|
|
Quidditch Saturday - Go Slytherin
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 08-06-12 15:23
Adina and Arthur sat in the bleachers watching the match go back and forth at a rapid rate. So far Slytherin was winning, and that would put Cornelia in a fantastic mood, especially if she was the one that caught the snitch and ended the match. For right now, being ahead of Hufflepuff was quite enough to keep the entirety of Slytherin House happy.
After an exceptional block from Slytherin Keeper Gus Van Tassel, deflecting an attempt to score by one of the Hufflepuff Chasers there was a round of cheers from the Slytherin stands. Adina had dyed her hair black and green and silver in honor of supporting Slytherin for the match and Arthur had his face done in Slytherin colors.
"I'm going to get a pumpkin juice. Want one?" She said a bit loud so that he would hear her over the crowd around them.
"Sure."
She ventured past him and down toward the concession stand where she quickly procured a couple of pumpkin juices and some cauldron cakes for them to snack on during the match, they also had a couple of chocolate frogs to eat before the end of the match, but for now they were enjoying the action and hoping that their house would come out on top and be playing in the Quidditch Cup closer to the end of term.
Finally (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 08-06-12 16:56
Massaging the bridge of his nose Caerwyn wishes the tonic he'd taken for a sinus infection had lasted just a little longer. He'd waited to take it the half hour before the match began but Madam Pomfrey had warned that flying around far above the pitch at high speeds, constantly twisting and turning to bat bludgers might cause the potion to work more quickly through his system, which in turn might make reduce the length of effectiveness. Those mights have turned into wills. Probably not helping is that flying around creates air movement around him and that air is slightly colder and drier that an cold level, adding to the irritation of his sinuses. As there is no potion taking or pill popping during a match, all Caerwyn can do is concentrate on the game and not on the growing sinus pain and pressure along with a headache. Compared to the hits some have taken this match, what he's experiencing is most likely relatively minor.
With that in mind, Caerwyn is determined not to let the stuffiness in his head slow him or effect his game play. Reaching a bludger ahead of Mark, he swings his bat back to hit the bludger in Olive's direction. She'd taken possession of the quaffle just a moment ago so she's the best target for the time being.
Olive avoids the bludger but it does hit Mason, temporarily keeping the Slytherin from being fully open to accept a pass so Caerwyn considers that particular bludger hit successful even if things didn't play out as he'd intended. Olive instead passes to Alexa only to have Sadie get fingers on the quaffle as it passed from Slytherin chaser to Slytherin chaser. This knocks the quaffle off course just enough that Alexa flubs the catch, allowing Sadie to better grasp it.
With Hufflepuff again in possession of the ball, the action once more shifts direction. Caerwyn darts after a bludger, sending it after Alexa this time, helping keep her from an outright interception when Sadie passes to Marlow. The three Hufflepuff chasers retain the quaffle all the way to Gus Van Tassle with little problem.
Basil gets off a bludger just as Jasper's throwing for a goal but Gus Hodfuffer stops it, redirecting towards Gus Van Tassel. It misses the Slytherin keeper who makes a great block, catching the quaffle one handed then handing it off to Mason. Before Slytherin can clear the quaffle from this area optimal for throwing for goal, Caerwyn taps a bludger at the right time and at the right moment to collide with Mason's arm as he was preparing to pass Alexa. Marlow recovered the quaffle first, instantly releasing it again in the direction of the hoops.
Gus tries to block but falls just shy of having fingers enough in the way to obstruct the quaffle. The ball makes it through a hoop, becoming Hufflepuff's second goal of the match. Finally! The score now stands Slytherin 30, Hufflepuff 20.
The pain and pressure in his skull growing, Caerwyn casts a glance at Aleydis, thinking it that much as he loves playing Quidditch, he wouldn't mind overly much if she were to find the snitch very soon.
(Mark) Slytherin On Top
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-06-12 17:39
Mark tried not to let Marlow's recent goal bring him down, particularly when Slytherin still led the match, at least for the time being. He glanced quickly where he knew his friends were sitting and shot them––Johanna, Felicia and Baltus––a grin. Johanna was the only one who noticed, however, because Felicia and Baltus were too busy kissing. Did they ever come up for air?
