| “ | Potter, this is Oliver Wood. Wood, I have found you a seeker. | „ |
| ~ Oliver Wood getting introduced to Harry Potter by Prof. McGonagall after the latter caught Neville Longbottom's Remembrall from Draco Malfoy |
Oliver Wood is a supporting protagonist of the Harry Potter series. He is 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 practices. 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 against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, alongside his former school friends and teammates.
He is portrayed by Sean Biggerstaff.
Personality
When Professor McGonagall sees Harry flying on his broomstick without permission, and making a truly spectacular catch, she takes him out of the courtyard. Looking in classrooms, she eventually finds Professor Flitwick's room, and asks Professor Flitwick if she could borrow "Wood". Harry is relieved to find out that Wood is not a wooden implement for punishment, but is in fact Oliver Wood, who turns out to be captain of the Quidditch team. She tells Wood that she has found him a Seeker, and they discuss Harry's natural flying abilities and the fact that they need to get him a new broom.
Wood, later, takes Harry down to the Quidditch pitch, explains the rules, demonstrates the Bludgers, and checks Harry's flight abilities by having him catch golf balls. Once Wood is satisfied that Harry is capable, he has Harry join the regular practices three evenings a week.
Wood does not play a large part in the story after this; he is there in the Quidditch practices and in the various Quidditch matches. He is Keeper for the Gryffindor team, and as such is responsible for some particularly spectacular saves.
Chamber of Secrets
Oliver is Quidditch Captain in Harry's second year. It also reveals that he has devised a new training schedule. He spends the first part of practice, explaining new Quidditch moves and is annoyed when he notices that none of his teammates are paying attention and instead dozing off. His plan to start practicing was cut short however by the arrival of the Slytherin Quidditch Team, who had been given permission to use the pitch by Professor Snape in order to train their new Seeker, Draco Malfoy. He is also very pleased when Gryffindor beats Slytherin in their first Quidditch Match and congratulates Harry, all though his bones have been broken because one of the bludgers was cursed to try to knock Harry off his broom due to Dobby jinxing the bludger. Much to his chagrin, the season is cut short when the Monster in the Chamber cannot be controlled.
Biography
Oliver Wood was the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain and Keeper. He was delighted when he discovered Harry'sprodigious flying talent, a perfect fit for the vacant Seeker position on their team. Known for his lengthy pre-match team talks and fiercely competitive nature, Oliver worked tirelessly to lead his team to victory with the Quidditch Cup always in his sights.
Gallery
Trivia
- 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.
