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(Belinda) 'V' Formation
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 11-03-18 09:00
Gryffindor had not won a Quidditch cup for several years. This year the Quidditch team had gained a new beater and a chaser, as well as a new captain, Leo Marchbanks. Most Gryffindors thought that it was a good omen to have someone nicknamed Leo in front of the team and they were quite confident this was the year they would win the championship. Belinda and the other Slytherins were not concerned by these changes in the Gryffindor team. Their strong team remained the same with only a new addition, Wallace Rex, who had became the team's new keeper. Last year they lost the Championship match to Ravenclaw and Malden made it clear he wanted to win the cup this year, his final at Hogwarts.
Both teams entered the pitch, Leo and Malden shook hands with some reluctance and everyone put themselves in position. The four balls were released, initiating the match.
The quaffle was won by the new chaser, Schuyler Weasley. He gained some terrain in the pitch, by advancing a few meters. Charlotte followed him, trying to snatch the red ball from his hands. Schuyler offered the quaffle to Gerry, who after dodging a bludger sent by Douglas, kept a fast pace towards the hoops. Belinda chased him. She reached Gerry and used her body to try and push him aside, for his hands were holding the quaffle tight and she knew she was not going to be able to steal it. Feeling harassed by Belinda, Gerry passed the quaffle to Finley. She zig zagged , avoiding both Malden and Charlotte. The Gryffindor chaser was now face to face with Wallace. They looked each other in the eyes, studying their opponent. Then Finley aimed to the right and shot. Wallace guessed the side, made a dive and secured the quaffle. He was applauded by the Slytherin supporters in the stands. With a smile he quickly offered the quaffle to Charlotte.
Performing a previously rehearsed move, the Slytherin chasers placed themselves in a 'V' formation, with Charlotte at the center. They moved across the pitch, exchanging the quaffle between the three at a fast peace. It made it hard for the Gryffindor chasers to regain the quaffle's possession. The cycle of passes was only broken when Belinda was hit in her leg by a bludger sent by Gideon. The impact wasn't hard enough to make her drop the quaffle, but her focus had been broken, and she had slowed down her flying pace. The 'V' formation dismantled. Still with the quaffle, Belinda kept pushing towards the hoops. She could sense one of the Gryffindor chasers was right behind her. She searched for Malden or Charlotte with her eyes, but she couldn't detect any of them. Then Malden called her name and she realized she made a mistake by assuming it was a Gryffindor chaser that was behind her. He was asking for the quaffle and obeying her captain she handed it to him.
Malden made the final meters towards the hoops guarded by Oliver. He shot but the red ball hit the iron upper part of the central hoop. Malden frowned, upset. Oliver went after the quaffle, competing with Charlotte who was still hoping to grab the ball and score. But he won the duel and offered the quaffle to Gerry. The Gryffindor chasers initiated a second attack.
First Match Of The Season
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 11-03-18 15:03
Before the start of the first Hogwarts Quidditch match of the 2012-2013 term Viktor had gone early to the pitch to check balls and the brooms being used by players who don't have their own. He'd done it yesterday before leaving school grounds and then secured balls and brooms but it's how he's always done things.
Shortly after Marjani arrived with a tall, large boned, hair so pale as to be white wizard with what he's heard described as apple cheeks. "Morning, Viktor. This is the person I was telling you about. Viktor Krum, meet Fleming Olofson."
"The sports announcer. Nice to meet you."
"Sports announcer hopeful. Nothing full-time yet. This is a great opportunity for me. Thanks for letting me set up today."
"We're excited to have the game broadcast on the WWN."
Viktor turns to gesture expansive towards one side of the pitch. "We've got a place set for you but there's time to change spots if you think somewhere else is better."
"No, that looks great, though I'll know better once up there." Fleming indicates the opposite side of the pitch. "That's where your student announcer will be?"
"Yes, though I've let Ollie know he may not be able to if his announcing will interfere with your broadcast," Viktor says of Ollie Choate, a seventh year Hufflepuff, who'd asked to announce at least one match this season.
"Shouldn't be a problem. As you know, pro matches often have multiple broadcasts going on in addition to the announcer."
Viktor and Marjani took Fleming up to the broadcast space, leaving him checking the WWN equipment set up last night. Once out of the stand and back on the ground Viktor asks Marjani, "How will he know if everything works?"
"You know, I'm not sure. Has to be though so that broadcasters for matches, concerts, and such know that what they are transmitting is actually going out. I'll have to remember to ask after the match."
