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Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 05-29-15 15:32
Gingerly setting his end of the balls trunk down, Viktor steps over to give Marjani a pat on the shoulder. "Thank you."
"You're welcome but I still say you should sit this one out."
Leaving his house this morning Viktor somehow misstepped, falling in the process. He had gotten up, dusted himself off, then continued on to Hogwarts, thinking nothing much about it other than he wasn't overly upset at not having any witnesses to the embarrassment to his dignity. By the time he got to Hogwarts, throbbing pain had set in on both one forearm and an ankle. Instead of going straight to the pitch he'd gone on to the castle to see Madam Pomfrey. Tsking over him, Poppy had given Viktor something for the pain but at a low enough dosage he could still sit his broom and call the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw match taking place after this school year's ninth apparition lesson.
Viktor's next stop had been to get an owl off asking Wanda Carmody if she were available on short notice. Though planning to referee the match himself, he thought it best to have at least one assistant referee because even a lesser strength, lower dosage of pain medication could make him slow to respond and muddle his thinking somewhat. Better to have backup if that does happen.
Reaching the pitch, Viktor found Marjani there earlier than he'd expected a coffee for him in one hand. Upon learning why he's limping and wearing a sling, Marjani promptly offered to referee as well. That also was the first time she chided him about sitting out. She's voiced this thought a few times in helping him do equipment checks and making sure the markings outlining the pitch's boundaries are fully visible.
Rather than replying to Viktor's owl, Wanda came straight away, arriving from the walk up from the village as Marjani and Viktor set the trunk down. Like Marjani, she tells Viktor he doesn't need to be in the air. It's not as though he's playing in the match himself and doesn't want to leave his team without a seeker. Viktor ends up telling Wanda and Marjani that if after the match begins, the pain or the medication interfere enough with his refereeing, then he'll take to the sidelines, leaving the two of them to handle the rest of the game.
Not wanting to spend the minutes until the match begins standing on his bad ankle, Viktor sits on a bench and talks with the two women until Willow Westwick is at her spot in the stands, welcoming the spectators to the match. When the time arrives for Willow to announce the teams, she'll give the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw rosters. For Gryffindor are Madoc McGonagall, Edgar Steele, Hunter Green, Mildred Campbell, Gerry Martini Blackwell, Finley Pride, and Leo Marchbanks. For Ravenclaw are Aderyn Carter, Jade Green, Beatrix Vanderbilt, Franciscus Vanderbilt, Paton Shrewsbury, Ramona Mickle, Bran Hyland.
Until then, Viktor continues sitting on the bench, sipping his coffee, talking, and thinking himself quite the klutz.
Good Efforts
Author: Gerry
Date: 05-30-15 07:10
Gerry took his starting position above center field and watched as captains Hunter for Gryffindor and Ramona for Ravenclaw shook hands and agreed to play a clean game. The captains then mounted their brooms and filed in with the other players, after which the balls were released in order. When the quaffle appeared, Gerry made a quick scramble to grab it, only for Franciscus to jerk it out of his hands.
Franciscus found it somewhat difficult to break free of the pack and ended up attempting a pass to his cousin Paton. Paton almost had his fingers on the red ball, when Finley reached over and messed up the catch. Unfortunately, she didn't get a good hold on the ball either, which sent the quaffle into momentary free fall.
There was a great deal of arms and legs and broomsticks all in a jumble as all six chasers vied for the quaffle. Gerry felt the bristles of somebody's broom scrape his arm, but he ignored the sting and focused on getting the ball. He almost managed it, but his teammate Mildred was quicker. She scooped up the falling quaffle and darted through an opening. Gerry immediately set off to flank her, as did Finley. The Gryffindors flew in V formation, until a bludger courtesy Aderyn forced Gerry to barrel roll away from Mildred. Jade used the other bludger to target Mildred, who quickly handed the quaffle over to Finley.
Finley barely had it in her hands when Ramona seemingly came out of nowhere and plucked it free. Ramona turned around abruptly and rocketed away, though Finley did her best to keep up with her. Gerry came around from the other side, with every intention of cutting in front of Ramona. If he could just get in her way before she either reached the goal hoops or found someone to pass the quaffle to, then maybe there'd be another turnover of the ball.
