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(Patricia) Passing & Failing
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 05-27-18 01:38
Patricia was waiting at the Great Hall entrance. Sophie and Caleb were inside, as well as many other students, ready to take their apparition test. The double doors would open here and there as the students left. Some shouted in joy, or smiled, because they had passed the test and had obtained their apparition license, while others not so lucky walked away in dismay.
Sophie left the Great Hall with a wide smile, as she headed towards her sister.
"I did it! I passed! I was so afraid I would splinch at the last moment..."
"Congratulations!"
"I must send a quick letter to Jasper and then get ready for the match."
Hufflepuff was playing against Slytherin later. Sophie was sad Jasper wasn't able to come today to the school, but on the other hand she was glad. He kept insisting she should drop the team next year, that he did not want her to suffer any serious accident. It was very sweet of him, but she would feel quite sad if she stopped playing Quidditch since it was something she really loved to do.
Sophie said goodbye to Patricia, forgetting Caleb was still inside. After almost half an hour he finally left. He had his head down.
"I failed," he told Patricia in a low voice.
"Oh Caleb, I'm sorry. But don't worry, you'll be able to repeat the test in the summer, right?"
"Yes, but that is not the point. I have never failed before, or had a bad mark in my life."
He explained to Patricia that he failed because of a lock of hair, that was left behind. He was very frustrated. Unlike school subjects he felt that apparition being something more practical and physical was not something he could study and domain well. He had read several books about apparition from the library but they haven't been very helpful. He told Patricia that he witnessed some students who were not that good in classes gaining their apparition license today with ease. His pride had been hurt.
"I have an idea: do you want to skip the match, and just hang out in the common room? Eileen will be at the pitch, as almost everyone else."
Caleb smiled, ready for a made out session with Patricia. Lately he noticed their relationship had become more intimate and physically . They used to just hold hands, and share a kiss or two. But now they would meet in broomstick closets, or stay up late in the common room on Friday and Saturday nights, and make out in one of the sofas of the Ravenclaw tower. He was even toying with the idea of taking Patricia to his dorm room and close the bed's curtains to get even more privacy. This jump in their relationship had been possible because Sophie was really into Jasper to notice anything else. Caleb had not meet Jasper yet, but he was starting to be a bit preoccupied with Sophie. The other day at breakfast she mentioned leaving the Quidditch team next year, all because Jasper asked her.
He tried not to think about that for now, and focus only in Patricia.
"That sounds good. Let's go."
They almost run upstairs, against the flow of students who went in a different direction towards the Quidditch pitch.
(Sadie) Assistant Coach
Author: Griet
Date: 05-27-18 12:57
The players and various staff associated with the Salisbury Snakes filed into Comet Arena to play against the Ballycastle Bats. Included in the entourage was Sadie, who had joined the coaching staff after nearly nine months of job searching. Sadie had put in a ton of applications, both with the British and Irish Quidditch League and abroad. She'd landed a few interviews but had accepted the first offer she'd gotten: assistant coach for the Salisbury Snakes. Sadie couldn't be happier.
Prior to earning the coveted position, Sadie had gotten a part-time job in the ticket office at the Museum of Quidditch. Although grateful for the opportunity of employment in a related field of interest, Sadie had wanted to coach Quidditch ever since leaving Hogwarts. Now her dream was finally coming true.
The Salisbury Snakes was a mature team. A good number of the players had been there since the get-go, including captain and chaser Aveline Boggs. The rather morbid joke was that nobody ever got traded or simply retired, because all previous team members had left due to serious injury, death, or imprisonment.
The first and most famously to leave was Isolde Farnon (now Fine), whose broom had gotten cursed by a jealous teammate. Frieda Fenford was in Azkaban for that attack and the murder of Finn Quigley. Husband and wife Ambrosius and Alexa Weatherford had exited the team on the same day after falling off their broomsticks, the former after getting knocked into a goal hoop and the latter after taking a bludger to the head. The pair made a speedy recovery and were now busy raising their growing family.
Sadie hoped that if she ever left the team, then it would be to take on a position as head coach somewhere else. She knew she had a way to go before she had enough experience to take charge, though. Besides, she was just happy to be in her new role.
She used her wand to lower an ice chest to the locker room floor and then began passing out water bottles to the different players, which included a few newer faces, including Beatrice Collier who had played at St. Emrys, keeper Rhea Flint, and Australian Layla McKenna, who was an alternate beater for the team.
Eventually, coach Fulbert Hannigan got everybody's attention and began going over a playbook, which would hopefully help the Snakes beat the Bats, who were favored to win because they were a very good team with the added advantage of playing at home.
Fund Raiser Discussion
Author: S Snape
Date: 05-27-18 17:44
Severus turns his wrist as if looking at a wrist watch. "How long will this take?"
"We've not even begun. Why the rush?" Veronica asks with a hint of exasperation.
"As I have already explained, Slytherin has a Quidditch match today."
"Yes, but not for a bit yet, no?"