The time left until Gryffindor and Slytherin faced off passed quickly with Marjani helping Viktor once again check out the brooms. Ollie Choate arrived while they were doing that and just after he'd gotten to the pitch the first of the players had gotten there.
Now, with the match begun and Ollie's voice ringing out across the pitch doing a play-by-play, Viktor once again wonders how Fleming knows whether his own play-by-play broadcast is being received. Then Viktor wonders who far a reach the broadcast has.
With the match in full swing, even with Marjani as assistant referee, Viktor can't let his mind wander to the in and outs of broadcasting a match. Blowing his whistle when a bludger clips the quaffle during a pass, sending the quaffle out of bounds, Viktor retrieves the red ball, handing it off to the person who'd made the interrupted pass, Finley Pride. Another blow of the whistle to restart the match and Finley hands off to Schuyler Weasley who passes long to Gerry Martini-Blackwell.
Racing along to stay with the action, Viktor temporarily forgets Fleming Olofson and broadcasting.
(Cecily & Wren) Go Gryffindor! Go Slytherin!
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 11-04-18 02:51
As soon as she entered the pitch and she heard the roaring crowd Cecily started to regret she had signed up for the Quidditch tryouts. She didn't like when people looked at her and now she would have hundreds pairs of eyes staring at her. The only thing that comforted her was knowing that one of those eyes belonged to Wren. Her brother had come to Hogwarts today to see the match.
"We can do this," Gideon told Cecily. "Just follow my lead."
During the practices Leo had urged Cecily and Gideon to get into the same tune while playing. He wanted them to understand each other's game while in the air, to avoid having the two beaters chasing the same bludger or aiming at the same target.
Now it was the Gryffindor team who was attacking. It was up to Cecily and Gideon to protect the chasers from any bludgers sent by the Slytherin beaters, Asher and Douglas. Gerry had the quaffle, and he started to fast his flying pace. Cecily watched as Asher went to retrieve the bludger that had hit the quaffle moments ago. He intended to hit Schuyler on the head. Cecily flew as fast as she could towards the bludger, holding the bat firmly in her had. Sophie's Supernova broom was fast and she was able to reach the bludger and shove it away with a strong hit. Schuyler escaped unharmed.
Meanwhile Gerry had passed the quaffle to Finley, who had returned it to Gerry, after Malden tried to steal it. Gerry got closer to Wallace's hoops but Belinda was blocking his way. He wanted to offer the quaffle to Schuyler who was free but Charlotte stole the quaffle in the air, before it reached Schuyler. Cecily quickly went after the bludger she had shoved away moments ago.
The black ball was very far away and it took her a while to recover it. By now the Slytherins had almost managed to reach the other side of the pitch, after swapping the quaffle a few times between them. Cecily got frustrated she had not done anything to stop the attack. She reached the bludger but she realized she didn't have a good angle to hit any of the Slytherin chasers, since they were too far away. She panicked for a moment, not knowing what to do. Then she spotted Gideon. She used her bat, and aimed the bludger at him. Her teammate heard the whistle approaching and for Cecily's relief he realized what her intentions were. He was on a better position to take advantage of the bludger and he quickly adjusted his bat. The bludger hit Charlotte on the shoulder who had the quaffle once more. The impact made her drop the quaffle, which was quickly regained by Finley. Leo applauded the play, and Gideon made a sign of approval.
The match proceeded, both teams eager to be the first to score the first goal of the season.
Meanwhile Wren was watching the match at the stands. He was applauding the move when Sophie approached, asking if she could take the empty seat next to him. She had spotted Wren when trying to find a seat. The stands were very crowded. She had wanted to arrive earlier to get a good seat so she could watch the match with Jasper, who was coming to visit her. But during breakfast she had received a letter where he apologized for not being able to make it: he had test next week and he needed to study. She was a bit sad for she was eager to see him again and thank him for her birthday gift. She just loved how thoughtful he had been to have sent those flowers. She kept them at her nightstand and she realized Jasper had put a spell on them so they would not die. He had also offered her an expensive necklace but she knew he had this other side of him, for he was aware she would appreciate the flowers the most.
"How is she doing so far?" Sophie asked.
"Good enough, I think. I am not a Quidditch expert. Which house are you supporting?"
"None and both at the same time. See that Slytherin chaser? That is Belinda, one of my sisters. I want for her to do well in the match, and I would like Slytherin to win for it would make her happy. She is very proud and she detests to loose. But I also want Gryffindor to win, because it is my brother Elmer's house. He is a first year like Cecily and I think he would like to have his house win such important match. I also want your sister to be a successful beater. A victory in a first match is important for the moral. That said, I am Hufflepuff, so if there was a way the match would be tied it would be perfect."
