Something a little out of the ordinary was happening at Millbrook School last weekend as fantasy fiction became fact on Millbrook's campus during our very first Quidditch match.

If you're a fan of the Harry Potter novels or movies, then surely you are familiar with the game of quidditch, a magical sport played on broomsticks with the combined skills of hockey, football, soccer, paintball, and tennis. One of the newest members of our faculty, Mr. Jeff King, is very familiar with the game and was inspired to organize and referee a match for our quidditch fans on campus.

Two teams of 7 players each - two beaters, three chasers, a keeper and a seeker - competed in this fast-paced game. Three chasers on each team scored points by tossing quaffles (balls) through hoops while opposing beaters used bludgers (dodgeballs) to knock the chasers off their broomsticks. Meanwhile, one seeker from each team pursued the ultimate goal - to catch the golden snitch, the fleet-footed Greg King, brother of our referee.

The esteemed Dumbledore (who bore a slight resemblance to Mr. Casertano) threw out the first quaffle, and then through four quarters of play, the chasers battled on the Quidditch field while the seekers strategized on the best way to catch the quick and nimble snitch. In the end, the Tiggaliars were triumphant as they scored 350 points to Prumbledore's 290, although everyone left the field feeling like a supreme winner.