Harry Potter Wiki
Register
Harry Potter Wiki
(Oliver may be pure-blood. It is possible that the author simply didn´t know about the Wood family. The Brown, the Potters, the Crabbes and other pure-blood were not included as well.)
Tags: Visual edit apiedit
(10 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 32: Line 32:
 
*[[Puddlemere United]]
 
*[[Puddlemere United]]
 
}}
 
}}
{{Quote|Bad news, Harry. I've just been to see Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt. She — er — got a bit shirty with me. Told me I'd got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about you staying alive. Just because I told her I didn't care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch on it first. Honestly, the way she was yelling at me... you'd think I'd said something terrible. Then I asked her how much longer she was going to keep it...|Oliver Wood|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
+
{{Quote|Bad news, Harry. I've just been to see Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt. She — er — got a bit shirty with me. Told me I'd got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about you staying alive. Just because I told her I didn't care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch on it first. Honestly, the way she was yelling at me... you'd think I'd said something terrible. Then I asked her how much longer she was going to keep it ''[...]'' |Oliver Wood|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
   
'''Oliver Wood''' (born c.[[1975]] or [[1976]]) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[Wizardkind|wizard]] who was the [[Keeper]] and [[Captain]] for the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]]. He attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] from [[1987]] to [[1994]]. Oliver was known for his determination and skill on the playing field, and his long lectures before practises. He led the Gryffindor team to victory in the [[Quidditch Cup]] in his seventh year, and, after leaving school, joined [[Puddlemere United]] as a reserve player, presumably as Keeper. In [[1998]], Oliver returned to Hogwarts to fight in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] alongside his former school friends and teammates.
+
'''Oliver Wood''' (born c.[[1975]] or [[1976]]) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[Wizardkind|wizard]] who was the [[Keeper]] and [[Captain]] for the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]]. He attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] from [[1987]] to [[1994]]. Oliver was known for his determination and skill on the playing field, and his long lectures before practises. He led the Gryffindor team to victory in the [[Quidditch Cup]] in his seventh year.
  +
  +
After leaving school Oliver joined [[Puddlemere United]] as a reserve player (presumably as Keeper). In [[1998]], Oliver returned to Hogwarts to fight in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] alongside his former school friends and teammates.
   
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
 
 
 
=== Early life ===
 
=== Early life ===
   
 
Oliver was born in Great Britain or Ireland in 1975 or 1976, into a wizarding family. He probably grew up in Scotland, as he spoke with a Scottish accent.
 
Oliver was born in Great Britain or Ireland in 1975 or 1976, into a wizarding family. He probably grew up in Scotland, as he spoke with a Scottish accent.
   
===Hogwarts education===
+
===Hogwarts years {{c|1987-1994}}===
 
====Early years====
 
====Early years====
Oliver Wood attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] from [[1987]] to [[1994]]. He was sorted into [[Gryffindor]] and presumably shared a [[dormitory]] with [[Percy Weasley]]. He joined the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] as a [[Keeper]]<ref name="PS">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''</ref>, and during his first game, he took a [[Bludger]] to the head two minutes in, and woke up a week later in the [[hospital wing]]; he mentioned this to Harry Potter when Oliver was in his fifth year, as Harry was nervous for his first Quidditch match. Oliver also mentioned that he didn't really remember his match. He attended Hogwarts with Hufflepuff Nymphodora Tonks for four years before she graduated. Before he graduated, Oliver attended Hogwarts with fellow Gryffindor Harry Potter for three years.<ref name="PSF">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''</ref>
+
Oliver Wood attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] from [[1987]] to [[1994]]. He was sorted into [[Gryffindor]] and presumably shared a [[dormitory]] with [[Percy Weasley]]. He joined the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] as a [[Keeper]]<ref name="PS">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''</ref>, and during his first game, he took a [[Bludger]] to the head two minutes in, and woke up a week later in the [[hospital wing]]; he mentioned this to Harry Potter when Oliver was in his fifth year, as Harry was nervous for his first Quidditch match. Oliver also mentioned that he didn't really remember his match. He attended Hogwarts with Hufflepuff Nymphadora Tonks for four years before she graduated. Before he graduated, Oliver attended Hogwarts with fellow Gryffindor Harry Potter for three years.<ref name="PSF">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''</ref>
   
 
====Fifth year====
 
====Fifth year====
Line 71: Line 71:
 
Oliver spent the summer of [[1992]] devising an entirely new training schedule that included early morning practice sessions. He was determined to win the Cup, and his enthusiasm for regular training sessions knew no limits. He was annoyed, however, that his team didn't seem to be taking it as seriously as he was, but that may have been a result of getting them all up earlier than they expected on the day of their first training session. On the first Saturday back at school, he booked the Quidditch pitch to begin training earlier than the other teams. His plan was cut short by the arrival of the Slytherin team, who had been given permission to use the pitch by Professor Snape in order to train their new Seeker, [[Draco Malfoy]].
 
