This week Her Campus Nottingham met up with the committee of Harry Potter and Quidditch Society. They like to think of themselves as the staff of Hogwarts and after hearing all the activities they organise, their decision to take on the International Quidditch Association Rules and their love for Harry Potter, Her Campus feel they truly are the closest us muggles will ever get to the magical world of Harry Potter. We met the seven committee members, Adam (President), AJ (Treasurer and Head of Ravenclaw), Livi (Vice-Pres, Webmaster and Head of Gryffindor), Lucy (Quidditch manager), Brandon (Events Secretary), Amy (Secretary and Head of Hufflepuff) and Hollie (Social Sec and Head of Slytherin).
So guys, as big Harry Potter Fans, you must have some stories highlighting your love for the series?
Amy: For my 8th birthday I had a Harry Potter themed party – we had a sorting hat, which sorted the guests as they came in. My dad had made all the children wooden owls, brooms and wands and we played Quidditch.
Brandon: I was lucky enough to go to the premiere of the last film.
How did you first get involved in the society?
Adam: I remember walking around Fresher’s Fair and just being struck by the decoration and effort that had gone into the Harry Potter Society’s stall. They had house banners, a sorting hat, quaffles and all sorts of other props. The enthusiasm of the society instantly attracted me and I realised these people shared my interest in Harry Potter.
What are some of the unique activities you get up to within the society?
Adam: We play Quidditch on the downs twice a week and every Friday we have a social. Our socials range from wizard duels at Laser Quest, ice skating on the black lake and making our own cocktails for potions. Room of Requirement socials consist of us watching Harry Potter movies and playing board games.
Brandon: At Christmas we have our own Yule Ball, where everyone dresses up smartly and we have a three course meal, awards and celebrate the end of term.
How competitive does Quidditch really get?
Lucy: We do get very competitive, but it is all friendly and fun. The House League is played on a Wednesday and we get points, which are added to the overall house points system. At the end of the year, the house with the most points, also gained from pub quizzes and at certain socials, wins the House Cup. At the end of last year Ravenclaw and Gryffindor were tied and so this year it’s all to play for.
Also this year we have started playing by the International Quidditch Association Rules, which means we can play in tournaments against other University teams. In about two and a half weeks we are heading down to the British Quidditch Cup at Oxford, where the university has a Quidditch pitch. Our team, the Nottingham Nargles, are very much excited for our first national tournament.
And finally, without the unique sorting hat, how do you decide on new members’ houses?
Adam: We have a sorting quiz online, which the freshers take when they join the society. It is written each year by the committee, so the heads of the house can personalise the questions in order to get an even spread across the four houses. Although this gives new members a foundation for which house they are best suited to, we do let individuals make the final decision on where they belong. We then have house colour hoodies, which were designed by AJ, with each house’s crest on the back.