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Time For Another Match
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 02-23-16 14:47
Wanda Carmody sips coffee then comments, "When it's cold like this, I wouldn't mind indoor stadiums."
Viktor used to be fairly impervious to the cold, even swimming outdoors in winter in non-thermal bodies of water. As he neared 30 and then passed that age, he seems to have lost some of that imperviousness. An indoor stadium doesn't sound half bad right about now as the February chill whips around them in a gust of wind. "Maybe I should see what it would take to put a retractable roof on the Humbatas stadium."
Wanda grins at the thought then says, "Of course, a roof would prevent those rare but awesome stratospheric plays."
"That can only be seen by those with omniocculars or other aids but I know what you mean."
The Hogwarts stadium is already somewhat lively but becomes more so when Willow Westwick's voice rings out over the pitch in a pregame patter. Wanda finishes off her coffee then looks longingly into the dregs. "I'd get another cup but then I'd need to take a loo break at some point during the match."
"Don't you hate that?" Viktor chuckles, having had a few calls of nature during matches, both as a player and as a referee. The advantage of being the head referee is if needed, he can call a time out.
They walk together to get the trunk containing the balls for this match between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. "Thank you again for coming to assist today," Viktor says when they reach the equipment room where the trunk is located.
"I'm glad to help. I always have a great time." Wanda keeps to herself that she also somewhat fancies Viktor and now that she's single again, she keeps hoping he'll think to ask her out.
As if reading her mind Viktor suggests, "After the match, we should get a bite to eat or at least a drink to warm up."
"Yeah, sure. That would be great," Wanda replies, hoping she sounds friendly and cool and not like an overly excited squealing fangirl.
As Viktor's response is, "Great, we can pick where as we walk to the village," Wanda thinks she must have sounded normal.
A few minutes later, time spent chatting about a tournament the Humbatas are participating in towards the end of the month, Willow is officially welcoming everyone and announces the teams.
Playing for Ravenclaw are beaters Kurt Blackwell and Jade Green, chasers Penny Puckett, Paton Shrewsbury, and Franciscus Vanderbilt, keeper Beatrix Vanderbilt, and seeker Bran Hyland. For Slytherin are beaters Asher Kent and Baron Marchbanks, chasers Mason Jeffers, Belinda McCourt, and Malden McGonagall, keeper Boris Samson, and seeker Sylvestor Trainor.
Soon, captains Beatrix Vanderbilt and Mason Jeffers are meeting center pitch with Viktor. Around Viktor, he can feel the anticipation of the players taking to the air and the release of the bludgers, snitch, and quaffle.
(Asher) The Match Begins
Author: Jolyon
Date: 02-23-16 17:41
As soon as the balls launched into the air, Asher sprinted after one of the bludgers. He flew past it and then whirled around, quickly judging where to hit it. He decided on Penny, the Ravenclaw chaser in possession of the quaffle. Before the ball reached her, she lobbed the ball at Paton. The bludger hit her squarely between the shoulder blades and caused her to pitch forward over her broom, but she managed to stay on it.
The bludger that struck Penny in the back was retrieved by Kurt and used on Belinda, who blocked Franciscus from accepting any pass from Paton. The other one Jade used to distract Mason from harassing him. Asher tried to intercept it, but he was too far away to come to Mason's aid. Luckily, Baron had the same idea as Asher and swept in for the save.
Paton threw the quaffle at Franciscus when Belinda swerved to avoid getting hit by Kurt's bludger. Penny, meanwhile, recovered from the hit she took to the back and charged forward, placing herself in between Paton and Franciscus. Asher and Kurt went after the same bludger, with Kurt reaching it before Asher could and aiming it at Malden. Mason was again trying to harass Paton, but this time he was trying to prevent him from accepting a pass.
Franciscus held onto the quaffle and arced suddenly when he got in front of the goals. He threw the quaffle with a bit of spin, but Boris had excellent reflexes and caught the ball. He handed it to Malden, who sped away with Mason and Belinda flanking him.
