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Since the posting of this report on the World Wide Web, I am surprised but gratified to learn that there is much more quidditch activity in Texas than even I expected. Following is a digest of information submitted recently by fellow seekers across the Lone Star State--and beyond. Last update: September 2004 |
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This just in from alert seeker Joe B. in Utah: Long before Harry Potter made the magic world more accessible to muggles, there were far fewer signs of the magic among us. Although about ten years ago, while walking along a field at Stanford University, I saw a group of people in robes carrying a trunk and brooms. Unfortunately, at the time, I thought they were perhaps some obscure religious sect. I know now that the trunk likely held the bludgers, quaffle, and golden snitch, and this was very likely a university quidditch team. Since California is far more liberal than much of the country, perhaps these wizards didn't feel the need to use stealth on the way to the pitch. Ms. L., who resides in the Sweetwater area, notes that the appropriately-named Fort Phantom Hill near Abilene has had more than its share of sightings of UFOs (low-flying, small craft or possibly wizards). Although not specifically Texas related, I received the following interesting information from a visitor to the site: Thanks for your wonderful and most informative presentation of Quidditch being played in Texas! I've never been in Texas, not even in the USA, but you've really convinced me here.. ;-) I live not far from the Harz Mountains myself (Germany), where I suspect some Wizard activity myself, although I cannot support this with Kennilworthy's writings. There is a mountain plateau up there officially named "Hexentanzplatz" ("dancing place of witches"). According to some rumours, witches on broomsticks(!) are seen once a year (the night to May 1st), circling around some mountains and disappearing again. Local Muggles celebrate this by dressing as witches and hopping 'round a big fire at this place, that night. Possibly the most interesting bit of email I received is the following: Dear "Seeker", It has taken me several days to figure out this Muggle invention...I believe you refer to it as a "compewter" or some such horse-hockey. How DO you Muggles communicate using these #!*@#! know-it-all machines??!! But I digress. I simply want to bring a few facts to your attention. Your cobwebsite(?) or whatever it's called fails to mention--perhaps is not aware-- that we Sweetwater All-Stars are an ALL-WITCH (ALL-GIRL) quidditch team, and we kick ass without any help from wizards. Not that we are anti-male, mind you. In fact, we pride ourselves on being glamorous and feminine when the occasion calls for it, then transitioning with ease to bludger-beating babes during a fierce match.We do, however, frequently allow aspiring young male players to train with us. This explains the fella who was spotted by your eye-witness in our "extreme quidditch gauntlet". (Those young wizards...always taking chances on being spotted!!) You see, there are precious few world class teams in this area, or even in the state...although you were correct in assuming that some other minor league teams exist. On the whole, I was quite impressed by the amount of information you have gathered about our world. You non-magic folks can be downright sharp sometimes!!! In writing ("e-owling" I think it's called) to you I am risking ostracism by the wizarding community for consorting with Muggles. However, I felt it necessary to enlighten you. We are a women's team--a fact we are quite proud of considering our numerous victories against all-wizard teams (though we have had isolated haversacking and/or blagging issues in the past, but hey...who hasn't??). We are also proud to be native Texans, as you surmised, not "European imports". That Potter kid may have brought attention to Euro-witchcraft, but there is magic EVERYWHERE. Trust me. Sincerely, An Anonymous Chaser (P.S. This is not a gag letter, and I urge you to take it seriously. I also urge you to keep your nose out of our training area from now on!) MOST revealing! I replied to this letter by stating that the Whisp canon does not elaborate on the predominant gender of the All-Stars and requested empirical evidence of her claim (a standard muggle digital photo would suffice). Until this letter is proven to be a hoax, I will continue to use the term "wizards" as a general term to describe the members of the All-Stars team, male or female. In the interest of muggle-wizard relations, this "Anonymous Chaser" is warmly invited to put her galleons where her mouth is and to break the wall of secrecy between us. We will all be enriched for it. |
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