|
|
Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 10-31-07 08:38
Viktor carries the chest with the game balls out to the pitch even though Theodosia's not yet asked him. In fact, Theodosia's not even shown up to the pitch nor had Viktor seen her at breakfast.
Back inside, Viktor checks over the school brooms a few of the players use. Noise filters in from the pitch as the first of the spectators arrive. From the dressing rooms he can hear the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw team members getting ready. And still no Theodosia.
After checking on the players, Viktor goes out to watch as the stands slowly fill. He meanders over to the stand where drinks and snacks are available and gets a hot cocoa then stands for several minutes talking with Gabrielle Delacour.
Less than a minute before the game would normally start Theodosia arrives looking drawn and pale. "I have a stomach ailment," she informs Viktor then promptly doubles over dry heaving.
Viktor motions to a couple of students, "Alexa, Etta, please see Coach Batuti to the hospital ving. Thank you and five points to both of you."
Seeking about Gabby, Viktor lets her know Coach Batuti won't be available to referee the game. Getting his broom, Viktor moves to mid-pitch for the announcement of the teams and to release the game balls.
Sore, Scratchy Throat
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 10-31-07 10:18
Popping a lozenge in her mouth, Gabby watches for the signal to announce the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw players. She's already done a welcome and a little pre-game patter. Stifling a cough, Gabby sucks on the lozenge, glad she got an elixer for sore throat from the school nurse Poppy Pomfrey first thing this morning.
Gabby had gotten up with a throat so sore the thought of swallowing anything was awful. She'd also been coughing and her head was aching. The elixer reduced the soreness in her throat and eased the pain in her head to manageable levels. Gabby hadn't wanted to get someone last minute to announce the game and as long as the lozenges help keep the coughing minimal and as long as the elixer's effects last, Gabby thinks she can handle it but Estella and Rosalinda are sitting nearby to take over just in case.
Professor McGonagall taps Gabby's shoulder. "All right, Miss Delacour?"
"Oui, Professor. Zank you for askeeng."
Professor McGonagall nods down towards the spot where Viktor Krum is standing. "It is time."
Gabby opens with another welcome since a number of people have arrived since she first began the pre-game show. "Welcome to ze Ufflepuff-Raveenclaw game! Eet eez a leetle cold, a leetle blusteree but ze players weel not let zat stop them! For Ufflepuff eez Keeper Sage Porter! Beater Jet Obsedeean! Beater and captain Are-ee-ella Beck! Chasers Alanna Beck! Eithne ni Domhnaill! Kathareena Lounders! Seeker Sopheea Hall!
For Raveenclaw eez Keeper Megara Flynn! Beaters Alastor Jeenkins! Freetz Schnackenpfefferhausen! Chasers Pheen Odfuffer! Jack Eemerson! Deak Beennett! Seeker and captain Dareea Matthews!"
As the applause begins to die down Gabby says, "Coach Krum eez releesing ze Bludgers and zere goes ze sneetch! Captains Beck and Matthews are shakeeng 'ands.... Ze Quaffle eez released.... Odfuffer as eet... No! Ze first Bludger of ze game keeps Oduffer from 'olding onto ze ball! Who 'as eet now? Eet eez Beck! Ufflepuff 'as ze Quaffle."
Gabby pauses for a bout of coughing then resumes talking, hoping the game goes by quickly.
Those Darn Bludgers
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 10-31-07 14:41
Phin's hand still stings from where a Bludger caught it a few minutes ago. Phin was so intent on getting the Quaffle at the tip off that he never saw the Bludger coming. He doesn't even know who hit it, or if anyone did. Could be the Bludger hadn't even been hit yet. Phin shrugs. He doubts he'll ever know and, anyway, it doesn't matter.
As soon as Phin saw that Alanna had taken possession of the Quaffle after he'd lost it, he's joined Jack and Deak in pursuing her while Eithne and Katharina moved in to help Alanna move the Quaffle down the pitch. Phin hasn't gone far when his broom jerks hard to the right. Fighting to keep steady, he sees out of the corner of his eye a Bludger soaring off.
