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Before The Game
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 10-02-07 09:11
Theodosia braces herself against a frigid blast of wind. Being from Africa, she's not sure she'll ever get used to what she thinks of as practically Arctic conditions. As she approaches the pitch, Theodosia doesn't even want to think what it's going to be like on a broom for the duration of the game. She's been up many times since the weather took that sudden cold turn earlier in the week but whenever she started getting numb she'd head to the ground and warm up.
Most everyone is either still sleeping or just getting to breakfast. Theodosia might still be snuggled under her covers if not for the Quidditch match and she can't blame anyone who is taking advantage of being able to sleep in on this cold Saturday morning. Reaching the building where the offices are, Theodosia enters, shivering as she steps into the welcome warmth. She sees the box of balls is waiting to be carried out, not at all surprised that Viktor is already here.
If Theodosia were in Viktor's shoes, she's not sure she'd have stuck around Hogwarts. It's not as though he needs the income. Viktor does seem to love working with the students but would that be enough for Theodosia were she one of the "old" staff?
"Going to help referee the match?"
Viktor looks up from the book he's got open on his desk. "I said I vould."
"Just checking."
"I vould have let you know if I changed my mind."
Theodosia nods. "I'll be in my office for a little bit, until it's time to carry the balls out."
Theodosia hurries to her office where she knows it will be even warmer. There she sits listening for the sounds of the players entering the locker rooms to change and to the sounds from the pitch slowly growing in volume as the ttands gradully fill.
Settling In For The Game
Author: Eithne ni Domhnaill
Date: 10-02-07 13:24
Eithne pushed her way through the crowd of students climbing the stands. Finding the right seat was important. She wanted a clear view of Francis' first game. But she didn't want to be seen...necessarily.
She and Francis had had a terrible fight. Eithne bit her lip. Deep down she knew she was wrong and yet, she couldn't really figure out what was so bad about what she had said. All she had said was that maybe the Ministry knew what it was doing with all these new rules. After all, her da had been saying for years that Hogwarts was too lax about tradition and should reinstitute some of the practices of the old days.
Before she had uttered the last word, Francis had wheeled on her, calling her a snob and saying he didn't know her anymore. She had responded that if he felt that way maybe he would prefer to not be her friend. She would never forget what happened next - the image was burned into her mind. Francis - her best friend - had lifted his chin and said defiantly, "Maybe you are right. You aren't the person I wanted to be friends with," and turned and stalked off. Since then, they had seen each other in the halls or classes they had together but had been pointed in not interacting.
While not truly understanding what she had done wrong, Eithne nonetheless was certain she was wrong. She knew Francis was a caring thoughtful person who had often counsilled her through issues with other people by his ability to see all sides of an issue. She was sure if they could talk again, everything would be all right. For the moment, however, she was here to cheer him on in his first game. She knew he must be nervous - she was both eager for and dreading Hufflepuff's first game.
The crowd roared and Eithne, pulled from her thoughts, looked up to see the players flying onto the field and into position. Her heart swelled to see Francis in his crimson and gold Gryffindor uniform. He looked just like a Knight to her. She began shouting and waving her Gryffindor pennant like the others.
Skipping the Match
Author: Alex Whitmen
Date: 10-02-07 14:48
Alex couldn't believe all the ridiculous new rules at Hogwarts. He hated having to hide just to be with Cailyn and now he had to register his wand. He was mad and his mother was just as upset. They knew there was nothing they could do now except comply but it irked him anyway. He walked out to the grounds as if he were going to the game but headed to the spot he often hid with Cailyn. He sat pulling at the grass and staring out at the lake until she showed up. She sat next to him and he leaned over and kissed her. She smiled and blushed a little.
"Hey," she said after a moment. He smiled and kept picking at the grass.
"What's wrong?" she asked finally. He looked at her and shrugged.
"Not much. Just the normal stuff," he answered simply.
"Snider?" she asked, and Alex nodded. Because of her he couldn't do a lot of things with Cailyn. She continually ruined something. When it came to Snider nothing surprised him anymore.
"I mean, come on. We have nothing to be ashamed of but we have to hide the fact we are together. I have to register my wand and we don't even have the option of transferring anymore. I mean, not that I wanted to and I didn't want you too but at least we could," Alex said shaking his head. He was getting sick of all the changes and the stupid new rules. Cailyn held his hand and he relaxed a bit.
"Aren't you excited about holiday break coming?" she asked changing the subject. He grinned and nodded.
