|
|
Gryffindor vs Slytherin 2008-2009
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 12-17-14 17:26
The Hogwarts Quidditch pitch practically buzzes with the excitement and the anticipation of the first match of the 2008-2009 school year. A few students even beat Viktor earlier this morning despite the chill November air.
He's got the balls ready for the game, complete with a never before used snitch. A match snitch is charmed to recognize the seeker who catches it. This is extremely useful in those rare games that end with a dispute as to who did the actual catching. The charm can be reset but that isn't done very often except with those used in practices or those owned privately.
Viktor has his broom nearby as well. He's the sole referee today though if he'd wanted he could have had any number of others helping out today. In fact, Marjani's in the stands, ready to jump in as a second ref if Viktor decides one is needed.
Shortly before the match is set to begin, commentator Willow Westwick welcomes everyone to the pitch. For the benefit of visitors she runs through the dates of the other matches then talks about last years teams, particularly Quidditch Cup holder Ravenclaw, and what changes have been made to each team's roster.
When it's time, Willow announces today's teams. "For Gryffindor - keeper and captain Hunter Green! Beater and co-captain Edgar Steele! Beater Madoc McGonagall! Chasers Mildred Campbell! Finley Pride! Gerry Martini! And seeker Leonine Marchbanks!"
She gives the Gryffindors time to make a circuit around the pitch before stopping near Viktor then announces, "For Slytherin - keeper and captain Gus van Tassel! Beaters Asher Kent! Barontaine Marchbanks! Chaser and co-captain Mason Jeffers! Chasers Crew Morgan! Malden McGonagall! And seeker Rylee Marks!"
The seven Slytherin players also make a circuit then come to rest on Viktor's other side. He calls forward the two captains, Gus and Hunter. "Let's play a good, clean match." They each give verbal agreement and shake hands then return to their respective teams.
At a signal from Viktor the players take to the air. When the keepers are in position, he releases the balls. The six chasers converge on that red ball called the quaffle, both wanting to gets hands on it while keeping the other team's chasers from touching it.
In a blink, the match is on!
Nervous and Excited
Author: Finley
Date: 12-17-14 18:30
Finley felt both nervous and excited about her very first Quidditch match. It was one thing to sit in the Gryffindor stands and cheer on the players in the air, but it was quite another to actually be one of those players. Finley almost couldn't believe she was one of them. What was all the more mind-blowing was the fact that she was sitting on a brand new broomstick, one that belonged to her! The broom, a sleek Cheetah model made out of cherry wood, had arrived via owl post two weeks ago. The sender was anonymous, though Finley believed Phoebus had something to do with it.
Besides the golden cloak Charla had torn to shreds and Mrs. Yewbeam had managed to salvage using magic, Finley had never owned anything so expensive or wonderful. She almost felt bad for accepting it, except that she really, truly wanted it. The Cheetah handled like a dream, too. Finley was glad to have gotten it two weeks before her first big match, if only to get used to how it flew.
The first chaser to lay hands on the quaffle was not Finley or any Gryffindor, but Mason Jeffers of Slytherin. He grabbed the ball with an impressive swipe of one hand and pulled it close to his chest while simultaneously moving to avoid the other outstretched arms and to make way for the Gryffindor goal hoops. Finley guided her broomstick after Mason and leaned low over its shaft, allowing the Cheetah to propel herself forward with incredible speed.
Slytherin chaser Malden McGonagall maneuvered himself next to Mason, serving both as a barrier on that side to any bludger or opposing chaser and also making himself available to accept the quaffle, if Mason felt the need to be rid of it. Finley decided to try her luck and move for Mason's other side, only for fellow first year Crew Morgan to cut her off. Finley tapped her broomstick over a bit further to avoid swerving or crashing into Crew, eventually pulling up beside him.
He watched her out of the corner of his eye while simultaneously supporting Mason, who suddenly handed the quaffle off to Malden and ducked to avoid a head-on collision with a bludger. Finley pushed past Crew and gradually drifted back towards the middle, hoping to get close enough to Malden to either attempt a steal or intercept a pass, should he make one. Malden did eventually throw the quaffle overhand to Crew. Finley reached out to try and make the interception, but her fingers didn't even graze the ball as it flew overhead.
She turned her concentration towards Crew but quickly came to notice that he didn't have the ball anymore. He must have handed it off to Mason in the split second Finley wasn't watching. Mason urged his broomstick to go faster and dodged around Finley, letting the quaffle fly the moment he felt the moment was right. Gryffindor keeper Hunter Green rolled his shoulder to avoid a bludger meant to distract him too much from blocking Mason's goal attempt. He reached out and batted the ball back into the fray. Finley was right there and found herself holding the quaffle for the first time since the start of the match.
