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First Match Of The Season
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 12-10-15 15:02
The trunk of balls set outside the small building containing the dressing rooms, equipment room, and Viktor's pitch office, Viktor steps back inside to grab his broom. He's debating whether to drag the trunk or use his wand to levitate it to where he wants it on the pitch when Zuberi comes up. "Want help?"
"Yes, thank you."
They each take a handle on the trunk and Viktor has his broom in his other hand. Zuberi asks, "Just you today?"
"No, Marjani's assisting."
"I thought she might. She'd mentioned something about it but then never said whether she'd confirmed it with you and I've not seen you to have a real conversation all this week."
"Your research project," Viktor understandingly states.
"I can't tell you how relieved I am that I turn it in Monday."
"You've completed it?"
"All done. I've just been going over everything looking for typos, punctuation errors, that sort of thing. If Olive hadn't had her own major project she'd have complained about how little we've seen each other lately."
"Is she coming to the match?"
"With Hunter playing that's her plan. She should be here any time now. How are the teams looking?"
"They're coming along. All four had at least one new member so there's been the learning curve of how best to come together as a newly configured team."
Gryffindor has one new member, Mickey Moon as a beater. The rest of the line-up is unchanged from last year with Madoc McGonagall as the other beater, Hunter Green as keeper, seeker Leo Marchbanks, and chasers Mildred Campbell, Finley Pride, and Gerry Martini-Blackwell. Madoc is captain this year with Hunter as co-captain.
Slytherin has had to integrate three new players. Belinda McCourt is in a chaser position, Boris Samson is keeper, and Sylvestor Trainor is seeker. Asher Kent and Baron Marchbanks are back this year as the Slytherin beaters, Mason Jeffers has returned as a chaser, and is now team captain, and Malden McGonagall rounds out the chasers and is co-captain.
Zuberi and Viktor set the trunk of balls down and stand talking as the stands around them fill. They're soon joined by Marjani dressed to help referee the match and shortly after that Olive arrives. Some of Olive's are with her to cheer on Hunter and to spend a little time with Jade during the game. Time passes quickly and it seems only a few minutes have passed when the official start time arrives and the teams are about to be announced. Those with Viktor not involved in the match go to find their seats. Marjani takes to the air while Viktor remains on the ground, ready to release the balls and get the match going.
Benefactor
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 12-10-15 19:29
Capri sat at her desk at home – she has been working on a manuscript that her new boss had given her to read at her leisure while on maternity leave. She was taking a break when an owl tapped on the window of her flat and she looked; it carried an envelope that was a pretty purple in color. She opened the window and took the envelope and gave the owl a treat and then watched it soar off.
Sitting back down at her desk Capri glanced at the sleeping baby and then opened the envelope. She took out the paper which was an equally pretty soft purple in color. She read over the message and realized soon enough that it was from Kyle Chaddock's wife Valerie; she was willing to meet Capri for lunch. While Capri was relieved she was intensely anxious about the meeting as well. She quickly penned a reply saying she would meet her in China Town at her favorite restaurant.
While Zoe Jane was sleeping Capri quickly went and took a shower and then got dressed, by this time the baby was awake and fussing; she needed changed and to eat. Once the baby was taken care of she left the flat with the Zoe Jane and headed to China Town where she was to meet with Valerie.
Sitting in a booth she watched the people coming and going, most of the people were Asian, and it was obvious that she did not fit in there, she with her fire red hair and green eyes and pale skin. A few minutes more passed when she saw a middle aged woman walk in, she was pale skinned, elegant, and extremely feminine; she was beautiful. Capri smiled and stood up waving the woman over. The woman's crimson lips parted and she smiled at Capri and made her way through the crowded restaurant to her table.
Reaching out her hand Capri took the other woman's hand in hers, it was soft and felt as if the woman had known a very good life.
"My name is Capri Brycin." She said as they shook hands.
"Valerie Chaddock." She said and the two women sat down at the table; Capri poured Valerie some tea.
