|
|
Camaraderie (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 09-06-08 09:06
Although Deak sorely misses the camaraderie that exits with a Ravenclaw House team, he's not at all complaining about this team of Gargoyles. With the exception of Scary Mary, they're all good sorts and even Mary hasn't been so bad. Well, bad in terms of how Mary normally is.
That very person now sweeps across his line of vision, faking a pass to Daniel when she's actually fobbing it off on Deak. Grasping the Quaffle firmly, Deak sprints forward, pulling away from both Christopher and Timothy. Taking a quick look around for Jared, Deak doesn't see him so guesses, correctly, that Jared is somewhere behind.
A flash of scarlet and black is in his periphery. Deak rapidly shifts the Quaffle and makes a nice throw back to Mary. She, Daniel and he work the red ball down the pitch, getting ever closer to the Manticore kept goal posts, guarded by Sonya Silver, a girl Deak only knows from seeing her around the Quidditch pitch these last few weeks. Based on what he's seen watching the Manticores practice, Sonya has good keeper skills and given time the current first year could develop into a real force to be reckoned with.
Just not today.
Quaffle passed to him once more, Deak swoops in and without setting up the shot, lets the ball sail towards the middle ring. Sonya, having expected some sort of setting up on Deak's part isn't as prepared as she might otherwise be. The Quaffle flies through the middle hoop. As Rosalinda announces the goal, the Gargoyles let out whoops of pleasure at having scored first, making the match a 10-0 game. For now anyway.
Possession of the Quaffle goes to the Manticores, Sonya putting it back in play with a throw to Timothy.
Fan
Author: Jolyon
Date: 09-06-08 10:57
Late to the match, Jolyon entered the Quidditch Pitch just as young Deacon Bennett scored for his team, the Gargoyles. Being tardy had not been part of the plan, as Jolyon was quite the Quidditch fan, having played beater for Ravenclaw when he'd been a student at Hogwarts. He'd been preparing the stables for what would likely be a harsh winter, if the current weather was anything to judge by, and had simply lost track of the time.
He climbed the narrow steps up to the staff box, where his colleagues sat. Professor Snider had seated herself front and center, something that really didn't surprise Jolyon since he sensed she felt a great deal of self-importance. She probably also wanted to make sure that everybody in all the other boxes could see her.
Jolyon climbed up to the very last row and sat down between Declan Douglass and Rivalen Farnon.
"Have I missed much?" he asked both gentleman equally, glancing first at one and then the other.
Both had greeted him upon arriving and now Declan spoke. "It's been a slow start, but you just missed the first goal of the game."
"I think the Manticores have a fighting chance at catching up," Rivalen put in. He leisurely waved a royal blue and white flag in support of his nephew's team.
"It's early yet," Declan conceded, "and if the game's beginning is anything to go by, I'd say the Gargoyles and the Manticores are evenly matched."
"Has either seeker spotted the snitch yet?" Jolyon asked. "And have there been any injuries?" He noted all fourteen players were still accounted for, so if someone had been hurt, the injury hadn't been so terrible to take him or her out of the game.
"No one's––" Rivalen started, but he paused just as Rosalinda announced, "Aleydis has spotted the snitch, and there goes Caerwyn in hot pursuit!"
"I stand corrected," Rivalen continued. "And as for injuries..." He filled Jolyon in on the bludger collisions with special emphasis on Jared's face-plant with the shaft of his broomstick.
Jolyon, a former beater, had a sort of morbid fascination with Quidditch injuries. He'd suffered and dealt quite a few himself.
The snitch seemed to vanish from sight, and both seekers slowed down their high-flying to resume their systematic searching for the elusive golden orb. Meanwhile, the Manticore chasers worked the quaffle down the pitch only to have someone from the Gargoyles intercept. The Gargoyles got part of the way down the field when Timothy reclaimed the quaffle that had originally been his after Sonya put it back into play following Deak's goal. Jolyon, glued to the edge of his seat, watched the game like a true fan, even if aspects of the match were so obviously different than they'd always been.