(Gus) First Match as Captain
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 12-18-14 15:04
Finley Pride, one of the newest chasers of the Gryffindor team, had the quaffle in her hands. Gus watched her flying away from her team's side of the pitch, trying to cover as much distance as she could before the rest of the chasers came after her. However the others reacted pretty fast, both Slytherins and Gryffindors. Finley passed the quaffle to Gerry Martini Blackwell, a first year who had also made the Gryffindor team this year. Gus already knew better than teasing a first year at the pitch and instead of doubting Gerry's skills as a chaser, he focused himself on the boy's body language, trying to get to know how he played.
A bludger sent by Baron got in Gerry's way. He managed to duck, but the grip he had over the quaffle wasn't very strong and Malden snatched it from him. Gus mentally applauded both Baron and Malden's moves. This year he was the captain of the Slytherin team. It was the very last year he would play Quidditch at Hogwarts and he really wanted Slytherin to win the Quidditch cup. He wanted to be remembered as more than another player that passed by the school.
Malden shifted his broom, ready to change the course of the game. He wanted to pass the red ball to Crew but Mildred Campbell was standing right in front of him blocking his way. Mason called Malden's name and he threw the quaffle to his teammate but Mildred caught it. She then offered the red ball to Finley, who concluded her path to Gus' hoops with ease, thanks to Madoc and Edgar Steele, who protected her from the bludgers sent by Asher and Baron and threw them back at the other chasers.
Finley placed herself in position, ready to score. Just like with Gerry, Gus had never seen Finley playing before, with the exception of the Qudditch trials and he didn't know her style of playing. Would she simulate a shot to the right and shoot to the left? Would she hesitate and get closer before trying to score? Or would she shot right away? Finley didn't do any of that. Instead, she passed the quaffle to Mildred. Seconds later she aimed to the central hoop and gave it a go. Gus was placed at the left but he dived to the right with his broom, stretching his harm and punching the quaffle away, avoiding the goal. There were cheers from the stands.
Gus was worried with the possibility of another Gryffindor chaser catching the red ball and he quickly repositioned himself. Luckily it had been Crew who had grabbed the quaffle and he was already leaving the Slytherin hoops. The rest of the chasers followed him.
Gus took the chance to search for the seekers, see what they were up to. It was still early in the match and he wanted for Slytherin to score as many goals as possible, to bring some humiliation to the Gryffindors, before the snitch was caught. However, he preferred none goals and that Rylee would catch the snitch. But Gryffindor had a new seeker, Leonine Marchbanks, Baron's brother. Gus didn't know how good he was and he just hoped he wouldn't be able to beat Rylee when the time come.
He focused once again on the chasers. Crew still had the quaffle and was now very closer to Hunter's hoops. Gus waited to see what he was going to do, secretly wishing that he would score so their team could gain an advantage right from the start.
In The Thick Of The Action (Mason)
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 12-18-14 17:14
Sitting in the stands Felicia Randolph flinches when a one of those black balls called a bludger nearly hits her son. Mason has shown her a bludger up close so she knows how hard the ball is. She also knows from past matches the injury a hit by one of those things can cause. She's never been a fan of sports that tend to draw blood but Mason seems drawn to them, having at one point an interest in playing rugby.
There are other sports wizards and witches play but since first learning about the Wizarding World and this game called Quidditch, Felicia has learned that Quidditch is the premiere sport of most of the Wizarding World. Even if she had convinced Edmond to back her in refusing to allow Mason to play on one of his school's teams, she has no doubt her child would still play for fun and she'd most likely never know of those matches. With reluctance she'd approved him trying out for the Slytherin House team, secretly hoping he wouldn't be selected. Once he had been and each year since, Felicia has held her tongue and come to what matches she's able to cheer Mason on.
In the air over the pitch, Mason Jeffers is oblivious to his mother's long held concerns regarding Quidditch. Even if he were fully aware, during a game isn't the time to give her worrying even a fleeting thought, especially now with Slytherin in possession of the quaffle.
Despite weeks of practice, Mason is still sometimes jarred seeing new faces on his own team. Expecting to see Olive Green, he instead has Crew Morgan. Instead of Mark Farnon there's Baron Marchbanks. Then again, with Mark no longer at Hogwarts the tension that raged between Mark and Gus van Tassel is gone, which is a great relief to the other members of the team.
One of those new faces has the quaffle at the moment. Crew throws a goal attempt but Hunter Green is able to bat it back. Malden McGonagall and Mildred Campbell grapple for the rebound, both losing their grips. Gerry Blackwell or is it Martini-Blackwell? Mason has trouble keeping that straight. Either way, Gerry is the one grabbing up the red ball.
