Sammamish youth fly their way to a Quidditch victory

Gwenyth Seet, 10, flies up the middle of the Quidditch pitch, Quaffle in hand.

A number of chasers from the opposing team, the Ravendors, surround Seet, batting at the ball cradled to her chest.

Seet sidesteps the Ravendors’ keeper and raises the ball above her head. She shoots and she scores.

Ten points to the Gryffinclaws.

Nearly 20 Sammamish youngsters, ages 9-12, came out Saturday for the Sammamish Library’s Harry Potter book club and joined in a game of Quidditch, the famous sport in J.K.Rowling’s magical world.

The Emerald City Admirals Quidditch team taught the young Harry Potter fans how to play the classic wizarding game.

“It’s kind of like soccer meets rugby meets football meets basketball,” said Sara Jenssen, the Sammamish children’s librarian.

The object of the game is to score more points than the opposing team. In this matchup, the Gryffinclaws vs. the Ravendors, it was a fierce battle, and it was still anybody’s game when the Snitch came into play.

The Snitch is a golden, fast-flying ball the size of a ping pong ball. In the wizarding world, catching the Golden Snitch earns the team 150 points. In this muggle version, the Snitch — played by Emerald City Admirals team captain Marina Martinez — earns the team 30 points.

The game went into overtime after the Gryffinclaws’ seeker nabbed the Snitch from Martinez, tying up the game 60-60.

Seet, now playing the seeker, grabbed the Snitch just five minutes later, winning the game for the Gryffindors 100 to 80.

And no, the children didn’t actually fly on broomsticks like the real wizards and witches of the fictional world, but they did have to run with a long stick between their legs.

Prior to the game, the children discussed book six, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” in book club. The game was played on the Sammamish Commons lawn, just outside of the library.

The next Sammamish Library Harry Potter book club meeting, discussing book seven “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” will be July 29. This book club will also celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday. The meeting and celebration will take place at the library located at 825 228th Ave. SE.

Nearly 20 Sammamish youngsters, ages 9-12, came out Saturday for the Sammamish Library’s Harry Potter book club and joined in a game of Quidditch, the famous sport in J.K.Rowling’s magical world. Megan Campbell/staff photo