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Quidditch Trials
Author: Rylee
Date: 10-24-14 19:21
Conversations and arguments had been had, concerning my want to play quidditch again this year, and I had every intention of trying out again. My father had seen to it that I'd gotten a new broom, and new gear for the season. My mother, however, was not pleased that I wanted to continue playing quidditch which she thought was a waste of time and I could better put my skills into doing something productive.
Ultimately, Raz and I had spent several hours going over the pros and cons of trying out for the Quidditch team this year. The routine of practice was something I was already used to, and it would do well to ensure that I constantly kept up with it and I could if I proved to be good enough maybe use Quidditch to go to university with somewhere.
So, decision made I'd gotten up early this morning for breakfast and a workout, before I headed to the pitch with everyone else. I ran through the drills, the warm ups, and waited for my name to be called for scrimmages.
Already there had been some decent scrimmages and I was pleased to see familiar faces as well as some new faces trying out for their house teams. Raz was there to watch, and also to cheer on his sister Etana, who was also trying out for the Quidditch team, her friend Caroline had chosen not to try out, and was sitting in the stands with Raz.
Etana and I both were on the pitch. Etana had opted to try out for Chaser, not really figuring she would be good at being a beater or Keeper and had no interest in being in the one position that ultimately saw the least amount of action in any quidditch match, Seeker.
Etana was quick, but unfortunately she had trouble with coordination and more often than not the quaffle ended up slipping from her grasp, or she couldn't catch it in time. Though there were moments when she could catch the big red ball flawlessly, and even make several of the passes she attempted.
I was in the same scrimmage, and spent most of my time attempting to locate the glimmering golden snitch. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to be as successful as Cai had been during her scrimmage. The golden ball had gone into hiding, and the one time I had spotted it, it had been hovering dangerously low over Flora Lynch's head so I didn't attempt to grab it, but merely hoped that it would move enough that if I did go for it I wouldn't run the risk of running headlong into the official.
That said, the scrimmage ultimately ended before I could lay claim to the snitch. It also ended scoreless, which wasn't uncommon for the trials scrimmage matches.
Dropping down into the bleachers once more, I closed my eyes, massaging my temples, hoping that I wasn't getting a migraine when trials weren't even nearly over yet.
Possible Concussion (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 10-24-14 19:31
Caerwyn pushes fingers roughed by long practice with the Quidditch bat through his hair. He's considered getting a trim but Anita Tuck recently told him she thought he looked cute with his hair the length it is.
Stretching out on the stand bench and closing his eyes, Caerwyn listens to the sounds filling the pitch, of someone giving a play by play of the action from the match going on right now. Footsteps clomp the wood, coming closer. A body takes up the space near his head. Eyes still closed he holds up a hand to accept the drink Augustus Hodfuffer brought.
"Thanks."
"Head still a bother?"
"Yeah. I think when this is over I'll go see Madam Pomfrey about a concussion."
"Definitely think it is one then," Gus states. "I thought so. You really should go now."
"And risk not making the cut? Look around at how many others should be at hospital right along with me."
"Some bad bruises and jammed fingers don't compare to a concussion."
Caerwyn eases into a sitting position. "I know, I know. I just need to stick it out as long as I can."
"Mason's brother is on to you, I think. He keeps shooting you looks since it happened."
"Maybe he does suspect but he isn't sure and as long as I'm not nauseous or having coordination problems he probably isn't sure."
"I won't say anything unless I have to but if you end up dropping dead because you were too stubborn over a likely concussion, I'll no longer be your best friend and I'll take full custody of the cat."
"Yeah, sure." Caerwyn weakly grins. He takes a drink from the bottle Gus brought him, almost cringing as the cool liquid goes down, thinking he might promptly throw it up. To his relief, he stomach stays nice and calm.
The hit to Caerwyn's head came during the second scrimmage he'd played. The match started out well enough, his team getting the quaffle straight away. Edgar Steele and he worked relatively well together as beaters, each familiar with the others style somewhat from having played in matches together even if on opposing house teams, and there have been the occasional pick up matches from time to time they'd both ended up in.
Jasper Jenkins, Franciscus Vanderbilt, and some second year for his house with the last name of Mansoori were the chasers. Glori Hodfuffer was the keeper. The seeker was a third year Slytherin, Bruno Tate. Caerwyn really lucked out with this scrimmage and team. Two from the Hufflepuff team of years past, two from teams he's played against.
Jasper was the one who took the quaffle as soon as the red ball was released. He'd taken off, closely pursued by a chaser from the other team. Caerwyn got a bludger off, and though he didn't make his mark, it did serve to force the chaser to back off somewht.