Wren smiled. He thought how lucky Jasper was to have such a kind beautiful young woman as his bride. He was a fool by not being here today with her. Wren knew he went hunting with his friends during the weekend. He claimed he had no patience for school Quidditch, and so he excused himself to Sophie saying he had to study. As far as Wren was aware Jasper never bothered himself with his college studies before. He was more preoccupied with having a fun weekend with his friends. Going to Hogwarts would have ruined the hunting trip.
"I was a Hufflepuff too when at Hogwarts," Wren confessed. "But today I'm a Gryffindor supporter."
"Fair enough," she said. "Go Gryffindor! Go Slytherin!"
They both laughed and continued to watch the match together.
(Malden) Irritated
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 11-04-18 08:17
Malden scowled when Gryffindor regained possession of the quaffle. So far, there was a lot of back and forth, a couple of failed goal attempts, and not much else. The match was off to a very slow start, which made Malden feel grouchy, even though Slytherin technically wasn't losing.
He cast a quick glance into the stands and saw "Sam" and Maurice seated together in the Slytherin section of the stands. Team Delta Echo had met with the older members of the group in Hogsmeade last month. Maurice, having graduated from Hogwarts last year, now had the opportunity to learn and do so much more. He was a step away from becoming a junior Death Eater, if his boasting was to be believed. As Sam hadn't contradicted him, there must be a certain truth to his words.
Malden was rather jealous. He was supposed to be in charge, but because Maurice was older, he'd managed to pull ahead and likely knew things even Malden did not, despite being privy to some of his grandfather's secret knowledge. It simply wasn't fair.
Malden channeled his irritation into the match. He chased after Finley and in the process very nearly barreled into Schuyler. Schuyler swerved at the last second to avoid the collision. Malden pressed onwards but stopped suddenly when a bludger sailed in front of his face, but then he raced onwards again until he was practically side by side with Finley.
Finley saw Gerry up ahead and launched the ball with a powerful forward throw, but Malden disrupted the pass by putting his hand in the way. The ball flew back, hit Finley in the chest, and then bounced forward before she could attempt to get her arms around it. She and Malden dove after the falling quaffle, along with Schuyler and Charlotte. Malden felt someone's broomstick bristles scrape his hand, but he ignored the pain and scooped up the ball. He turned his broom around sharply and accelerated while steadily ascending to a height more in line with the goal hoops across the Pitch.
The Gryffindor chasers converged on him quickly, and because Malden couldn't find a good opening to either Charlotte or Belinda, he held on tight to the quaffle. He knew he'd soon be the target of one or both bludgers, but with the Gryffindors covering him closely, they were almost protecting him from such an attack. He eventually leveled off and then rocketed towards the Gryffindor hoops, hoping to get the first points of the match on the scoreboard.
Improvements
Author: Gerry
Date: 11-04-18 08:54
Gerry flew glued to Malden's right side and did his best to distract the Slytherin team captain while at the same time trying not to commit a foul. The quaffle was tucked tightly on Malden's right side, the side Gerry was on, and he bided his time for the best opportunity to dislodge it.
The time came when Gideon got off a bludger slightly to Malden's front, but on the left side. Schuyler, who had been flanking that side of Malden, quickly peeled away to avoid getting hit instead of or along with Malden. Malden could have followed suit, but he'd have still taken the hit, and probably for the worse. Instead of hitting him dead on in the forehead or nose, the bludger struck him between his shoulder and head. His arm loosened, allowing Gerry to steal the ball.
Malden, meanwhile, made a choking sound and was temporarily disabled. A shrill whistle sounded, stopping Gerry in his tracks. He gave the quaffle to Coach Batuti, while Coach Krum checked on Malden. Malden held one hand up and had the other pressed to the side of his neck. His face looked red, and he was breathing heavily, but he wasn't bleeding and nothing turned out to be broken. After a timeout that felt epic in length, Malden was cleared to continue playing.
Coach Krum blew on his whistle to restart the match, and Coach Batuti handed the quaffle back to Gerry. Gerry sped away hastily and then passed the quaffle to Schuyler. Schuyler held on to the ball for half a second before passing it on to Finley. Finley stopped abruptly when Belinda got in her way and then dropped the quaffle into Gerry's arms when he shot underneath her. Gerry flew as fast as he could towards the Slytherin goal hoops, thinking he should have an easy time scoring since Wallace was a firstie, but Wallace had already stopped one goal attempt early in the match.
