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Saturday Routine
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 04-16-12 13:45
Saturday had dawned cool and disgustingly snow filled. Jim had to work and Orei had decided that today would be she and Meagan would be quite pleased to spend the day inside. Meagan, who was progressing nicely in her development in her six months of life. She was sitting up well, and had managed the chilly winter months without a cold, which was delightful for all parties. At the moment she was sprawled in her play pen chewing on a soft stuffy that had become her favorite as of late - and it was a gift from Christian.
Orei took Meagan's quite time to get some housework done that had been piling up what with she and Jim both in school and Jim working. Orei was considering going back to work at the end of this term, and had already begun discussing things with her supervisor at the Ministry. Meagan was adjusting well to her daily schedule during the week to go to daycare and getting picked up by either Jim, Orei or Jim's parents now that Orei's parents had moved back to Japan for business.
Orei had found a children's music program on the WWN and she had it broadcast while she worked, and found herself humming along with some of the cutesy songs that were played before she realized what she was doing. She laughed lightly, and then went to check on Meagan who had fallen strangely quiet. Thin tendrils of worry seeped into her being, but for a moment, until she realized that Meagan had fallen asleep. Chuckling, she moved some things out of the way, including some of the harder toys and left Meagan to sleep, thankful for nap time.
Laundry finished, dishes finished, dusting and various other cleaning done she ordered some take away curry and settled down to tackle her homework while the house was silent, listening for sounds of her daughter stirring which would mean that it is bottle time.
Easy Peasy (Alastor & Alexa)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 04-16-12 14:17
Slowing as he approaches a bludger, Alastor rubs the elbow of his batting arm. He'd cracked it on door facing yesterday, raising a knot and leaving a dark purple mark. It had bothered him last night in practice and was stiff this morning. He should have seen about getting some sort of anti-inflammatory potion from Madam Pomfrey but Alastor did the typical guy thing of thinking it would be easy toughing it out. He vows never to make that type of mistake again, especially if the injury in question comes right before a Quidditch match.
Alastor has to take breaks from swinging the bat and when he does hit a bludger, it's with white knuckled determination combined with a set jaw and a lot of swearing under his breath. When clear of other players, he's tried using his other arms and has done all right with the bludger hits though his aim isn't as good and the swing feels clumsy and somewhat unnatural. He thinks he's going to start practicing more to be ambidextrous when it comes to being a Quidditch beater.
Ravenclaw still leads Slytherin 40 to 20 though that's not for Slytherin's lack of trying or that Beatrix is that much better than Gus at keeping. It's also not because the Ravenclaw chasers are more skilled than the Slytherin ones, or not in Alastor's opinion. The two teams are really well matched. It's just one of those things that happens in sports sometimes when one team's timing is marginally better or the other team's is just slightly off, or a combination of both. Slytherin could also very well have things suddenly come together perfectly and start kicking some Ravenclaw arse.
Reaching the bludger Alastor sets his jaw again, whole body tensing in anticipation of the flare of pain that's about to radiate from the bruised knot at his elbow. Slytherin could very well have its shining moment any time now but not if Alastor can help it. He smashes his bat into the side of the bludger harder than he intended, wincing at the pain and calling himself all sorts of names for being a clumsy oaf who trips over his own feet, which is how he came to bump into that door frame yesterday.
The bludger is about halfway to his target of Mason when Mark puts himself between the bludger and his teammate. His redirects to Jack who has the quaffle as Alastor races to stop it. He can't get there in time and Jack isn't able to avoid the hit. The bludger smacks Jack in the hand but he doesn't drop the quaffle. Good thing too because Alexa would had probably snatched it right up.
Alexa's lips thin as she concentrates on getting the quaffle from Jack before he makes a goal attempt. Her efforts are stymied somewhat by an unexpected fit of coughing brought on by the super dry, cold winter air. Next timeout she has GOT to get in a couple of swallows of water. In the meantime, she does have a hard piece of candy if she can get to it, unwrap it, and get it in her mouth without dropping it while speeding along at twenty or thirty feet above the pitch, trying to steal the quaffle from Jack. Easy peasy and a nice soothing lemon flavor.