Slowing to better regain control, Phin looks back to see a chunk of his broom tail is missing. Great. That means having to fight to keep the course he wants the entire game. There's nothing for it though as he's got no choice but to tough it out unless he can figure out a way to do a quick change with brooms. The only other option isn't an option as far as Phin's concerned. He's not about to leave the game, putting his team down one Chaser unless it's something he's got to be carried off the field for.
Lying low over his broom handle, Phin puts on speed to catch up with the pack. No sooner has he done just that then the direction of the game shifts. Alanna had passed to Katharina only to have Katharina hemmed in by Jack, Deak, and both the Ravenclaw Beaters Fritz and Alastor. Katharina moves to immediately pass back to Alanna but Deak intercepts, does a sharp turn and is zooming down the pitch the other way.
Deak fakes a handoff to Phin as he flies by. Phin pretends to have the Quaffle tucked closely against his body, doing his best to fly make a straight shot for Sage at the Hufflepuff tended goals. Alanna closes in for a steal attempt, not yet realizing that Phin doesn't actually have the Quaffle. That's quickly rectified, however, when Phin takes his third Bludger hit of the day.
The hard ball smacks into his side. With his broom tail wonky, Phin's forced to use both hands to keep himself from falling over sideways. Alanna sees there is no Quaffle and takes off after Deak while yelling at her team's Beaters and motioning at the younger Ravenclaw. Ariella is able to send the other Bludger at Deak before Deak's able to get off a good shot.
Deak ends up passing to Jack but Phin momentarily loses sight of the action when the same Bludger that just harassed Deak takes it upon itself to hit Phin. Taking a second to massage the back of his leg where the ball hit, Phin sighs and wonders what the rest of the game's going to be like if he's already taken four hits and it's only about ten minutes into the game.
Cold Day for Flying
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 11-01-07 01:26
Fritz shudders. It's cold but at least the wind isn't blowing too much. He grips his bat tighter, wishing his Quidditch gloves actually covered his finger tips because they really feel like they might freeze off any minute now––and the game's only started! He doesn't dwell on the uncomfortable weather for much longer, as he has a job to do. Ravenclaw just lost the quaffle when Deak tried passing to Phin on account of Ariella Beck's bludger. Fritz swoops in almost immediately, intent on getting the quaffle back in Ravenclaw hands. Right now Alanna has it, and she's racing to the other side of the Pitch.
Fritz heaves his bat and makes contact with the bludger that hit Phin, but Alanna's far away from him now that he won't hit her. He makes eye contact wih the other Ravenclaw beater, Alastor Jenkins, who seems to understand Fritz's unspoken plan. Fritz really does miss having Coco on the team and as his co-beater, but at least Alastor seems to be filling her shoes rather well. Fritz's bludger careens towards Alastor and Alastor whacks it in Alanna's direction. It manages to tip the ball out of her arms, but in the mad scramble that follows, she somehow manages to get ahold of it once more.
Fritz frowns. Alanna's so close to the Ravenclaw hoops that it looks like Megara, the keeper, is sweating––if that were even possible in this weather. Alanna shoots, but Megara somehow finds it in herself to move in the right direction at the right time and catches the quaffle before it can sail through the goal hoop.
Fritz beams and immediately heads for the nearest bludger before Ariella can, but she's quicker. She shoots him a playful grin and then tears off after the next bludger, with Fritz right on her tail.
Icy Fingers, Icy Toes, and Quidditch
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 11-01-07 17:06
Isma, Della, Blake, and Eric sat, huddled in the bleachers of the Quidditch Pitch watching the Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw Quidditch game. Della had intelligently brought a thermos of hot chocolate and the four Gryffindor first years were sipping from steaming mugs in the icy December air. There was a lot of action going on on the pitch today, and the game had just started.
Phinfilius was already boardering on having no broom as the tail of his was near entirely taken off by the second bludger that had hit him since tip off. He'd get hit by a third before it would seem Alanna would be speeding toward the Ravenclaw hoops.