"Might not be for a bit yet as you put it but if this takes long then time will become an issue. I will not miss the start of a Slytherin match to help pick food for yet another Knights Walpurgis fund raiser."
Veronica's eyebrows go up. "Do I detect disdain for a good cause?"
"What good cause? Putting money in the Knights' coffers?"
"You know good and well where the money for this next fund raiser will go, Severus," Veronica chides.
"All of it?"
"What are you implying?"
"Not all the funds raised go to your latest favorite."
"Most does. That which does not goes toward paying for the fund raising event, such as the caterer's fee."
"Here I was under the impression that is why there are membership dues."
"That is why but these events are more costly than you realize."
"Then perhaps stop throwing such lavish ones so often."
"There is nothing wrong with a charitable organization withholding a certain percentage of donations for overhead. I'm getting the impression you no longer wish to be part of the Knights."
"That's not it at all. I'm merely questioning the accounting practices. I also do not understand why every fund raiser has been for a different group or cause."
"We are trying to help as many as we can."
"Wouldn't a better practice be to pick one or two for a given year rather?"
"You think that would be better?"
"I do."
"I'll give your suggestion some thought and run it by others."
Further conversation on the subject is put on hold. Phlagmelina Hodfuffer enters the small room where they are to select food for the fund raiser from the Crown & Cauldron's catering menu. Mindful of the time, Severus is eager to get this over with, vowing never to let Veronica push him to be on the food committee for any other parties the Knights give while he is a member.
Gerry and Will sat in a corner of the Commons and snacked on giant chocolate chip cookies, never mind the fact that they'd just eaten a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, grits, and maple-smoked bacon in the Great Hall. Both were planning on attending the Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Slytherin later, where they would no doubt gorge themselves on tasty eats from the concession stand. What could say they? They were growing boys with a healthy appetite for food.
While they stuffed themselves with sweets, they perused a book they'd found in the library called Mind Control: How Obliviation Works. Gerry had wondered if the book belonged in the restricted section and had somehow made it to the general stacks. He'd found it wedged between books on common jinxes.
Gerry and Will knew that they weren't skilled enough to modify somebody's memories. For all they knew, they couldn't even obliviate somebody, but they sure as heck wanted to try, and they already had a target in mind.
Kaycee had just entered the Commons and went up to the bar to get a smoothie from one of the house-elves on duty. She was half-dressed in her Quidditch gear.
Gerry exchanged a grin with Will and re-read the spellwork needed to successful erase somebody's memories. Then, he passed the book to Will, put down his half-eaten cookie, wiped the crumbs from his mouth, and got up with his wand partially concealed in the front pocket of his jeans.
Gerry cast a look around the room, but nobody but Will was paying him any mind. Kaycee had her back to him and certainly hadn't noticed him when she came into the room, or she'd have intentionally sat where she could see him or not stuck around to see what he might do. She leaned over the bar counter with the end of a thick orange straw in her mouth. Her smoothie appeared to be strawberry-flavored.
Gerry got as close to Kaycee as he could without her sensing somebody behind him. He carefully withdrew his wand and muttered the incantation. Kaycee heard him and sat ramrod straight on her barstool. Gerry hastily stuck the wand back in his pocket and then came up beside her to address the house-elf.
"Can I have what she's having?"
He chanced a look at her then. Kaycee was staring blankly ahead, but then she shook herself out of her stupor and leaned back over the counter to continue drinking her smoothie. After a while, she flicked her eyes in his direction, but her face was completely expressionless. Gerry had the uneasy feeling that she was messing with him, but he really couldn't be sure and wasn't about to test her.
He accepted his smoothie from the house-elf and went back over to where Will sat.
"Well?" Will asked.
"I'm not sure it worked, but I guess we'll soon find out."
Will grinned. "The Quidditch match ought to be interesting."
Gerry grinned back. "Definitely!"
Active Crime Scene
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 05-29-18 17:57
The officer at the door jerks her head. "Through there."
"Who found him?"
"The wife."
"You were the first to arrive?"
She nods. "Got here first and after seeing," she makes a face. "You'll see for yourself what's there. After seeing the scene I immediately backed out, secured the scene, and sent for back-up."
"Where is she?"
"Neighbor's. She's hysterical so I also sent for a healer."
"Good thinking."
"Want me to walk you through from when I arrived?"
"Give me a few minutes and then we'll go over your movements step-by-step."
She nods again. "I'll be right here when you're ready."
Harry takes a deep breath, bracing himself for what he's about to see. Careful not to touch anything, he enters through the open door. Working cold cases he no longer regularly works a weekend shift unless a lead on one of those cases requires time on a Saturday or a Sunday. This crime scene, this entire house, is now part of an active investigation but there are ties to several of his cold cases.
Standing now at the entrance to the sitting room, Harry takes in the scene. Zeke Clarkly hangs magically suspended over a smashed coffee table. Clarkly's arms are extended making him appear he's on a cross. His blackened tongue hangs from his mouth. His eyes had large X's cut across them. His nose is only discernible as having once been a nose because of its location on the face.