Kate had opted to sit with her housemates rather than be the lone Hufflepuff supporter in a sea of green and silver. She was too far away for Mark to grin at right now, but as it happened, Gus put the quaffle back into play, which meant Mark needed to focus on the game, not the spectators watching it.
Olive had the ball for no more than two seconds before she passed it to Alexa. Alexa immediately launched it at Mason, who lobbed it over to Olive a moment later. The quaffle flew from hand to hand, seemingly in the air more than in the possession of any of the Slytherin chasers.
Mark did his part to protect his teammates from the Hufflepuff beaters, who found it difficult targeting the chaser with the quaffle since the quaffle never stayed put for very long. Mark also used the bludgers to stop the Hufflepuff chasers from either stealing or intercepting the quaffle. They didn't have much luck there either.
It didn't take long before the entire contingent made it to where Glori readied herself at the Hufflepuff goals. Mark and Basil were lucky enough to reach both bludgers simultaneously and aimed them at the Hufflepuff keeper, who appeared to dance in an effort to avoid both balls. Olive, who had the quaffle, took advantage of Glori's distracted state and fired the red ball cleanly through one of the hoops, racking up 10 more points for Slytherin.
Mark and Basil clapped their bats together in celebration and then immediately got back down to business.
Frown (Olive)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 08-06-12 18:45
In the fifteen to twenty minutes since Slytherin's fourth goal, there has been a great deal of back and forth along the pitch but neither team has been able to get the quaffle within scoring range. Eyes darting to the Slytherin keeper, Olive can't help but think how boring this time has been for Gus. Glori too for that matter. As spectators they probably enjoyed the dogged action but they aren't sitting on those brooms, wearing uniforms to only be spectators.
Slytherin catches a break when a bad throw by Jasper to Marlow results in another turnover. Alexa has gotten the quaffle and thanks to bludgers from both Basil and Mark allows her to fly clear of the bunching of chasers that has occurred. She quickly accelerates towards Glori, the pack hurrying to catch up, spreading out in the process.
Alexa gets within range, lofting the quaffle at the center hoop. Glori catches it, handing it over to Jasper. He passes to Marlow who darts away. Soon, she's passing to Sadie. When Sadie goes to pass, to Jasper, Olive thinks she's got the interception. A bludger has other ideas. Or, more correctly, one of the Hufflepuff beaters has other ideas.
In what seems like a flash to Olive, Sadie, Jasper, and Marlow had the quaffle within goal range, Gus looking eager to be back in the thick of things. Marlow has the quaffle approaching the Slytherin tended hoops. She gets off a quick shot only to have it rebuffed by Gus. Mason has hands on the quaffle but Jasper's able to pull it away to throw for goal again. Olive scrabbles for the rebound but Sadie gets it. Olive gives the Hufflepuff such a frown, she can feel it pulling her features. That must look attractive but as Sadie is pretty much the only one who could see the face she pulled full on, Olive isn't overly concerned about coming off as petulant.
The frown returns, probably worse than before, when half a second later Sadie gets the quaffle past Gus. Hufflepuff is again within ten of Slytherin with 30 points to 40. Olive sighs. If she thinks her frown is fierce and on the petulant side, she's almost afraid to scout out where Cornelia is to see the look the Slytherin seeker is wearing.
(Aleydis) Bittersweet Ending
Author: Griet
Date: 08-07-12 06:55
To Aleydis, it didn't matter which team scored more goals, especially when the score was as close as it currently was. Her main concern was finding the snitch, which she had yet to see all match. She had played many Quidditch games during her years as seeker in which the snitch had remained well hidden most of the time. It wasn't exactly disconcerting, but it did get a little tiring after a while.
Cornelia had seen the snitch only one time and then taken a bludger to the head. Aleydis glanced over at her sister, who was flying close by, and took in her appearance. Blood matted the side of her hair and stained her uniform. She looked scarier than ever.
