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A Little Advantage
Author: Mildred
Date: 12-23-13 13:46
Mildred couldn't thank Merlin enough for being part of her house's Quidditch team. It granted her a more than needed distraction and while she was up the air, she wouldn't have to be afraid of having any contact with the Sims family whatsoever as they went to visit their son.
The encounter with Harold Sims, Achilles' father, had left Mildred in a tremendous state of anxiety and she felt the need to tell someone, anyone, about her recent discoveries around her mother's death. Writing to her father was out of question: she didn't want to preoccupy him and there was nothing he could do for her since he was in prison. She thought about contacting her grandmother, but she would probably only lecture Mildred, telling her once more not to try digging into the past. She pondered reporting to a teacher, but she concluded it was not a good idea. What was she going to tell them? That ,by chance, she happened to meet with Achilles' father when he was visiting his daughter's grave and he called her 'Millie'? Millie was a common short name for Mildred and there was nothing unusual about it, they would say. They would think Mr. Sims was just being friendly to one of his son's friends.
Having no one else to turn to but not wanting to keep everything to herself, the young witch decided it was time to talk to her friends. She opted to trust Melpomene and Wesley and ,one night, they stayed up late until there was no one else in the Gryffindor common room and she shared with them hers and her family's story. She knew she could not tell Achilles and she was afraid Amelia would share part of it with her older sister, Alcmene. Queenie could be impulsive at times and she was very close to Achilles, and so Mildred considered the possibility that she might think he had the right to know about Erica and she would end up telling him everything, without even thinking about the consequences.
Mildred entered the Quidditch pitch, her mind empty with everything that was not related to the sport. The first match would be Gryffindor against Slytherin and although it didn't count for nothing, she knew she had a lot to prove, especially when she was the youngest member of her house team. She mounted her broom as she watched Hunter Rabnott shaking hands with Mark Farnon. Then the signal was given and all the players went up in the air. Moments later the balls were released and the match started, causing the people who were watching to clap their hands with enthusiasm and cheer for their favorite houses.
The first person to hold the quaffle was Hunter Rabnott no less, and Mildred and Max Owens, the other chaser, flew right behind him, towards the hoops guarded by Gus van Tassel. Hunter passed the quaffle to Mildred and she held it tight as she studied with her eyes the best way to pass by Mason Jeffers and Malden McGonagall without being blocked. She spotted Max and shot the quaffle to him. But Olive Green, Hunter Green's sister, intercepted the pass, guessing Mildred's intentions.
The direction of the match shifted as now the Slytherin chasers were trying to make their way to the opposite side of the pitch.
Bludgers started to fly, as Edgar Steele and Madoc, Malden's brother, tried to injure their opponents. Mark and Asher Kent worked together to defend their team players and cause damage to the Gryffindor chasers instead. Mildred dodged a bludger right on time as she tried to chase Mason who was now holding the quaffle. She was sure she could steal it from him and that's what she did, after pushing her broom forward.
Hunter Rabnott, the captain, had warned Mildred that since she was new to the team her style of playing wasn't known yet and it would be natural that she would catch in surprise some of the other players. However he also assured Mildred that they wouldn't fall for the same trick twice and she was sure next time Mason would be more attentive to her.
But right now as she had the advantage and so she turned her broom around, ready to start a new attack to Slytherin's hoops.
McGonagalls at the Matches
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 12-23-13 18:06
The match currently underway at Hogwarts was a taste of what would come next month, when Gryffindor and Slytherin officially opened the Quidditch season. It was the first time Madoc and Malden were actively playing against each other, Madoc in his usual position as beater for Gryffindor and Malden as a newly minted chaser for Slytherin.
Mildred had just stolen the quaffle from Mason, earning a cheer from Madoc and a scowl from Malden. Malden very much hoped to outplay Madoc and the other Gryffindors, especially knowing that his family was watching.
The McGonagalls had come to Homecoming to visit with their sons. Menelaus, at the last possible minute, had decided to come with them. He had given the possibility careful thought, not wishing to cause a scene in case what Rita Skeeter had written about him became an issue. The fact that few knew him on sight aided him in his decision to visit Hogwarts in support of his grandsons.