Gerry saw a bludger coming out of the corner of his eye and launched the ball at Schuyler. Schuyler sped forwards and attempted a goal, throwing at the right-most hoop. The ball hit rim and rebounded before Wallace could get his fingers on it. Gerry swept up the quaffle and threw quickly for the left-most hoop. It wasn't a perfect throw, because the ball grazed the rim, but fortunately, the contact wasn't enough to send the ball back. It tipped through the hoop, allowing the first points of the match.
Gryffindor - 10, Slytherin - 0
(Charlotte) That's Better
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 11-04-18 10:45
"This is unacceptable," said Charlotte aloud but to no one in particular. It was the first match of the school year, and a big one as it was a rivalry match between Slytherin and Gryffindor. The first points of the game had finally been scored, and it had been Gryffindor who had done the scoring. Charlotte was extremely displeased.
Wallace retrieved the quaffle and handed it to her. Her shoulder was still a bit sore from the earlier bludger hit, but at least it wasn't stiff and the dull pain wasn't enough to truly distract her from the task at hand. She pulled forward, dodged Schuyler when he crossed in front of her, and then ducked to avoid Cecily's bludger. The black ball sailed over her head and ruffled her hair, but it didn't force her to slow down or anything.
Charlotte could hear loud cheering and she zoomed ahead. Her dad was in attendance, along with her younger brothers and Astrid. Charlotte was glad for the support and hoped that none of them would leave the match disappointed. They were all supporting Slytherin, after all.
Malden indicated he was open to accept the pass. There was an ugly bruise blooming on the side of his neck, but he didn't seem impaired, so Charlotte tossed the ball at him. He tucked it under his arm and hurried onwards to the Gryffindor hoops, only to pass the ball to Belinda when Finley got in his way. Belinda zig zagged around Gerry and Leo, who was meticulously searching for the snitch, and then fired at the hoops.
Oliver slapped the ball back with the palm of his hand. Belinda caught the rebound and tried again. Oliver scrambled to catch the quaffle outright, but the ball slipped out of his grasp. Charlotte dipped to get the ball and then tossed it up to Belinda. Belinda faked a throw toward the hoop, only to toss it back to Charlotte. Charlotte fired away at the hoop and scored before Oliver could even react.
"Stratford scores for Slytherin!" shouted Ollie, today's commentator. "The match is tied, 10-10!"
Charlotte smiled smugly. Her score didn't quite make things as she wanted, but it was definitely progress. Slytherin had to win this match. Charlotte wouldn't settle for anything less!
(Oliver) Still Tied
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 11-04-18 16:53
Oliver sighed and handed the quaffle to Schuyler. He hadn't wanted to let Charlotte get the red ball past him, but she and Belinda were tricky girls and had pulled one over him before he even knew what happened. Because of their close proximity to him, Oliver didn't allow himself to relax until the pack of chasers were at mid-field.
At least the match was tied. It would be quite a different thing if he'd already let Slytherin earn goal after goal. Then again, the match had a slow feel to it. Maybe it was only now picking up and those rapid goals would start taking place.
He watched as Schuyler carried the quaffle another quarter down the Pitch, only to let it fly at Gerry when Belinda got too close to him. Gerry nearly fumbled the ball and then lost it outright when a bludger courtesy of Asher had him withdraw his hand rapidly to avoid getting hit.
Oliver watched with bated breath as the six chasers scrambled to get possession and then breathed a sigh of relief when Finley recovered it. She continued on the path to the Slytherin goal hoops and attempted a goal herself, but Wallace stopped the ball with a solid catch. He handed it to Malden, whose neck was all shades of blue and purple by now. Oliver bet it hurt to turn his head and raise his arm, but Malden seemed to be toughing out the pain quite well.
Oliver watched the game play intently, particularly since the pack was heading back in his direction. Malden passed the quaffle to Belinda, who threw long to Charlotte. Oliver hunkered down, ready for the onslaught, and got ready to defend the Gryffindor goal hoops. Charlotte came at him with a look that could kill, but Oliver focused more on the quaffle in the crook of her arm and her body language.
She threw the ball forcefully, and Oliver lunged, effectively blocking the red ball from entering the intended hoop. Luckily, Schuyler scooped up the ball before Charlotte could once again get her hands on it. He forced the nose of his broomstick around and shot away, with Charlotte hot on his heels. Oliver watched them depart, his body tense in case they abruptly turned back in his direction, but they continued onwards towards the Slytherin hoops.
Oliver relaxed once more and hoped that Gryffindor would get another score on the board. Surpassing Slytherin would be a very good thing.