"Yeah, I can't wait. The house is going to be really full. I hope you don't mind that but it will definitely be fun," Alex said thinking of all his aunts and uncles and cousins that would be there on top of them, Kordelia, Jake, and Skyler.
Gryffindor vs Slytherin
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 10-02-07 16:53
As the first Quidditch match of the term approached, Gabby had mixed feelings about it. While excited on the one hand, on the other she's been at the other end of the spectrum, glum at the prospect of teams that should have certain others as members. Not to slight any of those who made the teams this term but some excellent players were not considered for positions and some were booted from positions they already held simply because they are not pureblooded. It hardly seems right. Gabby won't say it's not fair because that simply brings to mind that old but very true chestnut about how life isn't fair.
After a light breakfast of toast with cream cheese, apple jelly, and a light dusting of cinnamon, Gabby bundled up and made the walk in the brisk wind to the Quidditch pitch. Taking her by now familiar spot at the announcer's "booth" Gabby poured herself a cup of hot cocoa from the thermos she'd brought and waited for the signal to get things going. When it comes, Gabby puts as much cheeriness as she can muster and starts announcing.
"Good morneeng 'Ogwarts! Eet eez Gryfeendoor verseez Sleethereen! On ze peetch we welcome Theodosia Batuti and Veektor Krum as ze match offeecials. For Gryfeendor eez captain Jar-reed Weenbourn! Ronan Eastweeck! Baileee Gray!
Weegee 'Ofuffer! Julietta Weenbourne! Francees Yao! Oreileah McCoi!
For Sleethereen eez captain Morteemer Rollo! Alexa Wenlock!
Baseel Weenbourne! Pheeleeppa Fox! Griet Vanderbeelt! Bereengareea Montagu! Corneleea Vanderbeelt!
Ze players take zere poseetions as Jar-reed Weenbourne and Morteemer Rollo meet center pitch weeth Coach Batuti. Coach Krum eez releezing the bludgers and look! Zere goes ze snitch! Rollo and Weenbourne shake 'ands... now take to ze air. Batuti releases ze quaffle and eeeeeet's.... Vanderbeelt een possession! Zat would be Griet Vanderbeelt.
Watch 'er fly! Oooph! Rollo takes a bludger to the chest! Zat looks painful but 'e shakes eet off, moveeng een to asseest Vanderbeelt. Julietta Weenbourne tries for a steal... but no, Rollo blocks 'er!"
Gabby reaches for a drink of her cocoa as the action on the pitch gets going even more.
First Game Of The Year
Author: Bailey
Date: 10-02-07 17:54
Bailey had hoped smacking a bludger into Mortimer would help a Gryffindor chaser move in to get the quaffle from Griet. It didn't help but the game's just getting started and Bailey is just warming up. He has to laugh at that thought seeing as how it's so fecking cold in the air at the moment. That early in the season ice storm this week certainly took with it what little autumn warmth had been left. The ice is already melted but up here in the air it feels like it's still around.
Bailey gives himself a mental kick. He should have looked at today's weather forecast or asked Jared. Hopefully it's supposed to be clear all morning and into the afternoon. There's nothing more miserable than playing in freezing rain or a heavy snowfall. Bailey retracts that thought. There is something more miserable. Playing in really bad weather while injured.
Swinging his arm back, Bailey connects with the bludger he'd been after. If his timing and aim is spot on, the bludger will hit Berengaria square in the back. Bailey grins in satisfaction when it does just that, jolting the Slytherin chaser enough that a Gryffindor chaser can finally get close enough to Griet for the steal. Wiggy swoops in and takes it, immediately lofting it in a pass to Francis. The third year quickly wheels around to start for the Slytherin tended hoops only to lose the quaffle when a bludger knocks it from his grasp.
The quaffle free falls for half a second before Etta has it. She doggedly ducks a bludger and weaves around Mortimer. Mortimer nearly grabs hold of Etta's broom but checks himself in time. He does catch up to fly parallel to Etta, repeatedly reaching to take the quaffle from her. Bailey moves in to assist, intercepting a bludger and sending it soaring towards Mortimer.
Bailey's eyes follow the bludger as he urges his broom on. The bludger connects with Mortimer's hip but doesn't slow him down. Bailey reaches the same bludger, cocking his bat back to smash into the ball. Something smacks him hard on the hand and Bailey loses his grip on his bat. It's only as he's diving after the bat that it sinks in that one of the Slytherin beaters caught him on the hand with the other bludger.
Snatching his bat out of its fall, Bailey then stops and hovers well below where most of the other players are flying. He takes a couple of seconds to massage his hand then gripping his bat tightly, Bailey shoots straight up to rejoin the fray.