There is an odd appearance at Clarkly's neck. Harry, still at the doorway, squints in an effort to better see what looks so off when Auror Damien Freeman tells him, "Garrote. It's deeply embedded."
Harry knows that though it appears the garrote is the cause of death, until an official autopsy is done, that's just supposition.
"If he was strangled, all this other seems overkill," Damien says.
All this other goes beyond what was done to Clarkly's face. Hands and feet are mangled. Bowels have been pulled through a gash in the stomach. The torso, front and back, has multiple slashes, some of which look like they could be symbols of some sort. There are other things off about the body that suggest other bones broken.
Harry, having entered the sitting room and performed a three hundred and sixty degree assessment of the body, takes another deep breath. "Bloody hell."
"He's part of a case you're working, right?"
"Several cases. Prime suspect in a number of murders. This puts a serious crimp into things."
"I'd say better you than I but as I caught this case looks like we're in this together."
"Looks like."
They move from the sitting room to allow the crime scene witches and wizards to do their magic, including figuring out how to break the spell to get Clarkly down. Harry tells Damien, "When you're ready, I'll sit down with you and go over these other cases."
"Something for this evening or tomorrow. For now, how about we go question the widow?"
"Edantha Clarkly."
They speak to the witch at the door, telling her that once the crime scene crew are finished they'll do that walk-through. As Damien and he walk to the neighbor's, Harry is doing a quick mental inventory of others in those cold case files who might do something so horrific to Zeke Clarkly.
Last Regular Season Match
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 05-30-18 17:47
Viktor sets down the trunk of balls. Today's match between Hufflepuff and Slytherin is the last of the regular matches. Once the outcome of this game is known the two teams playing for the championship will be known. At the moment, Ravenclaw leads in match points but depending on how well things go today for the teams, Ravenclaw could get knocked out of contention. Sadly for Gryffindor, both Slytherin and Hufflepuff have more points even without today's tally added in.
Marjani appears beside Viktor so suddenly if he hadn't known better he'd have thought she'd apparated. "Hi, ready to get this going?" she asks.
"As if you have to ask," he chuckles.
"Any thoughts on who will win?"
"Both are good teams and unless one team is having a bad day either could take it."
"Diplomatic answer."
Viktor chuckles again as they turn their attention to where the players will emerge. The student announcing this match is ready to introduce the players. First out is Slytherin: captain Malden McGonagall, co-captain Asher Kent, Douglas Dippet, Charlotte Stratford, Sylvestor Trainor, Belinda McCourt, and Maurice Kilman.
After each makes a lap around the pitch the Hufflepuff team flies out to join them: co-captain Sophie McCourt, captain Duncan Dippet, Tessa Filby, Rex Applewhite, Conrad Ellis, Kaycee Sickleby, and Cornington Marchbanks.
As happens with almost every Quidditch match the world over the two captains shake hands and are reminded to play a clean game. Marjani as assistant referee takes to the air alongside the players. Viktor releases the four balls, watching the initial chaser fight for first possession of the quaffle as he flies up to join them.
First Minutes Of The Match
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 05-31-18 18:01
Pedro Garcia cuts a sidewise look at Leo. "Try not to look so bloody happy."
Leo, not taking his eyes off the skirmish between his brother Cornington and Malden McGonagall to be first to get the quaffle, shrugs at his friend. "I can't help that I'm not happy with Gryffindor's standing."
"Maybe no one today will play very well and Gryffindor will end up in the championship."
Grimacing when Cornington loses out not to Malden but to Belinda McCourt for the quaffle, Leo shakes his head. "We have no chance unless Coach Krum or someone like McGonagall or Flitwick decides points from another match don't count. Gryffindor is in last place even with Hufflepuff and Slytherin only having two games tallied so far."
"Right. I forgot." Pedro lifts one shoulder and sighs. "Maybe next year."
"Last one for us unless you fail."
Pedro laughs. "I may not be the best student but if I fail this year or next I think I'd have to go into hiding because Mum would kill me."
Leo suddenly whoops as Duncan Dippet steals the quaffle from Charlotte Stratford who'd just caught a pass from Malden.
Cornington speeds up, coming around Duncan to assist him by using the bristles of his broom to deflect a bludger sent by Douglas Dippet, Duncan's brother. The bludger hits harder than he's expecting but, thank Merlin, it doesn't do any damage to his broom. The black ball angles off with Tessa Filby approaching it to bat it, though Cornington doesn't know who she'll target.
Duncan is approaching Maurice Kilman but with Malden and Belinda now both on top of him, Duncan drops a pass to Cornington, who has to reach over his head to caught the dropped ball. As soon as he has a grip on it, Cornington lets the quaffle fly, sending it hurling to the hoop on Maurice's right.
Aided by a bludger courtesy of Conrad Ellis, Maurice is slow getting to the quaffle. His fingers brush it but he can't get any traction on the red ball to do anything more than watch it continue past and through the ring.