Asher suddenly thought about the upcoming Valentine's Day carnival. He'd overheard other boys discuss asking certain girls to be their dates to the carnival. Malden hadn't said anything about asking Arielle, and Asher didn't plan on bringing up the possibility. His position in the matter ought to be clear. No way did he want his best friend dating his sister.
Not Funny (Mason)
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 02-24-16 10:19
Mason charges around Ravenclaw beater Jade Green, eyes on Malden and the quaffle. Malden hands off to Belinda who accelerates away. Mason pours on the speed to keep up and to be in a better position to assist Belinda or for a pass.
A bludger cuts in front of him, forcing Mason to slow. When he'd be forced to stop altogether because of the other Ravenclaw beater Kurt Blackwell following that bludger he ends up angling up so he can keep moving forward. Leveling back off, Mason is just in time to be open for a pass from Belinda. Paton Shrewbury had closed in on her other side and had been attempting to steal. Rather than continually fending him off, Belinda chose to pass. A wise move in Mason's opinion as he tucks the quaffle in close and leans over his broom, gaining speed as he flies across the pitch.
The form of Beatrix Vanderbilt grows closer as he approaches the hoops, tossing the quaffle to Malden at the last moment. Malden swoops in and throws the red ball but Beatrix ably deflects the quaffle away, Penny diving in for the catch.
As he turns his broom in a wide curve to start back the other direction, Mason wonders if his having a date with a Ravenclaw to the Valentine's carnival affects on a deeper level how he feels about beating that house's team. A second of thought is all it takes to shake his head and say to himself, "No." Of course, Sarah Edwards may change her mind about going with him to the carnival if Slytherin wins today. He doesn't think she would do that but you never know how people will react to something. She may well be sitting in the stands expecting him to be more of a hinderance than a help to his own team simply because she said yes when he asked her to accompany him to the carnival, especially as they've not formally dated before. They'd been in the same group a few times but weren't officially paired up.
Mason has to set aside this train of thought as another bludger comes his way. He narrowly avoids getting hit, the black ball merely grazing his leg, brushing against more fabric than muscle. Franciscus Vanderbilt has the quaffle now but is making a show of prepping to pass to Paton. Instead, he sends it back to Penny.
She's not far from the Slytherin kept hoops and Boris. His mind so recently on the Valentine's carnival, Mason's thoughts shift back to it for another second as he wonders if Boris ever asked Winifred Hicks, a sixth year Hufflepuff as he's been saying he was going to do. Boris has said that enough times now that Mason's sort of tuned his friend out when the subject has come up the past couple of days. Boris could very well have said he'd done it or been moaning about still needing to do so and either way Mason sat there nodding along, not truly listening.
Penny's thrown the quaffle but Boris slaps it away, right into Franciscus's hands. Franciscus cocks his arm back to throw only to pull his arm back in when a bludger knocks into his elbow. Even though Franciscus is the opposition, Mason winces in sympathy. A bludger to the funny bone is never a good time.
Franciscus switches hands to toss the quaffle to Paton. Paton immediately throws in the direction of the center hoop but Boris again stops the quaffle's progress. Mason joins the fray in going for the rebound, coming up empty handed as Penny beside him gets a good grip on the quaffle for another goal attempt, Mason now the one rubbing an elbow after knocking it against someone or something in the contention for the quaffle. So not funny.
(Belinda) First Goal
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 02-24-16 13:26
Penny tried to score but Boris handled her shot well. He grabbed the quaffle and quickly throw it out of the way of the Ravenclaw chasers, handing it to Malden.
Malden passed the quaffle to Belinda and she hold it tight, trying to get away from Paton who was right beside her. She didn't have another option but to throw the quaffle back at Malden, when she felt Paton's hands so close to the red ball. He had the double or even the triple of her size, and she knew this wasn't a confrontation she could win. As one of the littlest and the youngest on the pitch today, Belinda knew the key to success was speed. Mason, the team's captain, had told her so several times during practices.