Stop Hitting Yourself (Wallace)
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-05-18 10:21
As the only new member to the Slytherin Quidditch team Wallace has felt a little pressure to hurry and fit in with the others. He thinks he's done that as well as anyone could when until today there have only been practices. The true test often is during a match. Or so that's the sort of thing his grandfather says.
Wally was nervous all morning before the match and after the match began, right up until Gryffindor filled the space around him. He was so busy watching who was where, who had the quaffle, and trying to be alert to bludgers that his nervousness vanished.
The game is tied with one goal each but Gryffindor is looking to change that. Finley, Gerry, and Schuyler have once again worked the quaffle down to Wally with Gerry in possession of the ball when they reach him. Gerry shoots but Wally knocks the quaffle back with a fist punch, trying to direct the ball towards Belinda. Scowling when Schuyler grabs it instead, Wallace readies himself for another Gryffindor goal attempt. Schuyler makes an underhand pass to Finley who's in a better position to score. Wally gets so focused watching the quaffle and where Finley is going to send it that he doesn't see the bludger until it's too late.
Finley throws to Wally's right. He extends his arm, reaching to smack the ball away. The bludger smashes into the crook of his arm hard enough his lower arm reflexively jerks into a bend, sending his hand flopping hard against his nose. The quaffle gets by, adding ten more points to Gryffindor's score. Marjani Batuti halts Wally putting the quaffle back into play long enough to assess his nose, now streaming with blood.
Assured the bleeding isn't a sign of something that needed Madam Pomfrey's immediate attention the signals for the game to continue. Holding a tissue to his nose with the hand that caused the bleeding, that arm's elbow joint on fire from the bludger hit, Wally tosses the quaffle with his other hand to Charlotte, who in turn passes to Malden.
As the action recedes for the moment, Wally leans his head forward and pinches his nostrils together. He'll stay this way for several minutes unless Gryffindor regains the quaffle and heads back his direction. If only pinching his arm above at his elbow would stop the pain there, he thinks with a sigh, and though his head is down trying to watch what's going on as the Slytherin chasers maneuver the ball closer and closer to where Wallace's counterpart Oliver awaits.
Score: Slytherin 10, Gryffindor 20
From One End Of The Pitch To The Other (Schuyler)
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 11-05-18 17:45
Charlotte has the quaffle when Slytherin once again reaches the Gryffindor kept hoops guarded by Oliver. She looks to be readying a throw for a possible goal when Schuyler wedges himself between her and the hoops. She glares at him, shifting to pass to Malden only to jerk her arm back from a bludger sent by Gideon. She switches the quaffle to her other hand, prepared to send it to Belinda but now Gerry's in between her and her teammate.
Douglas sends a bludger at Gerry in an effort to give Charlotte the room she needs to make the pass but by then Charlotte's switched again to pass to Malden now that that direction is clear of bludgers. She hurls the ball at Malden, the quaffle going straight towards his chest. He pulls it into his body, repositions his grip then aims at one of the hoops.
Malden had made it look as though he was throwing to center but the quaffle veers to Oliver's left. The Gryffindor keeper throws his body and broom after it, full body blocking the shot. He's now the one pulling the red ball in close then repositioning his hand to better grip the quaffle. He tosses to Finley who would have loved to jet away at increasing speed but the chasers are so bunched up just that then she has to carefully maneuver around a few before she's clear enough to accelerate down the pitch. As she maneuvers Belinda boldly tries to snatch the quaffle from Finley's grasp, coming close to committing a foul but somehow managing not to.
About halfway down the pitch Finley is forced to slow by a bludger across her path courtesy of Asher. She passes to Schuyler who sees a bludger in his peripheral vision coming his way. Before he can react Gideon is between the bludger and him, redirects it away. Gerry is ahead of Schuyler and in the clear so Schuyler passes. When Charlotte races to get between Schuyler and Gerry for the interception Cecily clips her with the bludger recently redirected by Gideon.
It's Gerry with the quaffle when moments later Gryffindor is within optimal scoring range. Hi face starting to show visible bruising from where a bludger knocked his own hand into his face, Wallace is at the ready for whatever they throw at him.
More Points
Author: Finley
Date: 11-05-18 18:35
Gerry came at Wally from an angle and pitched the quaffle at one of the hoops, only for the Slytherin first year to send it back to him. Rather than try again, Gerry passed the quaffle to Schuyler, who started to pass it to Finley, but then he aimed for a hoop instead. Wally made quick work of shifting positions after noting the change in Schuyler's body language, but he was still too slow to stop the ball from entering the hoop.
"Weasley scores!" shouted Ollie. "Gryffindor leads 30-10!"