Oliver spent the summer of [[1992]] devising an entirely new training schedule that included early morning practice sessions. He was determined to win the Cup, and his enthusiasm for regular training sessions knew no limits. He was annoyed, however, that his team didn't seem to be taking it as seriously as he was, but that may have been a result of getting them all up earlier than they expected on the day of their first training session. On the first Saturday back at school, he booked the Quidditch pitch to begin training earlier than the other teams. His plan was cut short by the arrival of the Slytherin team, who had been given permission to use the pitch by Professor Snape in order to train their new Seeker, [[Draco Malfoy]].
   
Gryffindor won their first match of the season against Slytherin, but the unexplained attacks on [[Muggle]]-born students (later found to be caused by the reopening of the [[Chamber of Secrets]] and the freeing of a [[Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk|Basilisk]]) forced the rest of the year's Quidditch matches to be cancelled. When [[Minerva McGonagall]] announced the good news that the school would not be closing, many students shouted "Dumbledore's back" or "The heir of Slytherin has been caught". Wood instead showed his love for Quidditch by shouting "Quidditch matches are back on."<ref name="CS" />
+
Gryffindor won their first match of the season against Slytherin, but the unexplained attacks on [[Muggle]]-born students (later found to be caused by the reopening of the [[Chamber of Secrets]] and the freeing of a [[Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk|Basilisk]]) forced the cancellation of the year's remaining matches. When [[Minerva McGonagall]] announced the good news that the school would not be closing, many students shouted "Dumbledore's back" or "The heir of Slytherin has been caught". Wood instead showed his love for Quidditch by shouting "Quidditch matches are back on."<ref name="CS" />
   
 
====Seventh year====
 
====Seventh year====
Line 92: Line 92:
 
During the match against Slytherin, Oliver took two [[Bludger]]s to the stomach early in the game. Harry, though, managed to capture the Snitch when Gryffindor were ahead by at least sixty points, resulting in Gryffindor winning the [[Quidditch Cup]]. Oliver, overjoyed and ecstatic, lifted the Cup aloft, finally achieving his dream.<ref name="PA">''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''</ref>
 
During the match against Slytherin, Oliver took two [[Bludger]]s to the stomach early in the game. Harry, though, managed to capture the Snitch when Gryffindor were ahead by at least sixty points, resulting in Gryffindor winning the [[Quidditch Cup]]. Oliver, overjoyed and ecstatic, lifted the Cup aloft, finally achieving his dream.<ref name="PA">''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''</ref>
   
===Later life===
+
===Later life {{c|1994-1998}}===
{{Quote|Come on!|Oliver in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2}}
+
{{Quote|Come on!|Oliver in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2}}
   
 
[[File:Tumblr_m3etznYoth1qili3vo6_r1_250.gif|frame|Oliver Wood during the Battle of Hogwarts, leading a group of students on broomsticks to battle]]
 
[[File:Tumblr_m3etznYoth1qili3vo6_r1_250.gif|frame|Oliver Wood during the Battle of Hogwarts, leading a group of students on broomsticks to battle]]
Line 107: Line 107:
 
{{Quote|I think we'd better check with Puddlemere United whether Oliver Wood's been killed during a training session, because Angelina seems to be channelling his spirit.|[[Harry Potter]]|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
{{Quote|I think we'd better check with Puddlemere United whether Oliver Wood's been killed during a training session, because Angelina seems to be channelling his spirit.|[[Harry Potter]]|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
   
[[File:OliverWoodwiki2.jpg|thumb|155px|Oliver in the Gryffindor common room after all Quidditch games were cancelled in his 6th year]]
+
[[File:OliverWoodwiki2.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Oliver in the Gryffindor common room after all Quidditch games were cancelled in his 6th year|left]]
   