(Curtis) Another Fan
Author: Don Thomas
Date: 09-06-08 21:14
Curtis Fiennes stood in the stands, yelling cheers to his comrade Don, who was a beater in today's match. Curtis loved Quidditch, to be honest. He always had been one. He had even made it a point to try out for the Ravenclaw team each year. He never made it on the actual team, but he at least tried.
Don hit a bludger towards Anne, whom completed the pass-ish style move by hitting it towards Timothy Gabble. Mark Farnon got in the way though. Curtis could only let out a large 'boo' to the former Slytherin's move. He then directed his attention to the other two chasers.
Jared Wynbourne, who Curtis thought had been brazened by the worst was still in the game. Timothy had passed the quaffle to him, and he did the same to Christopher Chant. Curtis doubted another pass could be played without getting the quaffle intercepted. The Gargoyles chasers were coming in close on the three Manitcore ones. It seemed like all six were in a tight ball as they headed for keeper, Isabel Parker.
As they neared her, Christopher Chant passed the quaffle to Jared Wynbourne. Jared Wynbourne made the goal as if he was slicing melted butter. The score was now 10-10.
Flinch (Daniel)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 09-07-08 10:06
Daniel Gelson scowls at the sight of the quaffle getting past Isabel Parker to successfully soar through a hoop. The game now tied, Daniel doubles his efforts to keep the quaffle away from the three Manticore chasers before the Gargoyles can score again.
As he plays, Daniel tries not to think of his cousins Alastor Jenkins and Jill Prewitt not being here, or for that matter their friend Olive Green. Daniel tries not to think about how Alastor had been on their house's (Ravenclaw's) team last year even though it meant displaying the highly popular and very skilled player Coco. At least cousins Hunter and Hadrian Rabnott and Alexa Wenlock were here. Here and cheering him on, waving banners of the scarlet and black for the Gargoyle team.
Jared Wynbourne whooshes past, hand extended in a pass of the quaffle to Christopher Chant. Jerking his broom around, Daniel darts in and snatches the ball so quickly Jared was still in the motion of the pass follow through.
Low over his broom, the quaffle tucked in tight against one side, Daniel streaks across the pitch towards Sonya Silver and the goal posts she's tending. Mary Black closes in on one side, protecting Daniel from a bludger aimed at him by Mortimer.
Daniel gets into scoring range, takes quick aim and then releases the quaffle. Now all he can do is sit on his broom and watch to see if Sonya makes the block. She flinches back from a bludger just as she's also drawing near the quaffle, though whether the bludger was courtesy of Anne or of Don, Daniel doesn't know.
The flinch was just enough for Sonya to mistime getting to the quaffle for the block. Daniel pumps his fist, excited that the Gargoyles are ahead again, 20 to 10.
Cannes, France: The Delacour Family
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 09-07-08 10:11
Bill stood on the balcony of a beach-front cottage in Cannes and looked out at the dark blue, wind-rippled waves that constantly reached the shore. It was quite cold outside, but the cup of hot cider in his hand and the well-insulated coat he wore warmed him enough not to feel too uncomfortable where he stood. The sliding door behind him opened, and Fleur called out to him.
"Denise is ready to cut the cake," she said. Denise Delacour was a cousin of Fleur's. Today was her twenty-first birthday, and a good many of the Delacour clan had come out to Cannes for the celebration.
Bill turned and stepped inside behind his wife, who took his coat from him and hung it in the closet by the front door. Then she took his hand and let him to the dinette table that had been magically elongated to accommodate everyone. A birthday cake complete with twenty-one candles sat on the table before Denise.
The family, including Bill, Fleur, Gabrielle, their parents and other Delacours stood around the table and sang "Bon Anniversaire" to Denise. When they finished, she silently made a wish and then blew out her candles effortlessly. Denise's elder sister, Danielle, handed her a large knife and helped pass each plate of cake slice to the guests congregated around the table.