Jasper soon passed to Nala Mansoori. She did a great job of avoiding a steal when one chaser got in close enough to nearly foul her and deftly steering to avoid a bludger.
Caerwyn got to that very same bludger and used it on the enemy keeper when Nala, then Franciscus after a hand off, got within range to score. Within a couple of minutes of the scrimmage's start, his team put 10 points on the scoreboard.
Halfway down the pitch, one of the other team's chasers got distracted first by a bludger and then by the snitch fluttering rapidly past that he flubbed a pass to a teammate. Franciscus intercepted the quaffle, turning the action back the other direction.
That's when the accident happened. That distracted chaser wheeled around to head back the way he'd just come. He wasn't paying much attention to anyone or anything around him. As a result, he nearly flew straight into a bludger that Caerwyn was approaching to bat. In his spastic effort to miss the bludger, he'd slammed straight into Caerwyn's head.
Dazed, Caerwyn has still managed to convince everyone he was fine enough to continue. It had been such a great effort to stay upright he was exhausted by the time match ended. If the alotted time had been longer or if this had been a real game, Caerwyn knows it wouldn't have been long before he would have had to leave.
While he knows he can muster enough energy for another scrimmage or two now that he's rested some, he really wouldn't mind if he's not called again for the day. He knows that's unlikely so hopes he staying upright and engaged in the game won't zap so much energy that he's fairly useless in the match, or matches. If he does have to go on and pay Madam Pomfrey a visit with only two, or three, scrimmages played, he also hopes his performance so far is enough to get him his spot back on the Hufflepuff team as a beater. Not making the team for his seventh year would be bloody awful.
Saturday Studying
Author: Calliope Torres
Date: 10-24-14 19:35
"Not trying out for Quidditch?"
I blinked, looking up as Lev stood over me, offering me a mug of hot chocolate which I easily accepted as he shifted to settle into the chair at the table across from me.
"Nah, not this year, besides it is no fun if I can't have my own broom and as a lowly first year I'm stuck using school issue brooms for flying lessons and such. Why aren't you out trying out?"
Lev shrugged, sipping from his own mug and settling it on the table, careful not to get it on my notes and things that were on the table.
"Didn't feel like trying out this year, maybe next. Though, it would have been neat to meet some of the Humbatas players that are helping Coach Krum for the trials."
"I know it, but I think I'll wait and see how this year goes and try out next year when there might actually be more positions opened on the house team."
"Very true, and very good thinking."
I turned my attention to my assignments, before sighing in frustration and glowering at my potions essay.
"I'm missing something, and I have no idea what it is."
Lev reached over and plucked the essay from in front of me, knowing well that I wasn't going to protest, or if I was it wasn't going to be very much. A quick scan of the essay, and he made a few notes, and corrected a few things with the quill he plucked from my fingertips.
"That should fix your problem. You had the directions out of order and the third ingredient for that specific potion needs to be in quarter inch dice, not half inch."
This, was one of the reasons I adored my older brother and knew that he would ensure that I kept my marks up and correct me if I managed to screw something up. Potions was always one of his favorite subjects and I knew he would excel in that class, and he'd be the main one I turned to for help while he was still here.
(Gus & Igraine) Brother vs Sister
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 10-25-14 15:25
When his name was called, Gus entered the pitch with confidence and he positioned himself in front of the three hoops he was in charge of guarding. He had played Quidditch at Hogwarts for quite a few years and he was pretty sure he would be securing his position as keeper for the Slytherin team. Winning the Kendra Beck scholarship had been a very pleasant surprise and it helped to boost Gus' confidence even more.
The scrimmage began and Gus paid attention to the quaffle's whereabouts with tranquility, just like a bird watcher would do. Moments later he recognized the chaser with a mass of dark curls as being his half-sister, Igraine. Last year during the trials, she had managed to outsmart him and scored a goal. This time Gus was determinate to not let that happen.
Igraine made her away towards Gus' hoops holding the quaffle. She passed it to the Gryffindor first year Anderson Acker, the brother of her best friend Alice. Unfortunately, he was not able to firmly hold the red ball and it slipped away from his fingers, falling down at a high speed. Gus laughed at the boy's inexperience. He was so amused he did notice that another chaser was able to recover the quaffle. It was a Ravenclaw boy he did couldn't remember the name, and he quickly shot the quaffle into the hoop on the right. Gus did not arrive in time to defend it because he had been distracted teasing Anderson.