Valerie looked over at the infant carrier where baby Zoe Jane slept and asked if that was the baby? Capri nodded her head and turned the carrier a little so that Valerie could see the child. A small smile appeared on her face and then she looked at Capri and her smile faded.
"I was never able to have children. She is beautiful she looks like you."
"Thank you." Capri smiled softly.
Getting down to the reason she was there Valerie said, "You had a paternity test?"
"Yes, she is not my boyfriend's child. And I got pregnant shortly after your husband, Kyle raped me."
"Yes." She said looking sad. "I was very sorry to hear about that. It was not one of Kyle's better moments." Valerie sighed and looked the sleeping baby. "I know you are young and are probably struggling a bit being just out of school, on maternity leave and only pulling in one income right now…" she paused and then went on. "I guess what I am trying to say is that I would like to help you out. I am not trying to buy you off and I will not take no for an answer, but how would 500 Galleon be a month?"
"Oh, that is much too generous." Capri said feeling like she was suddenly at a loss for words. It was a lot of money and it really could help her out, she could think of a lot of things that she needed not only for the baby, but herself and the flat that were needed.
"I told you Capri I will not take no for an answer."
Capri's heart fluttered with sudden excitement and she nodded at the woman. "The money would be fine and I will be sure to put it to good use. Thank you so much." Suddenly Capri's smile faltered and she looked at Valerie and said, "Why are you doing this? You owe me nothing."
"Because I have always wanted children and was never able to have any…also because I am very sorry for what Kyle did to you." Capri looked at the table top as if it was intensely interesting before she looked back up at Valerie with tears in her green eyes.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome my dear." She said as she stood up and pulled Capri to her feet and hugged her. "If you ever need anything for the baby – I don't care what it is, if she needs ANYTHING you contact me." Capri nodded her head promising to do just that. "Otherwise I will have the money deposited in your account at Gringotts every month."
"Okay. Thank you again."
About this time the waiter arrived and asked if they wanted to order from the menu of if they were there for Dim Sum, which would be served in a matter of minutes. Capri looked at Valerie and both women smiled and said, "Dim Sum."
Early Advantage
Author: Mildred
Date: 12-11-15 04:02
The whistle blew and the balls were released: the match had officially started. Mildred only got eyes on the quaffle and she tried to be the first to grab it. But it had been Mason, from Slytherin who did so.
Mildred went after Mason, positioning herself right next to him. She tried to knock him out of his broom, using her body, but he didn't move an inch. Mildred thought he probably hadn't even felt her, while she was sure she had gained a bruise on her body. Mason threw the quaffle to Malden, but Finley got there first. Mildred turned her broom around and tried to create some distance between her and Mason. Now she was the one who needed space. Finley passed the quaffle to Gerry, who a moment later handed it to Mildred.
The Gryffindor chasers were approaching Boris Samson's hoops. Mildred was able to dodge a bludger from Asher, but when she did so it took her to a position where she didn't have a good angle to try and score. She noticed Gerry was free and threw him the quaffle. Belinda McCourt tried to steal it in the air, but Gerry guessed her intention and he got ahead.
He grabbed the quaffle and quickly shot it, into the central hoop. Boris managed to defend, which made the Slytherins at the stands to clap their hands. Boris offered the quaffle to Belinda, who tried to get away from the Slytherin scoring area. But she didn't go far, because the two seekers, Leonine and Sylvestor, passed right in front of her blocking the way. For a moment everyone froze. Gerry was the first to take action and he stole the quaffle from Belinda, as she was still trying to understand if someone had caught the snitch, right at the start of the match. He passed the quaffle to Mildred. Finley was closer to the hoops but Mason was right next to her. Mildred simulated a shot to the left and while Boris dived to that side, she threw the quaffle into the right hoop.
Goal! Gryffindor was leading the match, 10 to nothing.
Boris passed the quaffle to Mason, his face showing the frustration he was feeling for having allowed Gryffindor to score so soon. Meanwhile the seekers had gone back to their usual positions, a few meters above the rest of the players.
