|
|
Prior To The Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw Match
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 02-18-12 08:22
Viktor had made it through last Saturday at the pub and then dinner without getting drunk, though he could easily have done so in the mood he was in. As this week unfolded he'd thrown himself into work, buying Christmas gifts, and adding more decorations to the Humbatas stadium. He's put some holiday decorations at his house too but thought he'd wait to do anything with his tree for when Marjani and Zuberi come to stay in another week for Christmas holiday from Hogwarts.
This morning Viktor had trouble getting past that spot on his way from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts but at least he'd not had to fly just to get to the pitch for today's match between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. He'd made sure everything was in order yesterday, the third check he made during the week, but arrived early today to go over everything again and to get the equipment out and ready.
He'd asked Brent Gorper and Pyrrhus Fine to help again today as referees, making three for the match. The Humbatas had played a game against the Cannons, winning the match three and a half hours in with a score of 160 to 10. Win or lose, Conner and he hadn't scheduled a practice for today so Brent and Py readily said yes.
On the line-up today for Hufflepuff are keeper Glori Hodfuffer, captain and seeker Aleydis Vanderbil, beaters Gus Hodfuffer and Caerwyn Valentine who's team co-captain, and chasers Sadie Mickle, Jasper Jenkins, and Marlow MacDougal. Hufflepuff has some new players and Marlow's younger but after watching them practice for weeks now, Viktor knows the new people have gelled nicely with the more experienced players and could provide tough competition.
For Ravenclaw are keeper Beatrix Vanderbilt, seeker Christopher Chant, beaters Jade Green and Alastor Jenkins, captain and chaser Deak Bennett, co-captain and chaser Jack Emerson, and chaser Ramona Mickle.
There is a triple sibling rivelry going on today. Aleydis and Beatrix are sisters, Jasper and Alastor are brothers, and Sadie and Ramona are also sisters. On top of that the two Vanderbilts are cousins to the two Mickles. Marlow MacDougal is cousin of the two Jenkins boys and to Deak Bennett. Glori and Gus are also cousins. Some close kinships and close friendships as well among the members of each team and between the two teams. All in all this could be a very interesting match-up today.
Viktor has the chest of balls at his feet, broom leaning against it, waiting for Py and Brent to arrive. Visitors to the school, students, and staff wanting to stake claims on what they each consider prime seating are slowly filling the stands, their voices echoing around the pitch making it seem like there are more people than there are.
Taking a sip of coffee, Viktor summons a canvas chair to sit in while waiting. Won't be long now.
(Aleydis) The Pressure Is On
Author: Griet
Date: 02-18-12 09:18
It had started to snow around the time Aleydis made it down to the Quidditch Pitch. The weather report in The Daily Prophet hadn't indicated that the snowfall would be any more than light and sporatic, so she wasn't worried it would cause problems during today's match against Ravenclaw.
She was a bit worried about how she would do today. This was her first match as the official captain of the Hufflepuff team. Two years ago, Emerald Green had been captain of Hufflepuff. Aleydis had just been the seeker then, which was, of course, an integral position on the team, but somehow she felt more pressure now that she was seeker AND captain.
She and her teammates pulled on their uniforms and talked up a big game in the locker room. They could hear the Quidditch pitch filling up with spectators, and then the commentator starting making opening announcements. The Hufflepuffs lined up at the locker room door and then, upon hearing the commentator shout out their names, burst outside on their broomsticks.
Aleydis flew several circuits around the Pitch, waving at random in the direction of the stands before touching down at center field. Coach Krum was there with the box of game balls at his feet. Deak Bennett, Ravenclaw's captain, was also there, ready to shake Aleydis' hand.
"Good luck," he said to her,
"Thanks," she said back. "You too."
She shot Coach Krum a brief smile. She had drawn his name for Secret Santa and had gotten him a wooden puzzle game from one of the woodworking vendors in Hogsmeade last weekend. She didn't really know if he liked puzzles, especially the sort that exercised one's brain, but she hoped so. If anything, it looked nice and would do well on a shelf or desk corner.
Aleydis and Deak mounted their brooms and joined the others in the sky. Coach Krum released the balls in order, with the quaffle going up last. Deak was the first to lay his hands on it and immediately took off towards the Hufflepuff hoops, the others quick to follow. Aleydis, however, began her meticulous search of the snitch.
She had tried to keep an eye on it after its release, but as was typical of the winged ball, it vanished from sight soon after. Christopher started searching near her, but eventually they drifted apart, but neither seemed to catch a glimmer of gold anywhere.