Finley couldn't have been more pleased. It was the first match of the season and Gryffindor was winning. The good showing was all the more satisfying because her dad was in the stands with Leroy. Leroy, her best friend from Winchcombe Children's Home, was finally at Hogwarts with her.
They'd not gotten to talk, though, as Finley had been busy getting ready for the match when her guests arrived at the Pitch. She could imagine that Leroy was in for a great shock seeing the castle and students flying on broomsticks, though his letters suggested he was adapting well to life in the wizarding world.
Wallace handed the quaffle to Charlotte. She immediately lobbed it at Belinda. Finley decided to stick to Belinda like glue. Schuyler had the same idea and pulled up on Belinda's other side. Belinda had a very stern look on her face as she soared towards the hoops guarded by Oliver with her Gryffindor cohorts.
Finley felt pretty good in that moment, but then she got a shock when Belinda pointed the nose of her broomstick down and then under, making a loop-de-loop in the air. Finley and Schuyler flew on at the unexpected flip, and in that moment Belinda managed to give the quaffle to Malden.
Show-off! Finley thought to herself, but then the trick had probably looked impressive and she was somewhat glad Leroy had witnessed it.
Bludgeoning Bludgers
Author: Blossom
Date: 11-06-18 14:10
One eye watering from a speck of dust or grit or something, Gideon blinks several times to see if that helps clear it. Aunt Hermione with her healer training has said don't rub because whatever it is can then scratch a part of the eye making things even worse. After another minute, unable to stand it any longer he vigorously rubs his eyes, slowing as he approaches a bludger.
Squinting through the one eye he rubbed, the other eye fine, Gideon lines up his bat and gives the bludger a solid, centered hit. The bludger flies straight towards a spot Gideon hopes Malden will cross but the Slytherin chaser sees the bludger coming and veers onto a different course. Thankfully, Cecily is near enough to get to that same bludger, also targeting Malden.
The direction of Cecily's hit has the bludger taking Malden more in the back and side whereas if he'd been hit with it when Gideon sent it, the hit would have been more front and side. No matter the angle and direction the goal of causing Malden to fumble his hold on the quaffle is achieved.
The fumble allows Gerry to swoop in and pop the quaffle free from Malden though Gerry does some fumbling of his own to actually grasp the quaffle to take possession of it. Gerry pivots his broom around to race back the other direction, an irritated Malden right on his heels.
Gideon spots the other bludger, accelerating for it only to decelerate when Asher reaches it first. He waits for the other beater to wallop the black ball then accelerates again, going after the bludger to both direct it away from the Gryffindor chaser Asher has targeted to instead aim it at one of the Slytherin chasers, Charlotte probably as she's now the one closest to Gerry, trying to steal the quaffle.
Reaching the bludger he sends it instead at Belinda as Cecily has just gotten the other bludger off on a course that to Gideon looks like it's headed towards Charlotte. As he sits back to watch for a moment, to assess where both bludgers have ended up and where both Slytherin beaters are as well as Cecily, he catches sight of Sylvestor, the Slytherin seeker. Gideon watches Sylvestor for a moment, making sure the opposing seeker isn't onto the snitch. Sure for the moment that Slytherin isn't about to catch the winged ball, Gideon moves his broom in a slight arc, heading for a bludger with the thought of hitting it at Malden.
(Asher) Hits and Misses
Author: Jolyon
Date: 11-06-18 18:24
Asher intercepted the bludger Gideon meant for Malden and used it on Gerry, who still had possession of the quaffle. Finley called out a warning to Gerry, and since Charlotte was still harassing him, he decided to swerve rather than risk a throw that might get interrupted or intercepted.
Asher, meanwhile, went after the other bludger, reaching it just slightly before Cecily. The size difference between the two was startling. Asher was a seventh year and technically a grown man. Cecily was a little first year girl. Asher gave the black ball a hard whack, grinning when Cecily flinched as if he might strike her with his bat in the process. She was awfully close to him, but Asher didn't hit her at all.
The bludger, meanwhile, soared after Gerry, who still hadn't lost possession of the quaffle. If Asher didn't know better, he'd think Gerry had glued the red ball to his hand. Then again, Gerry was known for pranking, so maybe the ball really was stuck to him.
It turned out not to be the case, because in the next moment, Gerry threw the ball at Schuyler. Asher's bludger, meanwhile, hit Gerry in the thigh. Asher scowled at being a little too late, but he didn't let it get him too down or distract him too much. He raced after the other bludger the same time as little Cecily all over again. This time she was a bit faster. She struck the bludger, aiming for Belinda, but she wasn't as strong as Asher, so the ball didn't go as far as quickly. Asher hurried after it, intercepted it, and bumped it towards Schuyler.