Danielle and Denise's younger sister, Diane, came around with wine glasses for everyone. Bill graciously exchanged his cider for the wine, but Fleur politely declined a glass. They drank to Denise's birthday, and tucked into the delicious vanilla cake with cream and fresh strawberries on top. Bill thought he'd never tasted anything so good.
It was quite a nice change being away from Marseilles where he and Fleur currently made their home. Visiting Cannes and seeing Fleur's extended family, whom he hadn't seen since their Paris wedding several years ago, allowed him to temporarily forget the rigors of real life. He longed for his old life in Hogsmeade and also wished he could safely do something to reclaim that old life. Even Fleur, who had been pleased with her new home and job in the beginning, had started to feel nostalgic.
He swallowed the last bite of cake and washed it down with the wine. Then he took Fleur by the hand and squeezed it warmly. It was nice to be around family. Hopefully one day, the Weasley clan could all reunite like this too.
Unexpected Customers
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 09-07-08 12:43
Although it's a Saturday and although it's the lunch shift, the Imperial Crown & Cauldron isn't all that busy at the moment. We are expecting things to pick up some after the Quidditch match at Hogwarts ends and those visitors attending the match make their way back to the village. There still won't be many compared to how things used to be but then what business is brisk with things as they are in the British Wizarding community?
I sigh loudly enough that Phlagmelina all the way across two dining rooms looks over at me. I give her a sheepish grin in return but before I can shrug or mouth an apology for my meloncholy, the sounds of someone arriving by the Floo for customers, draws my attention, one hand reaching automatically towards the menus.
My hand freezes, hovering near the menus, my brain not ready to believe what my eyes are seeings. A child has emerged and moved quickly out of the way to allow another to arrive. I recognize them, of course, but my brain is slow to process. When it does, I hurry over, trying to act as though there's nothing unusual about these two children.
Reaching Jade and Hunter Green I greet them in a normal tone I'd use to welcome anyone to the restaurant. As it's not noon yet I say, "Good morning! Two for lunch or are you expecting others? Your mum perhaps?"
As I speak I am meeting their eyes, willing them to play along.
It's Jade who speaks first. "Just us, ma'am, but we did get permission to come alone."
Hunter nods, chiming in, "We are to behave and act respons'bly in case anyone asks."
"Wonderful! If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your table."
The Green twins, who look thinner than I remember but who are in clean clothes and have tidy appearances, silently trot along behind me. I take them to one of the small, private dining nooks. Even though no one is near enough to overhear us, I still find myself dropping my voice to a whisper.
"We'll talk in my office shortly. In the meantime, are you hungry?"
Hunter, also whispering, "Starving. Old Tom at the Leaky Cauldron fed us once but I could use more."
"Me too," Jade says in an even smaller voice.
They take the menus I hand them and are very seriously, very studiously looking over them when I draw the curtains to the private booth shut. I go first to Phlagemlina, motioning her to an empty corner. I hastily explain what's just happened then seek out Phin, who's waiting on a table.
"You've got another table. PB2."
Phin nods once to acknowledge what I've said then finishes writing down the orders of the couple he's waiting on. When he goes to drop off the order, Phlagmelina stops him for a moment, for all appearances giving him more instructions when she's really letting him know who's in private booth 2. Phin's eyes widen but from across the room I can't tell he's showing any other reaction to what Phlagmelina's saying.
Good.
Phin takes drinks to the couple whose order he's just taken then heads to PB2, notepad in hand, looking like what he is - a waiter going to greet a new table and take the table's order.
Shocked Then Impatient
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 09-07-08 15:38
From the second that Aunt Phlagmelina had told Phin that the customers at private booth 2 (or as they call it, PB2) were none other than Emerald's youngest sister and brother, Jade and Hunter, he'd been in a state of shock. He thinks he's outwardly handled the shock well though, getting drinks to one table and calmly walked to PB2 as if it's just another regular table to wait on. Slipping through the curtains to PB2, it was all Phin could do not to loudly exclaim at the sight of the twins.