The Slytherin chasers started to pass the quaffle between the three of them. Malden managed to dodge a bludger from Mickey, by only by a few inches. He sprinted, trying to get rid of Finley who was right behind him. Another bludger was coming into Malden's direction but Baron managed to deviate its course. Now the bludger was after Mildred and she had to move away from her position. She and Gerry had placed themselves in front of Hunter and the Gryffindor's hoops, creating a line of defense. But now that line was broken because she was forced to get away from the bludger. On other circumstances she would have endured the blow but it was still early in the match and her team was winning. Malden passed the quaffle to Mason. He passed by Gerry and shot, but Hunter made a solid defense.
He passed the quaffle to Finley, as the Gryffindors at the stands applauded his defense.
Moving On Up
Author: Finley
Date: 12-11-15 08:27
Finley accepted the quaffle from Hunter and shot through a narrow opening between Belinda and Malden. The new top of the line broomstick unexpectedly delivered to her after the first Hogsmeade trip in October handled like a dream. Finley believed that Phoebus had something to do with the surprise gift, but he denied any knowledge of it and didn't think his parents were the anonymous donors either. If not them, then who would give her such an expensive gift? And more to the point, why?
The broomstick engraved with her name moved swiftly through the cool air and seemed to anticipate Finley's every move. She dove slightly to avoid one of the bludgers and then looked for her teammates to see if any were open to accept the quaffle in case she needed to rid herself of it in a hurry. Mildred was being closely shadowed by Mason, while Gerry was being constantly harassed by Malden. Gerry looked annoyed but also determined to prevent Malden from interfering with the game play.
Finley noticed a bludger coming her way and turned slightly to avoid it, but the movement brought her closer to Belinda. Belinda eyed Finley and the quaffle in her arm and seemed to debate how to get to the red ball. As Belinda was only a first year and an inexperienced member of the Slytherin team, Finley wasn't too worried about her, but then again, Finley knew it would be foolish to underestimate any player. There were first years who excelled at flying and playing Quidditch, and Belinda wore a look of determination on her young face.
Rapidly approaching the Slytherin goals, Finley studied Boris and made a quick decision on how to proceed next. She made as if to attempt a goal, then faked a pass to Gerry, who had managed to shake off Malden, and then attempted the goal for real. Boris was not fooled and knocked the quaffle away with a slap of his hand. The ball was scooped up by Gerry, who attempted another quick goal, but once again, Boris knocked the ball back into the group of assembled chasers. Finley and Mason got their hands on the ball, and Mason, being bigger and stronger, managed to wrestle it away from the younger Gryffindor.
Before Mason could turn and put distance between himself and the Slytherin hoops, Madoc nailed him in the shoulder with a bludger. The quaffle teetered in his hands. Someone knocked it free, and Finley, still near to Mason, tried to get a firm grasp on it. It bounced on her finger tips a few times and then, before somebody could snatch it, she jabbed out her hand so that the quaffle went in the direction of the hoops. Finley thought for sure that Boris would stop it, because it wasn't a sure goal attempt, but the mass of people congregated thre and the real threat of bludgers aimed at him seemed to serve as enough distraction. The quaffle went through the hoop, and now Gryffindor led Slytherin 20-0.
Desperate for a Win
Author: Gerry
Date: 12-11-15 12:41
Gerry turned his broomstick around sharply when Boris handed the quaffle off to Mason. So far, the match was going entirely in Gryffindor's favor, but it was early yet and if Sylvestor caught the snitch, then it would all be over and Slytherin would be declared the winner.
Gryffindor needed the win after the stunt Gerry and Will pulled at the Halloween carnival. Between them they had caused the Gryffindor house points to plummet into the negative, so a win with a high number of goals added to the 150 points catching the snitch brought would help swing things back into the positive and possibly even put Gryffindor on top.
Mason threw the ball to Belinda, who shot forward with it tucked securely in the crook of her arm. She was small and fast and managed to avoid both bludgers as they came at her. The second of the bludgers was intercepted and aimed at Gerry when he managed to catch up to Belinda. He threw his shoulder back to avoid it, and mostly he managed to, but it did graze him. Gerry recovered quickly and swiped out his arm to steal the quaffle from Belinda, but she tossed it to Malden before he could succeed.