In the stands Leo whoops again as the goal is announced. "Marchbanks scores! Hufflepuff leads Slytherin 10 points to 0!"
Malden puts the ball back into action with a toss to Charlotte. She then throws to Belinda who rapidly accelerates down the pitch. Charlotte and Malden catch up with Belinda and the three Slytherin chasers do a series of quick passes with the quaffle, working it down the pitch towards Rex Applewhite.
They're almost there when Cornington thinks he's got the steal in a pass between Belinda and Charlotte only to catch a bludger to his shoulder. He's not certain but he thinks Asher Kent sent it along.
It's Charlotte with the quaffle when Slytherin gets within a good range to try for its first goal of the match.
Sunny and Bright
Author: Ellis
Date: 06-01-18 07:01
Conrad wished he could wear sunglasses while playing Quidditch. The sun was incredibly bright, and the intensity hurt his eyes a little bit. Someone ought to design Quidditch goggles with tinted lenses or lenses that change depending on how bright or dim it was. Maybe if there's another Scholastic Aptitude Tournament while he's still at Hogwarts, then he might go for the Invention & Design Competition and come up with such a product himself!
He cast a quick glance into the stands, squinting because of the brightness, and caught sight of his younger brother Franklin sitting with Alys and Blakeney. The twins were no where to be found. Either they were sitting elsewhere, or they weren't even at the match.
Blakeney was dressed in Hufflepuff gear. Alys wore a plain black T-shirt over jeans, the closest a Ravenclaw might come to sporting Hufflepuff colors. Franklin, who everyone suspected would get sorted into Ravenclaw because of his bookish nature, also wore a black T-shirt, though there was a yellow horizontal stripe across the front. Alys' Hufflepuff friend Chip also sat with the group.
It was nice to see his family supporting him. Franklin had gotten dropped off at the gates of Hogwarts in time for the match. It was Alys' job to see him back there after the match ended. Conrad guessed it was their dad who'd done the dropping off and would do the pick-up when the time came.
Right now Charlotte had the quaffle, and she was steadily drawing nearer to the Hufflepuff goal hoops. Conrad raced to deflect Asher's bludger, which he thought was intended for Rex. He got to it in time but wasn't in a good position to use it against Charlotte, so he batted it to Tessa. Tessa aimed it perfectly at Charlotte, but her timing was a second too late. Charlotte managed to launch the quaffle at one of the goals.
Rex threw himself at it for the block, but the second bludger came at him from the side and forced him back out of an uncontrollable instinct to not get hurt. Charlotte took the bludger to the shoulder blade, but right before the quaffle sailed through the hoop, making the score an even 10-10.
With a frown, Rex retrieved the quaffle and handed it to Duncan. Conrad wasted no time in determining the best way to utilize a bludger to Hufflepuff's advantage, targeting Charlotte once again.
Kaycee - Delayed Reaction
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 06-01-18 11:48
Kaycee never ate a big breakfast before a Quidditch match because she worried about feeling too full or sluggish, not to mention she didn't want to upchuck in front of the whole school. Bad enough that she'd peed herself during her first year, no thanks to Gerry and Will. She didn't want a reputation of expelling various bodily fluids in public.
So while the Apparition Testing went on, Kaycee went to the Commons to get herself a smoothie. Real fruit smoothies were not only delicious, but they did the job of filling her up, at least long enough to get through a normal-length match. If this one ended up taking all day or even longer like professional matches sometimes did, then she'd definitely regret her meal choice.
So far, so good. The match was tied 10-10, which wasn't the outcome Kaycee wanted, but it was better than losing.
Duncan had the quaffle, but Charlotte was very close on his tail. Conrad was on the spot to unseat Charlotte, but rather than take another bludger hit, Douglas intercepted the black ball and redirected it at Duncan. Duncan searched for an opening and locked eyes with Kaycee. Kaycee indicated that she was open. Duncan threw the ball at her, wincing when it was narrowly caught by Malden, and then wincing even more when his brother's bludger caught him in the arm.
Sometime before the quaffle reached her, Kaycee's mind wandered. She had the distinct feeling that she had forgotten to do something, or perhaps she was supposed to be somewhere else in that very moment. Her arms fell to her sides, and then the quaffle smacked her in the chest. It bounced off her, and Malden recovered it before it could fall to the ground.
Duncan shot her a dirty look for a Hufflepuff. "What are you doing?" he shouted.
Kaycee shook her head, and then watched as he tore after Malden. Kaycee hovered in place for a long moment and then trailed after the group, unaware that Gerry's spell was starting to take effect and would make her more and more forgetful as the day wore on.
(Malden) Goals
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 06-01-18 15:05
Racing for the Hufflepuff goal hoops, Malden eyed Belinda up ahead of him and pitched the quaffle in her direction. She caught it without much effort and continued to hurry towards the hoops guarded by Rex. She came at him quickly and let the quaffle fly, but he managed to knock it back with his hand. Belinda swept up the quaffle again and feigned another goal attempt, but at the last second she threw the ball to Malden, who had caught up to her.