Gerry made a good effort at crossing her path, but Ramona saw him coming out of the corner of her eye and leaned lower over her broomstick. A bludger sailed past her but didn't even ruffle her hair. She put on a burst of speed and shot ahead, preventing Gerry from completing his quest to stop her from getting anywhere. He changed tactics and tried to catch up to her, mimicking her movements. He was smaller than she was and thought he could reduce his wind resistance better.
When another bludger targeted Ramona, she saw it coming and quickly passed the quaffle to Paton. Paton didn't hold onto the quaffle for long and handed it off to Franciscus. Ramona avoided the bludger and looked at her cousin to indicate she was ready to receive the quaffle again. Gerry studied them both as he quickly caught up to Ramona and tried to anticipate how and where Franciscus would throw.
When Franciscus let the quaffle fly, Gerry tried to dart around Ramona to intercept the ball. Unfortunately, a bludger hit the tail of his broomstick and sent him spinning. Ramona caught the quaffle and threw it at one of the goal hoops, only for it to hit the rim and bounce back into her arms. Hunter had his arms out and watched to see where she would throw next, shifting slightly this way and that as he did so. She pretended to try for the same hoop, only to throw the ball at Franciscus. Franciscus quickly launched the quaffle through the left-most hoop and scored the first ten points fo the match.
Gerry, who had managed to get his broomstick under control and which appeared not to have been damaged by the bludger, accepted the quaffle from Hunter and hurried away from the Gryffindor goal hoops as quickly as he could.
Adrenaline
Author: Finley
Date: 05-30-15 11:26
Finley accepted the quaffle from Gerry and pulled it close to her side. She swerved to avoid Bran, who just so happened to be in the area searching for the elusive golden snitch. He flinched when he realized he was in the path of the oncoming chasers and temporarily gave up his seeking to avoid getting mowed down by one or more players. Finley lost a little of her lead by moving around Bran and soon felt the presence of Franciscus and Paton on either side of her. They drew up next to her and flew as close as they dared without risking a foul. Finley pulled the ball even tighter in, hoping Paton, who was on that side, wouldn't try to wrestle it free.
She noticed him eyeing the best way to get to the ball, which was how she didn't see Aderyn appear dead ahead and hit a bludger directly her way. Neither Madoc nor Edgar were near enough to save Finley from getting hit, nor could she move to either side because Paton and Franciscus still had her boxed in. The only thing she could do was drop down, but she made the decision far too late to avoid the bludger. It struck her in the collar bone and distracted her enough for her to lose hold of the quaffle. Paton quickly moved in for the steal, but somehow he couldn't get a good grasp on the ball and it slipped from his fingers.
Luckily, Gerry had already thought to fly underneath Finley in case she had planned on dropping the ball if she couldn't get it off to Mildred, who had flown ahead of her. He caught the ball easily and accelerated, ascending slightly so that he could be even with the goal hoops if he got that far down the Pitch. The impact of the bludger hurt a lot, but Finley felt that she was only bruised and didn't have a broken collar bone. She might be wrong and be running on adrenaline more than reality, but she didn't see any need to stop playing. As it was, the hit only slowed her down some. She immediately jumped back into the game play.
Gerry, meanwhile, saw that Mildred was open and threw the ball long. She simultaneously dodged a bludger and caught the ball, twisting acrobatically on her broomstick to avoid injury and accomplish the catch. Mildred quickly got near the hoops and threw the quaffle at one of the hoops. Beatrix launched herself in front of it and knocked the ball back with both of her hands. Ramona had drawn up to the hoops by then and tried to catch the rebound, but Mildred wrestled the ball free and shot again. This time Beatrix caught the ball outright and handed it to Ramona.
Ramona didn't get very far, though. A bludger sent via Madoc clipped her in the shoulder connected to the arm carrying the quaffle. She didn't drop the ball, but she slackened her grip, which was enough for Mildred to pluck the ball free and try for another goal. The ball hit rim and bounced back into the fray, landing neatly into Finley's arms. She used her uninjured arm to launch the quaffle toward the hoop, but once again, Beatrix blocked and sent the ball back into the fray. This time Gerry caught the ball. He threw it without thinking and fully expected Beatrix to catch it, but a bludger struck her in the shoulder and forced her back enough for the quaffle to go through the hoop.