A bludger came in Malden's direction but Asher came to his rescue, and casted it out of the way. Malden passed the quaffle to Mason and he approached the other side of the pitch, very fast. Belinda kept thinking to herself, speed, speed, speed, as she reached Ravenclaw's hoops area. She was in a good position to score, but a moment later, Penny put herself in front of her. Belinda frowned. Mason, who had planned to pass the quaffle to Belinda, decided to try his luck. Beatrix defended it, and she handed the quaffle to her brother Franciscus, really quick.
The Ravenclaw chasers were at full speed, passing the quaffle swiftly between the three of them. It was a very good move, and they probably had practiced it a lot. It was hard for the Slytherin chasers to intercept the quaffle. That only happened when Baron threw a bludger at Penny's back. Obviously she didn't see it coming and with the shock and surprise she dropped the quaffle. Belinda dived, as the red ball lost altitude. She finally grabbed it and elevated again in the air. She shot the ball to Mason. He had Paton at his side, but he grabbed the quaffle without any trouble.
Slytherin was attacking again. Mason passed the quaffle to Malden. Still with the quaffle under his arm he was able to dodge a bludger, which came from either Jade or Kurt. Belinda wasn't able to tell, as she tried to follow Malden, and see if she could arrange a good position to try and score. He did so and right away Belinda aimed the quaffle to the left hoop. Beatrix wasn't able to grab the quaffle, but she punched it out of the way. The quaffle ran free without an owner for a second. Everyone tried to reach it. Belinda saw herself tangled up with Paton, Penny and Mason. None of them had the quaffle. It had been Malden who got it and he made the red ball fly into the central hoop. Beatrix wasn't able to get this one.
"Malden McGonagall scores! 10 points to Slytherin!" Willow exclaimed.
Belinda grinned, trying to ignore the pain of her body from the early shock. Beatrix passed the quaffle to Paton, and the match continued.
P is for Pregnant
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 02-24-16 14:33
Ariella stopped, whirled around, and waved the sack in the air. "These aren't for me!" she stated. She felt irrationally angry. She wanted to protect Alanna's needs so much, that she didn't even want to share the truth with Lawrence.
He stared at her dumbfounded. The answer wasn't what he expected, and neither was what she next revealed.
"And by the way, I'm pregnant."
He had of course followed her the moment she'd disapparated. Seconds after she'd appeared. The argument of course had continued even in those moments. It was only a slight reassurance that the birth control wasn't hers, that she hadn't intended on going on something like that without talking to him first. The irrational anger was something he wasn't entirely sure how to deal with coming from her - something he'd not seen from her before. However, there was still shock value that kept him dumbfounded, and it took him several seconds perhaps even a minute or three to fully register the last six words she'd said.
"Y...you're pregnant?"
He sounded like an idiot repeating it, almost as if his brain could not fully grasp, nor process the words that she'd spoken. However, she'd already continued onward, passing through the castle gates and is well along the grounds. Bloody hell. He moved quickly, almost as if he was afraid to touch her, he fell into step beside her for a few moments before he gingerly allowed a hand to seek to lay claim to one of hers. He knew she was still angry, however, he wanted to apologize for his earlier outburst.
"Ariella, stop for a second, please?" He asked, pulling her off to the side if she'd allow. She fought him for a moment, but ultimately allowed him to guide her off the main path. He ignored the fact that she still held the bag of birth control in her hand for someone, he had no idea who. However, he had a feeling if he could actually think and process things other than the word pregnant, he might be able to actually figure out who the birth control was for.
"I'm sorry for not trusting you, for everything back there. I really am," he said after a few moments. Attempting to force his brain to actually get it in gear and stop circling around that singular word.
"I don't care who the birth control is for, I'm not going to ask you about it anymore. You'll tell me if you want me to know and not before. For now, please tell me I wasn't dreaming when you said I am going to be a father again..." He said, praying that he seriously hadn't dreamed those words.
"No, you weren't dreaming Lawrence," she said, letting her hand slip from his and she headed into the castle leaving him to stand there for a few moments. He followed not too long after, still hating the fact that there was a secret between them. However, she would not press her, would not push her for the information about the birth control or whatever reason she'd thought that she couldn't trust him to begin with.