Malden attempted a goal, and though Rex realized the ploy a second after Belinda changed tactics, he was still too slow to stop Malden from scoring.
"McGonagall scores for Slytherin! The score is now 20-10!" announced the Quidditch commentator.
Malden looked smug but immediately got back down to business. He went in pursuit of Cornington, who had the quaffle now. Cornington soon found himself flanked by Malden on one side and Charlotte on the other. He debated how to free himself of the quaffle without giving it up to the other team, but Duncan wasn't in a good position and though Kaycee was, she seemed mightily distracted at the moment.
Malden reached out to knock his hand against the quaffle and almost got his fingers on it, but Cornington quickly switched the ball to his other arm. In the brief moment it wasn't secure against his side, Charlotte swiped out her arm and managed to knock the ball loose. Cornington tried to re-secure his hold on it, but Charlotte batted at it again and it fell from his grasp completely.
She and Malden dove, and Cornington quickly did too. Charlotte captured the ball and immediately threw it to Belinda. Belinda zoomed toward Rex again, who eyed the onslaught warily. He'd already let two goals get passed him. He'd feel really bad if Slytherin scored again so quickly after the previous goal.
Belinda aimed for a hoop, but Rex easily blocked it. The ball ricocheted off his hand and back into Belinda's arms. She tried the same tactic as before, pretending to attempt a goal only to pass to Malden, but Rex anticipated the trick much sooner this time. He blocked Malden's goal attempt too.
Malden caught the rebound and grunted when a bludger struck him just above his tail bone. He managed to keep his hold on the ball somehow and threw it the same time the second bludger targeted Rex. Rex took the bludger just below his left shoulder, causing him to withdraw the arm he was trying to use to block Malden's goal attempt. The ball hit rim but still went through the hoops.
Now Slytherin was in the lead 30-10.
Injuries
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 06-02-18 06:49
Belinda was very pleased that Slytherin was winning 30 to 10. The only thing she regretted was that she hasn't scored a goal herself just yet.
The match proceeded, as Rex passed the quaffle to Cornington. He gained some altitude and speed, trying to get as much distance as he could from the Slytherin chasers. Cornington zig zagged, once he spotted that Charlotte was right behind him. She didn't got confused by his movements, however as soon as she was about to reach Cornington he dropped the quaffle. The red ball descended a couple of meters, and landed on Kaycee's hands.
Belinda went after Kaycee, but she wasn't able to steal her the quaffle like she planned, because suddenly Kaycee pulled her broom back, stopping her trajectory completely. Not predicting such strange move, Belinda kept flying ahead. She forced herself to change direction, in order to reach Kaycee again. But Kaycee had already passed the quaffle to Duncan who had called her name, asking for the quaffle.
The Hufflepuff team captain did not stop until he reached the hoops guarded by Maurice. He raised his arm, and shot the quaffle towards the central hoop. Maurice denied Duncan the goal that would reduce Slyhterin's advantage. He offered the quaffle to Malden. Malden passed it to Charlotte and she made a quick pass to Belinda, because she was being harassed by Cornington, who bumped against her, trying to steal her the red ball. Belinda speeded up and then passed the quaffle back at Charlotte, who was able to get rid of Cornington, when he was hit on his shoulder by a quaffle sent by Asher.
The Slytherin chasers were now again closer to Rex's hoops. Charlotte offered the quaffle to Malden, but it was stolen in the air by Kaycee. She then threw it to Duncan, but he was not able to do much with it, because his brother Douglas aimed a bludger at him. In order to dodge the bludger, Duncan needed both hands on his broomstick, so he was forced to give up the quaffle. Belinda saw a window of opportunity and caught the quaffle. She raised her arm, ready to shot. Unfortunately, the bludger Douglas had sent had been redirected to herself by Tessa.
Belinda felt the sting of pain as the bludger hit her arm. The quaffle slipped from her hand, and her goal attempt turned into an easy defense to Rex. She glanced at Tessa with fury. She had ruined her chance to score a goal!
Sophie, meanwhile, was relieved that her sister did not increase Slytherin's advantage. She hoped that at the end of the match Hufflepruff would be able to guarantee its presence at the Championship match. If that didn't happen, this might be her very last match, if she did what Jasper asked and dropped the team next year. She knew he was looking after her, and that was very sweet of him, and he had a point in considering it a violent sport. Yet, she loved it.
She put all her heart and mind on the match, searching for the snitch. So far neither she or Sylvestor had spotted it and there haven't been any false sightings as well. It was being a very atypical match, because everything was so calm. The day was very pleasant, and it almost felt like the two seekers were flying around in peace while below them a real battle was taking place. Not even a bludger had bothered them so far.