Much to Alexa's annoyance, Jack throws a really nice, pretty pass to Deak. Deak ducks to avoid a bludger from Basil, but in doing so nearly nearly collides with Mason. Jerkily veering his broom to avoid Mason, Deak loses his grip on the quaffle, allowing Olive to snag it and take off the other way. Ramona comes even with Olive, shadowing her closely, watching for a chance to steal the quaffle back. Swiftly moving into a position to take a pass, Alexa watches Olive just as closely for the hand off should Olive choose to make it.
A second later Olive does pass but ends up sending the quaffle to Mason because Jack has gotten between Olive and Alexa, eager to intercept if the opportunity presented itself. Mason shoots forward, quaffle ready to throw though it's anyone's guess if he'll pass to Alexa or Olive or if he'll try to score. Beatrix is zoned in on the quaffle, probably far more interested in the ball's location than in which Slytherin is in possession.
Mason makes as though to pass to Alexa but shoots for the goal instead. Beatrix is so, so close Alexa can hear Beatrix's fingers making a sort of squeeeing scritch as the quaffle goes past. Alexa makes a loud, "Woo hoo!" as the quaffle goes through the hoop, once more putting Slytherin within 10 of Ravenclaw.
Score: Ravenclaw 40, Slytherin 30
The Urge To Induce A Concussion (Basil)
Author: Jared
Date: 04-16-12 16:59
Passing up Alastor Jenkins to reach a bludger Basil targets Deak Bennett, who's just caught a rebound of a goal attempt by Jack Emerson that was easily rebuffed by Gus Van Tassel. Gus who no one truly pesters about being the object of so much swooning adoration. Why in hell then does it matter if Basil might or might not think a girl is pretty and a damn fine Quidditch seeker? He is not the first Slytherin to think someone in another house is worth a second look so Basil simply does not get someone being so morbidly fascinated upon learning Basil thinks Aleydis Vanderbilt is hot that a betting pool was spawned.
It feels bloody excellent to smash his bat against bludgers, imagining each time that the ball is someone's head. Though Basil did get confirmation that fourth year Taran Tremaine did mention Basil's crush to someone, as yet no one's admitted to being behind the rampant rumor and the still growing pool. Basil should anonymously pick a time and day for Aleydis telling him to go to hell, putting all his galleons on that time and day in the pool, then making it happen. He'd clean up.
The bludger goes just wide of Deak, who throws towards the hoop farther from Basil's perspective only to have Gus catch it. The quaffle goes to Alexa Wenlock, who sprints away from the Slytherin kept hoops, she and the other six Slytherins hoping to get another goal on Beatrix.
Basil alters course to go after one of the bludgers but Mark Farnon waves him off with a shouted, "I've got it." Mark who dates a Hufflepuff and who has, or had, as much of a reputation for nasty attitude towards members of the other houses as Basil but everyone thinks Mark's pairing with Kate Dewhurst is the bee's knees.
Bee's knees?
The hell?
Basil has a passing fancy of taking his bat and whacking himself over the head with it repeatedly. At the very least it might make everyone forget for two bloody seconds that Slytherin has trailed this entire match.
Reaching the other bludger, once again ahead of Alastor who seems to be having increasing difficulty with his batting arm, Basil taps the black ball none too gently, aiming it at Ramona Mickle. Is Ramona related to Aleydis through her father or her mother? Their mothers could be sisters or Ramona's mother could be the sister of Aleydis's father or Ramona's father could be the brother of Aleydis's mother.
ARGH!
Of course, the more Basil orders himself to stop thinking of Aleydis and anyone related to her, more he can think of nothing else.
Cornelia needs to hurry the hell up and catch that snitch so Basil can stop having his mind occupied on something - make that someone - else when he needs to be 100% in the game.