Malden got the quaffle all the way to the Gryffindor goal hoops, but Hunter effectively stopped his goal attempt by catching the red ball. He handed the quaffle to Gerry, who threw it to Finley, who passed it to Mildred. The quaffle was a red blur as it passed from hand to hand. When the Gryffindors got within scoring range, it was Gerry with the ball and the first goal attempt. He missed the center of the hoop, and the ball bounced off the rim and went back into his arms.
His second attempt was foiled by Mason, who knocked the ball off course when he tried stealing the ball just after Gerry threw it. Mildred was there to snatch it up before one of the Slytherin chasers could. She attempted a goal, but Boris reached out for it. He tried to catch the ball, but it bounced off his hand and landed back in Gerry's arms. Gerry quickly let the quaffle fly, and this time it soared through the hoop, putting another ten points on the board for Gryffindor.
(Belinda) First Goal
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 12-11-15 15:18
Belinda had woken up feeling the butterflies on her stomach. Sophie and Patricia didn't help when they met her at the Great Hall and wished her good luck for her very first Quidditch match. They would be at the stands watching her, and that left her a little bit uncomfortable. Things got better when she entered the Quidditch pitch with the rest of the team. Their names were announced, and soon the quaffle was in the air.
Unfortunately Gryffindor was now leading by 30 points. Boris passed the quaffle to Mason, so the match could proceed quickly.
Mason held the quaffle. He advanced with caution, as Mildred was right next to him, ready to snatch the red ball from him once she saw the right opportunity. Malden shouted, announcing that he was free and Mason passed him the quaffle. Malden speeded up and Belinda went to his side, just like they had done during practice. Malden threw her the quaffle the moment Finley approached him. Belinda held the red ball but a second later Gerry snatched it. She had been caught in surprise, and mad with herself she turned her broom around, following Gerry and trying to recover what he had taken from her.
Gerry passed the quaffle to Mildred. The Gryffindor chasers seemed to be in a strike of luck because they passed the red ball between the three of them without any of the Slytherin chasers were able to get it back. Their momentum ended when they were already close to the hoops: Asher had sent a bludger that hit Finley's arm, making her drop the quaffle. Malden grabbed it and he flew as fast as he could away from such critical area. Once again Belinda followed him. Mason was right behind them, and soon the Gryffindor chasers joined them as well. Malden passed the quaffle to Belinda, and this time she was alert to make sure no one was around to steal it from her. She flew the last few meters until she was face to face with Hunter. Belinda hesitated for a fraction of second, not sure if she should try and score or hand the quaffle to Mason. She decided to try her luck and she aimed to the hoop on the right: it was a good shot, but Hunter was an experienced keeper and he made a good defense.
He passed the quaffle to Finley. Finley threw it to Mildred. Mildred speeded up but Malden was glued to her, pressuring her. She tried to pass the quaffle to Gerry but because of Malden her shot didn't go the right away. Belinda was close enough and she reached out her hands, catching the red ball before Gerry. She flied back to Hunter's hoops. She heard a bludger approaching and she tried to dodge it, but the heavy ball hit her leg. According to Willow Westwick, the bludger had been sent by no other than Malden's brother, Madoc.
Belinda clenched her teeth and she moved forward. The pain on her leg only gave her more strength and she aimed the quaffle once again to hoop on the right. This time the quaffle flew with more speed than before. Hunter's fingers touched it, lightly, but he could not do anything to avoid Belinda from scoring.
"Belinda McCourt scores! Ten points to Slytherin!"
Belinda rubbed her injured leg, not being able to hide her smile. It felt great to score for her team. The match was now 30 to 10.
Frustrated (Mason)
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 12-12-15 21:19
Although Slytherin now had points on the scoreboard Mason isn't happy. They're down twenty points. Mason can't decide if Boris is nervous in his first official match so isn't doing well, if Hunter is just the better of the two keepers, or if it's more because so far Gryffindor has had more scoring opportunities. Or a combination of factors.