But there was something off about her too, though Aleydis couldn't put her finger on what it might be. Cornelia held onto her broomstick so tightly, her knuckles were white. Aleydis wondered if maybe it was because Cornelia had nearly fallen off of her broomstick after taking the bludger hit and that she simply didn't want to risk a repeat.
Movement nearby pulled both their attentions away. Basil had just flown into their air space to intercept one of the bludgers, which had been knocked away by one of the Hufflepuff beaters. Aleydis had not noticed any glances from Basil during the match, but then again, they'd both been kind of busy. Their eyes met briefly, and Aleydis smiled. The barest hint of a smile tugged the corners of his lips before he could control himself, and then he was off, chasing after the bludger he'd just batted back into the fray.
Aleydis glanced back at Cornelia. She was looking at Aleydis, but instead of the sort of expression Aleydis expected to see on her sister's face, Cornelia looked a little dazed.
Aleydis started to ask if Cornelia if she was all right, but then she saw the snitch a few yards away. Aleydis darted past her older sister, who scrambled to follow, realizing what Aleydis had seen. The snitch led them on a chase and then plummeted suddenly to the ground. Aleydis and Cornelia dived to follow suit and then flew in a line parallel to the ground. Aleydis had the lead and could feel her fingers inching closer and closer to the snitch.
She heard a soft thump behind her, just as her fingers closed on the snitch, and then Cornelia's broom sailed past her without a rider. The crowd, which had been riled up watching the seekers chase after the snitch, responded with gasps at Cornelia's tumble and cheers when Aleydis caught the snitch.
Aleydis turned to see Cornelia motionless on the ground. She dismounted and ran over, joining the referees who had already touched down to check on the Slytherin seeker.
It was hard to feel excited about Hufflepuff's win. Aleydis clutched the snitch tightly in her hand and watched worriedly as the adults tended to Cornelia, who apparently had fallen unconscious and tipped over the side of her broomstick. Because she had been flying so close to the ground, she'd not fallen far.
When Cornelia was taken to the Hospital Wing, Aleydis went with her. The sisters were by no mean close, but they were still sisters, no matter what.
Worries
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-07-12 13:50
Johanna found Gus and the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team at the Hospital Wing's closed doors. They were all still using their uniform and all their faces revealed frustration. Johanna was sure that they weren't concerned about the defeat but with Cornelia's state. Kate ,who had come with her and politely didn't celebrate her house's victory yet, directed herself to Mark. Johanna on the other hand moved towards Gus' direction.
He was still wearing his keeper gloves and his broom was leaned against a wall, abandoned.
"They didn't let us enter and there are no news from Cornelia yet. She can be dead as far as we know."
"She's not dead…" Johanna assured him.
"It makes me think that could have been me. It could be any of us."
Johanna didn't know Cornelia personally and yet she was worried about her too. She could not imagine what it would be like if Gus had been in her place. Having to wait outside the Hospital Wing for news would be agonizing. She pictured Gus laying on a hospital bed, pale and injured, with cold hands. And then she pictured Polly Potts on his bedside, holding his hand. Then the girl took the form of Joanna Porter and then Drizella Radcliff...Johanna had even saw Evelyn there, placing a kiss in Gus' forehead.
"Are you all right?"
His voice made her comeback to reality.
"Yes, sorry…I was thinking about poor Cornelia…" she lied.
As the time passed Gus started to blame the entire
Hufflepuff house for this. First he accused the beaters, Gus Hodfuffer (Who according to Gus had no right to be called that way. He was the Gus here, and Augusuts should use his real name and not a nickname) and Caerwyn Valentine for hurting Cornelia.
According to Gus, Dumbledore should take at least one hundred points from Hufflepuff by the damaged caused. And then he said all the Hufflepuffs were sneaky people who pretended to be all nice and kind but deep down they were as lethal as anyone else, ready to attack when you least expected.
He was talking in a somewhat loud tone which caused some of the others to look at him, including Kate. Johanna shrugged her shoulders to the audience, trying to apologize. Sometimes it seemed that Gus had been jinxed and he said the stupidest things without thinking.