Finley grinned wildly and started to pump her fist in the air, when she remembered her aching collar bone. Her smile turned into a grimace, but that didn't last very long. Beatrix put the quaffle back into play via Ramona. Finley immediately got back into the zone and chased after Ramona and the red ball.
Disoriented
Author: Mildred
Date: 05-30-15 15:11
It had been a strong start for the Gryffindor team. Finally the chasers' efforts had paid off and Gerry had scored, putting the Gryffindor in the lead.
While Finley chased Ramona, Mildred flied closer to Franciscus. In case Ramona tried to pass the quaffle to him she would be in the right position to block the move. Nevertheless that was the decision Ramona took, and she threw the red ball to her cousin. Mildred tried to grab it in the air, but Franciscus got it and once he held the quaffle tight in his arm, he accelerated on his broomstick leaving Mildred behind. He managed to dodge a bludger from Edgar and then he passed the quaffle to Paton, who was completely free.
Paton completed the rest of the way towards the Gryffindor's hoops. He was hoping to find an unwarned keeper when he aimed and shot the quaffle to the central hoop. But Hunter was alert and stretched his arms, grabbing the quaffle with ease. He then delivered the red ball to Gerry. Gerry worked with both Mildred and Finley, as they tried to leave the Gryffindor side of the pitch. But it was getting hard to do so, because when it seemed like they were doing some progresses, the quaffle was snatched back by one of the Ravenclaw chasers and they had to try to win it back again.
The match was at an impasse. Willow Westwick said the same thing out loud to the spectators and there was some booing coming from a group of Slytherins. They were taking the chance to tease the Gryffindors. Mildred knew most were supporting Ravenclaw today. She smiled when the Gryffindors at the stands started to push for their team. That gave her an energy boost as she and Finley were surrounding Ramona making the older girl to drop the quaffle. Gerry grabbed it but just like Ramona he was surrounded by two chasers, Paton and Franciscus. He didn't have other chance but to pass it to Mildred.
She has not been able to do much when the quaffle reached her hands, because a bludger hit her head. Mildred had the impression of hearing Willow saying that it had been Jade who threw it but she wasn't sure as all the sounds of the pitch were muffled by an annoying buzzing coming from inside her head.
Realizing she was still in the game, she decided to get rid of the quaffle before one of the Ravenclaws chasers tried to catch it. She passed the quaffle back to Gerry.
"By Merlin's beard! Campbell delivered the quaffle directly to Shrewsburry!"
Mildred couldn't believe what happened. The bludger that hit her had really disoriented her and she had mistaken Gerry with Paton. She hadn't been even able to pay attention to the different colors of their equipments. Paton took advantage of the chance Mildred had given him and seeing himself in a good position he tried to score. This time he caught Hunter distracted since, like almost everyone else, he was trying to understand what was happening with Mildred. The quaffle slid easily to the other side of the hoop.
The Ravenclaws applauded and for a moment there was a pause in the match as Coach Krum went to check on her. Mildred assured him she was feeling well enough to continue playing, after the hit that almost knocked her out. Coach Krum nodded and he blew his whistle giving continuation to the match and Hunter threw the quaffle to Finley.
(Madoc) Bludgers
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 05-30-15 16:07
Although disappointed, Madoc was not the sort to get bent out of shape over a mistake, even one as costly as Mildred's had been. She obviously had taken a hard hit to the head, and though Coach Krum had cleared her to continue playing, Madoc worried that she wasn't fully recovered. He didn't think she would accidentally hand the quaffle to the opposing team again, but he did wonder if she could keep up after her head injury.
He turned his attention to Finley, who had the quaffle in her arms and was racing across the Pitch. Ramona and Franciscus were closing in on her, one on each side. Paton drifted slightly to the right and behind Franciscus. Madoc quickly looked around for the bludgers and saw that Jade and Aderyn had control over both of them at the moment. Aderyn fired off one at Finley, who tried to pass to Gerry, only for Franciscus to knock the ball from her hand before she could even throw it. Aderyn's bludger clipped Finley's arm.