Keeping himself in check, Phin hugged them both fiercely and Hunter, who at nine might normally push away a hug from anyone must less another guy, hugged just as fiercely back. When the hug ends, Phin says, "I'm to get you fed and then we'll either go to Mum's office or do a side-a-along apparition to someplace else where you can tell us everything. I'm dying to know now but I suppose my other tables will get testy if I abandon them in the middle of lunch service."
Jade worriedly asks, "Will you let us work off the food we eat? We don't have any money and already owe Old Tom at the Leaky Cauldron for food, baths, and clean clothes."
Phin can't believe she's even asking the question but before a retort slips off his tongue, he reminds himself that the Green twins have been through an ordeal and are only nine years old. He reaches out and gives Jade's arm a reassuring squeese. "Don't worry about money, Jade. We'll take care of you and get you someplace safe, and we'll get word to your aunt and uncle."
"We couldn't go there," Hunter states.
"Yeah, I know. I'm glad you thought to come here. Now, let's get you fed."
Later, after the twins have eaten, and when no one's in the vicinity of the entry down to the offices, Phin's mother Furnella takes the children to her office and from there, she and Phin do side-along apparitions to Chillzab's and Buckterlus's, Phin's grandparents, house. Returning immediately to the restaurant, Phin spends the rest of the day impatient to get back to his maternal grandparents's so he can hear Jade's and Hunter's story.
Cailyn's first Quidditch game
Author: Cailyn Spicer
Date: 09-07-08 17:36
The noise coming from that stands was almost unbearable as the cheering students roared. Cailyn, sat in her first Quidditch match ever. She had missed all the games last year and she sorely regretted it. She wished now that she had attended them. Quidditch was never really as big in America as it was here. She could see that now. To bad she wasn’t so busy with her Winged Horse Competitions. She would have totally joined up with Quidditch instead, but her father had said one or the other. Besides, she didn’t have time to join with Quidditch even though she could have easily made seeker this year. That is if there had been try outs this year. Cailyn really hated the fact that the members of the Quidditch team where just chosen.
Cailyn squealed as Daniel scored the last point making the score now twenty to ten. There was no way that the Manticores could now catch up with the Gargoyes. She was sure that the Gargoyles would win this year. She wished that the house teams had not been taken away. It would have been more entertaining to watch the Gryiffindors kill the Syltherins in Quidditch this year.
She sat back watching the game rather intently. Too bad she didn’t have another year at Hogwarts. She would love to join Quidditch next year. That is if there were going to be tryouts at all next year.
She supposed she could always look into trying out for a Quidditch team outside of Hogwarts, but she didn’t think that would happen. She had no idea what she was going to do next year yet. Besides, she had a few months to think about it yet. What was she going to be? What was she going to do? She needed to ponder these questions. But not during the Quidditch game.
There was yet another defending roar and Cailyn had to put her hands over her ears giggling. She wasn’t going to miss a single game this year. That was for sure. Quidditch was too much fun to miss.
Make It A Tie Again
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 09-07-08 23:07
During the next several minutes the quaffle changes hands so many times Cat thinks he'll get dizzy from trying to keep straight who's got the ball. Dizzy and bruised. Cat's been hit with bludgers a number of times so far in the game and fully expects to take a few more hits. There will be bruises too from close quarters work with the other chasers. By tonight Cat figures he'll have some real doozies, including around his left eye where Deak Bennett caught Cat with an elbow when both dove for the quaffle on a missed throw from the Gargoyle team's Daniel to Mary.
Just when Cat thinks he'll have to shut his eyes to hold back the dizziness, Jared breaks free from the bunched up chasers. He barely gets two meters before Anne gets Jared with a bludger, slowing him enough for Mary to catch up and forcefully grab the quaffle away. Her broom pivots around skillfully and Mary rockets away. Mark is having none of that and sends the other bludger screaming into Mary's broom, throwing her wildly off balance.
The quaffle drops from Mary's grip. Cat dives for it, sensing rather than seeing that either Daniel or Deak is doing the same. Bracing himself for another elbows and knees impact, or worse, Cat reaches the quaffle, snatches it from its freefall, and immediately starts an angled climb, heading in the direction of the Gargoyles keeper Isabel.