Doug was on the spot to nudge it even further along, striking Schuyler with it and causing him to drop the quaffle. Malden scooped it up and took off for the Gryffindor hoops. Asher saw Gideon aim a bludger at him and got in the way to block Malden from taking the hit. Asher then redirected the bludger at Finley. Finley swerved to avoid it.
Malden drove hard for the goals with determination etched across his face. Asher hoped he would score because it was no fun trailing behind Gryffindor.
Fouling Up Plans (Doug)
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 11-06-18 18:59
Malden passes to Charlotte who throws to Belinda. Doug covers the pass between the latter two with a bludger to Finley when she attempts to intercept the pass. Belinda drives in towards the hoops but instead of trying to score she shoots the quaffle back over to Malden. Malden hurls the quaffle at one of the hoops but Oliver is able to swat the ball away.
Charlotte and Schuyler converge on the rebound, both getting hands on the quaffle. Doug is just about to connect bat to bludger when a piercing whistle signals a halt. Doug emits a low growl of frustration. With no one nearby to hear the low growl becomes slightly louder as he gives the coach the stink eye for stopping his momentum.
Oblivious to Douglas's thought or feelings Coach Krum has Charlotte and Schuyler facing off with the other chasers ranged around them. He tosses the quaffle up and with a whistle the ball is back in play and the match continues. With everyone now in different positions relative to where they'd been when he'd started to hit the bludger Doug has to reevaluate and quickly.
Schuyler grabs the quaffle before Charlotte is able to touch it. He twists at the torso to lob the ball to Gerry, who in turn passes to Finley. Doug has the bludger aimed at the point between Finley's shoulder blades. The impact of the hard ball causes her to lurch forward but does not, to Doug's chagrin, cause her to lose her hold on the quaffle.
She works with Gerry and Schuyler to rapidly move the quaffle down to Wallace whose bruise around his nose seems to have grown and darken every time Doug looks the keeper's way. Wallace has at times seemed to favor the arm that took the bludger hit that in turn caused Wallace to smack himself in the face but not enough to allow Gryffindor to run up the score. Good thing given Gryffindor has a two goal lead.
That arm doesn't seem to overly affect Wallace now when Schuyler, now in possession of the quaffle, throws the ball at one of the hoops. Wallace stops the ball outright, ducking a bludger from Cecily in the process. Having caught the quaffle, Wallace hands it over to Malden as Doug circles around the other bludger to position himself to bat the ball, eyeing Gideon who is going to foul up whatever plan Doug has for the bludger. With that in mind Doug hits the black ball without aiming at a Gryffindor. Now, when Gideon has chased it down and sends it after one of Doug's teammates, Doug will be the one fouling up someone else's plan.
Stationary For A Moment (Leo)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 11-07-18 14:19
Leo glides to a stop, hovering off to one side of the pitch. Scratching his nose while trying to decide whether to continue searching by flying swathes up and down the length of the pitch or switch to some other pattern or whether to even use some sort of pattern at all.
As he contemplates a course of action, the action involving the quaffle passes him by. Slytherin had retaken possession of the quaffle and less than a minute ago during a pass from Charlotte to Belinda, Gerry had intercepted. Malden immediately tried to steal back the quaffle with some assistance from Asher and a bludger. The result was Gerry lost hold of the ball but Malden wasn't able to grab it either. In the hustle to snap up the red orb the quaffle was knocked out of bounds. After some deliberation as to who did the knocking with the determination being that a chaser from each team had been touching the quaffle when it went out of bounds, the quaffle was put back into play with a toss up.
That's why he'd come to a full stop, taking a moment to think, and the toss up is the action Leo watches now. Gerry and Malden face each other with the other chasers arranged in a sort of circle around them but far enough back not to muck up the face off. The beaters are wired, waiting for the signal to start again, each of the four with an eye to one of the two bludgers.
Leo looks past them to where Sylvestor hovers on a slightly lower plane than he is. There's been no indication that Leo can tell that Sylvestor has had a snitch sighting since the match began. Leo thought he'd seen it near one of the tall poles topped by a hoop but in a blink, before he could direct his broom that way, he could make out that the flutter of a snitch's wing was actually that of a small bird. In that blink the tiny bird had rapidly gained altitude and flown off, soon nothing more than a speck in the distance.
Krum throws the quaffle up between Gerry and Malden. In another blink everyone but Leo is in motion again, even Sylvestor. Malden's caught the quaffle and from Gerry's looks the expression if looks could kill comes to mind. If looks could kill Malden would be frozen on the spot with Gerry grabbing the quaffle away before Malden's inert body fell to the ground.