Things changed after Belinda had tried to score and Rex continued the match by passing the quaffle to Duncan. Sophie spotted the snitch, right on the other side of the pitch near Maurice. He had seen it too, because he started to wave his arm and call Sylvestor. His movements drove the golden ball away. But Sophie had her eyes on it, and so did Sylvestor, as he had been warned by his team's keeper. The snitch spiraled around the left hoop, going down the pole. The two seekers flew very fast, eager to be the first to catch the snitch. Sophie felt she had a little advantage over Sylvestor because she had spotted the golden ball first, moments before Maurice's warnings.
The snitch kept spiraling down the metal pole. Sophie turned right, Sylvestor left. It was a risky move but both seekers were bold and wanted to touch the snitch first, granting their house a victory. Unfortunately their efforts did not compensate: both failed to catch the snitch, ending up hitting each other, with the pole in the middle. The small golden ball happily flied away, leaving both seekers in a bad shape, but not bad enough to stop playing.
Unfortunately, after the shock, Sophie lost track of the snitch. She noticed a small bleeding in her forehead, but it was not a deep cut. She signed Coach Krum declaring she was capable of keep going. She was glad Jasper was not here today, to see her bloodstained robes and injured head.
Trailing Slytherin (Rex)
Author: Saffron
Date: 06-02-18 17:42
Just about the time Rex thinks Hufflepuff is going to either score again or try to do so, Charlotte steals the quaffle when a bludger dislodges it from Cornington's grasp. Kaycee could have gotten it, or so it seemed to Rex, but she seems to be having a very off match.
Charlotte zooms back toward Rex, quaffle tightly held, dodging a bludger from Tessa. She still has the ball when all the chasers - all that is but Kaycee who is on her way but flying somewhat leisurely as if she's sightseeing - reach the end of the pitch where, to his annoyance, Rex has allowed the quaffle by him three time. This is too important a match to allow Slytherin to run up the score! Hufflepuff trails Slytherin in total match points so his team not only needs to win but win big or if losing, lose big.
Charlotte darts in close to Rex but to his surprise instead trying for a goal she throws the quaffle to Malden who promptly lobs it at a hoop. Rex throws himself at the quaffle, gripping his broom tightly so he doesn't launch himself off it in his haste to get to the ball. He palms the quaffle with the flat one a hand, batting it back into play. Duncan almost has it but a bludger smashes his hand hard enough he instinctively snatches his hand back before he has a grip on the quaffle.
Belinda snatches up the red ball before Duncan can try again. She maneuvers her broom for a better shot at a hoop, her face pinched in concentration. Rex has the block, or so he thinks, until a bludger connects with his broom. The collision has just enough force that his body jerks, which in turn has his hand flying up past the quaffle, allowing it to sail right by.
Belinda's expression changes to one of joy as Slytherin's fourth goal is announced, "Belinda McCourt brings the score to 40 Slytherin, 10 Hufflepuff!"
Retrieving the quaffle with a groan, Rex hands it off to Cornington, hoping this time his team will make it down to where Maurice awaits and put more points on the scoreboard for Hufflepuff.
(Tessa) Determination
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-03-18 08:24
There were many reasons why Tessa wanted to win the match against Slytherin, but the biggest reason was because Kate and Mark were in the stands not far from where her friends were seated. Kate was a former Hufflepuff, while Mark was a former Slytherin and also former member of the Quidditch team. Tessa wanted to win for Kate, so that Mark couldn't tease her about a loss against his old house team.
Unfortunately, things didn't seem to be going very well for Hufflepuff. The Badgers were down by thirty points, various players had small injuries, and Kaycee seemed to have her head in the clouds, which could have been literal except for the fact there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
Tessa was bound and determined to change things. She flew between Asher and Cornington, who still had possession of the quaffle, and redirected Asher's bludger against Charlotte. Charlotte was trying to block Cornington's path and took the bludger smack-dab in her bottom. If not for the seriousness of the situation, Tessa might have laughed.
Fortunately, the hit wasn't so violent to knock Charlotte off her broomstick. The young Slytherin looked behind her at the culprit, and her face was red with fury rather than embarrassment. Tessa might have to watch her back later, but she wasn't worried about Charlotte at the moment.
Cornington threw the ball at Duncan, who debated half a second about whether to pass the quaffle to Kaycee, but he changed his mind rightfully so and pulled the ball snugly to his side. Tessa urged her broomstick faster to intercept a bludger courtesy of Douglas. She got to it before it could hit Duncan and then aimed it at Maurice so that Duncan could have a chance at scoring.
Maurice wavered for the briefest of moments, debating whether to take the hit or see if one of his beaters could defend him, but neither Asher nor Douglas could fly faster than the bludger right then. Maurice hesitated too long and took the hit in the shoulder while simultaneously trying to block Duncan's goal attempt. He managed to get his fingertips on the ball, but the slight touch wasn't enough to stop the quaffle from entering the hoop.
Duncan scored, bringing the score to 40-20, with Slytherin still leading.