Wood was described as an intensely driven, competitive personality. He was singularly focused and determined to creating the best Quidditch team in the school. His ambition and dedication to the sport was such that he forced his players to train relentlessly, including early morning starts and all-weather training. Wood's obsession with winning occasionally became somewhat maniacal. In [[1992]] he told Harry to "catch the Snitch or die trying" and in [[1993]], Fred and George Weasley declared, with only mild exaggeration, that Wood was attempting to drown himself in the showers after a defeat as he refused to come out when they did. They also said in [[1996]] that "Wood might have done the Slytherins if he could have", after someone asked who would try to kill off a Quidditch team. He regularly scheduled three practice sessions a week, rising to five a week before an important match. His overriding ambition was to win the Quidditch cup before he graduated, a dream which he finally achieved in [[1994]] .<ref name="PS" /><ref name="CS" /><ref name="PA" />
+
Wood was described as an intensely driven, competitive personality. He was singularly focused and determined to creating the best Quidditch team in the school. His ambition and dedication to the sport was such that he forced his players to train relentlessly, including early morning starts and all-weather training. Wood's obsession with winning occasionally became somewhat maniacal. In [[1992]] he told Harry to "catch the Snitch or die trying" and in [[1993]], Fred and George Weasley declared, with only mild exaggeration, that Wood was attempting to drown himself in the showers after a defeat as he refused to come out when they did. They also said in [[1996]] that "Wood might have done the Slytherins if he could have," after someone asked who would try to kill off a Quidditch team. He regularly scheduled three practice sessions a week, rising to five a week before an important match. His overriding ambition was to win the Quidditch cup before he graduated, a dream which he finally achieved in [[1994]].<ref name="PS" /><ref name="CS" /><ref name="PA" />
   
 
Despite this, Wood was remarkably humble concerning his own skill, putting the team's success down to the other members of the team. He would often be more concerned about his teammates than himself, like urging them to eat breakfast before a match, yet touching nothing himself. He was also extremely loyal to Gryffindor and saw the success of the Gryffindor team as Gryffindor House's success as a whole. He was also very fair and did not accept a replay after [[Harry Potter|Harry]] fell off his broom against [[Cedric Diggory]] in [[1993]] since he knew that Diggory had caught the Snitch fairly, also assuring Harry that he didn't blame him for the loss as he respected that there had to be at least one game where Harry wouldn't win.<ref name="PS" /><ref name="PA" />
 
Despite this, Wood was remarkably humble concerning his own skill, putting the team's success down to the other members of the team. He would often be more concerned about his teammates than himself, like urging them to eat breakfast before a match, yet touching nothing himself. He was also extremely loyal to Gryffindor and saw the success of the Gryffindor team as Gryffindor House's success as a whole. He was also very fair and did not accept a replay after [[Harry Potter|Harry]] fell off his broom against [[Cedric Diggory]] in [[1993]] since he knew that Diggory had caught the Snitch fairly, also assuring Harry that he didn't blame him for the loss as he respected that there had to be at least one game where Harry wouldn't win.<ref name="PS" /><ref name="PA" />
Line 115: Line 115:
 
==Magical abilities and skills==
 
==Magical abilities and skills==
 
{{Dialogue|George|We think you're very good too, Oliver.|Fred|Spanking good [[Keeper]],|[[Fred]] and [[George]] about Oliver's Keeping skills|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
 
{{Dialogue|George|We think you're very good too, Oliver.|Fred|Spanking good [[Keeper]],|[[Fred]] and [[George]] about Oliver's Keeping skills|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
*'''[[Quidditch]]''': Oliver was captain of the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] during his fifth year onwards. He later became a Quidditch player for [[Puddlemere United]]'s reserve team.
+
*'''[[Quidditch]]''': Oliver was captain of the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] during his fourth year onwards. He later became a Quidditch player for [[Puddlemere United]]'s reserve team.
 
*'''[[Dueling]]''': though not much is known about his skills on the battle field he is an exceptional Duelist to be able to survive the Battle of Hogwarts.
 
*'''[[Dueling]]''': though not much is known about his skills on the battle field he is an exceptional Duelist to be able to survive the Battle of Hogwarts.
==Possessions==
 
[[File:Oliverwand.jpg|thumb|left|154px|Oliver's wand]]
 
   
 
==Possessions==
 
[[File:OliverWoodWandNN8258.jpg|thumb|165x165px|Oliver's wand]]
 
*'''[[Oliver Wood's wand|Wand]]''': The wand of Oliver Wood was made of an unknown length, core and wood. It was purchased by him, prior to his first year at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] in 1987, probably from wandmaker [[Garrick Ollivander]].
 
*'''[[Oliver Wood's wand|Wand]]''': The wand of Oliver Wood was made of an unknown length, core and wood. It was purchased by him, prior to his first year at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] in 1987, probably from wandmaker [[Garrick Ollivander]].
 
*'''[[Broom]]''': Considering Oliver was a dedicated [[Quidditch]] fan and player it's likely he had a broom of his own.
 
*'''[[Broom]]''': Considering Oliver was a dedicated [[Quidditch]] fan and player it's likely he had a broom of his own.
  +
*'''[[Oliver Wood's stopwatch|Stopwatch]]''': Oliver used his stopwatch during [[Quidditch]] training.
   