The Ministry of Magic had investigated Skeeter's allegations but had found no substantial evidence that he had ever aided the Dark Lord when he still lived, nor that Menelaus had any connection to Adriana Fairchild. Still, there were plenty who believed everything Skeeter wrote, regardless of the facts. As of yet, however, Menelaus' presence at Hogwarts did not appear to be a problem.
Malden zipped forward, desperate to return the quaffle to Slytherin hands. Madoc was likewise determined to keep the quaffle in Gryffindor's possession. He darted after one of the bludgers, reaching it before either of the Slytherin beaters could, and aimed it at his brother. It was nothing personal, of course, but Malden would think otherwise.
The bludger clipped Malden in the shoulder and caused him to slow down a little. He threw a glare over his shoulder, expecting to see Edgar for some reason and not his brother. Madoc was already focusing on where he was needed next and never saw the look of outrage Malden sent his way.
Professor McGonagall stopped to watch her great nephews in action for a moment and then continued the climb to the seats where she had seen her family sitting from the staff box. She greeted first Cate and Myron and then sat down in the empty space next to her brother.
"Menelaus," she murmured by way of greeting.
"Minerva," he responded.
They fell silent, having little else to say to each other at that very moment, and watched the exhibition match between Gryffindor and Slytherin until its end. It was then that the others decided to visit the concessions stand, leaving Minerva and Menelaus alone.
"You put me in a very bad position," Menelaus stated, taking Minerva by surprise.
"I beg your pardon?" she replied sharply, sending him the sort of look she would give a student who was severely out of line.
"This business with that Skeeter woman," Menelaus began. "Have you any idea what that article cost me?"
"What it cost you?" Minerva answered shrilly.
"Yes, that's right! Putting me in the public eye, under Ministry scrutiny…"
"Ah, yes. Dredging up your sordid past. Well, you only have yourself to blame, not me, and if there's somebody to be angry with, it's Rita Skeeter. How did she get the information about you? With whom did she speak? Or was it simply a lucky guess? I would suggest to direct your accusations elsewhere, Menelaus. Have a good day."
With that, Professor McGonagall rose from her seat. She hated to leave without saying anything to the others, who had yet to return from their snack run, but she had no intention of remaining with Menelaus, who seemed to blame her for his problems. It was like they were young all over again. Minerva had no desire to relive the past and was right to wonder whether her brother had changed after their very long estrangement.
She returned to the staff box, just in time for the start of the next exhibition match, this one between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
2007 Exhibition Matches
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 12-23-13 20:03
Viktor had initially planned to referee the exhibition matches on his own. After Wanda Carmody came asking if she could assist he decided to not only have her refereeing today but to also ask another who's helped before, Glen Jaimeson. Rather than all three referee all the matches together, Viktor is taking the first two, which are Gryffindor versus Slytherin and Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. Wanda has the next two, Ravenclaw versus Slytherin and Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. The last two, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff versus Slytherin, will be overseen by Glen. Handling the exhibition matches in this manner allows them all to enjoy being spectators or participating in some of the other Hogwarts Homecoming activities.
Friday, Viktor had done his usual checking of the equipment to be used, particularly the school brooms some of the players will use, then checking again. And checking once more after that. He'd gotten up this morning intending to grab a piece of fruit to eat on the walk to Hogwarts where he planned on checking all the equipment again. To his surprise Marjani was already up and had a cooked breakfast waiting. She told him, "You're too predictable. I knew you'd go in early to check all the equipment even though you probably checked it no less than fifty times yesterday and who knows how many time the rest of the week."
As student safety and as the proper functioning of game equipment is something Viktor isn't embarrassed to be predictable about, he's smiled with good grace and thanked Marjani for getting up far earlier than needed and taking the time to cook.
When he did arrive to the school, he did go through another equipment check. After that he'd strolled the grounds to watch other activity taking place in preparation for the day's event. From there he'd gone to the castle where breakfast for most was still going on but soon the Great Hall would also be a bustle of activity of another sort as more preparations for the Hogwarts Homecoming & Exhibition Quidditch Matches.
A check of the time had Viktor returning outside, walking towards the main gates where he wanted to be in place to meet Wendy and Glen when they arrived. They got to Hogwarts within five minutes of each other, eager for the matches to begin. They were also curious to see what's involved with the homecoming as neither has attended one here in the past, both having gone to other schools.