Maybe Mean But Not A Bad Person (Doug and Duncan)
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 06-03-18 09:52
Duncan wishes he knew what was up with Kaycee. He doesn't have to ask to know the others on their team feel the same way. Douglas, on the other hand, doesn't mind at all. Hufflepuff playing with the equivalent of two chasers helps Slytherin. Doug is not a mean person but he is highly competitive and he can't help that he enjoys batting bludgers, sending them to smash into opposing players. Okay, so maybe that is mean but, overall, he doesn't think he's a bad person.
Coming up on one of those bludgers he so enjoys batting, Doug does what amounts to a tap to guide the ball to change direction. Once he's accomplished that, he smacks it a good one, sending it in the direction of Cornington, who is harassing Malden, the current quaffle holder.
The bludger clips the Hufflepuff chaser across the knee but it's not even enough to slow him. Doug frowns in chagrin, racing after the bludger only to be forced to pull up to give way to Conrad. Doug wonders if Conrad likes playing beater as part of getting rid of any frustration he has over having all those sisters and brothers. Doug only has three and that's too many sometimes. It wasn't so bad with only one, Duncan, but then Deborah came along. About the time he was certain his parents were done adding to the family, they just had to go and have another girl, Dierdre. Having little sisters isn't all bad but do they have to keep getting into his things and trailing along after him when he's home?
Conrad's hit is, not surprisingly, aimed at Malden. It reaches Malden before Doug can intercept and redirect. The bludger slaps into Malden's arm but not before he's passed the quaffle to Charlotte. Charlotte jets away, swerving around Kaycee who reaches out to steal the quaffle from Charlotte's grasp but only well after Charlotte has gone by.
Duncan wishes that Kaycee had said something before the match this morning about not feeling right. They could have done a hasty substitution. He's not sure who that would have been but surely they could have come up with one person last minute willing to play chaser for a match. He hates to have such an uncharitable thought but perhaps it would be best for all if either Asher or Douglas took Kaycee out of the match with a well placed bludger.
Duncan sprints after Charlotte only to be forced to slack up a little when Belinda cuts in front of him. If he goes left, Belinda goes left. If Duncan goes right, Belinda goes right. Duncan tries flying up and over but he'd swear Belinda is using mirrors to check behind her because as soon as he starts climbing, Belinda directs her broom up as well, keeping him from getting around her and catching up to Charlotte.
Malden moves into a good position for Charlotte to pass to him Cornington ruins the plan by darting in for an interception. He can't fully get his hands on the quaffle, sending it into freefall. Belinda abandons her efforts to keep Duncan back by peeling away, speeding for the quaffle. Duncan goes after it too as do Charlotte, Malden, and Cornington.
Duncan can't help but grimace when it's Malden who gains possession of the red ball. He also notices that Kaycee is only just now making her way to where the quaffle had been in freefall. Shaking his head, he goes after Malden in hopes of getting the quaffle before Slytherin is able to score again.
(Charlotte) Seeing Red
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 06-03-18 10:32
Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief when Malden recaptured the quaffle instead of one of the Hufflepuff chasers. He zoomed quickly toward the Hufflepuff hoops guarded by Rex with Duncan and Cornington doing their very best to catch up to him. Kaycee flew lazily along and didn't seem to be much of a threat, which suited Charlotte just fine.
Charlotte was pleased that Slytherin was in the lead, but she was also extremely irritated. Her behind stung from the recent bludger hit, and though the location of the hit was a bit embarassing, especially knowing that her dad and little brothers were in attendance at the match and had witnessed it, she saw red more than anything. How dare that Puffball aim a bludger at her butt!
Feeling angry made Charlotte all the more eager to play hard and nasty. She hurried to catch up to the other chasers, and though she needn't have worried about Kaycee, Charlotte flew so closely to her as she went by that she accidentally-on-purpose kicked her in the shin. Kaycee's exclamation of "Ow!" brought an evil grin to Charlotte's face.
Malden got within scoring range before Duncan and Cornington could get to him. He shot for the left-most hoop, but Rex knocked the quaffle back with his fist. Malden caught the rebound, but by now, the two Hufflepuff chasers were there and trying their hardest to disrupt his next attempt or better yet, steal the quaffle.
Duncan managed the latter the moment Malden threw the ball. His hand reached out and snatched the quaffle before it could continue its trajectory to the middle hoop. Duncan turned around abruptly and passed the quaffle to Cornington. Charlotte immediately threw herself into his path, daring him to crash into her, but Duncan had flown beneath Cornington and caught the ball as it was intentionally dropped.
Charlotte raced after Duncan. Duncan threw the ball back at Cornington, who held on to it for a full two seconds before lobbing it back. Charlotte darted between the two, trying to mess them up, with Malden pulling up along Cornington's other side and Belinda covering Duncan. Cornington drove straight for Maurice and threw the ball the same time Tessa aimed a bludger at Maurice. The bludger got Maurice in the sternum and pushed him back a bit, so that his hand reaching for the quaffle missed it entirely and allowed it to sail neatly through the hoop.
Charlotte scowled. Hufflepuff was catching up. The score was now 40-30.