Megera was the Keeper for Ravenclaw and for a moment it didn't seem that Megera would block the incoming Quaffle. However, she did and that kept the score currently at nothing to nothing in favor of no one. Isma shivered lightly, curling a bit more into Eric, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before taking another sip of her hot chocolate and turning her attention back to the game before her. The Hufflepuff beaters were now trying to get the quaffle away from the Ravenclaw chasers and back into their hands.
Isma saw Orei sitting a few seats away, there was an empty seat next to them and she motioned for the older Gryffindor to come join them if she wanted to. Nodding that she could bring her friends, as there was enough room around them for all of the older Gryffindors.
Orei, Artemis, Titus and Madeline soon joined the four first year Gryffindors and they were each given a mug of steaming hot chocolate from the seemingly bottomless thermos. "Ready for Christmas break?" Orei asked the four first years, knowing that they were all nons, and thus lumped in the same "poverty" category as Madeline simply because one of their parents was a muggle or both of them were muggles.
"More than you realize." They said in unison, and everyone laughed. They were already for a break from the nightmare that Hogwarts had become from the new edicts and laws passed by the Minster of Magic.
The four turned eight would soon settle into companionable silence and watch the goings on of the so far exciting yet scoreless game between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
Written with brief input from Orei
Swiftness
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 11-02-07 01:35
Alanna hadn't expected Megara to act so swiftly and block the goal attempt, but didn't hesitate in the moments that followed. She immediately turned tail on her broomstick and tried to integrate herself in the pack of chasers that moved the quaffle to the opposite end of the Pitch. Jack Emerson currently had the quaffle. It moved from his hands to Phin's to Deak's and back again, traveling so quickly that one could hardly keep it in sight. Fortunately, a bludger sent via Ariella met the quaffle in midair, changing its trajectory so that Alanna could finally get her hands on it.
She 180ed and tore back towards the Ravenclaw goals, more intent than ever to get the quaffle past Megara. Alanna pressed herself low over her broomstick to give herself less wind resistance and made sure the quaffle was tucked snuggly against her side. Fritz suddenly appeared before her and paused, waiting for the bludger that was careening in his direction. Alanna swerved to avoid him and the black ball, which he hit with enough force to cause his arm to vibrate for a few seconds afterwards. The ball still managed to graze her shoulder, but luckily she held the quaffle in her other arm.
The impact distracted her enough for Phin to manage to get alongside her, but she pressed the quaffle even tighter to her body so that not even air could get between them. Now came the important part. The hoops were just ahead of her and Phin was too close. He could easily snatch the ball from the air as soon as she threw it. Best not to pitch it forwards, but away from Phin. Alanna made eye contact with Eithne on her left and tossed it in a straight line perpendicular to her own body. Eithne caught it easily and drew all the attention to her. Phin left Alanna's side. She pulled forward, glad to be ignored for a moment. Eithne dropped the quaffle into Katharina's arms, who tossed it over to Alanna. Alanna pitched it forcefully into the right-most hoop and grinned. The first ten points of the match had been scored by Hufflepuff.
What if it's True
Author: Eithne ni Domhnaill
Date: 11-02-07 16:54
Eithne felt so proud to swoop out of the staging area in her yellow and blue Hufflepuff uniform. She thought she would be nervous with this being her first match. And while getting suited up she was. Sheri's words came back to her: "You're only on the team because you are a Pure." Though she had argued vehemently with her at the time, she was overtaken by self-doubt.
But then once the team was assembled and mounted and waiting for the signal to swoop out onto the field, Eithne's vivid imagination took over. She looked at her teammates, especially team Captain Ariella Beck and was overcome with a sense that they were knights embarking on an errand. The older students seemed so confident and strong. Their postures on their brooms were tensed with expectation and yet calm too. She couldn't help but be affected by the team's attitude. Despite what anyone says, I'm definitely a team player! Eithne reassured herself.
