CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 13: Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 189986


> 
> Geoff:
> Quite correctly, you cite one instance of a wizard saving themselves although 
> this could be an instance of accidental magic such as Harry finishing up on 
> the roof of the school or the incident with Aunt Marge.
> 
> Counter to that, you have the case of Neville falling off his broom (PS "The
> Midnight Duel" pp. 109/10 UK edition). If he had been higher, this cold have 
> resulted in death or serious injury.
> 
> Where I disagree is in extrapolating one incident which you quote to "most times".
>

Pippin:
No one in canon doubts that  Harry was in mortal peril when Quirrell was trying to knock him off his broom in PS/SS. But I think more experienced wizards with their wands and their  wits about them could probably save themselves from a fall. "Accio broom!" for example, or they could transfigure their landing spot into something soft, or they could use a levitation spell once they got close enough to the ground for it to work. 

But I think Wood was indulging in a bit of hyperbole, and didn't really expect Harry to knock Cho off her broom. I doubt that without hexing the broom or Cho herself it would be possible.  Quidditch players routinely accelerate and decelerate rapidly without safety belts and don't go flying off.  In fact Ginny drives her broom right through the speaker's podium in HBP and doesn't get knocked off in the collision. Harry doesn't even seem to have fallen off  when a bludger knocked him unconscious in the same book. I don't think under normal circumstances a  broom will let its rider fall off unless he deliberately lets go of it.

Pippin