Why I Like Oliver Wood - I know, gold and scarlet, kind of shocking at first... Anyway, to the essay. You see, I like Oliver Wood because, basically, he's insane. When he likes something, he not only likes it, but he loves it. Quidditch, his favorite pastime, is favored by him so much, that his love is to the point of an obsession. Oliver eats, sleeps, and breathes Quidditch. He practically is Quidditch. For all I know, he could be a robot that was created solely for the purpose of promoting the game of Quidditch.

In the first book, Oliver Wood is first introduced after Harry catches Neville's remembrall at their first flying lesson. Having witnessing his amazing abilities, Professor McGonagall takes him to meet the Gryffindor House Team Captain, Oliver Wood. When Oliver finds out that he is going to be blessed with a new seeker, he is overwhelmed with joy at the prospect of having a chance at the Quidditch Cup. Unfortunately, Harry is incapacitated during the Quidditch finals in the first book, and the match is called off in the second book.

By the third book, Oliver is in his seventh and final year at Hogwarts, and subtly mentions that he wants to win the Quidditch Cup before he leaves school. ("This is our last chance - my last chance - to win the Quidditch Cup," he told them, striding up and down in front of them. "I'll be leaving at the end of this year. I'll never get another shot at it.

"Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now. Okay, so we've had the worst luck in the world - injuries - then the tournament getting called off last year...." Wood swallowed, as though the memory still brought a lump to his throat. "But we also know we've got the best - ruddy - team - in - the - school," he said, punching his fist into his other hand, the old manic glint back in his eye.... ::time lapse::

"The point is," Wood went on, resuming his pacing, "the Quidditch Cup should have had our name on it these last two years. Ever since Harry joined the team, I've thought the thing was in the bag. But we haven't got it, and this year's the last chance we'll finally get to see our name on the thing...." Wood spoke so dejectedly that even Fred and George looked synpathetic.)

Well, this burly seventh year certainly has faith in his teammates, and he is all about team work. If the team doesn't work together, then you might as well stick your broomsticks up your- Well, now's not the time for that.

He may be a 2D character, but maybe not. He was probably raised in a Quidditch-loving family, and usually has a determined or optimistic outlook on the things going on around him. The only time I can remember this not being the case is in Book 3 on page 180. ("Where is Wood?" said Harry, suddenly realizing he wasn't there.

"Still in the showers," said Fred. "We think he's trying to drown himself.") Maybe he was washing all the imaginary filth off himself, sitting in a heap on the floor of the shower, all his clothes on, soaking wet with the water on full blast, crying and holding a bar of soap, scrubbing himself and muttering, "Must... get... the dirt off!! So dirty!!!" Well, at least, that's the mental image I get whenever I read that scene. But, he eventually picks himself up, and they win the Quidditch Cup! Huzzah! (Then Wood was speeding toward him, half-blinded by tears; he seized Harry around the neck and sobbed unrestrainedly into his shoulder.) Now, that is what I call a sensitive man. Not afraid to cry when he's unbearbly happy, and ready to wet his pants with joy. Full of determination, and with that manic glint in his eye (can't go wrong with that) who could not like Oliver Wood? Especially with a name like that! (Wood... heehee!) After all, if nothing else, he is the perfect Quidditch-obsessed sex slave man whore!