 
==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
Line 128: Line 129:
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', when Oliver was explaining Quidditch to Harry Potter, he said that the team that catches the Snitch will win the game. This is inaccurate as in the World Cup in [[1994]], [[Victor Krum|Viktor Krum]] caught the snitch, but Ireland won as they were ahead by more than 15 goals (150 points). However, he could have meant that the team would usually win the game due to the amount of points that the Snitch is worth (Incidentally, in the film adaptation of ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'', it is not revealed that Ireland won in this way).
 
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', when Oliver was explaining Quidditch to Harry Potter, he said that the team that catches the Snitch will win the game. This is inaccurate as in the World Cup in [[1994]], [[Victor Krum|Viktor Krum]] caught the snitch, but Ireland won as they were ahead by more than 15 goals (150 points). However, he could have meant that the team would usually win the game due to the amount of points that the Snitch is worth (Incidentally, in the film adaptation of ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'', it is not revealed that Ireland won in this way).
[[File:Wod.jpg|thumb|150px|Oliver as a Lego minifigure]]
+
[[File:Wod.jpg|thumb|150px|Oliver as a Lego minifigure|left]]
*Oliver was portrayed by [[Sean Biggerstaff]] in the [[Harry Potter films|film adaptations]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' and ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]'', although he did not match [[J. K. Rowling]]'s description of Wood as "burly". Biggerstaff portrayed Wood as a [[Scotland|Scot]], although this is never mentioned in the [[Harry Potter books|books]].
+
*Oliver was portrayed by [[Sean Biggerstaff]] in the [[Harry Potter films|film adaptations]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' and ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]'', although he did not match [[J. K. Rowling]]'s description of Wood as "burly." Biggerstaff portrayed Wood as a [[Scotland|Scot]], although this is never mentioned in the [[Harry Potter books|books]].
 
*Though Oliver was not a member of [[Dumbledore's Army]], having left Hogwarts two years before its formation, Wood fought with [[Dumbledore's Army|D.A.]] members in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. He was most likely alerted to the Battle of Hogwarts by former members of his Quidditch team who were members of Dumbledore's Army.
 
*Though Oliver was not a member of [[Dumbledore's Army]], having left Hogwarts two years before its formation, Wood fought with [[Dumbledore's Army|D.A.]] members in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. He was most likely alerted to the Battle of Hogwarts by former members of his Quidditch team who were members of Dumbledore's Army.
 
*Oliver did not know what basketball was. This suggests that he comes from a purely magical family. However, Oliver used golf balls when first practising with Harry Potter, suggesting he may be a half-blood, or at least have a family member who knows about golf.<ref name="PS" />
 
*Oliver did not know what basketball was. This suggests that he comes from a purely magical family. However, Oliver used golf balls when first practising with Harry Potter, suggesting he may be a half-blood, or at least have a family member who knows about golf.<ref name="PS" />
Line 201: Line 202:
 
[[Category:Scottish individuals]]
 
[[Category:Scottish individuals]]
 
[[Category:Wizards]]
 
[[Category:Wizards]]
  +
[[Category:Wood family]]

Revision as of 11:46, 29 March 2015

"Bad news, Harry. I've just been to see Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt. She — er — got a bit shirty with me. Told me I'd got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about you staying alive. Just because I told her I didn't care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch on it first. Honestly, the way she was yelling at me... you'd think I'd said something terrible. Then I asked her how much longer she was going to keep it [...] "
— Oliver Wood[src]

Oliver Wood (born c.1975 or 1976) was a Scottish wizard who was the Keeper and Captain for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1987 to 1994. Oliver was known for his determination and skill on the playing field, and his long lectures before practises. He led the Gryffindor team to victory in the Quidditch Cup in his seventh year.

After leaving school Oliver joined Puddlemere United as a reserve player (presumably as Keeper). In 1998, Oliver returned to Hogwarts to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts alongside his former school friends and teammates.

Biography

Early life

Oliver was born in Great Britain or Ireland in 1975 or 1976, into a wizarding family. He probably grew up in Scotland, as he spoke with a Scottish accent.

