|
|
(Cecily) First Quidditch Match of the Year
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 10-26-19 04:41
Cecily was still the youngest member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team but she was not the newest element. Today was Gareth's first match as the new Gryffindor seeker. He was Gerry's brother, who was also the team's co-captain. The captain was Finley. Her leadership style and practice dynamics were very different from Leo Marchbank's, last year team captain, but she had the same ambition to lead Gryffindor into the Championship match and to the ultimate victory. It has been years since Gryffindor had won a Quidditch cup and everyone was willing to change that.
The players from both teams entered the pitch at the same time, and one by one their names were announced. For Gryffindor, chasers Schuyler Weasley, Gerry Martini-Blackwell, and Finley Pride, beaters Gideon Weasley and Cecily McCallister, keeper Oliver Towneley and seeker Gareth Martini-Blackwell. For Slytherin, all female chasers Charlotte Stratford, Mira Eternal Black, and co-captain Belinda McCourt, beaters Fitzwilliam Bates and Douglas Dippet, keeper Wallace Rex and seeker and team captain Sylvestor Trainor. The crowd roared with excitement.
Finley and Slyvestor shook hands, as Coach Krum urged them to play a fair game. The trunk with the four balls was brought to the pitch, and as soon as Coach Krum gave the signal with his whistle, all four balls were released into the air, and the first Quidditch match of the year started.
Schuyler was the first hold the quaffle. His body was already turned to the Slyhterin side of the pitch, so he quickly raised the speed of his broom, eager to gain as much meters as he could before a Slytherin chaser, or a bludger, would try to cut his flight. Cecily looked around, trying to locate any of the bludgers. It had been previously decided that at the start of the match Gideon would immediately take flight and try to get one of the bludgers recently released, while Cecily would remain closer to the chasers, to offer them protection. Schuyler passed the quaffle to Gerry, who was free. Charlotte tried to intercept the pass but she wasn't fast enough. Gerry continued his flight, and Ceclily accompanied him, like a body guard, the bat on her hand, protecting Gerry's flight. Douglas shot a bludger meant to hit Gerry's flank, but Cecily got there in time and used her bat to deviate the black ball from her target. She tried to aim it towards Mira, who wasn't very far, but Mira dodged the ball with ease.
Gerry, now unguarded, proceeded his flight. Belinda got closer and tried to steal the quaffle from Gerry's arm but his grip was solid. However, Belinda's pressure made him search for a free player and he shot the quaffle to Finley, who had managed to evade from Charlotte, who was trying to cover her. Cecily went to retrieve the bludger that missed Mira, and so did Fitzwillian. He got there first, and he aimed it at Finley's head. She was too concentrated trying to reach the Slytherin hoops to notice. Cecily knew she was not going to get there on time to save Finley, but Gideon was closer and he was able to deviate the bludger's route. Finley passed the quaffle to Schuyler and he offered it back to her, as soon as she got closer to Wallace's position. She shot, but Wallace was able to make a defense, holding the quaffle with both his hands, denying Gryffindor their first ten points.
The crowd clapped their hands, some glad that Wallace had make a defense, others supporting Gyrffindor's attack. Cecily could imagine Miranda, her brother Georgie and Artie, among them, as well Wren. She actually was hoping to present some of the Weasleys to her brother. Her friendship with Miranda allowed her a glimpse to her large family. Sometimes Cecily wished she could be a Weasley herself. They were so fearless, brave and funny and they took care of each other, making a powerful clan at school. Despite being a Gryffindor like the majority of them, she still felt a meek and shy girl, who would rather spend her time with Thestrals or at the Hogwarts Pet Society meetings (which she rejoined this year), than being with people.
While Cecily went after one of the bludgers, Wallace offered the quaffle to Charlotte and the match proceeded.