By the time the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match began, Viktor almost felts as though he'd been up half a day already. Despite that, his energy and mood were high, as eager as the other two for things to get underway.
(Gus) Complications
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 12-24-13 03:48
"Let's show them how good we are," Mark had told the team at the locker room.
For the first time in a long time Gus agreed with him. He couldn't stand Mark, not after what he had done to Kate. But the moment the Slytherin Quidditch team had entered into the pitch, under the crowds' ovation, he forgot for a moment who Mark was and what he have done. They were part of the same team and both were interested to see it succeed. After the terrible results last year, defeat after defeat, a winning, even at an unimportant exhibition match, would mean a lot to the Slytherins and it would raise the team's morale.
During the match against Gryffindor Gus made a few good defenses, however more than once he was tricked by the Gryffindor newest chasers, Mildred Campbell and Max Owens, who had managed to score. He needed to adjust to their way of playing, just like Mark who was still learning to work with Asher Kent, the newest Slytherin beater.
After Mildred had scored, Gus passed the quaffle to Malden who worked with Olive and Mason, towards the hoops guarded by Hunter Green. Free from danger, Gus raised his head and searched for the seekers. Rylee and Cai were flying close to each other but neither seemed to have spotted the snitch yet.
He looked away the moment he heard the familiar sound of a bludger, coming in his direction. It seemed like Hunter Rabnott had stolen the quaffle from Olive when she had tried to pass it to Malden and now three red figures were flying in his direction. The Gryffindor beaters, Madoc and Edgar, had also focused their attention on Gus, one of them throwing a bludger to him, in order to distract him from the quaffle. But Mark came to his rescue and he deviated the bludger from its route, leaving Gus out of danger and ready to make a defense, preventing Max from scoring.
Gus was too proud to thank Mark for his gesture. Besides Mark was just doing his job and it was of his best interest that Gus wouldn't get hit by any bludger and suffer any injuries if he wanted him to stop the chasers from the other teams to score.
Later, while he waited for his turn to play again, this time against the Ravenclaw house, he took a chance to see his mother who had come to the school to visit him. Gus knew his father was probably around somewhere with Igraine, but at the moment he didn't really care.
"You did well up there, like always," his mother complimented.
"I could have done better. Everyone is still getting used to the new teams. The dynamics had changed a bit."
"Of course, darling," Katrina said, adjusting Gus' hair who was all ruffled. "I was so scared the way that bludger was sent in your direction. You could have hurt yourself really bad if not for your friend Mark."
"Mark is not my friend anymore," he informed, as he tried to get rid of her mother's cares, feeling embarrassed.
"Is he not? What is going on, sweetie? The other day you wrote to me telling me you broke up with your girlfriend, when I asked to meet her today, and now you're no longer friends with Mark?"
"It's complicated, mum…"
He lied when he wrote to his mother. It hasn't been Gus who ended everything with Joanna, but the contrary. For some reason Joanna was convinced that there was something going on between him and Kate. She had believed in the silly rumors about the love triangle and as Kate and Mark hadn't been spotted together, she assumed Gus had taken his chance with Kate due to their proximity. They were both prefects and they used to make the rounds together, causing even more rumors. For a very intelligent girl, Gus thought Joanna was being rather stupid, but when she put something in her head there was no way of getting it out.
His hate for Mark had increased even more because thanks to his infidelity at the St. Emrys fest Gus had suffered the humiliation of having a girl breaking up with him. He had tried to act as if it hasn't been a big deal in front of everyone, but he felt like his pride had been hurt. Just like that time when he saw Polly Potts making out with that boy.
Before Katrina could say a word, Gus excused himself, telling her he needed to go get ready for his next match. His mother nodded but there was a look on her face and Gus knew she wasn't done with him. He thought that next time he should just lie to her and tell her everything was all right, in order to avoid her questionnaires.