Boris is frustrated as well. He doesn't feel nervous, not any longer. He was this morning when he first got up but since at least an hour before the match began he's felt fine, ready, confident. He still feels that way despite letting the quaffle get by him three times.
Gryffindor is coming at him again, having intercepted a pass between Belinda and Malden. Or maybe it was Mason and not Malden. Three others were blocking his view just enough that he couldn't really tell and that Westwick girl only said interception by McCourt and just before that Belinda's name was mentioned as throwing. If who she was throwing it to was mentioned, Boris somehow missed hearing it. Doesn't really matter who did what up to this point. The thing now is that Mildred has the quaffle and is racing towards him in hopes of scoring another goal for Gryffindor.
Mildred passes off to Gerry who drives in close. Boris knocks the quaffle away only to have Gerry get it again and throw again. Boris once more blocks the shot. A bludger from Baron helps clear the way for Mason to grab up the ball.
Mason pulls the quaffle in close, maneuvers his broom around the way he needs to go, and once mostly clear of being hemmed in near the hoops he rockets away. Partway down the pitch he passes off to an open Malden. Malden in turn moves the quaffle even farther forward with a pass to Belinda.
Free of the quaffle and the bulk of the attention from the Gryffindor chasers, Mason has zoomed around some of the other players and pulled ahead, putting him in good position to once again take possession of the ball should Belinda decide to hand it off.
A few seconds later she does just that, narrowly avoiding a thunking from a bludger sent by Gryffindor beater Mickey Moon. Mason gives a shake of his head as he proactively pulls the quaffle in close to his body as he accelerates. It can be difficult from time to time the names of the newbies on his own team. Remembering the names of the new members of other teams may take him longer than Mason would like to admit. In his defence he is somewhat distracted this year with seventh year classes and the building pressure to study study study for the NEWTs, which arean't even until the end of the school year.
Reaching the hoops guarded by Hunter, Mason hurls the quaffle. Hunter is able to send the ball back, trying to direct it towards one of his own people but sending it straight to Malden. Malden aims and shoots but again Hunter prevents the quaffle from reaching and going through one of the hoops. Finley gets it but there's some jostling by everyone who'd dove to grab up the red ball and she loses her grip on it.
Mason grabs it up and immediately throws it, not really aiming as he should. Hunter looks to have it but a bludger from Asher has the Gryffindor keeper missing the quaffle by a fraction. The score is now Gryffindor 30, Slytherin 20.
Mason thinks about that one goal needed to at least tie things up as Hunter puts the quaffle back in play with a hand off to Gerry.
(Malden & Madoc) Game Changer
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 12-13-15 11:36
Malden chased after Gerry, feeling somewhat uplifted after the second consecutive goal by Slytherin. His team was still losing, but it almost seemed as if the momentum had shifted in Slytherin's favor, despite the fact that Gryffindor was still ahead of the game.
A mere few minutes ago, Malden had regretted his decision not to use the gift he had received for his part in delivering the fire-bellied toad to his great aunt. He'd decided not to in the end, believing he could use it for something more important than a Quidditch match, but what that might be, Malden didn't actually know yet.
Now that Slytherin seemed to be coming back, Malden felt he had made the right decision in leaving the slim glass bottle in his trunk, rather than using it on himself or sharing it with the other members of his team. He shot forward and reached out with his hand to tip the quaffle off course, when Gerry tried to pass it to Finley. The ball almost went into free fall, but Malden managed to scoop it up and turned his broomstick abruptly around before the quaffle could move too far out of reach.
He tossed it quickly to Mason, who ducked to narrowly avoid Mickey's bludger, and then sneaked the ball to Belinda while simultaneously pretending to still have it in possession. The two soared ahead where Hunter waited to hopefully stop their goal attempts. Malden trailed behind a little but not by very much. Just when Hunter realized Mason didn't have the quaffle anymore, Belinda shot it not at the hoops but at Malden, who deftly flicked his wrist and send the red ball flying. Hunter made a good effort of diving for it when he realized Belinda's intentions, but it was not good enough.