Alexa has passed to Olive who throws to Mason. Mason, in turn, shoots the quaffle but Beatrix Vanderbilt, who looks a little like Aleydis but not really, blocks once again and, worse, it's Ravenclaw with the rebound. Speeding towards a bludger to send at Jack, Basil tries not to look too closely as he flies by the stands where he just happens, quite by accident, to know where Aleydis is sitting.
(Kate) Go Slytherin!
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-16-12 18:23
Kate sat in the middle of a sea of green, perhaps the lone Hufflepuff student supporting Slytherin and not Ravenclaw today. She sat with Johanna and Felicia, who were wearing their green and silver Slytherin scarves and cheering enthusiastically for their house Quidditch team. Kate wore her school cloak over a hunter green jumper and blue jeans. Like her friends, she cheered loudly for the Slytherins, but she wasn't ashamed to admit that she had favorites on the team. Gus was certainly one of them, and Kate felt quite badly for him that he'd allowed the quaffle to get past his goal-keeping efforts several times already.
Mark, undoubtably, was her other favorite. She didn't like to see him angry, as it reminded her of years past when he had often looked unhappy, irritable, and at times, cruel, whenever they'd crossed paths. She could understand his frustration, though it was only a game. Kate much preferred the newer, happier Mark to the more moodier one.
"I hope things turn around soon," she murmured.
Johanna, perhaps having excellent hearing, heard the comment over the noise of the crowd. "Me too. I'm afraid that Gus will start to play badly if he loses confidence in his abilities. He's a good keeper. He's got to remember that and not worry if Ravenclaw gets a few goals past him."
"I'm worried Mark will do something foolish," Kate admitted.
"I think he'll control any unfortunate impulses he might feel," Johanna said, "but I can't say the same about Cornelia. Look at her."
"She'd very red in the face," Felicia said, "and I don't think it has anything to do with the cold."
"I think I see steam coming out of her ears," Kate said with a smile.
"Oh, look! Mason's in scoring range. He's shooting, he's––" A groan echoed throughout the Slytherin stands. Johanna's shoulders slumped and she finished, "not scoring. And now Ravenclaw's caught the rebound."
Kate put a hand on her shoulder. "It's not over yet. Cornelia can still catch the snitch and win the match for Slytherin."
"I hope she does it soon!" Felicia exclaimed.
"Me too!" the other girls echoed.
They turned their attentions back to the match and watched as Ravenclaw worked the quaffle from one end of the Quidditch Pitch to the other.
Blagging (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 04-16-12 18:54
"Blagging!" the announcement comes just after Referee Stanislaus blows his whistles.
After nearly twenty minutes of neither team making any headway in getting the quaffle close enough for a scoring attempt, Mason had the quaffle. He had come to a standstill as part of some play Olive, Alexa, and he were in the midst of executing. Deak flew in close looking for an opening to steal. A bludger hit by either Jade or Alastor came screaming their direction. Deak pulled forward a smidge to avoid getting hit if it continued past Mason or if it missed him altogether.
The bludger caught Mason in the side with a hard enough jolt that he lost his balance, leaning far to the side. Not wanting to lose the quaffle, Mason flailed about with his free hand to steady himself, accidentally grabbing the tail of Deak's broom instead of catching into his own broom.
The refs determine that Ravenclaw gets to take a foul shot. As team captain Deak starts to accept the quaffle to take the shot but then gives it to Ramona. He flies to a flanking position, in preparation of the shot being good and the quaffle turning over to Slytherin. Jack takes up a similar position but on Ramona's other side.
Ramona looks to the hoops, making eye contact with Gus. After
studied deliberation, she lets the quaffle go, following through nicely on her throw. Gus either misjudges where exactly she's sending the quaffle or he mistimes it. Whichever the reason, Ramona's shot is good and once again Ravenclaw has a twenty point lead over Slytherin.