He passed the quaffle to a chaser of his own team and watched her departing with velocity to the other side of the pitch. Gus saw Igraine following her and she used her hand to pull the tail of the girl's broom to slow her down. Marmaduke Flowers who was supervising the scrimmage blew his whistle and declared:
"Blagging!"
Igraine protested but it didn't help. The foul seemed to have awakened some sort of fury inside of her and she played more aggressively. For a small second year she could cause some real damage, Gus thought, not being able to take his eyes from his half-sister. He was actually proud of her, which was a feeling he was not expecting to have. Before he knew it, the quaffle was again at his side of the pitch. Gus really had to concentrate himself because so far his performance had been weak. He couldn't distract himself with the mistakes of the amateurs or with Igraine.
Gus studied the quaffle's trajectory when Anderson tried his luck and he ducked to the left, making an easy defense. Gus didn't waste time and made a long pass to a chaser from his team that was free and, was at a somewhat considering distance from the hoops. He was able to catch it and flew as fast as he could in order to score. Sadly a bludger got in his way and he was forced to drop the quaffle, his hands touching his shoulder, where he has been hit. The quaffle was recovered by another chaser of Gus' team, a third year named Bruno Tate. Bruno was able to score a goal.
The scrimmage continued, back and forth. Gus defended all the goals' attempts except another one, where Anderson Acker had completely surprised him with a potent shot that he was not able to stop. Then, there was a time he was face to face with Igraine. She was holding the quaffle and for a moment nothing else existed but the two of them. Igraine simulated a shot, pretending she was going to throw the quaffle to Gus' left. His reflexes made him turn to the left. However Igraine aimed her shot to the central hoop and Gus acted quickly, stretching his leg and kicking the quaffle away. He gave a smug smile to Igraine, who turned around frustrated. But later she too had her moment of fun when Gus was hit by a bludger in his arm.
A few minutes later the snitch was caught and the scrimmage ended, giving the victory to Gus' team. Gus was pretty sure his exhibition had been good enough to give him free passage to the Slytherin team, but naturally nothing was certain. There could always be a new talent out there, someone better than him who would impress Coach Krum. Igraine landed on the ground frustrated because she had not been able to score a single goal. She congratulated Anderson for his good exhibition. He smiled, and they both went to join Alice who had been watching at the sidelines, waiting for her turn to try out.
Seeking To Be Seeker (Bran with Ingrid)
Author: Saffron
Date: 10-25-14 18:31
Bran looks up from adjusting the laces on one shoe as his younger sister, Ingrid, approaches. "Enjoying the trials?"
She plops next to him in a manner that would have their mother saying something about being unladylike. "So far. You looked good that last match."
"Thanks."
"Where's Kurt?"
"He ended up having to leave. Severe upset stomach."
"Hope he's okay soon." Out of the blue Ingrid then says, "One of my classmates thinks you're cute."
At twelve, Bran does not dislike girls but he's also not interested just yet in sweaty hand holding and kissy face. Still, he jokes, "Only one?"
"Ha ha. Seen Hope anywhere?"
"She was over that way last I saw." Bran points across the pitch.
"With the usual lot I suppose."
"You would be correct. Classes going all right?"
"Yes, though one class is a little boring."
Bran smirks. "I think I can guess. Not much do to about it though. It's required. Why aren't you trying out?"
"You've seen me on a broom."
"You're taking Fitness & Athletics."
"What does that have to do with trying out for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team?"
Bran shakes his head. "Nothing I guess. I should get down there. I'm in this next match."
Bran is soon in the air once more, eyes peeled for that pesky winged ball. He fleetingly wonders if the bird originally used way back when was as difficult to find, follow, and get a hand around as the ball now in use.
Someone on the other team has the quaffle, speeding across Bran's path, followed closely by another chaser, this one on his own team. Knowing a bludger might be somewhere near, Bran slows, keeping a watchful eye.
Movement ahead and below catches his eye. Bran drops down in a shallowly angled dive, now keeping his attention fixed on whatever seems to be moving. There is a rule about properly desposing of litter but bits and pieces of wrappers and other items sometimes still get blown about. There is a stiff breeze at the moment but whatever it is seems to be have a movement all its own.
Bran narrows his eyes in concentration. Though still a distance away he's positive that thing is the snitch. He accelerates but not so much as to draw attention, or at least not just yet. He wants to get nearer before having to worry about possible competition for the snitch from the other team's seeker.
Much as he hoped to be sneaky one of the opposing beaters must have seen him and decided Bran's on to something because a bludger comes screaming towards him. He's able to avoid the hit but that split second of lost concentration on what must be the snitch has it gone from his sight.