But the romantic illusion was quickly dispelled by the bitter cold that assailed her within five minutes of taking up position while the Captains shook hands and the balls were put in play. Before long Hufflepuff had possession of the quaffle and Eithne was racing down the field pretty much in tow of the other two chasers, fighting the numbing effect of the speeding air on her fingers. As it turned out, she had little to actually do with that play, for which she was secretly grateful. She doubted her frozen fingers could have held the quaffle had it been passed to her.
As the ball was placed back in motion by the Ravenclaw keeper, Eithne followed back down the field, flexing her fingers, only to find that once again Hufflepuff had the ball. Alanna Beck was streaking like lightning down the field towards the Ravenclaw goal. Eithne and Katherine followed as close on her heels as possible. As focussed as she was on her own discomfort, even Eithne could tell that Alanna's trajectory was going to place her in a difficult position to complete the play alone. She forced herself to pay attention to strategy. Out of the corner of her eye she could see that Katherine was in an excellent position to pass the ball back to Alanna if Alanna were to fly down and around the Ravenclaw chaser who was in her path. But Eithne needed to close in on Alanna to the left to be in position to close the triangle. She hoped the others could see it too. Then again, they might just leave her out of the play like they did the last time. Afterall, maybe everyone thought what Sheri did.
That thought angered Eithne and she settled into position with a scowl. However, she was no sooner there than Alanna passed her the quaffle while simultaneously making the maneuver the chasing positions of the Ravenclaw team allowed. Without pause, Eithne passed the ball to Katherine who was to Eithne's right and above. As Alanna readjusted from the small dip down and around Phin, Katherine flew down and flung the Quaffle at her. It barely touched Alanna's hands before the ball was once again released and through the goal. The three Hufflepuff chasers whooped their triumph and flew back to be in position for when the ball was once again in play.
Eithne was smiling broadly when she got back in position. She searched the stands to see if she could see Francis. They had made up from their spat, but things were still not quite the same. She would show him, though. It was one thing to assist; she was determined to score a goal herself. Then people would stop making these silly accusations.
Iceburg (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 11-02-07 18:40
Deak blows on his fingers to warm them though at this altitude, with a stiff breeze, and the low tempeature, his breath simply isn't warm enough to do any good. Deak's wishing now he'd put on full gloves instead of the fingerless ones. He simply figured the same thing other players have - it's easier to work the Quaffle if you can actually feel it. As numb as his fingers are, Deak's now thinking the purpose of the fingerless gloves has been defeated.
Nice how Drake and Kody totally failed to mention how miserable it can be up here when it's this cold. It's not that Deak hadn't a clue what it could be like. He got a good idea in practice. Most practices are in late afternoon and evening. Only some are earlier in the day. And those haven't been as cold as today is. Figures that his first game, when it counts most, would be cold enough that Deak wouldn't be at all shocked if an iceburg went floating by.
Flying now with his arms crossed over his chest, hands tucked into his armpits, Deak flies slower than he normally would. He's forced to expose his fingers again mere seconds later when Phin unexpectedly passes the Quaffle to him. Deak barely managed to get his hands in position to catch the ball when it was suddenly in his possession.
Deak holds the ball close to his body and bends over his broom. Not only does that lower his wind resistance but Deak finds it's slightly warmer this way. Zigging around Alanna, then climbing over Katharina, Deak's eyes dart from side to side trying to watch for Bludgers coming at him. Unfortunately, Deak doesn't have eyes in the back of his head.
The Bludger smacks his shoulder hard but with his bent over position the Quaffle isn't dislodged from his grasp. Another hand appears right next to him, attempting to snatch the Quaffle away. Deak's flying into the wind and it's starting to make his eyes sting and water, making it hard for him to tell which Hufflepuff it is attempting to grab the ball, not that it matters who it is. All that matters is keeping it out of Hufflepuff hands and getting the Quaffle dto the hoops.