Hogwarts years (1987-1994)

Early years

Oliver Wood attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1987 to 1994. He was sorted into Gryffindor and presumably shared a dormitory with Percy Weasley. He joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team as a Keeper[3], and during his first game, he took a Bludger to the head two minutes in, and woke up a week later in the hospital wing; he mentioned this to Harry Potter when Oliver was in his fifth year, as Harry was nervous for his first Quidditch match. Oliver also mentioned that he didn't really remember his match. He attended Hogwarts with Hufflepuff Nymphadora Tonks for four years before she graduated. Before he graduated, Oliver attended Hogwarts with fellow Gryffindor Harry Potter for three years.[4]

Fifth year

Fred Weasley: "We know Oliver's speech by heart. We were in the team last year."
Oliver Wood: "Shut up, you two. This is the best team Gryffindor's had in years. We're going to win. I know it."
Fred Weasley and Oliver Wood[src]
File:Oliverwood1.png

Oliver in Quidditch gear in 1991

In 1990, his fourth year, he became Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

In the 1991–1992 school year, despite assembling a good team, he was unable to find anyone skilled enough to play as Seeker for the team after the departure of Charles Weasley in the previous year. However, his search was ended when his Head of House, Professor McGonagall, observed Harry Potter catch a Remembrall on a broomstick from a fifty foot dive. McGonagall claimed that it was a move that even Charlie Weasley couldn't have pulled off, convincing Oliver that Harry was indeed something special. He immediately saw that Harry's build was perfect for a Seeker, and impressed upon McGonagall the need for Harry to have a decent broom to fly.

Oliver gave Harry his first Quidditch lesson in private, immediately seeing that Harry was a natural flier on a broomstick. Wanting to use Harry as a secret weapon during the first match of the season against Slytherin, Oliver tried to keep his presence on the team under wraps. Despite his best efforts, however, word got out about Harry's presence, although his skill level was a secret from everyone outside the team.

Woodandharry

Oliver Wood and Harry Potter

Captaining the side against their nemeses, Slytherin, in the first game of the season, Oliver was delighted when Harry captured the Golden Snitch in his first match, winning the game for Gryffindor. However, the second game of the season, against Hufflepuff, gave Oliver cause for concern, when he found out that Professor Snape would be refereeing the match in place of Madam Hooch. Fearing that Snape would not be fair to Gryffindor following their defeat of Slytherin, he urged Harry to catch the Snitch as soon as possible. When he caught it within five minutes, Oliver was overjoyed. If Gryffindor could beat Ravenclaw in the final match of the season, then they would surely capture the Quidditch Cup.

Shortly after, Gryffindor House lost one hundred and fifty house points due to the actions of three first year students, including Harry Potter. Harry offered his resignation to Oliver, who declined it, his reasoning being that if they didn't win at Quidditch, they had no chance to recoup the lost points. Despite this, Oliver likely felt somewhat irked towards Harry, as, during team practice sessions, his angry teammates simply referred to Harry as "the Seeker".

The final match of the season against Ravenclaw was a disaster. Harry was in the hospital wing after facing Professor Quirrell and Lord Voldemort, and recovering the Philosopher's Stone. Forced to play with only six players, the Gryffindor team lost[3], and suffered its biggest defeat in three hundred years.[5]

Sixth year

"It'll be down to you, Harry, to show them that a Seeker has to have something more than a rich father. Get to that Snitch before Malfoy or die trying, Harry, because we've got to win today, we've got to."
— Oliver Wood[src]
Tumblr lvfsavJF9d1qgt0vro2 250

Oliver Wood during the Gryffindor vs Slytherin match

Oliver spent the summer of 1992 devising an entirely new training schedule that included early morning practice sessions. He was determined to win the Cup, and his enthusiasm for regular training sessions knew no limits. He was annoyed, however, that his team didn't seem to be taking it as seriously as he was, but that may have been a result of getting them all up earlier than they expected on the day of their first training session. On the first Saturday back at school, he booked the Quidditch pitch to begin training earlier than the other teams. His plan was cut short by the arrival of the Slytherin team, who had been given permission to use the pitch by Professor Snape in order to train their new Seeker, Draco Malfoy.

Gryffindor won their first match of the season against Slytherin, but the unexplained attacks on Muggle-born students (later found to be caused by the reopening of the Chamber of Secrets and the freeing of a Basilisk) forced the cancellation of the year's remaining matches. When Minerva McGonagall announced the good news that the school would not be closing, many students shouted "Dumbledore's back" or "The heir of Slytherin has been caught". Wood instead showed his love for Quidditch by shouting "Quidditch matches are back on."[5]

Seventh year

"This is our last chance — my last chance — to win the Quidditch Cup. I'll be leaving at the end of this year. I'll never get another shot at it."
— Oliver Wood[src]
Bad weather

Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff playing in bad weather

In his final year, Oliver Wood was especially desperate to win the Quidditch Cup. He knew that he had the best team in the whole school, and he felt that the Cup would have been Gryffindor's for the past two years if events hadn't so conspired against them. Training his team hard for the first match against Slytherin, he was shocked to find out that Slytherin had indeed managed to postpone the match owing to an injury to their Seeker, Draco Malfoy. Malfoy, injured by a hippogriff during a Care of Magical Creatures lesson, was overplaying his injury to get out of playing the match during such extremely bad weather. Gryffindor were to then play Hufflepuff instead.