(Asher) That Was Helpful
Author: Jolyon
Date: 06-03-18 14:54
Maurice handed the quaffle to Charlotte. Asher immediately fired a bludger at Duncan, the nearest of the Hufflepuff chasers to the quaffle. Duncan saw the black ball coming and swerved to avoid taking the hit, which worked out well because Conrad was waiting on the other side. Conrad batted at the bludger, aiming for Charlotte.
She just so happened to turn at a slight angle towards Conrad in an effort to dodge around Cornington, who'd repaid a past favor and gotten in her way. By happenstance, the bludger struck the quaffle and pinched a bit of Charlotte's arm in the process. She winced and had no chance of keeping possession of the quaffle. It popped free and landed right in Kaycee's arms.
Kaycee, who had been flying along in the same direction of the other chasers, suddenly picked up her speed. She seemed to know that her job was to throw a quaffle through one of the hoops, but the problem was, she was flying towards her own hoops instead of in the opposite direction. Asher had noticed her weirdness earlier in the match, and though amusing before, he really appreciated it now.
The Hufflepuffs were all screaming at Kaycee to turn around or pass the ball to Duncan or Cornington. Tessa and Conrad each debated whether to hit her with a bludger to get her to stop, but they were too Hufflepuff-y to commit intentional friendly-fire. Asher did his part to aim bludgers at the other two Hufflepuff chasers, while the Slytherin chasers flew along with grins on their faces.
It all depended on Rex now. He had to stop Kaycee from screwing up, but Asher got off a well-timed bludger, and the quaffle went right through the center hoop.
"SICKLEBY SCORES FOR SLYTHERIN?" the announcer's commentary came out as a question.
Kaycee's pleasure at scoring her only points this match faded at realizing what she'd done. The score was no 50-30, instead of a 40-40 tie.
Asher laughed out loud. Shaking his head, Rex handed the quaffle to a disbelieving Duncan.
Game Over [Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 06-03-18 20:20
After Kaycee's laughable, or laughable to everyone not a Hufflepuff, goal that aided Slytherin, Coach Krum stopped the match. Until that point, she'd been playing poorly, if what she was doing could be called playing, but Kaycee Sickleby had not suffered a game ending injury nor had she done anything to warrant removing her from the match. Until he sees Krum turning her over to Marjani Batuti to be guided to the ground and led from the pitch Sylvestor wasn't sure scoring for the other team would be grounds. Though rare, it has happened a few times in professional matches. Maybe even a game or two here at Hogwarts over the years. Sylvestor has no idea on that. What he does know is that after pulling Kaycee into a private conversation with him and Batuti, Kaycee was sent down.
After a few more minutes spent with Batuti and Krum in conference with Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Miller, and Snape, the announcer proclaims, "Sickleby's goal stands! The score is 50 Slytherin, 30 Hufflepuff!"
Sylvestor grins at this news. If, scratch that, when Slytherin wins, Hufflepuff is sure to lodge a formal protest. They might even protest if they win. Sylvestor isn't sure such a protest would go anywhere, no matter who wins. The goal is only 10 points so subtracting that from the winning tally. He can't remember the game totals to date off-hand but he doesn't think that the 10 points would make much difference in who goes to the championship match. Then again, could be whether it would make a difference or not depends on the final totals from all three matches each team plays before the championship.
The game resumes with Duncan passing the quaffle to Cornington, which seems odd to Sylvestor as their team just had the ball, but then this whole incident is odd. Putting his own broom in motion, Sylvestor steers through a gentle, gradual turn, heading the opposite direction of the quaffle related action in his search for the snitch. He isn't sure of Sophie's exact location right now without stopping to look, but he has the general, vague sense that she's currently somewhere near the Slytherin tended hoops. Since that one snitch sighting when they'd ended up colliding with each other and a pole, they've not had any other sightings and they've stayed well clear of each other.
Even though down a player, but then they sort of have been this entire match, Duncan and Cornington are able to get the quaffle down to Maurice without too any real problems from Charlotte, Belinda, and Malden. Hearing, "Marchbank scores! Hufflepuff pulls within 10 points of Slytherin. The score now stands 50 to 40!" he pivots on his broom to see, despite knowing if Cornington has already scored there's nothing to see.
Twisting back around, Sylvestor's breath catches. The snitch is not even a full foot from his face. Moving slowly, carefully, he raises one arm, stretching it out, hand reaching. About the time the announcer has noticed what's taking place, Sylvestor's fingers close around the snitch. Startlingly close, he hears Sophie's voice but can't hear exactly what she says over the noise that has erupted from the stands. He'd had no idea she was practically on top of him. Maybe she'd noticed the snitch and been chasing it without anyone yet having noticed and after working hard to get it Sylvestor snatched victory right out from under her. Or maybe she'd just happened to have made her way this direction in her own search. He'll have to remember to ask her later.
The game ends with a score of 200 to 40, ensuring that Slytherin will play for the Quidditch Cup!