Deak catches a snatch of voice calling his name. He hears it again below him. Jack is flying directly beneath. Deak grins and drops the red ball, passing it off to Jack. Jack takes off at top speed, the Hufflepuff Chasers darting after him. Deak picks up speed as well but does stay bent over since it's a little warmer that way.
Not Getting The Snitch, Yet Anyway (Daria)
Author: Blossom
Date: 11-02-07 20:20
Daria's heart gives a flutter as the snitch streaks by her nose, so close she can feel one wingtip. It's so quick she doesn't have time to react fast enough to snatch it and end the game. Her hand has reached for the snitch but it's already away, stopping to hover just out of arm's reach as if taunting her.
Daria goes in pursuit of the small, winged ball. It stays just beyond her fingertips where Daria has focused all of her attention. She blocks out the sounds of the rest of the game, of the spectators, and even of the whistle of the wind as she speeds through the air. Daria isn't even sure where Sophia is. As long as the snitch is right there in front of her, then Sophia isn't really a problem. At least Daria hopes that's the case.
A bludger sails past between the snitch and Daria. She instinctively recoils her body back even though her broom is still going forward. Daria does not, though, take her eyes off the snitch. Daria follows it, speeding up but the snitch speeds up too. For something that has no brain, the snitch certainly always seems to have a mind of its own and one that likes to tease and torment seekers.
The snitch dips. Daria dips. The snitch climbs sharply. Daria climbs sharply, muttering under her breath at her inability to close the distance. At least she's not losing ground. That is, not until Sophia realizes Daria's onto the snitch. Sophia, Hufflepuff's seeker, tries to come at the snitch perpindicular to Daria, intercepting it from its flight path directly ahead of Daria.
Sophia's timing is off. She pulls up sharply just as Daria swerves widely. They avoid a massive collision but just barely. Worse, the snitch is nowhere to be seen. Exhaling slowly, watching her breath crystallize in the frigid air, Daria tucks down over her broom, eyes searching once more for any sign of the snitch.
Numb
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 11-03-07 01:08
With a loud crack, Ariella's bat made contact with the bludger she'd reached almost moments before Alastor could. She didn't have time to shoot the young beater a smile, as the game was very much getting heated. Ravenclaw had possession of the quaffle and because Fritz swooped in before Ariella's bludger could do any damage, Ravenclaw still had the quaffle.
She tore after the nearest bludger and hit it hard at Jack, who noticed the interfering ball just in time and both released the quaffle and dodged the bludger simultaneously. Phin collected the ball from the air and continued the path to the Hufflepuff hoops, where Sage waited with anticipation.
Ariella spotted Fritz readying himself to distract Sage with a bludger when Phin got close enough to the hoops and positioned herself to protect her keeper. Phin let the quaffle fly moments after Fritz's bludger came hurdling towards Sage. Ariella deflected the bludger easily, allowing Sage to move in for the block.
Sage tossed the quaffle to Alanna. Alanna used an extra burst of speed to propel her to the middle of the Pitch. It didn't take long for the others to catch up to her. Ariella weaved in and out of the pack, deflecting bludgers and targeting the Ravenclaw players. Suddenly, something made impact with her knee. She cried aloud and then gritted her teeth together. The good thing about getting injured when it was freezing cold outside was that the injuries tended to get numb from the chilly weather. Ariella wouldn't be able to forget about the pain in her kneecap but at least she didn't feel completely unable to go on with the match. Besides, it had only begun.
Alanna hadn't noticed the injury to her sister, as she'd still had possession of the ball and concentrated on scoring for Hufflepuff again. It wasn't until after she accomplished her goal and Gabby's jubilant voice rang out through the Pitch, that Alanna noticed Ariella's drawn face.
"You okay?" she asked.
"My knee," Ariella replied simply and then nodded to Megara who was just putting the quaffle back into play.
Alanna shot her sister a sympathetic look and then joined the fray, while Ariella turned her face quickly in the direction of the staff box to let a certain someone know that she was okay. She turned away hastily to chase after a bludger, gritting her teeth together the entire time.