Timothy darts ahead to assist Cat. They work the quaffle ever closer to Isabel, ever watchful of bludgers and efforts by the opposing chasers to stop them. Jared catches up and joins the other two Manticore chasers in getting the quaffle within scoring range.
When they do reach the goal posts, it's Cat with the quaffle. His intention is to set the shot for the hoop to his right but a bludger takes him in the shoulder and the throw is off, thankfully towards the center hoop. Isabel throws herself at the ball but misses it by millimeters.
Cat knew he'd feel happy about making a goal but never did he expect the amount of jubilance that rushes through his body. Grinning from ear to ear, Cat moves to cover Daniel as Isabel puts the quaffle back into play with the score now tied at twenty points each.
Lazy Saturday
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 09-08-08 04:06
Lawrence and Ariella hadn't gotten out of bed until around eleven thirty, and they'd thought about going to the Quidditch game at Hogwarts, but given Alanna's request that she not have contact with any of them, they thought it was a good idea if they just stayed home. Lawrence didn't have to work today so they had the day to themselves.
"So what would you like to do today? We've only got a couple of weeks before we are heading back to Syndey for the wedding." He said, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, as he moved around the kitchen, pouring himself a mug of coffee.
"We can go to hogsmeade and spend some time looking about for little things that are needed for the ceremony." Ariella said a as she finished off the last bit of her breakfast.
"I love you Ariella." He said, wrapping his arms around her form and pulling her to him. "That sounds like a plan. Maybe lunch at the Imperial Crown & Cauldron or The Three Broomsticks." A kiss pressed to the side of her neck as he held her close.
"I love you too." She responded, nestling herself against him as she contemplated a bit. "Lunch at the Crown and Cauldron I think." She said and slipped away from him with a grin and ducked into the bedroom to change so that they could get ready to go.
Seeking (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 09-08-08 15:11
Caerwyn flies slowly from one side of the pitch to the other, his eyes darting right, in front, left, up, down, in front again, right again. Over and over. Frustratingly there's been little sign of the snitch. Caerwyn would very much like to find the winged ball and snatch it from the air for his team the Manticores. If he doesn't, if Aleydis gets to the snitch instead, Caerwyn will be disappointed but not angry. He has had a wonderful the last two weeks practicing, being part of a team, belonging to something with others with whom there is the shared experience. He's very happy to have played today no matter which team wins.
Caerwyn would not, however, ever admit that fact to his father. Julian Valentine, upon learning that Caerwyn had been selected to play, had written, "Winning is everything!" but the in the same letter seemingly contradicted himself by reminding Caerwyn, "The most important thing is to have fun." If winning is everything but one loses, then that wouldn't be having fun, now would it?
Caerwyn doesn't mind the opposite advice. He's still getting used to having a father and suspect that even though Julian has been part of Grace's life for five years, Julian is still getting used to having a son Caerwyn's age thrust upon him so suddenly.
For a moment, Caerwyn lets his eyes wander from their task. He focuses on one of the stands where his father, his sister, Briar, Charlotte, and even Uncle Lysander sit proudly decked out in Manticore royal blue and white, waving matching banners. His grandparents are here as well and Lisette Valentine is even wearing a fuzzy cap in his team's colors. He's more thrilled than he could ever put into words that they all came, surprised that with his father here, Uncle Lysander came as well. These days it's unusual for both to be absent from the shop during business hours. The only one missing from the bunch is the cat Dexter and Caerwyn is sure that if Grace could have found a way to sneak Dexter in, she would have and for her, Dexter would sit still for the entire match.
Something golden flashes past. Caerwyn jerks his head to follow the movement. The snitch flies in a meandering pattern just out of Caerwyn's reach. He goads his broom forward, pressing his body down over the handle, one arm extended, fingers reaching. The snitch leads him on a merry chase and unsurprisingly it and he are joined by Gargoyles seeker Aleydis.