Madoc raced after the ball, intending on using it against Franciscus, who now had possession of the quaffle and was heading back in the direction of the hoops Hunter guarded. Madoc gave the black ball a hard whack with his bat, but Aderyn managed to get in between it and Franciscus and redirected it at Gerry, who was doing a great show of harassing the Ravenclaw chaser. Gerry ducked to avoid getting hit, and so did Ramona, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Franciscus chucked the quaffle at Paton when Mildred put herself in his path. Paton caught the ball one-handed but almost lost it when Finley swooped in for the steal. They each batted at the red ball for a moment, before Madoc got to one of the bludgers and used it on Paton. It scraped against Paton's ear, startling him more than anything. Finley got a firmer hold on the quaffle and turned around with every intention of closing the distance between herself and the Ravenclaw goals.
Madoc decided to assist her the only way he knew best. He intercepted a bludger and aimed it at Paton, who tried reclaiming the quaffle. Paton dodged the bludger only when Aderyn called out a warning to him. She used the same bludger against Finley, but Edgar was on the spot to defend her. Finley passed the quaffle to Gerry, who passed it back to Finley when Franciscus got too close.
Finley passed the quaffle back to Gerry, who passed it to Mildred, who seemed recovered enough from her earlier injury. She pressed the ball closely to her side and zoomed ahead, eyes focused on Beatrix in front of the hoops. When Mildred got close enough, she tried to score, but Beatrix used her fist to knock the ball away from the hoops. Gerry caught the rebound. At the same time he let the quaffle fly, Madoc got Beatrix with a bludger. It struck her in the hand just as she was reaching out to block Gerry's goal attempt. Gerry's throw wasn't perfect, but it was good enough. The ball hit both sides of the rim and then fell through to the other side.
"The match is tied, 20-20!" Willow called out.
(Willow) Play by Play
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 05-31-15 07:14
Willow sat in the staff box with the professors and commentated on the match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Although it was still a bit nerve-wracking, sitting with teachers instead of her housemates and giving unbiased commentary throughout the match, Willow had more or less gotten used to her role as Quidditch commentator.
After Gerry scored for Gryffindor and evened up the score between the two teams, Beatrix handed the quaffle to her brother Franciscus.
"Vanderbilt passes to Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury passes to Mickle––oh! The ball is almost intercepted by Pride!"
Ramona gripped the red ball hard and darted away from Finley, who kept close and did her very best to annoy the older player into making a mistake.
"Mickle passes long to Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt throws––and gets hit by Steele's bludger!"
Franciscus managed to throw the ball before the hit, but just barely. The ball managed to arc away from him, but before Paton could catch it, Mildred darted in for the steal.
"The quaffle is intercepted by Campbell!" Willow shouted. "Campbell passes to Martini-Blackwell, who passes to––the ball is intercepted again! It's Shrewsbury with the steal!"
Paton speeded away and tossed the ball at Franciscus. Franciscus faked a hand off to Ramona, who darted ahead with her arm crooked and close to her body, as if she were holding the quaffle when really all she held was air. Franciscus, meanwhile, tried to act nonchalant, but it wasn't long before the ruse was discovered.
Hunter fixated on Ramona as she approached, but when he didn't see the ball in her arms, he looked around wildly for Paton and Franciscus. Franciscus propelled the quaffle forward, but Hunter had no trouble knocking it away from the goals.
"Shrewsbury catches the rebound. He shoots, and Green blocks. Campbell gets the quaffle. No, it's Vanderbilt with the quaffle now. He shoots. Green, that's Jade Green, gets the other Green with a bludger. Vanderbilt's shot is… GOOD! Ravenclaw leads, 30-20!"
Franciscus, Beatrix, Ramona, and Paton
Author: Griet
Date: 05-31-15 12:23
Franciscus spun around and chased after Mildred, who had been given the quaffle by Hunter only moments earlier. Mildred ducked to avoid collision with Madoc, who was maneuvering away in search of the nearest bludger. Madoc seemed completely oblivious to having been in the way and continued on his path with determination etched on his face.
Franciscus, meanwhile, arced around to come at Mildred from the side, but by the time he got close, she had thrown the quaffle to Finley. Finley, up ahead, quickly looked all around her to see what her chances were of getting to the goals without any trouble. She thereby noticed the bludger Jade had just sent her way. Finley rolled to avoid it and handed off the quaffle to Gerry the second he whizzed past her.
Franciscus turned his attentions to the Gryffindor first year next. Gerry was small and compact and managed to put on a lot of speed. He slalomed through the obstacles put in his path like a seasoned professional and quickly got to where Beatrix waited. Gerry tried to score, but Beatrix caught the ball with little effort. She handed it to Franciscus when he appeared and then watched as he zoomed away from her and the Ravenclaw hoops.
