Key Takeaways
- Winners of the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup from 1991-1998 include Gryffindor and Ravenclaw or Slytherin.
- Quidditch seasons were interrupted for various reasons, such as the opening of the Chamber of Secrets & the Triwizard Tournament.
- Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup in 1994, 1996, and 1997, but Harry wasn’t always the hero of the day.
The Hogwarts Quidditch Cup, officially known as the Inter-House Quidditch Cup, is one of the most prestigious prizes in the Harry Potter series. Each season, all four House teams play each other once, and the Cup goes to the team with the highest culmination of points from individual games.
Unfortunately, during Harry’s time at Hogwarts, the Quidditch season did not always go ahead or was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Harry himself also missed multiple key games due to frequent stays in the Hospital Wing and a ban in his fifth year. Nevertheless, here is the winner of every Hogwarts Quidditch Cup from the years 1991 to 1998.
1 1991-1992: Ravenclaw Or Slytherin Won The Quidditch Cup
Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone
On the back of their newly found star Seeker, Gryffindor were in a great position to win the Quidditch Cup in Harry’s first season, having won their first two games. However, Harry’s heroic efforts in saving the Philosopher’s Stone meant that he was unable to compete in their final game versus Ravenclaw, in which they suffered a historic loss.
Despite finishing with a 2-1 record, their subsequent point differential meant that Gryffindor did not win the cup that year. It is unclear who did win the Quidditch House Cup in the 1991-1992 season, but it’s likely to have been Ravenclaw thanks to their massive win over Gryffindor. Slytherin could also have won it, as they did initially have the most House points, which the Quidditch Cup contributes to.
2 1992-1993: Quidditch Canceled Due To The Chamber Of Secrets
Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets
Despite the entire Slytherin team flying Nimbus 2001s at the courtesy of Lucius Malfoy, Gryffindor was able to beat them in the opening game of the 1992-1993 season. This was the game where Harry managed to catch the Golden Snitch despite a rogue Bludger, controlled by Dobby, attempting to knock him out.
However, Gryffindor was not able to continue with their bid for the title as the entire Quidditch season was canceled before their game with Hufflepuff. Given that the school was under attack from a creature within the Chamber of Secrets, it’s unsurprising that extracurricular activities were halted.
3 1993-1994: Gryffindor Won The Quidditch Cup
Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban
After missing out on the cup in the previous two years due to unfortunate circumstances, Gryffindor finally won the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup in the 1993-1994 season. They were led by Keeper and Captain Oliver Wood, who was desperate to win the cup in his final year at Hogwarts.
Of course, their victory was not without difficulties, and they actually lost their first game against Hufflepuff due to a Dementor attack which caused Harry to fall from his broom. Heading into the final game versus Slytherin, Gryffindor had to win by a margin of at least 210 points in order to win the cup. Harry caught the Golden Snitch when they were up 80-20, meaning the game finished 230-20. Unfortunately, this glorious moment for Gryffindor was not portrayed in the film adaptation.
4 1994-1995: No Quidditch Due To The Triwizard Tournament
Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire
Unfortunately, due to the Triwizard Tournament being hosted by Hogwarts, the Inter-House Quidditch Cup was canceled for the 1994-1995 season. Seeing as there are only six games played during the course of the school year and just three tasks for the Triwizard Tournament, it’s certainly a shame that time could not be made for Quidditch.
The only real overlap was the use of the Quidditch pitch for the third and final task, where it was turned into a maze. Thankfully, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire starts with the Quidditch World Cup final, and book readers are treated to the entire game.
5 1995-1996: Gryffindor Won The Quidditch Cup
Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix
The 1995-1996 Hogwarts Quidditch Cup got off to a tumultuous start, as despite Gryffindor beating Slytherin, a post-game fight would see three of Gryffindor’s players banned for life by Professor Umbridge. The three players to be banned were Fred and George Weasley, as well as Harry Potter.
Thankfully, for Gryffindor, Ginny Weasley came to the rescue, replacing Harry as Seeker and catching the Golden Snitch both times in the following two games. Her first catch ensured that they only lost to Hufflepuff by a slim margin, and her second catch brought home the championship. This was the start of Ginny Weasley’s incredible Quidditch career. Those who haven’t read the Harry Potter books might be surprised to learn that Ron Weasley made his debut as Keeper this year, and not in the following year as portrayed in the movies.
6 1996-1997: Gryffindor Won The Quidditch Cup
Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince
The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film is one of the best depictions of Quidditch on screen, as many aspects of the sport, including trials and training, were seen. For both book readers and film viewers alike, it was also a fascinating year for Quidditch, as Harry Potter was named captain.
Gryffindor won their first game, but in their second outing, Ron’s temporary replacement, Cormac McLaggen, accidentally whacked Harry with a Bludger, rendering him unconscious. This year, Ginny Weasley played as a Chaser, after previously filling in as Seeker. However, due to Harry being in detention for the last game, Ginny was once again called upon to play as Seeker and delivered by catching the Golden Snitch. Thus, Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup in the 1996-1997 season.
7 1997-1998: It Is Unknown If Quidditch Was Played This Season
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows
Seeing as Harry did not attend Hogwarts in what should have been his seventh and final year, little is known of the 1997-1998 Quidditch season. With Lord Voldemort controlling the school through Headmaster Severus Snape, it is unknown if Quidditch continued as usual or was canceled.
If the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup did take place during the events of The Deathly Hallows, it is hard to imagine anyone but Slytherin winning, as they would have received unfair favoritism. Any promising Quidditch players from other Houses would likely have found themselves banned.