To Hodfuffers For Hufflepuff (Glori & Gus)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 12-24-13 18:53
Glori got up this morning having a, "Why did I want to play Quidditch?" moment. She doesn't have them often, thankfully, and when she does it's usually because she's feeling supremely lazy or is under the weather. This morning it was more because of laziness and a desire to sleep in extremely late then do nothing the rest of the day. With the exhibition matches, neither of those thing was an option so Glori forced herself out of bed, showered, and dressed for the matches sans Hufflepuff game robe, and went to breakfast, still desperately trying to wake up fully.
Not much of a coffee drinker normally, she partook of a couple of cups in hope of the coffee helping her to keep her eyes open. During the Gryffindor-Slytherin match she contemplated having more but decided against any additional coffee. Even though the exhibition matches are far shorter than most regular games, Glori has no problem envisioning sitting on her broom being distracted from her role as keeper because of a screaming bladder. Taking a loo break during a match isn't unheard of but such things usually only happen when there is a longer than usual time out or something puts the match on hold.
Her eyelids only seeming slightly less heavy when her first match, Hufflepuff against Ravenclaw, begins Glori thinks - hopes - that once the adrenaline of being in the match gets going, she'll be wide awake and any remnants of wanting to lie curled in bed will vanish.
Unlike the other three house teams, Hufflepuff saw no changes to its lineup. That doesn't assure Hufflepuff of no problems or wins through the season but it does mean that the team's gameplay should be smoother from the get go, as has been seen in practices; whereas the other teams are having to adjust to playing with new members. Granted, each of those teams only has two new members but the entire dynamic of a team can be changed by just one person.
On the other end of the spectrum from Glori's difficulty in waking up, Augustus was up several hours before he needed to be. He'd gotten in some practice before having a hearty breakfast then got in more time at the pitch. He'd sat impatiently with his family, Caerwyn, and Caerwyn's family during the Gryffindor-Slytherin match, though he did enjoy getting to see two of his house's opposing teams in action. Near the end of the time designated for that match, Gus and Caerwyn had made their way to the locker room to finish getting ready for the second game of the exhibition matches. There, he'd given his cousin Glori a good natured ribbing for her obvious sleepy state while hoping she does fully wake up for their match. Hufflepuff does not need its keeper sleeping on the job.
Once in the air, anticipation of the balls being put into play, Glori felt more awake. The quaffle is released and after the initial scramble to gain possession, Hufflepuff's Sadie Mickle emerges triumphant. It's a short victory, though, as a bludger from Jade Green clips Sadie's arm. Alastor Jenkins grabs the quaffle for the steal, sprinting along the length of the pitch towards Glori.
A Ravenclaw chaser rapidly closing the gap to where Glori awaits serves as the full dunk into cold water she needs to come well and truly awake.
Marlow MacDougal, Jasper Jenkins, and Sadie, along with the other two Ravenclaw chasers Ramona Mickle and Franciscus Vanderbilt, quickly catch up with Jasper. Gus gets a bludger off at Alastor just as the chaser is passing to Franciscus. The quaffle ends up on a wobbly course to the youngest of the Vanderbilts, making it difficult for him to catch it cleanly.
Marlow plucks it away as Franciscus fumbles to stabilize his grip. Just like that the action turns the other direction, Gus seeking out his next bludger target and Glori thankful to fully awake and alert.
Vanderbilts, Mickles
Author: Griet
Date: 12-25-13 14:41
Being the youngest of the Vanderbilt siblings and the only boy in the family (with the exception of cousin Paton, of course), Franciscus felt a lot of pressure to first make his house Quidditch team and then to play well. He finally accomplished earning a spot on the team, and while practices had gone decently so far, Franciscus didn't feel completely in his element yet. Hopefully he would feel more confident in his abilities by the time his first real match came around in December.
He frowned when Marlow easily lifted the quaffle from his hands after he couldn't get a firm grip on it and felt even worse when she managed to carry the ball all the way to the goal hoops and score. Franciscus knew he shouldn't feel too badly about his fumble, since the bad catch wasn't entirely his fault, but he couldn't help himself. With his entire family watching, Franciscus wanted to play flawlessly.
The game ended before either seeker could catch the snitch. Aleydis touched down to the ground, pleased with her performance and thinking that with more practice, new seeker Bran Hyland would make a formidable opponent. Not playing in the next match, she stowed her broomstick and went up into the stands to find Basil, who had come to visit for Homecoming. Other than the Hogsmeade trip earlier in the month, this was their first opportunity to see each other since summer.