When the right opportunity presented itself, Franciscus passed the quaffle to Paton, who passed it to Ramona, who passed it back to Paton when Edgar appeared in her path. Ramona dodged Edgar's bludger by dipping her shoulder just low enough so that the black ball sailed past without even grazing her. Paton passed the quaffle back to Franciscus, who suddenly found himself surrounded by Mildred and Finley. One girl was on each side of him, and both kept swiping their arms out at him in an effort to both distract and steal the quaffle away from him.
Aderyn got a bludger off at Mildred, who decided to avoid it rather than get hit. Franciscus used the opportunity to pass the ball to Ramona. She pushed forward and let the quaffle go from a bit of a distance, hoping Hunter wouldn't get the chance to stop it despite the ample opportunity to do so. Hunter went in for a one-handed catch, only instead of holding onto the ball, it slipped free from his fingers. Franciscus, Paton, Gerry, and Finley all scrambled to get it, with Gerry and Franciscus getting the best hold on it. They wrestled with it for a moment before Franciscus tore it free from Gerry's grasp. He threw it up towards Paton, who quickly shot it into one of the hoops.
"Shrewsbury scores!" Willow shouted. "Ravenclaw leads, 40-20!"
Hunter handed the quaffle to Finley. She didn't have much of a chance of getting away from him, due to being surrounded by all three Ravenclaw chasers. They kept her boxed in and tried to steal the ball from her, but she held onto it as tightly as possible. Only when Madoc and Edgar both fired bludgers at the Ravenclaw chasers, did Finley get the chance to break free of the pack.
Ramona managed not to get hit by one of the bludgers and rapidly chased after Finley. Franciscus and Paton were a bit slower to catch up, but they eventually did. Mildred and Gerry pulled up close as well, so that all six players flew together in a close-knit pack. Things were a bit too close, however, because the shifts in flying, especially when trying to avoid the bludgers or even the beaters and seekers flying around, had the chasers all bumping into each other.
Ramona found herself knocking elbows with Finley, though not on purpose at all. Nevertheless, one of the referees blew the whistle and shouted out, "Foul! Cobbing!"
Finley was allowed to take the foul shot. She lined up in front of Beatrix, who sized up the Gryffindor second year and tried to guess where the younger girl might throw. Finley debated her choices quickly and then threw the quaffle at the left-most hoop. Beatrix dove in that direction and caught the quaffle with both hands.
She grinned and handed the ball to Ramona, who was still scowling about the foul that wasn't intentional. Ramona tucked the ball in the crook of her arm and raced away from Beatrix. She got about mid-pitch before being forced to get rid of the ball. She threw it to Paton, who executed a barrel-roll when Edgar aimed a bludger at him. The bludger got the fingertips on the hand gripping his broomstick handle, but Paton held on tight and kept his hold on the quaffle, too.
When he came out of the roll, he handed the ball back to Ramona, who had realized that Paton would lose some ground in his effort not to get injured by the bludger. She charged ahead, swerving around Edgar, and turning away from Mildred as the Gryffindor chaser swiped her arm out at the quaffle. Ramona threw the ball back to Paton, who quickly returned it when another bludger targeted him. Unfortunately, the other bludger knocked the ball clean out of Ramona's hands. Mildred plucked the quaffle out of the air and turned around swiftly.
Beatrix got ready for Mildred's approach. She leaned forward and eyed the ball, which grew bigger and bigger the nearer it got. Beatrix also kept a look out for Gerry and Finley, who would no doubt assist Mildred. It was Mildred with the quaffle, though, when the quaffle was close enough for a goal attempt. She threw it at the left hoop, and Beatrix dove in front of it and swatted at the ball. Mildred caught the rebound and tried again. Once more, Beatrix knocked the ball back into the ground. This time Franciscus caught the ball. He turned abruptly and sped off with the other chasers behind him.
Going Green (Hunter & Jade)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 05-31-15 18:44
Rubbing a hand across his eyes, Hunter is regretting staying up late getting in some studying for the O.W.L.s. He hadn't meant to be up so late the night before a match but had lost track of time, something he wouldn't have thought possible when it came to studying on a Friday night. He thinks if not for the adrenaline of playing he'd be passed out on his bed or at the least thinking about a nap.