Eventually, with the bag from Knockturn Alley put away, they headed to the pitch for the quidditch match. However, there was still a tension between the pair of them that he was none too pleased with and he hoped at some point they could ultimately resolve it and celebrate the fact that they would be having another child. A new member to their family, Karina would be a big sister soon enough. He was looking forward to watching their family grow, they just had to get past this argument.
(Malden) Second Goal
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 02-24-16 17:50
Right after he scored the first goal of the match, Malden quickly glanced into the stands where he thought Arielle might be sitting and wondered if she was actually there and if she'd seen him score. He'd been debating internally whether to officially ask Arielle to go to the Valentine's Day carnival with him, or if he'd just see if she'd tag along with him and Asher. Either way, Malden knew that Asher wouldn't approve. He wasn't exactly a fan of his twin.
Malden couldn't see why, but then he didn't have a sister or a twin. He did have a brother with whom he had nothing in common and didn't get along, so maybe he could understand at least a tiny bit.
He shrugged inwardly and then set off in pursuit of Paton, who had the quaffle. Paton made quick work of assessing his next move and then threw the quaffle to Franciscus. Franciscus noticed that Asher was targeting him with a bludger and decided to rid himself of the quaffle, lest he lose it. He launched it at Penny, who was wide open, and then dodged to avoid getting hit by the black ball.
Malden, meanwhile, took the opportunity to throw himself into the path of the quaffle. He timed it perfectly, diving with both arms outstretched. It's lucky he didn't throw himself right off his broomstick, because he only thought to press his knees and thighs into the shaft of the broom at the last moment. He caught the quaffle with no problem, pulled it to his side with one arm and used his other hand to steer his broom around, and then he sped to where Beatrix hunkered down while she awaited his arrival.
He threw the quaffle aggressively, but Beatrix still managed to knock it away from the hoop. Malden tried to recover it, but Belinda was there and a bit quicker. She zipped over just a bit with the quaffle in hand and chucked it at a different hoop. Beatrix quickly reached out for it, but she wasn't able to lay even a finger on the quaffle. It went through the hoop without touching any rim.
"McCourt scores!" Willow shouted. "Slytherin leads 20-0!"
Not Allergic To Quidditch (Kurt)
Author: Saffron
Date: 02-25-16 10:40
Kurt rubs a watery eye as he tracks a bludger. Earlier in the week his eyes got puffy and watery and he'd been itchy all over with a scratchy throat. Madam Pomfrey determined Kurt had an allergic reaction to something but to what is the question. To Kurt's knowledge he'd not been around anything he'd never been around before nor had he ingested anything new or different. At least the reaction is clearing up now and at no time did he break out into hives or get puffy all over or have breathing issues.
He hopes he doesn't have another reaction between now and the Valentine's Day carnival. Kurt hasn't asked anyone yet and might not but he has given deep thought to inquiring whether Alys Ellis would be interested. He'd held back for two reasons. The first is he's never asked a girl on what would be considered a date. The second is that Alys is thick with their classmate Chip. What if they're more than just friends and he put his foot into it?
Kurt reaches the bludger, smacking it a good one in Mason's direction. At the same time Jade targets Belinda with the second bludger. Or is this one he's just hit the second bludger and the one Jade's batted considered the first? Kurt briefly wonders yet again why the bludgers aren't different colors to help distinguish them.
Asher intersects the bludger Kurt's hit, redirecting it towards Paton who's just taken a handoff of the quaffle. Meanwhile, Jade's bludger catches Belinda but only just as Belinda is fairly quick with her movements.
Paton sends the quaffle to Franciscus a quarter second before the bludger from Asher gets him. Franciscus makes a clean catch, zipping forward, shortening the distance to where Boris hovers on his broom in front of the three hoops he guards, eyes narrowed, zoned in on the quaffle.