"McGonagall scores!" Willow shouted. "Slytherin and Gryffindor are now tied, 30-30!"
There was a great deal of cheering and booing in the stands.
Madoc frowned and quickly sought out the nearest bludger, wanting to aim it for Malden who had just made things especially nervewracking for the Gryffindors. Just when the lions thought they had a solid lead, now things were tied and Slytherin seemed dangerously determined to turn things around.
He reached the bludger simultaneously as Asher, who shot Madoc a very dirty look and swung his bat with wild abandon. Madoc's instinct was to draw back to avoid getting hit, which allowed Asher control of the bludger, and which he aimed at Finley, who had the bludger tucked under her arm. Madoc immediately tried to intercept the black ball. He couldn't quite catch up to it to throw his full body in front of the bludger, but he could reach out just enough to make it strike his bat. The impact was awkward, though, and Madoc's need to stretch his arm out as far as possible in order to reach the bludger put strain not only on his arm but his neck, too.
It hurt a little now, but it would hurt so much more later. Unfortunately, his sacrifice did little good. The bludger didn't hit Finley as intended, but it was intercepted by Baron instead of Mickey, who used it on Gerry when he accepted Finley's pass. The bludger struck Gerry in the funny bone and sent the quaffle flying. Mason snatched up the ball and took off in the opposite direction with Belinda and Malden in tow.
Madoc set off in pursuit, and fortunately a bludger crossed his path so that he didn't have to deviate much to get to one. He whacked it hard at Mason's back and sucked cold air between his teeth when his muscles seized up from the sudden and intense movement. A soak in a hot bath sounded divine at the moment, but it would have to wait until after the Quidditch match, which would hopefully end with a win for Gryffindor!
(Asher) As It Should Be
Author: Jolyon
Date: 12-13-15 15:06
Asher saw what Madoc intended on doing and quickly put himself in the path of the bludger. He intercepted the black ball easily and redirected it at Baron, who then targeted Mildred with it. The Gryffindor chaser was trying her best to be a nuisance for Mason, so that he might be distracted enough to lose the quaffle one way or another. Mickey called out a warning to Mildred, forcing her to swerve away from Mason.
Mason, meanwhile, passed the quaffle to Belinda, and Asher set his sights on the other bludger. He got to it seconds before Mickey and used it against Gerry, who was practically on top of Belinda. Belinda really wanted to throw the quaffle either back at Mason or to Malden, but Gerry was too close for comfort and would surely mess up her pass. Instead, she kept the ball pressed closely to her side.
Asher's bludger ended up smacking Gerry squarely in his seat, which caught him by surprise and almost forced him to fly forward off his broomstick. Luckily for Gerry, he had a firm grip on his broom. Asher would have liked to see the young Gryffindor go flying, though. That would have been hilarious.
Belinda took the opportunity to pass the ball to Malden, who threw it long to Mason. Mason fired it at the right-most goal hoop, but Hunter kicked out his leg and managed to strike the quaffle with his foot. The ball went flying back into the fray and landed forcefully in Malden's arms, causing a whoosh of air to escape from his lips. Finley almost stole the ball away, but Asher aimed a bludger right at her at close quarters. She saw it coming and quickly moved away, while Malden handed the ball to Mason. Mason attempted a goal, but the ball hit the rim of the hoop and bounced back in his arms. His next try was successful because Baron redirected Asher's bludger at Hunter. Hunter debated for half a second whether to take the hit or let instinct take its course. His vacillation ended up resulting in him getting grazed by the bludger instead of taking a direct hit or avoiding it altogether.
Asher pumped his fist in the air when he saw the score change. Finally, things were as they should be. Slytherin was ahead, 40-30.
Playing Injured (Hunter)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 12-13-15 18:31
A foul by Slytherin against Gryffindor has all the chasers and beaters at the set of hoops directly opposite the pitch from where Hunter sits his broom. He takes the time the foul shot allows to study his hand yet again. Somewhere between the second and third goals by Slytherin his hand was hit. Since then it's become increasingly swollen and is now to the point that he can't do much with this fingers beyond wiggling them and even that is only a very slight movement. The pain is enough that he wonders if something isn't broken.