The snow continued to fall. Aleydis wasn't sure what happened, but Hufflepuff had the quaffle already. Sadie, her cousin, zig zagged through the opposing chasers but had to put the brakes on suddenly when a bludger past just inches in front of her nose.
Aleydis refused to allow herself to get distracted by the other players, though she did need to keep an eye out for the bludgers. She continued searching for the snitch, wondering where it was amidst the gently drifting snow.
Who Is That? (Basil)
Author: Jared
Date: 02-18-12 10:40
Basil has no interest in sitting through the Ravenclod-Pygmy Puff match but even he could only sleep so late on a Saturday. He also grudgingly admits that seeing them in a full match, as opposed to the short exhibition games earlier in the term, is better than the occasional scoping out at their practices. Still, he wouldn't be the least bit disappointed if Chant or Vanderbilt were to get the snitch within the few few minutes of the game. It's not like he's paying to see this.
The announcement of the teams have some of the players passing in close proximity of the section of stands Basil is in with Ivan Grimsby. As one blond in Hufflepuff colors goes by he nudges his friend. "Who's that?"
"Who's who?"
"That girl that just flew by."
"That one?"
"Yeah, that one."
"Aleydis Vanderbilt, you dork."
"That's Aleydis?"
"You're being a berk on purpose, right?"
Basil, not one to admit his moments of idiocy if he doesn't have to, gives Ivan another, harder, nudge. "Yeah, just pulling your leg."
He hadn't been though. Basil has seen Aleydis any number of times and known who she was, mainly because of her being involved in Quidditch. With Aleydis a year younger and in another house, if not for Quidditch he might only be vaguely aware of her existence as Cornelia's, and Griet's, sister. He'd never given Aleydis much thought one way or the other before a moment ago. When she flew past Basil did not recognize the stunning blond.
When did Aleydis get to be so damned hot?
Basil slinks down in his seat at the realization that not only does he think she's the best looking girl at Hogwarts but Aleydis Vanderbilt is a Huffl... No! He can't bring himself to think it.
If not for wanting to watch Aleydis's every move, Basil would nudge Ivan again, claim to suddenly not feel well, and return to his room in Slytherin House to sulk. He hears the words Secret Santa filter down from a few seats behind him and forces his thoughts in that direction.
Basil had drawn Ella Harville's name. He would have get to a fecking Gryffindor, wouldn't he? At least there's solace in not having drawn the loathsome Etta's name. Bad enough Etta will get a gift from him picked out by his mum. Surprisingly, Basil had actually picked out Etta's gift himself instead of asking Mum to send something girl appropriate, which is what he'd intended to do. The last place Ivan and he were before getting something to eat and butterbeer prior to returning to Hogwarts last Saturday had an interesting perfume decanter with a decent smelling scent. With a half shrug Basil had said, "What the hell? Get it done and out of the way." He'd even had it wrapped there so he wouldn't have to bother with it. Upon return to the castle, Ivan and he had gone to the commons where a tree had gone up. He was carrying everything he'd bought in the village so he'd rooted around for that box, borrowed a quill to write Ella's name on it along with his own, stuck it under the tree then began the impatient waiting for a gift from his own Secret Santa to show up.
Aleydis passes in close proximity again drawing Basil's attention and thoughts back to her. This is going to be a long arse game.
Cheering Between Coughs (Etta)
Author: Jared
Date: 02-18-12 12:01
Etta had come close to skipping today's match. Unlike her cousin, she had been looking forward to it. Etta might only play in an occasional pick-up game and in whatever Quidditch related unit is covered in Fitness & Athletics but she is a huge fan of the sport. She got up not feeling that well, sore scratchy throat, snifflings, eyes more sensitive to light. Etta thinks it's just a cold that seems to be making the rounds. She hopes it's not the flu. It's early yet but she's been up several hours now and doesn't feel any worse so in all likelihood, it's is just a cold.
Bundled up even more warmly than she usually might she sits with Olive, Alexa, Jill, and Marjani. With friends on the Ravenclaw team Etta and Marjani are rooting for them. Alexa and Jill are cheering on both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff because they've friends and relatives playing for Ravenclaw and cousins on Hufflepuff.
Between sips of hot chocolate and cheering for Ravenclaw, Etta talks with her friends about the coming week of school and Christmas break, which begins next Saturday. The girls are wanting to have a holiday party if their parents will allow. They just need to decide at whose house and on what day. They've already decided each will provide some of the food and drink and pitch in with the decorating. They've got a tentative invite list and are even thinking of doing some sort of festive party favors for those who are able to attend.
