool.. even if it's not described as such in the books; but Snape's robes are the only ones that billow sexily coolly behind him!!!) So yes, he must look quite sexy cool okay on a broom. ;)

But I don't think he's the type to (want to) play Quidditch, and I can imagine he wasn't as good a flyer when he was a kid..


Okay, now to something completely different:

I didn't have time to comment before, so I'm doing it now: I totally loved that Harry/Draco story you posted the other day! The pairing usually doesn't do much for me, but this fic was.. HOT!!! Hmmm, so very yummy! I'm very much looking forward to the next parts in the series!! :D

And I also liked that Snape/Black art exhibition fic! Hahaaa, poor Sirius. Mhmm.. Snape/Black - yessssss! (I think it goes without saying that I'm really glad I friended you..)

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

You can disagree here. It's allowed :-)

Oooh, and thank you for the compliments!

I'm glad you like coming over here. I try and keep things interesting.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Shameless self-pimpage:
http://www.harpertwilight.com/characters/evan/castle.htm

I think he can fly, but not well, because he gets motion sick. (Just like I do when I try to play those damned HP computer games.) And he wouldn't have played Quidditch, although he can follow it well enough.

And the motion sickness neatly explains the icky spitting in PS/SS. That's hypersalivation that goes with nausea, that is.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

And the motion sickness neatly explains the icky spitting in PS/SS. That's hypersalivation that goes with nausea, that is.

I can totally see him getting motion sickness. I wonder if he keeps a little baggy handy?

[raendrop.livejournal.com]

I have a hard time seeing wizards as acrophobic. JKR seems to have established that they're much hardier than Muggles and more difficult to injure. Any phobia really isn't a fear of the thing itself, more a fear that the thing will cause serious pain and injury. A bludger to the skull would kill a Muggle, but merely knock out a wizard. Oliver Wood may have been out for a week, but suffered no lasting ill effects. A Muggle would likely have suffered brain damage.

Do I think Snape is "good enough" on a broom? Yes. It's the wizard equivalent of a motor vehicle. You're a wizard, you know how to fly a broom. I think as a pureblood, he'd be especially proud of his magical heritage and the uniquely magical legacy that is flying. As other peope have said, while he may not have gotten the hang of it so easily as a student, he's an adult now and likely has overcome whatever awkwardness he had as a teenager. You'll notice only teen!Snape moved like a spider. Adult!Snape moves like a bat.

Do I think Snape is any good at quidditch? I don't see him as particularly interested in sports, even a uniquely wizard sport like quidditch. Of course, most Americans are similarly proud of baseball or football (Canadians, hockey), but that doesn't mean all are athletically inclined or interested in actually playing (or attending). Do I think Snape can play? Yeah. Do I think he's any good? No. Passable at best, but passable only gets you on the team if Umbridge is in charge. :-P

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

I have a hard time seeing wizards as acrophobic. JKR seems to have established that they're much hardier than Muggles and more difficult to injure. Any phobia really isn't a fear of the thing itself, more a fear that the thing will cause serious pain and injury. A bludger to the skull would kill a Muggle, but merely knock out a wizard. Oliver Wood may have been out for a week, but suffered no lasting ill effects. A Muggle would likely have suffered brain damage.

That doesn't mean they are fearless.

Do I think Snape is "good enough" on a broom? Yes. It's the wizard equivalent of a motor vehicle. You're a wizard, you know how to fly a broom. I think as a pureblood, he'd be especially proud of his magical heritage and the uniquely magical legacy that is flying. As other peope have said, while he may not have gotten the hang of it so easily as a student, he's an adult now and likely has overcome whatever awkwardness he had as a teenager. You'll notice only teen!Snape moved like a spider. Adult!Snape moves like a bat.

How do you account for Neville Longbottom?

[kaflower.livejournal.com]

This is the pessimist in me saying that I think that Snape was a decent flier (meaning he could fly himself anywhere he chose), yet not good enough (according to Slytherin standards) to play on the house team.

I do also agree with the Snape/Lucius slasher in myself -- Lucius and Snape would *not* have been watching the game.

When I write Snape, however, the optimist wins and says that he played Keeper. I think he was too small to play a chaser and too big to play seeker and most definitely not strong enough (at the time) to play beater. Therefore, a nice, neutral position in the sky. Minus the fact that Quaffles are flying at you every which way.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

So it's your contention that Snape liked catching balls? *evil grin*

[cleverthylacine]

My Severus gets hives at the very thought of trying to play quidditch, though he can fly well enough to get around.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

My Snape has allergies -- but not related to Quidditch.