He watches Gerry take off after Malden. When two players, no matter their positions, are flying that closely it's always a wonder to Leo how contact fouls aren't committed left and right. Malden puts on a spurt of speed with Gerry driving his broom forward to close the gap. Just about the time Leo thinks he's going to reach out and grab the quaffle away from Malden, the Slytherin chaser lobs the ball to Charlotte.
Leo loudly expells a breath. He could sit and watch the quaffle action all day but if he did that the only way he'd get the snitch is if it flew right up to him and came to a stop. This hasn't been a very long match so far but it's felt slow to him and just sitting here doing nothing isn't helping that feeling. Spurring his broom into motion, Leo angles down to start flying at a different level, changing things up a bit by flying the width of the pitch rather than the length of it.
Ending The Match [Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 11-07-18 18:34
Moving slowly, glacially even, stretched across his broom, eyes scanning the grass just far enough below he doesn't drag his feet and earn a penalty, Sylvestor wants to shout in frustration. He wonders if Leo is as irked as he is at the lack of snitch sightings.
Not a sign of the snitch since its release at the start of the match. Or none that he knows of. If Leo's seen it the sighting must have been either stealthily enough that Sylvestor never caught on or was fleeting enough that there wasn't time for anyone else to be aware of it. If another player has seen it no indication was given that Sylvestor knows of but then he wouldn't expect a beater, chaser, or keeper to show any sign of spotting the snitch. Not unless, that is, the one having the sighting was a teammate and Sylvestor near enough to signal without giving it away to Leo. The same goes for someone from the other team seeing the snitch and alerting Leo without somehow giving things away to Sylvestor.
Getting a kink in his neck and shoulder from how he's currently conducting his search for the snitch, Sylvestor brakes, sitting up. While rolling his shoulder, simultaneously massaging it with his other hand he looks up when Ollie Choate announces another change in possession of the quaffle. As Belinda passed to Malden, Gryffindor's Schuyler shot between them to catch the quaffle. Schuyler passes long to Gerry who sends it along to Finley who's not all that far from Wallace.
Finley drives in towards the Slytherin keeper, veering one direction while sending the quaffle in another. There's a slight hesitation as Wallace processes the ploy but not enough of one to keep him from getting to the quaffle and diverting it away from the hoops. The quaffle soars straight at Charlotte. She easily catches it, whirls her broom around, and takes off down the pitch heading in the direction of Oliver and the hoops he guards.
Sylvestor rubs his neck then resumes his snail crawl of a search, though this time not leaning quite so far over his broom. Just up ahead of him the grass wavers. At first he thinks it's just a breeze only to have it dawn on him there is no breeze just now plus the grass is only moving in a small area, not across the entire pitch. The grass wavers again and there is a rustling. As the grass on the pitch is kept short Sylvestor finds it hard to believe the snitch could be so well hidden but he alters his heading ever so slightly to put his broom directly over the trail of whatever seems to be moving through the closely shorn grass.
The snitch pops up out of the short grass so rapidly Sylvestor recoils in surprise. How could it be hiding there? Sure, it's small but not that small. He swears the snitch has its own magical ability the way it will be in front of a person and then poof it's gone, like it can apparate. Or how like now it's been hiding down in grass too short for it to hide in.
Whatever the story with snitches and the charms that make them fly and stay within bounds of the pitch Sylvestor will have to think about, maybe even look into, later. Right now he's got one to catch before Leo knows Sylvestor has even seen it.
Though he had recoiled in surprise when the snitch popped up out the grass, Sylvestor had kept his eyes on the winged ball and had kept slowly flying. Resuming his low lean over his broom, Sylvestor stretches out an arm, hand reaching as he increases his speed just enough to inch up on the snitch.
There! Sylvestor's hand wraps around the little ball, feeling its wings fluttering against the palm as they slow then stop altogether.
Triumphant he holds the snitch aloft.
Only no one notices.
All eyes are on yet another tussle for the quaffle resulting in yet another blowing of a whistle to stop play so the two chasers can face off in a toss up. As the only one who seems to know the game is over, Sylvestor angles his broom up, hand holding the snitch aloft. Coach Batuti blows her whistle at him for flying after the call to pause only to grin at seeing the snitch in his hand. The whistle blow changes and that's also when Ollie Choate has caught on practically yells, "TRAINOR HAS THE SNITCH! SLYTHERIN WINS!" In his regular announcing voice Ollie adds, "The first match of the season ends with a score of 160 to 30!"