Ravenclaw 50 - Slytherin 30
All That Glitters Is Probably Snow
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 04-16-12 21:48
Despite his team's lead throughout the game thus far, Christopher knows that means little unless there is a 150 point lead for a tie if the other team caught the snitch or 160 point lead to ensure victory even if the other team's seeker finds that little golden winged ball first. It is, however, mildly amusing to watch Cornelia on the verge of a meltdown simply because her sister has done a better job at stopping the quaffle than Gus has. On the other hand, Cornelia Vanderbilt is more than a little frightening when in a snit.
Adding to her frustration, he's sure, is that lack of snitch sightings this match. He doesn't know if she's seen it a few times and it got away from her before she reacted enough for the announcer or spectators to notice but if Cornelia's having the same luck with even just spotting the snitch as he's had, then part of her worsening mood is due to the snitch being difficult today.
Christopher has had one sighting so far. He'd been diving down to go below most of the other players when the snitch had gone flitting past at a sharp downward angle. Christopher had gone in pursuit, drawing uncomfortably near the ground when in a blink it winked out of sight as if it had disapparated away. By then he was near enough to the ground that he knew the problem was that it was blending in too well with the snow and with sun was just right, casting jewel-like glints, twinkles, and sparkles making it even harder to distinguish that little white ball from its backdrop.
That had been an hour or so again. Since then the only exciting thing to happen for Christopher was realizing his grandmother Hortense came today. She's technically his mum's step-mother but as she's the only mother Candice remembers and Gran Hortense has never treated mum any different from the children she gave birth to. As he had no idea she was coming today, seeing her in the stands decked out in Ravenclaw colors even though she had been a Hufflepuff herself and cheering him on, sappy as it seems, Christopher found that exciting.
Hearing Alastor shouting, "Christopher, bludger!" he ducks then twists around from that position, searching for the ball so he'll know which direction he should fly. He hears it before he sees it and when he does see it, it's because it's passed over him from behind. If he'd not heard Alastor's warning that bludger would have probably gotten him smack in the back of the head. That type of hit is definitely something he could live without having had, especially as a blow to the back of the head has the potential of removing a player from the match. If he were taken out, the only hope Ravenclaw would have of winning is by extending the lead with goals and doing it all before Cornelia found the snitch at her leisure, no worry of Christopher getting to the ball before her.
As Alastor passes him by, Christopher gives a salute of thanks then veers his broom around to start a his sweeping search of the snitch back the other direction. The turn is just in time to observe Olive intercepting a pass between Ramona and Jack. She takes off with the quaffle only to be hit by the very bludger that nearly got him seconds ago and that Alastor had been after. It's clips Olive partially across the back and though not a bad hit, coming so soon after she's gotten the quaffle, her grip on it was somewhat tenuous. Jack's able to slip in and steal before Olive recovers.
Continue the hunt for the snitch, Christopher also darts looks at the action. Gathering in a formation, Jack, Ramona, and Deak make a push towards Slytherin territory. Mason, Olive, and Alexa can't get in close enough to intercept the passing between the Ravenclaw chasers and though both Basil and Mark get off bludgers at them, Christopher's teammates get within goal range again.
It's Deak with the ball, throwing dead center. Gus looks to have the block but a bludger hit by Jade interferes with Gus's efforts. The quaffle passes through the hoop, adding another ten points to Ravenclaw's tally, putting the team 30 points ahead with a score of 60 to Slytherin's 30.
(Gus) Humiliation
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 04-17-12 04:34
It was frustrating to be losing. Gus knew part of it was his fault of course, but he would rather blame the Slytherin chasers. They should score more. Or maybe it was Beatrix Vanderbilt who was a great keeper. She was two years younger than him and a girl. Gus was being beaten by a girl and that was humiliating.
He knew his father would probably make a comment about that and even if Gus told him how Deak, Jack and Ramona were all good chasers he would say he should not make up excuses. Cornelia better grab that snitch, Gus thought, or his father wouldn't forgive him. His father still took very serious the Hogwarts Quidditch cup and of course he was a Slytherin supporter.