Unexpected Distraction
Author: Finley
Date: 10-26-19 12:44
Disappointed to have her first goal attempt blocked, Finley nevertheless didn't dwell on her failure for long. She dashed away from the hoops, following Charlotte and the quaffle. When Charlotte passed the red ball to Belinda, Finley altered her focus and urged her broomstick to go a little bit faster. By the time Belinda got ready to pass the quaffle, Finley was close enough to cause interference. Belinda changed her mind and switched the ball to her other arm. When Cecily's bludger targeted Belinda in its sights, Belinda unexpectedly lobbed the ball overhand and to the side, so that it sailed over her own head and Finley's straight for Mira's open arms. Finley pumped her fist high in the air in an effort to knock the ball off course, but she couldn't reach it.
The ball landed cleanly in Mira's arms. She held onto it for only a second before pitching it forward at Charlotte. Charlotte zig zagged around Gideon and then drove hard for the Gryffindor hoops. Finley cut in front of Belinda and flattened herself across the shaft of her broomstick. As fast as she flew, she couldn't catch up to Charlotte. Charlotte came at the goals at a sharp angle and threw the quaffle forcefully, but Oliver dove in front of the red ball and took a hard hit in the shoulder. The ball bounced off of him and before Charlotte could catch the rebound, Finley snagged it and whirled around to fly in the opposite direction.
Mira and Belinda charged at her, so Finley ducked to fly underneath them. When Schuyler indicated he was open, Finley passed the quaffle to him. He lobbed it to Gerry, who suddenly found himself the target of both bludgers. Gerry threw the ball back to Schuyler and turned the nose of his broomstick straight down to avoid getting hit by both of the black balls. One missed it completely, while the other grazed the bristles of his broomstick. Gerry was jostled slightly on the way down but never lost control of his broomstick and managed to right himself up again without crashing to the ground.
Schuyler, meanwhile, launched the quaffle at Finley. She grabbed it and pulled it close to her side, protecting it with one of her arms. She swiveled her head around to check to see where the other players and bludgers were and found herself suddenly distracted by a figure in the stands. Eirene's father… her own biological father… was seated in the middle of a crowd of visitors to Hogwarts, and he appeared to be alone. The seats directly on either side of him were occupied, and not by Eirene. Did she even know he was there? Had he come to see Finley play?
CRACK!
Finley was jostled to the side when a bludger struck her right in the forearm. Mira, who was flying on Finley's other side, swerved suddenly, and the quaffle Finley was trying to protect popped free.
Finley didn't pay attention to the mad scramble that followed, because her arm really hurt and she was mad at herself for allowing herself to be distracted over the fact that maybe, just maybe, her real dad was interested in getting to know her after all.
(Belinda) Persistence
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 10-27-19 02:56
Belinda had no idea what happened to Gryffindor's captain, but she also did not care. Finley's paralysis made her loose the quaffle, which gave the Slytherin chasers the chance to get it. The red ball started to drop down. Charlotte, Belinda and Schuyler went after it. Belinda put her body in front of Schuyler, blocking his way, which allowed Charlotte to get the quaffle.
Charlotte regained some altitude, while Belinda and Schuyler disbanded. Gerry immediately went after Charlotte. She started to zig zag, with the quaffle under her arm, trying not avoid contact with Gerry. Belinda had Schuyler close to her, but Mira was free, because Finley took a while to recover from whatever happened to her, and was a bit behind the other chaserr, where the real action was happening. Charlotte passed the quaffle to Mira, who dodged a bludger sent by Gideon, and kept flying deep into the heart of the Gryffindor side of the pitch. Finley was finally able to reach Mira, and taking her by surprise she snatched the quaffle from her hands. Mira looked at her in fury, since the Slytherin attack had been aborted so soon. Finley had redeemed herself and she shifted her broom around. Gerry was asking for the quaffle and Finley offered it to him.
The Gryffindor chasers swapped the quaffle between the three of them, at a great speed which made it hard for the Slytherin chasers to stop them. Douglas sent a bludger at Schuyler, the last to get the quaffle. Schuyler had to turn abruptly to the left to dodge it. He made a pass to Gerry but due to the new position of his broomstick the passing angle wasn't the best. That gave Belinda the window she needed to intercept the pass, as she was located in a privileged position. She got the quaffle, and hold it tight. As she was making her way towards the Gryffindor hoops, she couldn't help thinking how strange it was to play without Malden. He was already in the team when she joined and sometimes she was expecting to see him flying next to her. Asher wasn't missed at all. After Maurice's revelation, Belinda did not think much about Asher. All she wanted was for him to rot in Azkaban.