[jeddy83.livejournal.com]

I would imagine that there is a vast difference in the level of skill needed to play Quidditch and that needed to be a referee. You wouldn't need fancy skills to referee, just an ability to get up and down the pitch with play and possibly a few sharp turns. I think he must be able to fly well enough to do that or else I'm fairly sure that Harry and co would have been snickering at his efforts.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

The sadist in me still hopes they did snicker :-)

[huntress1013.livejournal.com]

Severus and Quidditch.....no I can't imagine that he played the game. I think he is quite good on a broom but Quidditch playing doesn't seem his thing. I can't explain why.

Sorry totaly OT but I simply had to say it - I LOVE that avatar of yours! LMAO!!!!! Severus and a teddy.......

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

It's just sooo un-Snape-like! But he looks even sexier clutching the bear than most would.

[biascut.livejournal.com]

I think it's weird that in HP&PS we see the first flying lesson, and then Harry gets Discovered as a Seeker and that's the last reference we get to anyone else having any kind of physical education or training on a broom. Do the flying lessons continue after that? For how many years? Can Hermione fly? How's Neville doing? Do they just learn to fly or do they all play Quidditch in class?

And why is there only one damn wizarding sport?!

I assume that flying lessons continue, and that flying a broom is like riding a horse used to be or riding a bike is now. It's a method of transport that more or less everyone uses, but only some people are good enough to do it as a sport. Actually, perhaps it's more like running. Every able-bodied person can put one foot in front of the other, but only a few people are athletes.

I think Snape's a competent flier, but not an athlete.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

I think it's weird that in HP&PS we see the first flying lesson, and then Harry gets Discovered as a Seeker and that's the last reference we get to anyone else having any kind of physical education or training on a broom. Do the flying lessons continue after that? For how many years? Can Hermione fly? How's Neville doing? Do they just learn to fly or do they all play Quidditch in class?

Good point.

And why is there only one damn wizarding sport?!

Another good point -- dayum!

[ladyflowdi.livejournal.com]

I agree with what several people said upthread--as a child it was probably difficult for him, but as a grown man he can probably fly well enough to get him where he's going. He seems very analytical to me--from what OotP has shown us, he was a *vastly* intelligent young man, and it was probably difficult for him to stop thinking about how things worked long enough to just enjoy them. He has a curious and scientific mind, that one.

Now, does he fly often? Not unless he has to, I'd say. It's not refined, and if there's anything Canon!Snape strikes me as, it's refined. Flooing and apparating are much more elegant than getting on a broom. :)

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Apparating -- yes. Flooing -- no. You'd get all sooty. Snape wouldn't mind, but Lucius?

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

You missed an important point -- he's qualified to referee Quidditch matches. Snag a copy of "Quidditch through the Ages"; you'll see that it's *hard* to qualify as a referee.

You have to pass tests from the history of the Quidditch to know all the fouls; and you *must* be proficient on a broom to a certain level.

So Snape can fly. Probably not in Harry's league, but he's not going to fall off any minute either.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

You know -- I never did pick that up.

Thanks for pointing this out! *smiles*

[subliculous.livejournal.com]

Snape flies, but he rides sidesaddle.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

With Harry or maybe Lucius?

[mulberryfields.livejournal.com]

Another for the minority viewpoint - I do think Snape might have played Quidditch. "Jealous of James' Quidditch skills," I thought, would be a more likely assumption to make about someone who played, but who played less well than James. A non-Quidditch player would be less likely to care. And in terms of being ref for that match - usually, referees have some experience playing the sport.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Hmm -- I'm jealous of the fandom artists, and I have NO skill whatsoever.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I seem to recall that Snape volunteered to referee Harry's next game because he wanted to protect him in case of another broom jinx. That implies that first, he's good enough that Madam Hooch would let him referee a match, and second, that he's good enough that he feels competent not only to referee a fast moving game, but to throw a counter hex while flying during the match.

Also, I believe it says in Quidditch Through the Ages that referees have to be qualified by the national governing body, rather like hockey referees at any level have to be qualified by the Amateur Hockey Association. That means that Snape not only would have to be at least competent on a broom, he'd have to know the rules of quidditch *and* know the rules violations well enough to call them. And I can't see either Dumbledore or Hooch letting him call a match if he weren't certified; Hooch could be in deep trouble with the Ministry if she allowed a non-qualified person to call a match, possibly to the point of losing her certification.

Finally...just because Snape had problems mounting a broomstick as a child doesn't mean that he's a poor flyer as an adult. Remember, he went from an awkward, stoop shouldered geek with a funny gait to a menacing adult who can, and does, dominate a room just by striding into it. He could have worked on his flying once he was out of school, or he could have been a late bloomer; clearly he grew much more graceful and developed better posture as he matured, and there's no reason that he couldn't have become a better flyer as well.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

You make some excellent counter points. You'd be a top notch litigator :-)

Thanks for coming over here and posting! I really like what you had to say.