Hunter hasn't been able to tell if he's let Ravenclaw get the quaffle by him four times because he is dragging a little or if the other team would have managed that no matter what. He can't tell because of how energized he feels whenever the action reaches his end of the pitch.
That action is nearing once again, putting Hunter on alert. Franciscus has the quaffle, dodging attempts by Mildred for a steal. Franciscus passes to Paton, who nearly loses the red ball to Finley. Paton secures his grip on the ball as he races towards Hunter, ducking a bludger from Madoc.
Paton still has possession when he gets within optimal scoring range, making Hunter think about basketball and how goals made from a certain distance are worth more points than a regular shot. He wonders if Quidditch would change much if something similar became part of the game.
Just as Paton throws the quaffle to Hunter's left, Aderyn gets off a bludger. Hunter pushes the quaffle back, getting smacked by the bludger in the process. He's not sure exactly how it happens but he then smashes into part of the hoop behind him.
Ramona had grabbed the quaffle and now shoots, sending it to the same hoop as Paton had. It's only when he's reaching out to block that he realizes his arm doesn't want to work quite right. Unsure of whether it's from the bludger hit or from the hoop or from the combination, Hunter throws more of himself at the quaffle in an effort to stop it. He groans with frustration when it slips by, adding ten more points to Ravenclaw's score.
As Willow Westwick tells all the world that Mickle has made a goal and the score is now 50 to 20, Gerry takes possession of the quaffle, giving Hunter a quizzical look as if asking if he's all right. Hoping it's a one off, that by the time Ravenclaw coming charging in again intent on scoring his arm will be more back to normal, Hunter gives Gerry a tight smile and a nod.
Jade also gives her brother a look. She doesn't feel the slightest bit guilty at using a bludger against him this match. She is, however, glad she wasn't the one who hit him this time if he's got some sort of muscular damage. Reaching one of the bludgers, aiming it at Mildred who's open for a pass from Gerry, Jade does feel a twinge of guilt there. Early in the match a bludger she'd hit got Mildred in the head. Jade never aims for anyone's head and hates that a bludger she sent did end up clonking Mildred and hard enough that Mildred had some momentary confusion. The Gryffindor chaser hasn't shown any further head problems, indicating she probably does not have a concussion but Jade still feels awful about that hit. It wasn't the first and if Jade continues with Quidditch most likely will not be the last hit to the head she causes but she'll never like when it happens and never purposely cause such a hit.
The bludger this time only grazes Mildred on the arm, not enough to ruin her catching the quaffle. Mildred jets away, swerving around Edgar who's lining up the other bludger to send towards Franciscus. Jade accelerates that direction, intercepting Edgar's bludger to send it Finley's way just as she's catching a pass from Mildred.
Finley avoids the bludger, if only barely, close enough to Beatrix already to try for a goal. Madoc has control of the bludger Jade just hit and Aderyn is vying with Edgar for the other one. Jade turns up the speed, racing to put herself in a good position to aid Beatrix should Edgar, or Madoc, target her.
Finley throws, the quaffle a red blur going to the center hoop. Beatrix slaps the ball back, Ramona and Gerry fighting over the rebound. Ramona is victorious only to have Madoc get her with a bludger that Jade wasn't able to stop in time. This allows Gerry to wrench the ball away from her, throwing it in hopes of a goal as soon as he's adjusted his grip.
This time, Beatrix catches the quaffle, handing it over to Paton. He flies away, picking up speed as he goes, Franciscus and Ramona moving in on either side. Gerry, Finley, and Mildred are right there with them, hoping to get the quaffle back quickly. They are three goals behind and want to at least make this a tied match though four or more goals to pull ahead would be fantastic. Jade, approaching a bludger, is going to work equally hard to keep the Gryffindors from making even a single additional goal.
(Edgar) Hard but not Impossible
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 06-01-15 13:56
Edgar followed Jade in the pursuit of a bludger. Paton had covered a few meters in the air and the Gryffindor chasers were trying to recover the quaffle. But Ramona and Franciscus were flying closer to his teammate and none of the Gryffindors seemed to be able to find a breach to reach Paton. It was a job for the beaters.