During the match, Harry was overcome by Dementors, who were attracted to the large gathering. He fell from his broom while chasing the Golden Snitch, and it was captured by the Hufflepuff Seeker, Cedric Diggory. When he realised what had happened, Cedric immediately offered Oliver a rematch, but Oliver declined it, knowing that Cedric had caught the Snitch fair and square, and assuring Harry that he didn't blame him for failing to catch the Snitch despite his previously impeccable record.

HP1 NEWBATCH2

Oliver before a Quidditch match

However, Oliver knew they still had a chance to win the Cup if they won their remaining matches and other results went their way. He urged Harry to buy a new broom, since his had been destroyed by the Whomping Willow after the last match, and was also worried about the Dementors appearing again and affecting Harry. Harry assured him that Professor Lupin was teaching him to deal with Dementors, and that he had received a Firebolt broomstick for Christmas. Oliver was amazed, then disappointed to learn that Professor McGonagall had confiscated it to check for signs of tampering or sabotage, as she feared that Sirius Black may have sent it to harm Harry. Oliver tried to appeal to McGonagall, telling her that having the Firebolt would greatly enhanced their chances of winning the Quidditch Cup. McGonagall, however, accused Oliver of placing victory above Harry's life in his order of priorities. Finally, though, the Firebolt was given a clean bill of health, and returned to Harry, much to Oliver's joy.

In the run up to the second match of the season against Ravenclaw, Oliver upped the training sessions to five times a week, and monitored the status of the Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho Chang. Knowing that she had a lot of trouble with injuries, he hoped that she would not be fit to play, and was disappointed to learn that she was able to. During the match, Oliver told Harry to stop being a gentleman and knock Cho off her broom if he had to.

Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw, and other results went their way, meaning that, in the final game of the season against Slytherin, if they could win by two hundred and ten points, they would win the Cup. Oliver took to constantly reminding Harry that he must not catch the Snitch unless they were ahead by at least sixty points, and ordering that Harry should be accompanied everywhere he went, to prevent anyone from harming him before the game, which numerous Slytherins made it clear was a clear and present danger.

During the match against Slytherin, Oliver took two Bludgers to the stomach early in the game. Harry, though, managed to capture the Snitch when Gryffindor were ahead by at least sixty points, resulting in Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup. Oliver, overjoyed and ecstatic, lifted the Cup aloft, finally achieving his dream.[6]

Later life (1994-1998)

"Come on!"
— Oliver in the Battle of Hogwarts[src]
Tumblr m3etznYoth1qili3vo6 r1 250

Oliver Wood during the Battle of Hogwarts, leading a group of students on broomsticks to battle

After leaving Hogwarts, Oliver became a Quidditch player for Puddlemere United's reserve team. In the summer of 1994, he attended the Quidditch World Cup, where he saw Harry and introduced him to his parents and told Harry of his new career.[7]

In 1998, Oliver returned to Hogwarts along with former Gryffindor Quidditch players Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, and Alicia Spinnet to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. During a lull in the battle, which was granted to them by Lord Voldemort as time to gather the dead, he assisted Neville Longbottom in carrying the dead bodies of Colin Creevey and others into the Great Hall.[8]

Physical appearance

Oliver was well built and burly, and had a commanding presence, especially to those in his team. He was known to get a maniacal look in his eyes when he was enthusing about Quidditch.

Personality and traits

"I think we'd better check with Puddlemere United whether Oliver Wood's been killed during a training session, because Angelina seems to be channelling his spirit."
Harry Potter[src]
OliverWoodwiki2

Oliver in the Gryffindor common room after all Quidditch games were cancelled in his 6th year

Wood was described as an intensely driven, competitive personality. He was singularly focused and determined to creating the best Quidditch team in the school. His ambition and dedication to the sport was such that he forced his players to train relentlessly, including early morning starts and all-weather training. Wood's obsession with winning occasionally became somewhat maniacal. In 1992 he told Harry to "catch the Snitch or die trying" and in 1993, Fred and George Weasley declared, with only mild exaggeration, that Wood was attempting to drown himself in the showers after a defeat as he refused to come out when they did. They also said in 1996 that "Wood might have done the Slytherins if he could have," after someone asked who would try to kill off a Quidditch team. He regularly scheduled three practice sessions a week, rising to five a week before an important match. His overriding ambition was to win the Quidditch cup before he graduated, a dream which he finally achieved in 1994.[3][5][6]