He halts his broom, scanning slowing from one side of the pitch to the other then scanning up and down, up and down. Heaving a frustrated sigh, Bran starts moving though to anyone watching it would appear he's barely inching along.
Bran risks a glance at the scoreboard where the clock is steadily ticking down. There's not much time left in the scrimmage. How can that be? It seems to him it only just began two or three minutes ago. Surely not more than five.
Heaving another sigh he returns to the oh so molasses slow searching. He so wanted to get the snitch this time or come close. The previous scrimmage he played, Bran didn't get the snitch but he prevented the other seeker from getting it. He doesn't want to be the chap who was so good he made his house team as a first year but deteriorated over summer holiday to the point he couldn't make it as a second year. Not only that, his roommate Brom von Roon is trying out today. For seeker. Brom would never let Bran live down losing the position to him.
These thoughts and others cloud his mind and divert Bran's attention. He gives such a mental jerk to get his mind back in the match he feels it physically down to his toe.
Twenty seconds left. How did that happen? There was still minutes to go only a handful of seconds ago.
At least there is the consolation the other seeker didn't have any luck either.
Oooooh.
What's that?
In less than a heartbeat, Bran goes from a snail in dead winter speed to jackrabbit quick.
One arm stretched out.
Hand reeeeeeaching.
Wings flutter ticklingly against his palm.
Fingers snap closed around the snitch. A second later the whistle blows to end the scrimmage, cheers erupting as others realize that Bran caught the snitch just in the nick of time.
Unable to hide his overly pleased smile, Bran touches down, accepting congratulations from others who'd played in the match. A short time later he resumes his spot, finding Ingrid still sitting there. After accepting her congratulations as well, Bran turns his mind ahead to the possibility of getting to play another scrimmage and, fingers crossed, making the team again this year.
Beatrix, Franciscus, Ramona, & Paton
Author: Griet
Date: 10-26-14 07:40
Beatrix hovered before the goals and watched as six chasers rapidly approached, the lead from the opposing team carrying the quaffle. A bludger courtesy her cousin Paton targeted the chaser in possession of the ball, but the girl passed it to one of her teammates before the black ball could meet its mark. It struck her in the shoulder, but by then the quaffle was already in somebody else's hands.
Beatrix focused on the ball and tried to guess where the chaser currenty carrying it would throw it. Instead of making a goal attempt, he tossed it to the side at the last possible second. It landed into the hands of the chaser with the bruised shoulder, who quickly fired the quaffle at the left hoop. Beatrix quickly altered her position and knocked the quaffle back with her fingers.
Paton had only seconds to decide where to aim his bludger. The quaffle went into the opposing team's possession once more, so he hurriedly aimed the bludger at the chaser holding onto the quaffle. Again, the bludger struck after the chaser threw the ball, doing Beatrix no good. Lucky for her, she caught the quaffle before it could enter any hoops and handed it off to one of her own chasers.
The scrimmage match continued on for a few minutes more. When it ended, both Beatrix and Paton touched down to the ground. The names for the next match were called soon thereafter. When Beatrix wasn't among them, she went to join Cate in the stands. Paton was called up again, this time for chaser. His cousin and best friend Franciscus joined him as chaser, as did Franciscus' cousin Ramona.
Ramona and Paton were on the same team, leaving Franciscus as the lone Vanderbilt relation on the opposite side. The scrimmage match started with Ramona getting her hands on the quaffle. She shot away from the pack, but Franciscus rapidly caught up to her. He reached out to swipe at the quaffle, but Ramona leaned away from her cousin to make his attempt at stealing the ball more difficult. Paton came into view and indicated he could accept the ball, if Ramona wanted to give it up to him.
She debated for half a second and then let it fly towards Paton. He caught it, but then it seemed to slip from his fingers. Paton grabbed hastily for it and somehow managed to get a better grip on it. His expression changed from panic to relief and then determination. He flattened himself against his broomstick to reduce wind resistance but received a shock when something struck him squarely in the buttocks.
He loosened his grip on the quaffle, and Franciscus, who had come out of nowhere to harass him, lifted the quaffle straight from his arms. Paton rubbed his behind and wondered which beater had hit him with a bludger and if that person had meant to strike him on the seat of his pants! He didn't have time to dwell on it and turned around in pursuit of Franciscus.
Ramona had turned the tables on her cousin and was doing everything legal according to the rules of Quidditch to harass him into giving up the quaffle. She weaved in front of him, reached out her arm, and even teased him verbally. Ramona had to give up when somebody aimed a bludger at her, but as soon as the coast was clear, she started up again.