(Cornelia) Seeking the Snitch
Author: Griet
Date: 10-02-07 19:02
Cornelia shivered as a strong gust of cold wind ruffled her Quidditch robes, causing a chill to run down the length of her spine. She wished she knew a charm for insulating her clothing better, but somehow thought that nothing could make her feel comfortable out there in the bitter cold. Almost every part of her body was covered, except her finger tips and her face and neck, but the wind still found ways to penetrate her skin.
She hovered in the air, high above the other players who zipped back and forth across the field. Currently, Julietta Wynbourne had the quaffle. Mortimer Rollo flew right alongside her and occasionally attempted to swipe the ball right from her grasp. So far, he had no such luck.
Cornelia tore her gaze away from the other players to concentrate on finding the snitch. She had to find it before Oreileah McCoi did, or there might be hell to pay. Unfortunately, the shiny golden orb was nowhere to be found.
There!
No, the glint of someone's watch in a single ray of sunlight that longed to come out but somehow stayed tucked behind the dull, overcast sky.
She leaned forward on her broom to move about slowly, scanning the length of the Pitch as she did so. For all she knew, the winged ball was on the opposite side, purposefully staying as far away from her as possible.
Occasionally, Cornelia looked at Orei to see what the older witch was doing. Orei had more experience playing Quidditch than Cornelia did, but from what Cornelia understood, this was Orei's first time playing in the position of seeker. Orei didn't move for a long time, but then she was off like a flash, chasing after something Cornelia couldn't see. She chased after the Gryffindor seeker anyway, determined to get to the snitch before Orei could. Orei swiped her hand into the air and then opened her palm. Inside was a piece of gold foil that had somehow gotten swept up by the wind.
Cornelia smirked and then turned away, breathing a great sigh of relief. That had been a close call!
Thoughts Of Violence (Basil)
Author: Jared
Date: 10-02-07 19:22
Basil smirks at the thought of hitting Etta so hard she has to leave the game. While Basil doesn't hate his cousin, there's certainly no love lost between them. If he were to get Etta that way with a bludger, Basil wouldn't get teary eyed if Jared were taken out by the same hit. Two for one. Sniggering at the thought he can envision so well he can actually see the blood spurting from Jared's nose - for the bludger would hit him smack on the nose, breaking it - Basil slows his speed to better search for the location of both the bludgers.
Basil's eyes narrow when he spots Jared zig zagging around other players to reach the very same bludger Basil is after. Bending low over his broom, bringing his bat close to his body to cut wind resistance, Basil puts on a burst of speed. Reaching the bludger at the same time he's sitting up and swinging back the heavy bat, Basil shoots Jared a triumphant smile, batting the hell out of the ball.
Jared has to duck to avoid the bludger. "Bloody hell, Basil! Don't you know not to deliberately aim for the head?"
"Wasn't aiming at your head, cousin. You were just stupid enough to be in the way," Basil shrugs.
The bludger he's hit, catches he of the stupid name Wiggersmythe just as Etta's passing off the quaffle to him. Berengaria snatches the red ball, pivoting her broom around on the spot to fly at top speed the other direction. Basil shoots another triumphant smirk at Jared then takes off to find one of the bludgers to hit again. As he searches, Basil once more starts daydreaming about hitting Etta and Jared with such a well hit bludger, bones are broken and blood is gushing everywhere, taking both his cousins from the match.
Unfortunate
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 10-02-07 20:56
Ronan constantly shifted between feeling relaxed and on alert, depending on which team currently had possession of the quaffle. With Berengaria presently holding onto the coveted ball, he had to concentrate. He really didn't want to be the first keeper of the season to let a quaffle get past him. He did want to be the first one to successfully block a goal attempt.
Unfortunately, that which he wanted to avoid happened. Berengaria faked a pass and Ronan fell for it. He groaned as he realized his mistake, but it was already too late. Berengaria had scored the first ten points of the match, and they went to Slytherin.
"It's all right, it's all right," Ronan heard someone from his team say, in an attempt to keep up his morale. "You'll get it next time."
Ronan berated himself inwardly and didn't at all feel encouraged, but at least the pack of chasers and beaters were traveling in the opposite direction now. He could loosen up, for a moment, though he better now let his guard down so soon after letting Slytherin score!
His gaze occasionally flitted to the stands, which were mainly a sea of scarlet and gold and green and silver, but there was some display of black and yellow and blue and bronze as well. Ronan knew that Enid's face wouldn't be among the spectators, but sometimes he almost expected her to be there. He just wished Caden could be there to see him play his very first Quidditch match.