Gus studied Cornelia and Christopher as they searched for the golden snitch but none of them seemed to have spotted it yet. His attention turned back into the match. There was nothing he could do to change the goals that have been scored but he could stop the Ravenclaw chasers from scoring again. Gus watched in rage how a bludger almost hit Mason who had the quaffle but he had managed to escape at the last minute. Gus wasn't the only one mad, it seemed Mark had spotted what happened and was seeking for some revenge as he used his bat to throw a bludger at Ramona who caught the quaffle when Mason dropped it. However Jade managed to shove it away with her bat.
Gus thought they shouldn't give bats to little girls. Just some minutes ago it had been a bludger hit by Jade that made Deak score. That would be another thing his father would probably blame Gus for. He could hear his words right now: "The keeper's mission is to avoid the quaffle to past the hoops. You shouldn't have deviated yourself from that bludger. You should have kept your position like a man and make a defense."
But Gus didn't want to be hit by a bludger, thank you very much. He could get severely injured and who knew maybe he wouldn't be able to play in the next match. Besides Slytherin was already losing; Gus was not going to sacrifice his skin to defend a goal.
It was Jack who had the quaffle now and he passed it again to Ramona. Gus made a good defense when she tried to score. He threw the quaffle to Alexa and saw her flying away to the opposite direction of the pitch, like an arrow.
(Cornelia) All's Well That Ends Well
Author: Griet
Date: 04-17-12 06:55
Cornelia was so mad she couldn't see straight, which posed a severe problem since she, as seeker, was supposed to have the clearest sight. How else would she spot the smallest, most elusive ball out of all of those used during Quidditch? She wasn't sure if it was the anger clouding her vision that had prevented her from catching sight of the snitch all match or if it had just done an excellent job of staying hidden. Either way, Cornelia wanted it to reveal itself now so that this ridiculous match could end.
She forced herself to take several deep, calming breaths and then renewed her efforts to find the snitch by flying systematically up and down the pitch. She occasionally glanced around to see what Christopher was doing but ignored all else. She didn't need to hear about Ravenclaw scoring over and over again because it would only distract her more. So, Cornelia tuned out the other action the field and ignored the commentator's play-by-play as best she could.
A few minute later, she thought she spotted a glint of gold. It was rather overcast, so she knew that it was unlikely that she would see the sun's reflection off of jewelry or something else shiny or metallic. Cornelia squinted and gently lost altitude. The object, if it was indeed the snitch, was hovering inches above the ground at the base of one of the towers of the Quidditch pitch.
From up high, Cornelia still couldn't determine if it was the snitch, but the closer she got to it, the more defined it became. Even after she was certain she was seeing the snitch, Cornelia didn't make any sudden movements. She glanced around to make sure that nobody was paying her any attention, but then she saw that Christopher was watching her. She'd probably been focusing too hard on the same spot to not draw his attention.
She turned back to the snitch to make sure it hadn't moved and then shot downwards in an attempt to scoop it up before Christopher could make his move. The snitch, sensing its impending capture, flitted away almost as soon as Cornelia plummeted to the ground. It stayed at ground level and moved swiftly over the snow, its wings glinting with moisture.
Cornelia felt the whoosh of a bludger behind her neck, but all it did was ruffle her ponytail. She flew parallel to the ground and kept her eyes only on the snitch. She couldn't worry about Christopher now.
The snitch continued along the snow, moving no faster or slower. Cornelia urged her broomstick forward and dropped one of her arms so that she could sweep up the snitch. Faster and faster she went. She heard another bludger screaming towards her but it was knocked away by either Basil or Mark. Cornelia didn't know because she didn't look to find out.
Just a little faster, she urged herself. The broomstick shot forward and with one fluid motion, Cornelia swept out her hand and scooped up the snitch. She squeezed it in her hand and then pumped her fist into the air.
Slytherin had won, 180 to 60.