All this talk of Christmas and parties reminds Etta she still needs to get Jared something. She's gotten him a couple of small things but feels like she should do something more. Etta would have thought selecting a gift for Jared's girlfriend Alanna would be the hard part of Christmas shopping but a present for Alanna proved to be far easier than she imagine.
Secret Santa gift shopping has been a little challenging but also not as bad as she thought it might be. Etta is Secret Santa to first year Franciscus Vanderbilt, the younger of the Vanderbilt siblings and only boy as far as she knows. While at Honeydukes last Saturday, Etta had picked up some wiggling gummy worms and a sweet and sour candy called Pucker-Ups. Later at one of the temporary vendors she found one more item she thinks is pretty cool and that a boy Franciscus's age will like, glow in the dark shoelaces.
Feeling another coughing fit coming on, Etta takes a sip of her hot chocolate, hoping to sooth the cough away before it gets started.
A Touch Of Nerves (Marlow)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 02-18-12 16:09
Marlow had been fine until this morning. No nervousness whatsoever until she sat at breakfast and got to thinking about how today is a REAL match. It counts. It's not like the exhibition matches at Homecoming and it's darn sure not like practice or games just for fun. Win or lose the points go towards determining who places for the Quidditch Cup. It's best to run up a high goal score so that even if losing, your team still has a decent tally going towards the total points. Points that also count towards house points and the bragging rights to the House Cup.
At least Liannah isn't a Ravenclaw player. Marlow is feeling the pressure enough without having her bossy, snotty older sister on the other team. Alastor and Deak are on the Ravenclaw team but Deak's always been nice to her and though Alastor can sometimes be snotty, he's never been out and out mean to her either.
Marlow knows that on the playing field her cousins won't cut her a break but they also won't be out to get her either. At least she hopes not, especially Alastor as he's a beater. Liannah would definitely target her more if Liannah were on the team as beater. Marlow just knows it.
Liannah can sometimes be nice but lately she goes out of her way to be mean and Marlow might have tattled on her at home more than she should have but she's not going to run to a professor each time feels slighted by her sister. Marlow might only be twelve and beyond immature as Liannah puts it, but even she knows something like that is simply not done unless you want to gain a negative reputation.
Liannah being in a snit with her last Saturday morning is why Marlow decided not to have her sister secret santa shop for her afterall. She was concerned that Liannah would take Marlow's money and buy Professor Masterson something cringingly stupid. Marlow attended the flying and Quidditch workshop last weekend but right after sat down with Eden and Heather with a stack of catalogues and circulars to find a non herbology related gift for Lawrence Masterson. Eden was looking for a present to give another professor, Jolyon Kent, and Heather wanted to find a gift for Catriona Amherst. Eden could have asked Alastor to help her out since he could go into Hogsmeade or written her mother but wanted to try and find something on her own first. Heather was the same way. Jasper, on the other hand, trusted Alastor to do his shopping so even though he eventually joined the girls to flip through some of the catalogues, he was looking more for some gift ideas for a couple of family members and also trying to complete the wish list his and Eden's mum had asked for.
Marlow likes what she ended up picking out for Professor Masterson but at the same time wishes she could have found something even better. She hopes he and his wife like drinking hot chocolate as much as she does, having gotten him a set of mugs and hot chocolate mix to go with those mugs.
Eden, who thinks Professor Kent is sort of hunky even if he's old like her father, kept returning to a catalogue with a large selection of men's sweaters. The ones she liked best had bright colors and geometrical patterns and did not seem at all the type of thing Professor Kent would wear. Much as she would have loved to get one of those festive sweaters she knew if she actually wanted him to consider being seen in public with it, she should get him something less blinding. It still has a geometric pattern but much, much more subdued and in a color he should be able to make go with pretty much any color of shirt he wants snd go with both nice slacks and jeans.
Heather thinks she had a much easier time finding a gift Catriona Amherst will like. She doesn't really know Cat, not really. Cat is a few years older but Heather has talked to her a few times in the Ravenclaw common room and Cat dates that cutie Christopher Chant. The older girl sometimes wears jewelry so when Heather picked out a pretty jewelry box for her, which actually was a little hard to do because there was a lot of pretty boxes to choose from.
By the time the Hufflepuff team was being announced Marlow just knew she was going to be sick all over the pitch. Once she got out there, on her broom, the balls going into play, that did help her focus better. Then the match began and Marlow only had time to think about being nervous during the occasional lull in action.
At the moment, she's catching a pass from Sadie Mickle, swerving to avoid a collision with cousin Deak when he zags to avoid a bludger from Caerwyn Valentine. Marlow pivots around on her broom and hurls the ball to Jasper. Jasper catches it, accelerates forward, only to be forced to slow way down because of Jade Green, the beater playing alongside Alastor, is in his path swinging her bat at the other bludger.
