ext_18242 ([identity profile] ellid.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] themostepotente 2004-08-01 09:14 pm (UTC)

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.


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