Despite this, Wood was remarkably humble concerning his own skill, putting the team's success down to the other members of the team. He would often be more concerned about his teammates than himself, like urging them to eat breakfast before a match, yet touching nothing himself. He was also extremely loyal to Gryffindor and saw the success of the Gryffindor team as Gryffindor House's success as a whole. He was also very fair and did not accept a replay after Harry fell off his broom against Cedric Diggory in 1993 since he knew that Diggory had caught the Snitch fairly, also assuring Harry that he didn't blame him for the loss as he respected that there had to be at least one game where Harry wouldn't win.[3][6]

Magical abilities and skills

George: "We think you're very good too, Oliver."
Fred: "Spanking good Keeper,"
Fred and George about Oliver's Keeping skills[src]
  • Quidditch: Oliver was captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team during his fourth year onwards. He later became a Quidditch player for Puddlemere United's reserve team.
  • Dueling: though not much is known about his skills on the battle field he is an exceptional Duelist to be able to survive the Battle of Hogwarts.

Possessions

OliverWoodWandNN8258

Oliver's wand

Etymology

The olive branch often is a symbol of peace. The olive tree's symbolism also includes a great harvest and long life. Wood is a place name (like Brooks or Field) and suggests ancestors who lived near or in a forest, or who were woodcutters. It is possible that Wood was meant to be the opposite of the name Flint, the name of the Slytherin Quidditch team captain and Wood's rival.

Behind the scenes

  • In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when Oliver was explaining Quidditch to Harry Potter, he said that the team that catches the Snitch will win the game. This is inaccurate as in the World Cup in 1994, Viktor Krum caught the snitch, but Ireland won as they were ahead by more than 15 goals (150 points). However, he could have meant that the team would usually win the game due to the amount of points that the Snitch is worth (Incidentally, in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it is not revealed that Ireland won in this way).
Wod

Oliver as a Lego minifigure

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 76 images related to Oliver Wood.