Jasper sees Sadie once more open and throws. Jack swoops in for the steal only to lose the quaffle before he's even got a good grip thanks to Gus Hodfuffer. Sadie's able to get to the ball before anyone else. By that time they are near enough to Ravenclaw keeper Beatrix Vanderbilt for Sadie to take a shot.
First goal attempt of the match and Beatrix easily blocks, with Marlow catching the quaffle on the rebound. She goes to shoot it for another goal attempt but before she can release the ball, Alastor gets her with a bludger. Marlow hangs on to the quaffle but her hand and arm are stinging enough that she hands it to Jasper. As he sets up for his own effort at making a goal, Marlow shakes her arm, working the sting out of it.
In the few ensuing seconds Beatrix again blocks Hufflepuff's attempt but this time it's Ramona Mickle getting to the quaffle first. The Ravenclaw hightails it back the other direction with everyone else going in pursuit.
Not Paying Attention (Amorica)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 02-18-12 17:45
As a first year Amorica Wenlock was stuck at Hogwarts and unlike roommate Rylee Marks she wouldn't dream of asking her parents to try and get her special privileges. Amorica doesn't dislike Rylee even though that girl is on the stuck-up side but she does wish she didn't have to hear Rylee talking about wanting to have or do things not allowed for first year, or like when they had to take flying lessons Rylee acting like she was too good for the short course. Most of all she doesn't care hearing about how expensive her clothes, jewelry and makeup are. Amorica comes from a rich family herself but she doesn't feel the need to let others know her clothes are better than theirs because they cost a mountain of galleons. And makeup? Only being eleven, Amorica's not allowed to wear it yet, but she guesses she could if she could be certain Alexa would never mention it around their parents.
Her opinion of Rylee's tendency to rub in how much all she owns costs aside, Amorica also thinks it wouldn't be half bad to have Rylee as her secret santa. If Rylee put her name down for the gift exchange, Amorica would bet that whoever Rylee got will get an extremely nice Christmas gift.
Looking around the stands full of people, she wonders who did get her name. Amorica drew Mason Jeffers. Like her he's in Slytherin but he's a couple of years older than she is. She knows he likes Quidditch enough to try out for and make their house team and she knows his mother is a Muggle. After a great deal of thought, Amorica owled her mother pictures from a magazine of what she wanted to get Mason. Her mother was not able to get exactly the same t-shirts but she got some that met with Amorica's approval. One is a Slytherin Qudditch t-shirt and the other is for something called the Chelsea Football Club that she'd once overheard Mason talking about being a huge fan of.
Everyone around her starts cheering so Amorica, who she'd missed something. Eyes moving the match, Amorica cheers along with everyone else, having no idea who did what and not really caring. She simply likes Quidditch and since Slytherin isn't playing, she will cheer on both teams.
(Beatrix) Confidence
Author: Griet
Date: 02-19-12 08:49
So far, so good, Beatrix thought to herself, smiling from ear to ear. There had been several goal attempts on the part of Hufflepuff so far, including one by her cousin Sadie, but Beatrix had managed to block each and every one.
Since joining the Ravenclaw team, Beatrix had discovered that she was quite good at playing keeper, and now it looked like she was passing her first real test. Of course, the game was still in its early stages, unless one of the seekers caught the snitch soon. Beatrix didn't want to get overly confident, because that would definitely lead to mistakes being made.
Right now, Ravenclaw had possession of the quaffle. Beatrix watched the pack drift farther and farther away from her and closer and closer to the Hufflepuff hoops. With the action on the opposite side of the Pitch right now, Beatrix allowed herself to think about Christmas.
She had signed up for Secret Santa and had been assigned Professor Isuki, the DADA teacher for the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. students. Beatrix didn't know Professor Isuki, except by sight, so it took a great deal of thinking to determine the perfect gift for the Hogwarts staff member.
While in Hogsmeade last weekend, Beatrix had wandered into Botanicals & Beyond, where she'd found a collection of teas under the headings "soothing" and "stress relievers". Beatrix didn't really know if Professor Isuki was stressed out, but she could well-imagine that it was hard work teaching the upper level students and that Professor Isuki could use something to help her wind down at the end of each school day.
Even if she didn't, the teas smelled great and probably tasted good too.
Ramona lost possession of the quaffle to Marlow, who immediately turned around and darted Beatrix's way. She passes the quaffle to Jasper, who passed it to Sadie, and so on, the red ball traveling quickly from Hufflepuff hand to Hufflepuff hand. Beatrix got ready, determined to make another block if she needed to, but then a bludger came out of no where, striking her collar bone.