Sadie, meanwhile, joined her parents in the stands. She saw Hunter all the time, and while she would have loved to spend the whole day with him, she knew her own family wanted to have her company. Ramona, however, stayed on the ground with her broomstick slung over one shoulder. Ravenclaw and Slytherin were set to play in the next match, and though it wouldn't happen right away, it would happen sooner than later.
Beatrix stood on the ground next to her, somewhat excited about the next exhibition match. She hoped that Ravenclaw would win, if only so that she could tease Ash relentlessly about it. Beatrix knew he wasn't a superfan when it came to Quidditch, but she had already seen him in the stands with his siblings and foster family. She was glad he was there, even if he wasn't really there to cheer her on to victory.
Before long, it became time to start the next match. The new referee, Wanda Carmody, had the team captains come foward and shake hands. Then the balls went into the air, with Ravenclaw's Ramona Mickle getting the first possession of the quaffle.
Wenlock Cousins
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 12-25-13 19:29
Hunter Rabnott leans against his mother. "Please?"
Rachael swats at her younger son. "You've already eaten half. I'm not giving you more."
He gives her his best puppy dog expression. Rachael smirks, "After three children I am immune to such looks." She takes a big bite of the ice cream cone in question, a smile on her lips as Hunter grumbles about how he guesses he'll go get his own.
Hadrian and their father are on Rachael's other side so before getting up, he asks them if they would like him to bring them something back. Half a minute later he's heading out of the stands for the nearest concessions, passing Heather along the way where she sits with their cousin Eden and other members of the Jenkins family with the exception of Alastor, who's currently in the air in the Ravenclaw match against Slytherin.
Not only a chaser for Ravenclaw, Alastor is team captain. He's not sure if he deserves it, thinking perhaps co-captain Ramona Mickle should be lead. There was a time Alastor was conceited enough to have thought he not only deserved it but that he was star of the team over everyone else. It was such conceit that had him supplanting Coco Nutt from the team back in the dark days when the purebloods were first being given precedence over those who weren't. When he learned he too was considered a "Non" Alastor was in deep denial in which he was even more full of himself combined with deep seated anger at being treated so shabbily.
None of that is presently on his mind as Alastor is too busy looking for an opening to pass the quaffle to either Ramona or Franciscus Vanderbilt. Slytherin's Olive Green, Mason Jeffers, and Malden McGonagall are doing a good job covering him and the other two, making a clean pass difficult. When either Jade Green or Aderyn Carter gets off a bludger towards Mason, Alastor takes advantage of the slight distraction to throw the quaffle to Franciscus. The younger boy catches it, though Mason does try for the interception after dodging that bludger.
When time for the match is up, Ravenclaw and Slytherin are tied in goals. Bran Hyland and Rylee Marks were on the trail of the snitch, but when the whistle blew, though both were close to catching the winged ball, neither could be said to have the advantage over the other.
As the Slytherin and Ravenclaw players make their way from the pitch, the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor teams are coming on for the fourth match of the exhibition. Hunter, his ice cream from earlier long gone, is among them as are cousins Marlow MacDougal and Jasper Jenkins, both of Hufflepuff while he's Gryffindor.
As with the Ravenclaw vs Slytherin match Wendy Carmody is refereeing this one. The balls are released with Mildred Campbell and Hunter's favorite Hufflepuff Sadie Mickle, being the closest to the quaffle. The doesn't keep the other four chasers from vying for it as well but it's Mildred who first takes possession.
Mildred, Max Owens, and Hunter move quickly to work the quaffle to where Glori Hodfuffer is alert and wide eyed, the opposite of what she had seemed when Hunter saw her as the Gryffindor vs Slytherin match ended and she was coming onto the pitch for the Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw game. Just before they get within scoring range, Max loses the quaffle thanks to a bludger from Caerwyn Valentine.
Jasper scoops up the quaffle almost before Max has entirely lost his grip on it. He immediately hurls it to Marlow who's furtherest back the other direction, and thus closer to the Gryffindor kept goals, where Hunter Green is eager to get into the action.
Win or lose, Hunter is simply happy to be in the air again, and that it's friendly competition with Sadie makes it all the better.