Franciscus nears, arm snapping back then forward, the quaffle released. Kurt hurries to get to a bludger even though he knows it's too late to assist Franciscus with that goal attempt.
Boris slaps one hand against the quaffle, sending it back into the melee. Belinda challenges Penny for it only to have both girls forced to back off when a bludger streaks by. This allows Paton to dart in and secure the ball.
Kurt already has the other bludger in Boris's direction, though depending on where the quaffle goes Boris could move to block the shot and take himself out of the bludger's path. Paton can't get a clear shot so he tosses to Franciscus, Malden attempting to steal the ball. Franciscus lurches to catch the quaffle and is forced to turn slightly when he throws so that Malden can't interfere.
The quaffle nears Boris who has the block well in hand until the bludger from Kurt knocks him off balance, allowing the quaffle through the hoop.
The score now stands at 10 points for Ravenclaw with Slytherin leading with 20.
Not Quite As Energized (Baron)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 02-25-16 14:22
Baron slows long enough to determine whether he needs to shift position slightly or if he's fine as in with his approach to the bludger. In the few seconds since flying for this bludger the quaffle has not changed hands but Mason looks to be about to pass to Belinda and Franciscus is near enough to her to be a potential problem for her to catch that pass. Baron makes the slight shift of his broom to better angle himself, and his bat, to target Franciscus rather than whom he'd originally intended, Paton.
The bludger now on its way, Baron follows, thinking to either hit it again after it's hopefully done its work on Franciscus or to get to it to divert it if either Jade or Kurt gets to it before he does. As he flies the same path as the bludger he shuts his eyes for a second, wondering if others who were at the apparition lesson are feeling less energetic than they'd normally be. He doesn't feel drained but he also doesn't feel quite as awake and alert and as all there as he usually would. Maybe he's coming down with something but Baron thinks it's probably because of the energy expended trying to hard all morning to magically move himself from one spot to another.
Baron ponders the question of whether there have been British Ministers of Magic who were shite at apparating. Not that he's shite at it. First lesson and all. It's a rare witch or wizard who can fully and successfully apparate after a single lesson. It does happen from what he understands but not often.
Jade beats him to the bludger after it merely grazes Franciscus, though did aid Belinda is catching the quaffle unhindered. She gives him a sweet smile and a wink and bats the bludger in no particular direction, knowing he'll go after it and knowing time is wasted for him by having to chase it down as it moves away from the action.
Belinda gets the quaffle about half the remaining distance to the end of the pitch before throwing to Malden. With great timing Penny gets between the two to intercept the pass. She pulls the quaffle in close to her torso, speeding away, her broom already facing the direction she needed to go.
Paton and Franciscus rush to Penny's sides, and together the three rapidly work the quaffle back down to Boris and his hoops. Baron's sent a bludger after Penny but by the time it gets there Paton has the red ball. Asher's got the other bludger on course to hit Franciscus but Kurt knocks it away with Jade then sending it towards Malden.
Baron rushes after the other bludger as Paton throws to Franciscus, nearing Boris in hopes of throwing for a goal.
(Willow) Hopeful
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 02-25-16 18:42
"Vanderbilt attempts a goal… but Samson blocks!" Willow exclaimed, secretly, or perhaps not so secretly pleased that Boris had managed to stop Franciscus from scoring.
The chasers converged on the ball, each trying to get a firm hand on it. For a moment, Willow only saw legs and arms and broomsticks in a big mass, but then Belinda burst free with the quaffle in her hands. She sped away to put distance between herself and the Slytherin goals.
Boris visibly relaxed as soon as he felt she was far enough away from him. Willow also relaxed, but she kept up her commentary as neutrally as possible. It never was easy when her own team was playing, but she did her best. Commentating on the match kept her mind off of the upcoming Valentine's Day carnival.
She wanted to go so badly with a boy, and not just any boy. She doubted he even knew she existed, though. That was silly, of course, since she was the Quidditch commentator and probably known by most, if only by name and the sound of her voice. Willow just couldn't imagine him noticing her. And if he did, would he think of her as that girl Rita Skeeter exposed as having ties to the Death Eaters? Would he think of her as a forty year old woman in a teenager's body? That's technically what she was.