So far, no one else has noticed, or so Hunter thinks. He's fairly sure because while Slytherin has now gotten the quaffle by him four now, two of those goals after he hurt his hand, the other team has not exploited the fact that he's playing with what could be a game changing injury. He thinks if anyone on the Slytherin team had noticed, they would have made every effort to get him to use his injured hand, making it worse, and increasing the chances of getting the quaffle by him again.
As the quaffle passes into Slytherin hands once again Hunter steels himself for continuing to do his best to hide playing with only one truly usable hand.
Mason has the quaffle but he soon passes to Belinda. She dodges a bludger from Mickey, swerves around first one seeker then the other and hands off to Malden. Malden rockets forward only to abruptly slow, almost coming to a complete stop to avoid a bludger from Gryffindor's other beater, his brother Madoc.
Malden, Mason, and Belinda come together in a configuration that's a common sight during Quidditch matches. They break apart, Mason now with the quaffle, when all three Gryffindor chasers fly straight at them, Mildred going between Malden and Mason, Gerry between Mason and Belinda, while Finley flies over Mason's head, does a sharp turn and comes up right on his broom tail.
Mason pours on the speed but Finley keeps up on her new broom. Hunter has a great broom but has decided it's not quite at the same level as Finley's. Finley manages to get even with Mason but he rapidly passes off to Belinda.
Belinda drives in towards the hoops. She lefts the quaffle go. It soars by on Hunter's bad side. He reaches out with both hands but it's his injured hand that makes full contact with the ball. He can't get enough force with that hand to shove the quaffle back. It slides on by, going cleanly through one of the hoops. It's the fifth goal for Slytherin putting the score at 50 for that team, 30 for Gryffindor.
There! [Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 12-14-15 16:05
Sylvestor squints as if that will help him better spot the elusive golden ball. He did spot it early in the match only to get something in his eye. The eye was watering up and he was blinking so much that he couldn't keep track of the snitch. Luckily, if Leo Marchbanks saw the winged ball it wasn't for long but Sylvestor doesn't think Leo saw it at all that time.
Later in the match before Slytherin scored its fourth goal Sylvestor saw the snitch again. He went after it but it led it right into the thick of the chaser action making him more easily spotted by the beaters, earning him a bludgering for his efforts. That bludger hit was enough of a distraction that once again he lost sight of the snitch.
It's been awhile since that last goal was scored, by Slytherin again, and Sylvestor is starting to feel the need for a loo visit. It's easy to forget that during a match like this you can't take a break and run to the nearest water closet like in a game for fun or during practice.
Gryffindor has the quaffle and as Finley Pride draws in near Boris Samson for a goal attempt Sylvestor wonders if the snitch will be so hard to find this game that the match will be won on goals and not who gets the snitch.
Finley's quaffle shot is off kilter thanks to a bludger that hit her arm just prior to her letting the ball go. Boris catches it and throws it to Malden McGonagall. Malden races away with it, acting as if he's going to pass to Belinda McCourt but passes to Mason Jeffers instead, which in turn means that a bludger Mickey Moon hit in Belinda's direction does nothing towards helping Gryffindor regain possession of the quaffle.
Mason takes a bludger from Gryffindor's other beater, Madoc McGonagall, which lets Mildred Campbell get in close enough to steal. Gryffindor has the quaffle again, Mildred handing off to Gerry Martini-Blackwell.
Gerry, Finley, and Mildred hustle back the short distance to where Boris waits to, hopefully, prevent their team from scoring again.
As Sylvestor flies along listening to Willow Westwick's commentary he blinks as some wind gusts right in his face. As the gust dies down, something flutters into his field of vision. The snitch! Right there!
He tries not to blink as the snitch can literally be a blink and you miss it event, putting his broom in a slight arc to bring him at the ball from a better angle. Closing the gap, Sylvestor extends his arm, fingers reaching, trying to get to the snitch before it vanishes again.