Caerwyn's edging Aleydis out, his fingers curling around the snitch when BAM! a bludger smacks him in the side. Caerwyn's broom is pushed right, colliding with Aleydis. She pulls away, shooting forward after the snitch but in that brief second when her attention was taken by being knocked into by Caerwyn Aleydis lost sight of the snitch. Caerwyn, his side aching, is glad that he didn't accidently hurt Aleydis when that bludger rammed him sideways. He would't want to win by default if Aleydis were forced to leave the match. Where's the sport in that?
"Watch out, Valentine," Mark Farnon yells, swinging his bat in a trajectory that would have smashed Caerwyn if not warned.
Mark bats a bludger at Daniel Gelson as that boy steals the quaffle from Manticore chaser Timothy Gabble. Caerwyn finds himself having to duck, bob, and weave through the pack of six chasers as the quaffle exchanges hands a number of times, the four beaters sending the bludgers into the pack as quickly as they're able.
Caerwyn breaks free of them about the time Timothy regains possession of the quaffle. Caerwyn watches, holding his breath in anticipation, as Timothy sends the quaffle soaring towards the Gargoyle tended hoops. Isabel makes a valient effort to block but the shot is good. The Manticores pull again by ten points, taking the lead for the first time in the match.
With the score now 30 Manticores, 20 Gargoyles, Caerwyn resumes flying a search pattern, once more vigilently seeking the ever elusive snitch.
(Aleydis) As Luck Would Have It
Author: Griet
Date: 09-08-08 19:55
Aleydis didn't let the fact that the Manticores now led the Gargoyles, even if only by a measly ten points, discourage her from doing her best. She wanted to win, but she also didn't feel as if her life depended on it (although she knew Cornelia would never let her hear the end of it if she allowed Caerwyn to catch the snitch). For a brief moment, Aleydis chanced a glance into the stands. She'd seen Cornelia earlier and knew where to look for her this time. Cornelia didn't seem to know who to cheer for and so had worn colors in support of both teams.
Out of the Vanderbilt family, Cornelia was probably the biggest Quidditch fan. Aleydis knew that Cornelia felt bitter over the fact that she couldn't play today, and that bitterness was only enhanced by the fact that Aleydis, the disgraceful ex-Hufflepuff sister, could and that she was playing in Cornelia's old position. Aleydis didn't really feel bad for stealing Cornelia's thunder this time, but she did wish that Griet could be there, either playing or just simply in the stands. It certainly wasn't fair that Griet, who'd been pureblood all her life until a couple of years ago when Fenrir Greyback bit her and turned her into a werewolf, was now who-knew-where doing who-knew-what. Aleydis worried that she'd never see her oldest sister ever again, and sometimes she even feared that Griet was dead.
She sighed and instantly realized she'd just let her mind wander when she had an important task to complete. Aleydis roved her eyes over the scene in front of her, using her periphery to not only aid her in searching for the snitch but also to warn her of bludgers headed her way. Unless one of the beaters decided to be particularly viscious and take her out of the game, she didn't think she'd have to worry too much until she landed eyes on the snitch again.
And there it was, twinkling in the sunlight, its almost transparent wings flapping in the chilly wind. It hovered in its place for a moment and dashed away as soon as Aleydis made a move to catch it. Caerwyn didn't take long to catch onto the fact that Aleydis had seen the golden ball, and the beaters figured it out as soon as Rosalinda made the announcement for everyone to hear.
A gust of extremely cold wind buffeted Aleydis fiercely, forcing her to put all her energy into pulling ahead. Luckily, the snitch fought against the wind resistance too and couldn't get too far in front of her. A bludger came at her from a sharp ankle and nearly grazed her nose. Aleydis hesitated long enough that Caerwyn was able to catch up to her, but she didn't linger long enough to allow him to pass her by. They flew shoulder to shoulder, both against the strong, freezing wind, each with an arm outstretched. The snitch bounced against the gust, and all at once was thrown backwards, straight into Aleydis' open palm. She wrapped her fingers around it tightly and sat up, slowing her broomstick to a stop.
Caerwyn flew in a slow arc around her and said genuinely, "Good game."
Aleydis looked at him and smiled. "Thanks."