fairness of Quiddich (WAS: Is the anything that bothers you about HP ...)

[Tom Wall]

No: HPFGUIDX 56650

Bill wrote:
It is like a Formula One car race, with rich drivers in the latest 
high-tech racing cars, competing against ordinary drivers in rusted-
out beaters.

Quidditch may be enjoyable to watch, but it is simply not a fair test 
of skill.

I reply:
You don't think so? 

Harry is able to beat Malfoy in CoS Ch.10, even though Malfoy has a 
Nimbus 2001, and even though harry has a broken arm thanks to Dobby's 
rogue bludger. In that particular case, it's not the broom that makes 
the difference it's the flying.

And similarly (though not exactly,) Cedric is well on his way towards 
catching the Snitch when Harry realizes it in PoA:

"Harry!" came Wood's anguished yell from the Gryffindor goal 
posts. "Harry, behind you!"
Harry looked wildly around. Cedric Diggory was pelting up the field, 
and a tiny speck of gold was shimmering in the rain-filled air 
between them -"
(PoA, US paperback, Ch.9, 178)

Granted, Harry is affected by the dementors after that, and even 
Cedric wants to replay the match. I think, though, that it's more of 
a testament to Cedric's sense of fair-play than it is to the actual 
conditions of the game. Even Wood agrees that Hufflepuff won that 
match. And canon definitely suggests that Cedric is well on his way 
to catching the Snitch before Wood gets Harry's attention.

So, I'm not sure that I agree that it's all about the brooms and 
equipment - skill definitely has something to do with it.

-Tom