Notes and references

Order of the Phoenix
Fawkes WB F2 FawkesIllustration V2 Illust
Founder:
Albus Dumbledore
Leaders:
Albus Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Kingsley Shacklebolt
Original Order of of the Phoenix:
Aberforth Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Alice Longbottom | Arabella Figg | Benjy Fenwick | Caradoc Dearborn | Dedalus Diggle | Dorcas Meadowes | Edgar Bones | Elphias Doge | Emmeline Vance | Fabian Prewett | Frank Longbottom | Gideon Prewett | James Potter | Lily Potter | Marlene McKinnon | Mundungus Fletcher | Peter Pettigrew (defected) | Remus Lupin | Rubeus Hagrid | Severus Snape | Sirius Black | Sturgis Podmore
Reconstituted Order of the Phoenix:
Aberforth Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Arabella Figg | Arthur Weasley | Bill Weasley | Charlie Weasley | Dedalus Diggle | Elphias Doge | Emmeline Vance | Fleur Delacour | Fred Weasley | George Weasley | Harry Potter | Hermione Granger | Hestia Jones | Kingsley Shacklebolt | Minerva McGonagall | Molly Weasley | Mundungus Fletcher | Nymphadora Tonks | Remus Lupin | Ron Weasley | Rubeus Hagrid | Severus Snape | Sirius Black | Sturgis Podmore
Order of the Phoenix allies:
Andromeda Tonks | Augusta Longbottom | Buckbeak | Dobby | Fawkes | Filius Flitwick | Firenze | Garrick Ollivander | Ginny Weasley | Grawp | Helena Ravenclaw | Horace Slughorn | Karkus | Karkus's wife | Kreacher | Lee Jordan | Luna Lovegood | McKinnon family | Mr Westenberg | Mrs Westenberg | Muriel | Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington | Neville Longbottom | Oliver Wood | Olympe Maxime | Rita Skeeter | Patrick Delaney-Podmore | Peeves | Percy Weasley | Pomona Sprout | Poppy Pomfrey | Sybill Trelawney | Ted Tonks | The Fallen Fifty | Westenberg family | Winky | Xenophilius Lovegood
Other affiliations:
Dumbledore's Army | Forbidden Forest Centaur colony | Headless Hunt | Hogwarts Hippogriff herd | Hogwarts house-elves | Hogwarts Ghosts | Hogwarts Staff |
Hogwarts students | Hogwarts Thestral herd | British Ministry of Magic | Giant colony (Karkus's control)
Quidditch positions at Hogwarts
Golden-snitch-lrg
Captains
Filemina Alchin · Astrix Alixan · Orion Amari · Angelina Appleby · Oona Ballington · Concepta Battista · Hugh Biggs · Vicky Bishopper · Richard Carter · Angelica Cole · Stuart Craggy · Winky Crockett · Dan Darker · Roger Davies · Cedric Diggory · Marcus Flint · Hamish Frater · Stephen Gould · David Hamblin · Robin Higgy · Natalie Holkham · Jody Jacknife · Angelina Johnson · Jo King · Kris Kolumbiko · Jess Lafington · Neil Lament · Steve Laughalot · Russell Lucky · David Makehay · Graham Montague · Mark Overcliff · Erika Rath · Andrew Snowy Owl · Harry Potter · Katie Rayknolls · Imelda Reyes · Isobel Ross · Ashley Sanders · Mark Sommertime · Lucinda Talkalot · Urquhart · Emma Vanity · Charles Weasley · Rufus Winickus · Oliver Wood · Jacob's sibling · Unidentified Quidditch Captain (I) · Unidentified Quidditch Captain (II)
Keepers
Kevin Bletchley · Miles Bletchley · Brennan Doyle · Andre Egwu · Herbert Fleet · Geoffrey Hooper · Cormac McLaggen · Grant Page · Ronald Weasley · Oliver Wood · Jacob's sibling · Unidentified Gryffindor Keeper · Unidentified Slytherin Keeper · Unidentified Keeper (I) · Unidentified Keeper (II) · Unidentified Keeper (III)
Chasers
Orion Amari · Tamsin Applebee · Katie Bell · Bradley · Randolph Burrow · Cadwallader · Chambers · Roger Davies · Eekins · Marcus Flint · Rose Granger-Weasley · Jarrett · Angelina Johnson · Heidi Macavoy · Graham Montague · Ethan Parkin · Skye Parkin · James Potter · Malcolm Preece · Adrian Pucey · Imelda Reyes · Imelda Reyes's father · Demelza Robins · Zacharias Smith · Alicia Spinnet · Jeremy Stretton · Dean Thomas · Urquhart · Vaisey · Cassius Warrington · Ginevra Weasley · Blaise Zabini · Jacob's sibling · Unidentified Chaser (I) · Unidentified Chaser (II) · Unidentified fourth-year Chaser · Unidentified Gryffindor Chaser (I) · Unidentified Gryffindor Chaser (II) · Unidentified Gryffindor Chaser (III) · Unidentified Gryffindor Chaser (IV) · Erika Rath's friend (I) · Erika Rath's friend (II) · Unidentified Quidditch Captain (I)
Beaters
Bean · Lucian Bole · Ritchie Coote · Vincent Crabbe · Peregrine Derrick · Dobbin · Gregory Goyle · Duncan Inglebee · Andrew Kirke · Michael McManus · Maxine O'Flaherty · Jimmy Peakes · Erika Rath · Anthony Rickett · Jason Samuels · Jack Sloper · Fred Weasley · George Weasley · Baglan Wellnelly · Jacob's sibling · Unidentified Beater · Unidentified Gryffindor Beater · Unidentified Gryffindor Beater (II) · Unidentified Slytherin Beater (I) · Unidentified Slytherin Beater (II) · Unidentified Quidditch Captain (II)
Seekers
Regulus Black · Cho Chang · Cedric Diggory · Andre Egwu · Harper · Terence Higgs · Gilderoy Lockhart · Draco Malfoy · Harry Potter · Sirona Ryan · Summerby · Charles Weasley · Ginevra Weasley · Willa Weholt · Gruffyd Wellnelly · Jacob's sibling · Unidentified Gryffindor Seeker · Unidentified Hufflepuff Seeker · Unidentified Ravenclaw Seeker · Unidentified Ravenclaw Seeker's substitute · Unidentified Seeker (I) · Unidentified Seeker (II)
Unknown positions
Vicky Bishopper · Stuart Craggy · Winky Crockett · Dan Darker · Robin Higgy · Jody Jacknife · Jo King · R. King · Kris Kolumbiko · Jess Lafington · Neil Lament · Steve Laughalot · Russell Lucky · David Makehay · M. G. McGonagall · Mark Overcliff · Philomena · Katie Rayknolls · Sean · Andrew Snowy Owl · Mark Sommertime · Lucinda Talkalot · Emma Vanity · Rufus Winickus · Unidentified pure-blood student · Unidentified Quidditch player
Possible players
Christian Alexander · Brandon Angel · Jada Angela · Owen Anthony · Tanner Van Burm · Haley Dakota · Jennifer Dawn · Riley Frazer · Ethan Gerard · Ryan Henry · Erica J. · Ella Jo · Timothy Justin · Sage Kelleen · Luisa · Trinity Lynn · Trev Mallory · Alexis Marie · Gianna Grace Marie · Abigail Nicola · Amber Noel · Phelan Noel · Remy Olivier · Jackson Sheppard · Richard Sky · Emily Taylor · Alexander William