Beatrix winced and couldn't help but cry out when she felt the bone shatter. Jasper, who had gotten the quaffle within scoring range, let it fly from his hand. Beatrix tried to block the ball, but he'd smartly thrown towards her injured side. She wasn't quick enough to move her arm, so the quaffle went through the hoop, putting the very first points on the board this match.
Coach Krum blew his whistle to halt the match, and he and Referee Fine checked on Beatrix's arm. The initial pain had subsided some, but her shoulder still throbbed something terrible. She wasn't ready to quit, though, because what would happen if Ravenclaw lost its keeper so soon into the match?
She told them that she would stick it out a bit longer but promised that she would leave the field if things got worse. Hopefully it wouldn't come down to that, but suddenly, Beatrix wasn't feeling very confident anymore.
Under Threat Of Torture (Alastor)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 02-19-12 11:24
Alastor is not at all pleased that Hufflepuff got the first goal of the match though in private, with absolutely no one around to hear, he might - MIGHT - admit to be the ever so teensiest bit proud of Jasper for being the one to make it. Under threat of torture, of course.
After the brief referee called time out Deak put the quaffle back into play with a pass to Ramona. She flies towards keeper Glori Hodfuffer with Marlow dogging her in an effect to steal the red ball. Alastor helps but beating Caerwyn to a bludger and directing it at Marlow. Ramona pulls ahead somewhat when the bludger connects with Marlow's shoulder.
Ramona passes to Jack but she wobbles a little as she throws due to a last minute ducking from a bludger courtesy of Gus Hodfuffer, the person to whom he owes silent thanks for inspiring Alastor last Saturday when trying to buy something for Jasper to give to Marzipan Ravenscroft as a Secret Santa His brother had wanted to go into Hogsmeade and was hugely disappointed at not getting to but he'd had a touch of a stomach bug the day before and Madam Pomfrey had said it was not a good idea for Jasper to go into town.
Alastor had been at a vendor's stall looking at picture frames when he overheard Gus Hodfuffer talking about getting one or two of the frames to give to Professor Somerset as a secret santa gift. Gus had said something about Professor Somerset showing off pictures of his little girl Lilly. That comment stuck with Alastor after Gus and his mate Caerwyn had paid for whatever it was Gus bought and moved on. Professor Ravenscroft has two sons so it's a good bet she'd like being able to show off more photos of them. He'd used every bit of the money Jasper gave him to buy a cool looking scultured multi-photo frame. When he got back to Hogwarts with it to show Jasper, his brother's response had been, "Professor Ravenscroft will love it. Thanks! Where's my change?"
Alastor had also put his name in for the secret santa Christmas gift exchange. Sure, it meant having to buy a gift for someone he might not even know or know but not be able to stand but it also meant receiving one extra present. He feels it's usually worth the trouble. The exception are gifts given by those who don't bother trying to buy a decent gift but who expect a killer one in return. Then again, that's true with just regular gift giving and receiving.
Alastor has Zuberi Batuti's name. At first he was stumped. What do you give a bloke who has only this past year become decent to be around and who just buried a sister? Then he remembered that Zuberi's been working out more, lifting weights and that sort of thing so Alastor decided to get Zuberi a set of hand weights to keep in his dorm room. He thought he might have to owl order a set but he found some last Saturday in Hogsmeade.
Jack dodges around Sadie and then Gus swinging his bat at another bludger, then passes to Deak. Ramona and Jack bunch up around Deak but a bludger from Caerwyn not only as Deak losing the quaffle but Jasper snatching it for the steal.
Jasper darts left but should have gone right. He goes right where Jade had hoped, ending up with a bludger smashing into his shoulder from the front. The combination of painful flare and numbing stinging in the shoulder, arm, and hand holding the quaffle has Jasper losing his grip on the ball. It's Jack who takes possession, shooting back the other direction.
Alastor starts to send a bludger at Sadie who is darting in close to Jack but he spots the snitch not all that far in front of where Aleydis is searching for it. Can't have her seeing it and ending the game so soon after it's begun. He shifts position and hold on his bat slightly so alter the direction of the bludger to cut across Aleydis's flight path.
Gus accelerates after that same bludger, but Alastor doesn't think the other boy saw the snitch to tip Aleydis off so he doesn't go in pursuit. Not only is the second bludger closer but Aleydis has already slowed after catching sight out of the corner of her eye at the bludger coming her way.
Jack closes the distance to Glori, moving in to take the shot.