Rowan had a date. So did Beatrix. Willow wasn't sure about Amorica, but it wouldn't surprise her if somebody asked her to the carnival. Willow would probably be the only single person on Valentine's Day and would have to hide out in her room rather than face the world as a dateless loser at the carnival.
She realized that Professor McGonagall was looking at her sternly and figured out that her commentating had taken on a morose tone. Willow perked up, putting Valentine's Day and a certain boy from her mind, and focused on the game play instead.
Time Game (Jade)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 02-26-16 10:43
A timeout is called for Coach Krum to check the quaffle. It had been hit hard by a bludger and the next chaser to grab it, Mason Jeffers, said it felt softer than it should. Krum must have determined the quaffle is damaged because the other referee Wanda Carmody retrieves another quaffle to put into play.
Mason is given the ball to get the game moving again. He passes to Malden who then throws to Belinda. Jade had gone after a bluder as soon as the whistle was blown to restart the match. It's on a trajectory to hit Malden because Jade thought he would fly further down the pitch before handing the quaffle off.
She gives a small smile when Belinda, harassed by Penny, passes right back to Malden. The Slytherin chaser didn't notice the oncoming bludger when she chose to throw to Malden rather than to Mason. Just as Malden catches the ball, Jade's bludger smacks him in the shoulder, affecting his not yet secure grip on the quaffle.
Paton is able to reach out and pluck the quaffle away from Malden, turning the thick of the action back to Boris's direction. Jade goes in pursuit of that same bludger only to slow when Baron reaches it first.
Jade and Baron are going to the Valentine's carnival together. She has a cute outfit all picked out that's date and carnival appropriate but not dressy like dress robes would be. Thinking at times over the past several days about what to wear and what activities will be at the carnival, Jade has thought about how if she were still in Muggle school in America, she'd have prom to look forward to. She's kicked around speaking with Professor Miller, who should know about American style proms, about doing something along those lines next year, for Jade's - and Hunter's - last year at Hogwarts.
Baron's bludger hit has sent the black ball towards Franciscus, who now has possession of the quaffle. Jade zooms at rapid speed after that bludger, wanting to reach it before it gets to Franciscus. She gets there but is close enough to her teammate that she taps the bludger out of the way rather than giving it a mighty thump.
By that time Franciscus is nearing the hoops so when she can get back around that bludger to better send it at an opposing player, Jade hits it towards Samson. The hit is good as is Franciscus's shot. Boris just misses the quaffle as it goes by, allowing Ravenclaw to score its second goal of the match and tying up the score at 20 points each.
More Goals
Author: Griet
Date: 02-26-16 18:08
Boris retrieved the quaffle after Franciscus' goal and gave it to Mason. Mason threw long to Malden, who caught the red ball with the tips of his fingers and drew it close to his body to secure the catch. Paton was the closest of the Ravenclaw chasers and flew as close to Malden as possible without risking a foul. He swept his arm out repeatedly in an effort to steal the ball, but Malden held the quaffle firmly in his grip.
Beatrix watched the approaching chasers and tried to anticipate where Malden might throw the quaffle. He was still some distance away, but it wouldn't be long before he reached the Ravenclaw goals. Paton did his best to harass Malden, but to no avail. It was only when Malden got within scoring range that he loosened his grip on the ball. Paton swiped again, but Malden switched arms and then let the quaffle fly. He aimed for Belinda instead of one of the hoops. She had managed to catch up to him without Paton noticing.
Beatrix switched her attention to Belinda, who threw the quaffle at one of the hoops. Beatrix dove for it and slapped the ball with the palm of her hand. It landed in Belinda's arms again. She acted as if she would try for another goal, but she threw to Mason when he joined the congregation around the goals. At the same time, Baron targeted Beatrix with a bludger, so she couldn't react quick enough to Mason's acceptance of the quaffle and subsequent goal attempt. The quaffle hit rim but still bounced through the hoop, once again putting Slytherin ahead by ten points.