Gerry maneuvers away from the Gryffindor kept hoops only to have Asher Kent bonk him a good one with a bludger. Mason easily wrests the quaffle from Gerry, pivoting around to pass to Malden. He's so busy watching Malden catching it despite Finley Pride's effort to steal that Mason doesn't see Leo Marchbanks until it's almost too late. Almost. He's able to jerk his broom out of the way just in the nick. Leo hadn't seen him at all until after the fact, shooting him a smile, thankful the collision was avoided. Having the Gryffindor seeker out of the match would be nice but not only would there be a huge chance Mason would also end up out of the game but he's not sure he wants to win by default like that. Of course, Gryffindor could still win, they would have to score a very large number of goals to offset Slytherin getting the snitch.
By the time he's got his attention back on the other chasers and the quaffle, Malden is ducking a bludger sent by his brother Madoc and Edgar Steele is shooting the other black ball off at Crew. Mason accelerates to join the thick of the action just as Madoc gets off a shot for goal only to have Hunter once again knock the quaffle back.
(Asher) Pleased
Author: Jolyon
Date: 12-18-14 18:31
The quaffle landed into Mildred's arms. She wasted not a single moment in putting as much distance between herself and the Gryffindor goals as possible. Asher immediately set off in pursuit of the nearest bludger, which unfortunately was under the control of Madoc. Madoc gave it a hard whack and sent it towards Malden, who was doing his very best to harass Mildred into giving up the quaffle. Malden was also being careful not to commit any fouls and thereby make it possible for Gryffindor to earn an easy goal.
The bludger was too far ahead of Asher for him to put himself in between it and Malden, but Baron noticed what was going on and reacted quickly enough to defend Malden. Baron gave the bludger a tap in Asher's direction instead of awkwardly redirecting it in the opposite direction. In the short time it took the bludger to meet Asher, he had already sized up who should get hit by it and how he had to swing his bat to get the right trajectory.
The ball struck bat with a resounding THUNK and traveled full-force towards Finley, who had just accepted the quaffle from Mildred. She never saw it coming. The bludger hit her between the shoulder blades and took her by such surprise, she dropped the quaffle. Luckily for her, Mildred was on the spot to recover the ball for Gryffindor. When Asher surpassed Finley in the air, he was pleased to see that there were tears in her eyes.
He was already in pursuit of another bludger to use against a Gryffindor player when his gaze just happened to drift into the stands. His mother had come to see him play, and she had brought her boyfriend with her. In the brief moment Asher glanced their way, he noticed how all the other adult women and some of the older students gazed adoringly at Lancelot. The only person who did not seem interested was Arielle, who sat next to their mother with her arms folded across her chest.
Earlier Asher had noticed his aunt in the staff box with dear old dad. Apparently, this first match between Gryffindor and Slytherin had turned into a family affair… too bad the Kents were so very dysfunctional.
In the split second Asher looked away from the proceedings in the air, Mildred passed the quaffle to Gerry. Gerry pulled the ball to his middle, sat forward on his broomstick, and took off like a shot for the goals.
First Goal
Author: Mildred
Date: 12-19-14 02:22
Mildred followed Gerry as he flied at a high speed towards the Slytherin hoops. So far neither Gryffindor nor Slytherin had scored and the match had been quite balanced. Gerry found his way blocked by Malden, and he threw the quaffle at Finley who has been able to compose herself, after being hit by a bludger between the shoulder blades. Mildred was relieved to see she was back in the game with the same will has before. Last year, she had been the youngest member of the Gryffindor team and now she became one of the oldest. It made her feel somewhat protective and concerned with her two team chasers. So she had worried about Finley, but everything seemed to be alright as she managed to pass over Crew who had positioned himself at her side, trying to steal the quaffle from her.
Mildred had Mason closer to her and she tried to get rid of him, so she could get in a good position next to Gus' hoops in case she would receive the quaffle. But the Slytherin chaser didn't let go of her, until the moment a bludger from Madoc came in his direction. Mason avoided the bludger, and that gave Mildred some space to fly into another position. Noticing she was free, Finley passed her the quaffle. Mildred didn't lose anytime and sent the red ball right into the Slytherin's left hoop. But Gus defended the shot, holding the ball with both his hands.