(Willow) Hard to Stay Neutral
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 12-14-15 18:11
Serving as Quidditch commentator meant that one ought to be unbiased. It was easy when Slytherin wasn't one of the two teams playing to win. This match was between her own team, Slytherin, and Gryffindor, Slytherin's archrival. The game had started out quite badly for Slytherin, and Willow had found it challenging keeping the disappointment out of her voice. Now that things were much better for Slytherin, Willow felt and sounded full of excitement.
Her enthusiasm keyed up even more when Sylvestor Trainor began following after the snitch. It put on a good chase, and whereas at first, hardly anybody noticed what Sylvestor was up to, now everyone, including Leo Marchbanks, had eyes on the golden, winged ball.
If Sylvestor caught the snitch, then Slytherin would earn 200 points to Gryffindor's measly 30. The thought put a pretty big smile on Willow's face, too.
She was on the same bench as her Head of House, Professor Snape. She didn't think she'd ever seen him genuinely smile, only smirk. He was doing it now, apparently pleased with how the game was progressing. Another seat over was Professor McGonagall, a fervent Quidditch fan, who was watching the proceedings with a controlled expression. Willow didn't know it, but Professor McGonagall, being Headmistress, was also trying not to show bias towards her own house, Gryffindor.
Willow talked faster and faster. The excitement of following what the two seekers were doing on top of keeping up with everything else taking place left little room for silence. Willow ended up climbing to her feet, as if it would help her get a better view of everything.
"Trainor and Marchbanks are neck and neck!" she screeched.
Who would catch the snitch?
Beater & Seeker (Baron & Leo)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 12-14-15 19:52
About a quarter hour before the current snitch sighting Baron was racing to get to a bludger before Mickey. Gerry had had the quaffle and Baron was determined to help change that. Just as he reached the bludger and hit it Gerry passed to Finley. Then Mickey raced ahead of the bludger to redirect it from the quaffleless Gerry towards Mason who was harassing Finley, trying to steal the red ball.
The bludger missed Mason but only barely. Asher was then after that bludger and Mickey had followed along its path so Baron went after the other black ball, spotting it only when Madoc was hitting it. Baron couldn't tell exactly who was the target. It could have been either Belinda or Malden. Didn't really matter which one it was as Baron got to the bludger before it got to either chaser.
He sent the bludger on a track to intercept Mildred who looked to be readying to take the quaffle from Finley. Baron couldn't suppress a smile when he proved to be right about that. Finley did pass to Mildred who caught the quaffle only to be smacked with the bludger. She lost her grip on the quaffle, allowing Belinda to snatch it away.
About that same time Leo had a false snitch sighting. He saw something near the ground that had a somewhat golden color but wasn't quite right. He thought maybe it was the surface of the pitch making the snitch appear odd to him at his height and the angle of the sun. Diving down, he was disappointed to find a strange looking leaf fluttering in the breeze but not being blown off the pitch for some reason.
He returned to the search, wondering if he could get away with bringing a snack along next match. Breakfast seems days ago and he's getting famished. Leo can't help but wonder if any seeker has ever passed out from hunger during a match and then tried to blame it on a bludger hit.
A growing commotion caught his attention. Bloody hell! Sylvestor's tracking the snitch. Leo went from a snail's pace, much easier for spotting an elusive, teeny ball, to jetting along. He's soon caught up with Sylvestor and shortly after that is dead even with him. Both are reaching for the snitch and there is some bumping into each other while trying not to bump hard enough to be knocked off course or entirely off the broom.
Leo starts edging out Sylvestor. Baron, coming up on a bludger looks from the black ball to his brother and sighs heavily. He thumps his bat against the bludger, sending it on a course to hit Leo. 'Tis the nature of the game and they are on opposing teams afterall. Still, he sighs again. Leo will be angry with him for a short time then forgive him because Baron did what he should have. If roles were reversed Leo wouldn't have hesitated either.
The bludger knocks into Leo hard enough to allow Sylvestor to not only get even with him again but to surge ahead, fingers wrapping around the coveted winged ball.
Slytherin wins 200 to Gryffindor's 30!