The scrimmage match ended without any points on either side. Ramona, Franciscus, and Paton touched down to the ground feeling tired but pleased, though Paton had decided he would remain standing on the sidelines, at least until the throbbing in his behind subsided!
Giving it a Go
Author: Gerry
Date: 10-26-14 14:16
Gerry twisted to avoid an oncoming bludger and managed to maintain control of his broomstick in the process. He had already seen some flyers execute severe swerves and barrel rolls, only to spin wildly out of control. One boy even crashed to the ground. Luckily, he wasn't hurt, but the school broomstick he used splintered to pieces. Gerry himself had had a few close calls during the various scrimmage matches he'd played in so far today, but he had yet to get hurt or screw up massively.
Gerry decided to try out for all Quidditch positions, but he was most interested in playing either beater or chaser. Right now he was in the role of chaser, working hard to catch up to Mason Jeffers, an older Slytherin boy, who was holding onto the quaffle. Gerry, Mason and another boy named Ollie were all on the same team. Ollie was nearer to Mason than Gerry and willing and able to accept the quaffle if Mason deemed it necessary. Gerry wanted to also lend a hand but had fallen behind after two of his classmates, one playing beater and the other playing chaser for the other team had collided into each other right in front of him.
Gerry urged his broomstick to go faster and though he probably imagined it, he seemed to quickly close the gap between himself and his fellow chasers. He pulled up on Mason's other side, just in time to see that first year beater from before aim a bludger right at Mason. Being more on Gerry's side and coming in at an angle, the bludger escaped Mason's notice long enough for Gerry to make the decision to put himself between the black ball and his teammate. He took the hit to the upper arm, and boy did it hurt!
Gerry had never been hit by a real bludger before, and now he was fairly certain he never wanted it to happen again. It hit him in the fleshy part of his arm, so he didn't have any broken or sprained bones, but he knew the point of impact would blossom into a giant bruise in a few hours. Unfortunately, playing Quidditch meant getting hit by bludgers was an extremely likely thing to happen. Gerry still wanted to make the team, even now with his arm throbbing like crazy.
Mason quickly reached the three round goals and lobbed the ball forwards at full speed. An older girl named Beatrix blocked his goal by catching the quaffle dead on, but the ball hit her in the chest hard enough that air whooshed from her mouth. She put the quaffle back into play via a girl named Igraine. Gerry pulled the nose of his broomstick around and went off in pursuit of Igraine and the quaffle.
Gus & Glori On Opposite Teams
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 10-26-14 14:20
Augustus Hodfuffer studies the location of the bludger, the current location of his target, and quickly determines the best trajectory to send the hard, black ball that will maximize the likelihood of the bludger connecting with the target. That target is none other than Mason Jeffers, someone Gus has played against as both have been members of their respective house teams in the past.
Gus's mouth pulls into a grimacing frown when another beater puts herself in between Mason and the bludger, turning it towards Gus's teammate who's making it difficult for Mason to make much a pass. Gus can't get there in time to stop the bludger from hitting this chaser if she's hit the bludger true but he can still go after that bludger.
His teammate narrowly avoids getting thumped, only because of slowing for reasons Gus doesn't know. He zips around behind her, dashing to get to the bludger. Mason looks as though he's finally going to get off that pass and Gus wants to hamper it, possibly assist his team with an interception.
Mason passes to a girl Gus has seen around but as she's several years younger than he is, he's not ever learned her name. Never even heard it as far as he's aware. Gus's bludger passes between the quaffle and her readied, outstretched hand. She flinches, pulling back slightly, allowing teammate Mildred Campbell, to grab the red ball. She spins her broom around and races in the direction of Gus's cousin Glori, playing keeper for the other team this match.
Mildred coming full tilt at her has Glori watching the other girl closely. Watching for any signs of Mildred handing off the ball before reaching her. Watching for any ploys that might have Glori thinking the quaffle's going in the direction of one hoop when it's going in another.
Mildred aims to Glori's right but sure enough, she actually throws more left. Glori's ready, batting the quaffle away. Mason catches it but after jostling around his angle for a goal shot is bad so he hands it off to the third chaser of the team, a girl Glori thinks is called Sarafina.
Sarafina goes for the center hoop. Glori blocks once more. Mason and Paton Shrewsbury of her team grapple for it, Mason coming up triumphant. He immediately lets the quaffle go again. Glori dives to knock it back, almost getting hit by a bluger courtesy of her cousin Gus in the process.
This time Paton gets firm hold on the rebound. Quaffle firmly in his grip, he turns, taking he pack of chasers, along with the beaters, with him as he races away from Glori's position.