Beatrix managed to avoid the bludger but it didn't make her feel any better that she had let Slytherin score again. She retrieved the quaffle and handed it to her brother. Franciscus rushed through the pack and though he broke free, he got a scratch on his arm from the bristles of someone's broomstick in the process.
Franciscus winced because the scratch felt worse than it was thanks to the cold, biting air. He threw the ball to Penny when Malden and Mason converged on him, but Penny fumbled the ball and it went into free fall. Belinda came out of no where and scooped it up, but she dropped it when a bludger slammed into her shoulder.
Paton scrambled to recover the quaffle for Ravenclaw and almost lost it to Malden, who fought for it, but then Paton secured his hold on it and darted away as fast as he could. He threw the quaffle to Franciscus, who threw it hastily back to Paton when Mason came up to run interference. Paton sped over to the Slytherin hoops and propelled the quaffle forward forcefully. Boris tried to stop it with a full-body catch, but the quaffle slammed into his chest and bounced right off, knocking the wind right out of him. Paton caught the rebound and scored.
"Shrewsbury scores!" Willow exclaimed. "The match is tied again, 30-30!"
Boris was rubbing his chest with one hand when he handed the quaffle over to Malden. Franciscus immediately got in Malden's way, forcing the Slytherin chaser to pass the quaffle to Belinda. Belinda found her path blocked by Paton. Just when she thought she wouldn't get anywhere, Mason appeared below her. She dropped the ball into his arms, and he dashed off, temporarily unimpeded.
Franciscus and Paton worked quickly to catch up to Mason. The cousins had struck up a deal to each ask a girl out to the Valentine's Day carnival, and they had agreed to do it no later than tomorrow. They had talked about possibilities which each other to make sure they weren't eyeing the same girl. Turned out they weren't. Paton wanted to ask out Katheryn Finch, while Franciscus thought he might ask Hope Hyland. Cousins, just like the two of them. Now they just had to find the guts to actually do the asking.
Mason finally got slowed down by a bludger, which allowed Franciscus and Paton to get on either side of them. They tried to get the quaffle for Ravenclaw, but Mason held on tight. Beatrix focused on Mason, guessing correctly that he might try for a goal. Mason let the quaffle fly, but it didn't get very far before Paton swiped out his arm and knocked it off its trajectory. It went into free fall again, and all six chasers went into a dive to get to it first.
Snitch Sightings (Bran)
Author: Saffron
Date: 02-27-16 10:57
Earlier in the match, when the score was Slytherin 20, Ravenclaw 0, Bran had thought he'd spotted the snitch. The sun had been such that he had more of an impression of something small flying an erratic path. Only after he was able to maneuver his broom so that the sun wasn't directly in his eyes did he see he was indeed following a flying something but a butterfly, not the snitch. He was surprised at seeing a butterfly this being early February in Scotland but then Bran would be the first to admit he knows nothing about the habits of butterflies and moths except that they live part of their lives as caterpillars and in cocoons.
At least no one saw him chasing after a butterfly.
Bran doesn't know if Sylvestor has had a snitch sighting on his own. They both saw it about the same time just after Ravenclaw tied the score at 20 to 20. Sylvestor and he had been going in opposite directions, approaching each other. Just as their paths were about to cross, the snitch appeared about halfway between either of them.
Both lunged only to have the snitch zip upward then fly away at a right angle to them. They'd lurched after it, jerking brooms, almost tangling handles. They'd been practically neck and neck neither able to pull ahead of the other nor close any distance to the snitch. They'd managed to go unnoticed even by announcer Willow until Jade saw them and sent a bludger towards Sylvestor. The Slytherin chaser swerved to avoid the ball, unfortunately for Bran swerving into him. They'd both lost sight of the snitch. The boys made faces and went about their separate ways once again.
The score has been tied again at 30 points each for awhile now, neither team giving an inch to the other. Bran, trying to conceal his excitement or what exactly he's about, spots the snitch for the third time this match.