"Blaming Hufflepuff it's not going to take you anywhere," she said interrupting him.
"I know. But it helps…" And then he took her hand and held it tight, just like the other time at the common room. "Thank you for coming."
"You're welcome."
There was a pause and then he asked:
"Hey! Where is Felicia?"
"Can't you guess?"
"She and Baltus are mourning Slytherin's defeat in one of the school's cupboards."
"You should consider a career as a Seer…" she teased him and they laughed together.
After the Match
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 08-07-12 15:37
After the match, Blake and Isma had come back to the Common Commons to grab some time by themselves, and at the moment were discussing the final moments of the match when Cornelia Vanderbilt had fallen from her broom and had been whisked away to the Hospital Wing with her sister, the seeker from Hufflepuff going along with her.
The entire Slytherin house team was lingering outside the hospital wing they'd heard and she understood their worry considering Cornelia had taken a nasty bludger hit earlier in the match that had probably done more damage than she'd allowed to be known (judging by the fact that she'd been unconscious by the end of the match).
"I swear sometimes I think we should be wearing helmets, if we had helmets we wouldn't have to worry about potential damage from taking a bludger hit to the head like Cornelia did earlier," Isma said as she sunk down on to the cushions of the loveseat and leaned against Blake.
"I know, those bludgers are brutal and some people seriously take sick and sadistic pleasure in hitting them as hard as they could toward opponents. I can name at least one right off the bat," Blake said as he slid an arm around his girlfriend and they cuddled for a few moments.
"Yeah, I know exactly who you mean, he has some sadistic pleasure at hoping that his bludger will strike and bruise someone probably would be even more gleeful if it broke a bone," Isma said, rolling her eyes and letting her eyes slide closed as she cuddled into Blake.
"Alright, enough talking about ill-tempered beaters and now, how are we going to spend the rest of the day?" He inquired, a mischievous little smile dancing upon his lips.
"Hmm...I am all for staying right here until dinner and then I don't know what just yet."
Blake laughed and nodded. "Sounds like the perfect way to spend the rest of the day. Also, do you think we will be playing in the Quidditch cup, or are we going to sit this one out this year?"
There was a light shrug of her shoulders, "Not sure, its a tough call. I'm thinking Slytherin definitely, but I'm not sure if it is us or Hufflepuff."
Doing Better - Still A Long Way to Go
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 08-07-12 18:00
Fingertips dusted with fine, crystalline shimmer as she added the final touches against the midnight sky of the image that she is working on in the studio. Shimmer added to the clouds, playing across the expanse of landscape to add a shimmering moonlight atmosphere to the fantasy landscape.
She then stepped back from the portrait, dusting the remaining shimmer from her hands - knowing well that it would pretty much adhere to every surface like glitter which would irritate her and probably take her a couple of days to fully wash out of her hair and her clothes. Several moments of surveying the image lead to a confident nod of her head, it was complete and it was perfect. Adding her signature to the bottom corner in an obscure place, she allowed the image to fully dry upon the canvas.
She'd been in the studio for most of the time since she'd left Azkaban the day Nichole's parents had taken her to see her father. The answers had ping-ponged around her head and she slowly processed it and was thankful that her aunt and uncle had given her the space she needed to work things out and slowly begin to come to grips with her emotions and the variety of things that had been presented to her.
Ultimately, she still hated her father for robbing her over her mother and that was, no matter the circumstances forgivable. But, she did have a small modicum of understanding for the actions and the circumstances that had plagued them that fateful night.
After a few moments, she pushed her way out of the studio and headed into the house, pausing only to let her aunt know that she'd be down for dinner in a few minutes. Quick shower, and a change into her favorite pair of fuzzy pajama pants and a tanktop before padding downstairs to dinner.
"The fantasy landscape is finished, and also, I want to maybe sell some of my pictures - especially the fantasy one, but I'm not sure how to do it."
That was the conversation that pretty much took up all of dinner. Once dinner was done, they headed into the living room and listened to a Quidditch match that was being broadcast tonight on the WWN, as all teams were playing for one of the two most coveted positions - playing in the Quidditch World Cup.