He quickly passed it to Crew who was free. Mildred went after him alongside with Gerry, and they both positioned themselves side by side with the Slyhterin chaser, covering Crew's flanks. Mildred used her right hand, trying to reach for the quaffle and Gerry did the same. She ignored the pain she felt on her leg when a bludger hit her; she was too focused on trying to steal the quaffle from Crew. Finally Crew gave in, but instead of allowing any of the two Gryffindors to get their hands on the quaffle, he dropped it. The ball fall down the pitch at a high speed, with a vertical trajectory. Malden dived and managed to grab it, avoiding a bludger from Edgar.
He went up again and passed the quaffle at Mason, who was free. Mason left the middle of the pitch, trying to reach Hunter's hoops. Finley was right behind him. Baron aimed a bludger at her, but this time she dodged it. She managed to get closer to Mason but before she could try something, he threw the ball back to Malden.
Malden didn't have time to do much because the two seekers passed by him at a high speed. According to Willow Westwick, the commentator, it seemed like they have spotted the snitch. For a moment all the chasers froze, wondering if the match was about to end so soon after it started. But Gerry was the first to react and he stole the quaffle from Malden's hands. Soon he was once more nearby the Slytherin hoops. He passed the quaffle to Mildred but instead of trying to score she offered the red ball to Finley who was in a better position than her. Finely shot the quaffle the moment Willow was telling everyone that it had been a false alarm, that the snitch had not been caught yet. Gus tried to defend but he was not able to do so. The quaffle passed by the hoop. Mildred and Gerry cheered, congratulating Finley. The other Gryffindor players did the same alongside their supporters at the stands.
"Finley Pride scores! Gryffindor is leading the match, ten to nothing!" Willow said.
Gus quickly passed the quaffle to Mason and the match continued.
Almost, but Not Quite
Author: Rylee
Date: 12-19-14 06:28
This morning had not gotten off to the best start for Slytherin's seeker, a migraine that had threatened her sanity had nearly cost her playing in the first match of the year and that was absolutely not possible. She'd gone to Madame Pomfrey and gotten a potion for it, and ultimately was feeling about ninety percent better by the time she'd taken to the air over the pitch.
The cheering in the stands had nearly caused the migraine's return, however, mind over matter had her shoving the thought of letting it return well back into the recesses of her mind. Her focus right now, was finding the snitch before the new seeker for Gryffindor, Leonine Marchbanks, caught it.
She hovered over the pitch, watching the action below, she'd seen the bludger connect to Finely's shoulders and knew well enough how much that hurt. She had to applaud the girl's tenacity, and her desire to return to the match even though she knew that there would be a bruise on the girl's back for a few days. She flicked her gaze over the expanse of the stands, tearing her gaze away from the action for a moment. Raz, Etana, and most of her sisters were there as well as her mother. Her father, she hadn't heard from since the divorce had been final, and truly had no desire to talk to the man.
A quick wave to everyone sitting in the stands, before she turned her attention back to the matter at hand. Fingers flexing slightly, a brief reprieve from constantly gripping the handle of her broom. Shifting ever so slightly on her seat to relieve the tension building in her lower back she cast her gaze over the bulk of the players beneath her.
After Finely had scored, the quaffle fell in to Slytherin possession. Crew Morgan, who would more than likely follow in his parent's footsteps and end up playing Quidditch professionally, had the quaffle and was rapidly moving toward the hoops guarded by Hunter Green of Gryffindor.
Crew was flanked by Malden and Mason, and the trio of Slytherin chasers were doing well keeping the ball from the hands of Gryffindor's chasers. A bludger, carefully aimed by Edgar Steele, caused Crew to have to drop down, or take the bludger to the head. Madoc ended up catching the bludger and sending it back in the direction of the Slytherin chasers, and at that moment Crew had taken the chance to pass the big red ball to Malden.
The bludger sent by Madoc connected with the big red ball throwing it into a freefall. What happened after that, Rylee would only hear by the announcements slightly registering in her ears as the glimmering, golden snitch hovered at arm's length right in front of her face.
Gaze quickly darted to her left, then right attempting to judge the distance between herself and Leonine Marchbanks...the other seeker was far enough away that he hadn't noticed yet that Rylee had seen the snitch. However, just as she'd reached for it, the blasted thing did what it always did...flew away.
Quickly, she was on the move, bent low over her broom to ensure that she would have the least amount of resistance. Once she'd started moving with any kind of speed, it didn't take Leonine long to learn that the competition had spotted the snitch and was in pursuit.
She swerved to avoid a stray bludger, most likely intended to slow her down and give Leonine a chance at claiming the snitch, and continued on the path behind the glimmering golden ball.
It took a split second before she pulled up short, the snitch had pulled a vanishing act. That ball was bloody maddening. Where in the hell had it gone?
Willow's voice soon announced that it was another false alarm, neither seeker had laid claim to the snitch.