Slytherin has the quaffle, Belinda having just taken a pass from Malden. The snitch is just beyond her and the fastest way there is right through the thick of the action. Bran decides that if he does that, it will draw attention so he drops below where the chasers are vying back and forth as Ravenclaw steals the quaffle only to have Slytherin intercept it right back. Keeping an eye on the snitch, he keeps a steady pace as if still doing his regular search.
He slowly starts angling back upward to where the snitch hovers. As if out of nowhere, a bludger smacks him hard in the side. His body jerking to the right, Bran expells air in a loud whoosh. And in a blink, the snitch is gone again.
Slight above him, Ravenclaw had gained possession of the quaffle again, thanks to a bludger from Kurt according to Willow. Paton is darting down the pitch with Franciscus and Penny keeping alongside with Mason, Malden, and Belinda in hot pursuit.
Where Oh Where? [Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 02-27-16 18:10
Sylvestor won't learn of Bran's false snitch sighting until after the match. Bran never does say what it was he saw instead of the snitch and about the time he would have asked, they were distracted by someone else. He not only forgets to ask a little later but also forgets to mention his own first sighting, which he can't figure out if it was real or not.
The first goal of the game had not yet been scored when Sylvestor thought he saw something fluttering near the ground. Excited at the prospect of getting the snitch so early in the match, even if it meant the other team members didn't get much game action - Sylvestor was bone numbing cold and stayed that way the entire match despite having all the right layers of clothing on under his uniform - he glided down towards the ground, trying to make it look like he was doing a normal search pattern.
Upon reaching the area where he'd seen the fluttering, Sylvestor saw it several more times, down in the grass, moving away from him. Keeping up the appearance of attempting to locate the snitch with a methodical search, he followed. Once second he was seeing something he thought was glimpses of the snitch's wings as it moved through the grass and the next second nothing. No movement. No gold or white. Not even blades of grass moving in the breeze.
He paused, watching and waiting but still nothing. After several more seconds he gave a small shake of his head and moved on.
Other than the sighting with Bran, Sylvestor hasn't for certain seen the small ball since it was released at the start of the match. He read an article just this week about a professional seeker who spotted the snitch seventeen times in a match and still lost it to the other team's seeker who only saw it for sure the once.
As Penny intercepts a pass between Mason and Malden, Sylvestor senses something out of the corner of his eye. Turning to look that direction, he sees nothing and ends up putting it down to either nothing or something like a leaf blown high by the now gusting wind.
Penny throws to Franciscus, who accelerates away, Belinda going after him. Sylvestor returns to his search as Franciscus nears the hoops and Boris. Sylvestor doesn't stop flying but does slow to a crawl to turn his body to look as Franciscus throws. He inhales sharply as it looks like Boris is going to miss stopping the quaffle but Boris is able to get fingers on the ball. Enough so that while Boris can't push the quaffle away, the ball does hit a hoop rim and bounce back towards the chasers.
He turns back to his search when it's Belinda who gains the quaffle, immediately turning her broom in the direction of Beatrix and the other set of hoops. As he resumes the speed he'd been going before turning to look, Sylvestor sees it. The snitch.
Bran spots it as well.
The two converge, coming side by side, racing along. As before, neither is able to pull ahead but this time they are closing the distance to the snitch. A bludger comes, aimed again at Sylvestor. Yet again it clips him and he goes sideways into Bran, just as Bran is reaching for the snitch. Seeing Bran's hand close and not seeing the snitch Sylvestor thinks that's it. Bran has it and the match is a Ravenclaw win.
He's forming the words congratulations to call over to Bran when he notices the other boy's hand is now open and empty. Snapping his head forward, Sylvestor then sees the ball. He half rises, leaning and lunging forward, hand spastically grasping.
Feeling a tickling across his enclosed palm, Sylvestor opens his hand to reveal he's got the snitch. Not Bran. Him!
As Slytherin and its fans erupt in cheers, Willow announces, "Trainor has the snitch! Slytherin wins 180 to Ravenclaw's 30!"