Edgar desperately tried to get ahead of Jade. If he could throw the black ball at Paton, then probably he would be able to break the Ravenclaws' formation. The two beaters were side by side. There was a point when they where shoulder to shoulder and Edgar couldn't help to lose his concentration for a minute. He didn't use to be that closer to girls, and Jade Green happened to be a very beautiful one. His thoughts about her beauty suddenly vanished when he noticed their shoulders were not touching anymore, and Jade was about to reach to the bludger first.
Edgar cursed himself as Jade hit the bludger with her bat. The ball directed itself towards Gerry's back. Edgar followed it and used his bat to redirect it to Ramona, who was now holding the quaffle. Ramona was able to dodge it but as she was doing so Finley snatched the quaffle from her hands. Edgar went once again after the bludger he had thrown, hoping that the Gryffindor team would be able to turn the match's result. Scoring three or four times did not seem an impossible goal to accomplish. Hard but not impossible.
Once again Edgar was not alone. By the corner of his eye he spotted Aderyn who also wanted to reach the bludger. He speeded up on his broom, hearing Willow's voice echoing on the pitch as she described Finley passing the quaffle at Mildred, who then offered it to Gerry. Franciscus tried to catch the red ball between the pass but it slipped right from his fingers.
Edgar was closer to the bludger. Aderyn seemed to have given up following it and flied away. This time he aimed the black ball at Bran, the Ravenclaw seeker. Bran was flying nearby and Edgar decided to try and disturb his search for the snitch. He had listened to Willow saying that Franciscus had recovered the quaffle, stealing it from Gerry. He was on her away towards the Gryffindor's hoops. And Edgar he had opted to target Bran.
The bat hit the bludger and it flied across the field, towards Bran. The seeker spotted the bludger but was not able to dodge it. Unfortunately it didn't hit Bran because Aderyn came to his rescue. She threw the ball out his way, meaning to hit Leonine instead. Edgar shot the Ravenclaw beater a furious glance. She had ruined his plans! He listened to Madoc's voice asking for support and he went out to assist him after making sure the bludger would not hit Leonine. Franciscus still had the quaffle and he was ready to shot, hoping to increase the Ravenclaw advantage by another goal.
Searching (Leo)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 06-01-15 19:00
Hovering above the ground just far enough that his feet are sure not to touch or drag, Leo flexes the fingers of one hand. Early in the match he'd somehow been clipped by one of the chasers zooming past. As it was the broom and not the person, he doesn't think the brush was noticed as anything other than flying extremely closely to one of the seekers. His fingers stung for a few minutes but haven't hurt since then but have felt stiff. He's found himself in mid-finger flex without having known he'd even begun.
Looking up, Leo watches as Hunter blocks a Ravenclaw goal attempt. As Gryffindor is currently down by thirty points, the last thing they need is Ravenclaw scoring again. Franciscus gains the quaffle only to lose it to Finley just as he's about to throw the ball in another scoring effort. Finley is somewhat boxed in so does a high, overhand throw to Mildred, just narrowly avoiding having Ramona snatch the quaffle up before it gets to Mildred.
Mildred hastens aways, Paton right behind. She pours on the speed, Paton keeping pace with her. Finley and Gerry race to catch up as to Ramona and Franciscus. Jade slows Mildred with a bludger but doesn't stop her fully. A split second after Madoc dings Paton with the second bludger.
Movement near the ground off to his right has Leo pulling his attention from the rest of the game's action. Putting his broom in motion, he locks onto the motion, shoulders slumping slightly upon seeing it's a butterfly, not the snitch.
Deciding to return to searching from a higher level, Leo climbs above where the keepers and most of the chasers and beaters are at present. The quaffle is now being knocked away from the hoops by Beatrix. Leo missed seeing who threw it and somehow didn't hear Willow say.
Gerry grabs for the ball but is jostled out of the way by Franciscus. Leo could easily lose himself in watching what happens next but forces himself to settle on listening to Willow's running commentary. How embarrassing would it be to have Bran catch the snitch because he's too involved watching the rest of the match?
Unconsciously flexing those fingers again, Leo flies slowly along, closely watching for even the slightest hint of a small winged ball fluttering about or racing around full tilt.
(Aderyn) All the Action!