Professor Jones, his legal guardian, was seated in the staff box. She and the other "old" professors were stuck in the last few rows, or the nosebleed section, while the "new" professors sat front and center with rotund and hairy Professor Snider right in the middle of them.
The noise in the Pitch suddenly grew louder. Ronan looked away from the stands and saw that the pack of Slytherin and Gryffindor were reaching the Gryffindor hoops. Would Gryffindor score and make things tied?
When Old Friends Meet
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 10-02-07 20:57
Diagon Alley was bustling with activity. Customers roamed the streets looking for deals. Vendors stood inside their doorways hustling customers inside with promises of well-priced goods. And amongst all the activity, I was pushing a stroller that contained a protesting James who had lost against Mira when it came to being carried.
“Drucilla.”
The voice that spoke my name was female. And somehow familiar.
I looked up quickly and stared at the stranger’s face. As I stared, the face became familiar. I had seen it in Sirius’ family photo album, and more recently on the front pages of the Daily Prophet. It was Bellatrix Lestrange.
“Bellatrix,” I murmured, not really sure what to say to the woman whom my husband hated on a level I couldn’t even begin to understand.
“So you do remember me.”
Her voice sounded amused, but there was an underlying coldness to it that I didn’t miss.
“You’ve been in the newspapers a lot lately,” I said matter-of-factly as I shifted Mira to my other hip. Her eyes seemed to sweep down upon the child.
“What a little angel,” she murmured. “Can I hold her?”
I wasn’t sure why, but instinct made me hold Mira tighter to my side.
“No? Just as well I suppose. I don’t want to overdo my ‘new me’ image. Wouldn’t want the public to think I was lying, now would I?”
She winked. Beside her, her house elves shifted shopping bags from one hand to the other in nervous anticipation of their Mistress’s next command.
“Why would they think that?” I wasn’t sure why I added the note of sarcasm to the question. It just came out.
Bellatrix’s eyebrow arched up in a motion very similar to Sirius.
“Aren’t you the confident bitch lately.” All previous hints of amusement was washed away as her mouth turned down in an evil snarl.
My mouth dropped open in shock.
“I wouldn’t get too comfortable if I were you,” her voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “Even if you can’t remember the past – which, by the way, I don’t believe a fecking word of – I do remember. I know who you are Drucilla. I know everything about you, and you’d do well to remember that. I don’t want any trouble from you or Sirius or any of his friends.”
I stared at the woman in amazement as a jumble of feelings swept through me. Anger. Annoyance. Jealousy. Narrowing my eyes, I stared down at Bellatrix. “There’s nothing you know, that Sirius doesn’t already know. I’m his wife. He knows everything about me.”
“Does he?” she asked in an off-edge sing-song voice.
I felt a stirring of doubt start to creep over me.
“Poor Drucilla. What would happen to your happy new life if Sirius found out about your secret?”
A slow panic started to stir inside of me. Barely able to get the word out I whispered, “Secret? What secret?”
Bellatrix smiled in such a way that made my pulse stop before speeding up in fear.
“Well, I can’t tell you what it is, now can I? That wouldn’t make it a secret any more. But if you really want to know, just push me. Just a little bit. I dare you.”
Not knowing what else to say, I watched in frozen shock as she walked away, her house elves scrambling anxiously behind her.
Welcome Home
Author: Synn Gardenn
Date: 10-03-07 00:19
Synn found herself reading and re-reading Lysanders letter to her. He'd made sure to let her know that he had missed her beyond words, wanted to know everything that had happened to her since her "unfortunate" incarceration, and how eager was she to meet her grandniece. The rest of the letter was spent extolling the may virtues his daughter possessed, amongst them absolutely gorgeous fat baby cheeks and the ability to wrap him around her little finger.
That is as it should be dear Lysander! She said to herself, throwing her flaming red hair over her should.
As she continued to read she learned more about Lysanders hectic work schedule, and how when he could he'd bring the girl over to meet her. She owled off a letter of her own, stating he was expected at dinner later the evening and not to be late. She knew he'd know there was no arguing with her. She made her way to the kitchen and told the house elf, Brudha, to prepare a dinner for two. He bowed meekly, exited backwards, and made his way to the pantry to gather the ingredients for the meal.
"Nothing too heavy," she admonished. For she was still working her appetite up to larger meals. The food served at Azkaban, had left something to be desired.
"Yes mistress," he said, re-entering the kitchen.
"Tonight I get to meet my grand d..niece," she said then walked out of the room.