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 06-02-15 14:16
With a foul shot called earlier in the game, and ultimately Ravenclaw being up by thirty points, this was a highly action packed game for the first one of the new term. She knew that the fifth and seventh years on both teams were busy logging extra hours in the library for their upcoming exams, but she figured that the rush of the Quidditch matches would provide them with a bit of stress relief.
Shifting slightly on her broom, she'd shot Edgar a smirk when she'd ruined his plans sending the bludger toward Bran. It had worked, and she ultimately sped to catch up, ensuring that she could lay claim to another bludger and keep the quaffle in Ravenclaw hands - at least until Bran found the snitch, bringing a victory to Ravenclaw.
Beatrix had just put the quaffle back into play after a failed goal attempt by Finley, and the quaffle was currently in the hands of Paton, who had tucked the bright red ball close to his body and took off toward the Gryffindor hoops. The trio of chasers quickly began attempting to get closer to him, attempting to intercept any chance of his passing to another of Ravenclaw's chasers.
A well timed bludger from Jade, forced Mildred to shift slightly to the right, allowing Ramona to slide closer to Paton and accept the quaffle and when Aderyn shot the bludger back toward the group of chasers, it provided enough distraction to allow Ramona to surge ahead with Franciscus right behind her. The pair closed in on the Gryffindor hoops and Ramona managed to pass the quaffle to Franciscus, however, the big red ball was sent into free fall thanks to a well aimed bludger from Hunter Green.
Four chasers quickly raced for the ball, and it took listening for Willow's commentary to let Aderyn know who had gotten the bright red ball in their hands - it had been Gerry and the pack was quickly making their way back toward the Ravenclaw hoops guarded by Beatrix.
Where Is That Snitch? (Bran)
Author: Saffron
Date: 06-02-15 19:45
Just over a cold that has a slight, lingering cough Bran has been beyond happy this match not to be playing all stuffed up while hacking his lungs out. He supposes if that had been the case, worst comes to worst, someone could have been announced as a sub for him before the game began.
Thinking he's spotted the snitch has put Bran following a course that keeps putting him near the action. Swerving to avoid Madoc he attempts to look as though he's just doing his regular searching with no luck so that Madoc doesn't alter the direction he's sending that bludger. Then, as it turns out, Bran really is just doing his regular searching with no luck. What he thought he saw fluttering along in the breeze turned out to be a fluffy feather. He had thought the object looked odd and moving erratically but he'd put that down to it being some distance away, chasers and beaters constantly obscuring his view, and the snitch being known to sometimes fly erratically.
As Bran maneuvers his broom to a little different altitude Paton is throwing the quaffle to Franciscus. Gerry dives in for an interception, reversing the direction of action from going towards Hunter to heading back to Beatrix. Gerry, Finley, and Mildred work in sync to move the quaffle to those three Beatrix guarded hoops. Bran pauses his searching long enough to watch as Gryffindor comes close to making a third goal. Mildred had thrown the quaffle, Beatrix had her hand on it to shove it back only to jerk her arm away when a bludger from Edgar came at her. The quaffle continued on, its path altered from Beatrix's contact so that it hit the rim of the hoop. It bounced, looking as if it were going to go on through only to fall out the other way to be scooped by up Beatrix.
Small, odd movement out of the corner of his eye has Bran turning to look, thinking it's probably just that feather again. His breath catches at seeing not the feather but the snitch with its wings beating as rapidly as a hummingbird's. Bran bolts forward, eyes locked onto the small ball. He's steadily closing the distance when he notices Leo coming from another direction. Leo doesn't act as if he's yet seen Bran so Bran's thinking Leo spotted the snitch about the same time he did and not because of noticing Bran honing in on the tiny ball.
Bran picks up speed and it's then Leo is aware he's got competition for the ball. Leo also accelerates. The two seekers approach the snitch at an angle to each other. Each boy now has an arm outstretched, hand reaching. Bran and Leo converge, fighting their brooms not to collide while at the same time continuing to reach for the snitch. Against his fingers Bran can feel the moving air displaced by the rapidly beating snitch wings.
Next thing Bran knows he's being smacked by a bludger. Reflexively closing his hand he's vastly disappointed not to feel the snitch nestled in his palm. Rubbing his arm, eyes watering from the hard hit, Bran looks over to a grinning Leo. "Congratulations."
Willow Westwick announces, "Marchbanks has the snitch! Gryffindor wins with a final score of 170 to Ravenclaw's 50!"