Luckily they had found Mira, who was a very tenacious chaser and possessed the right qualities to be in the team. It was also interesting that all the three Slytherin chasers were girls, something that did not happen in any of the other teams. Belinda continued her flight. She heard the distant sound of a bludger, but she kept flying, ignoring it. The sound got more intense, but she wanted to get closer as possible to the other side of the pitch. Belinda persisted and her risk paid off because the bludger only brushed her right shoulder. She might get a light wound later, but nothing serious. She offered the quaffle to Charlotte who was free and she then passed the quaffle at Mira, when Gerry got in her way. Mira advanced a few more meters. Schuyler positioned himself himself next to her. If Mira tried to stretch her arm and score, he would stop her. Mira throw the quaffle to Belinda. Belinda looked at Oliver, and she simulated a goal attempt to the left. Oliver moved to the side, but he stopped once he realized it was a false alarm. Belinda then passed the quaffle back at Mira and waited to see if she she would take her shot and score, or do something else.
(Caligula) Slytherin
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 10-27-19 03:58
"HEEEELP!!!!!" He screamed. "Is anyone there? PLEASE HELP ME!"
It seemed like the entire school had gone outside to the Quidditch pitch. Caligula had intended to do the same, but an evil prank was stopping him to do so. With so many aurors patrolling the castle, he couldn't believe his bad luck that none happened to be passing by to assist him. Not even Filch was around.
His mother had been upset when she learned Caligula had not been sorted into the Slytherin House. She had the firm belief he would belong there and she was furious with the Sorting Hat's sentence. She wrote Caligula saying she believed this was a plot orchestrated by Headmistress McGonagall. Afraid of the presence of young Death Eaters at her school, McGonagall made sure he would not be a Slytherin for the sake of appearances. Caligula knew his mother's theory was wrong because there was a Malfoy girl, Carina, who had been sorted into Slytherin. But he did not tell her that. His mother then urged him to try and blend with Slytherins. She wanted Caligula to try and be friends with them. He tried to explain to her that he had already some friends, especially Josh, who he liked to hang out with, but his mother kept insisting.
So Caligula started a campaign to get along with the first year Slytherin boys. Seymour Smithers was fast in identifying Cal's attempt to blend in and become one of them, and he took advantage of it. He implied that in order to hang out with him, and his other friends, Gavin Ellis and Festus Flaversham, Caligula needed to carry their school bags, fetch them snacks when they were hungry and let them copy his homework. Caligula found himself doing all these tasks, grateful whenever they included him in their conversations or let them eat with them at the Slytherin table. However the more time he spent with them, the more he realized he did not identify with these boys and he thought that the Sorting Hat had done the correct choice by not sorting him into the Slytherin.
Then there was Professor Nott. Caligula had planned to create his own Halloween costume, out of toilet paper. He would be dressed as a mummy, and he was looking forward to show Josh and the other Ravenclaws his costume. He spent days borrowing (or stealing), toilet paper from several bathrooms. He had been so focused on his creation that one the days before Halloween all he could think about was his costume. His lack of attention in Transfiguration class made him loose five points to his house and he had to serve a detention on Halloween night with Professor Nott. The detention wasn't too hard to endure (he only had to look at a stack of needles, and select those that were good to use in class, and those that were already semi-transfigurated into matches and throw them away), but nevertheless he believed Professor Nott had been unfair with him. He got the feeling that his Transfiguration teacher did not like him much, and he caught him staring at him more than once since he arrived Hogwarts. Caligula once again followed his mother's instructions and just looked back at Professor Nott in the eyes, without saying a word.
Today, Caligula decided to support Slytherin. In order to impress Seymour, Gavin and Festus, he had painted his face with the green and silver colors of the Slytherin house and he even was wearing a scarf from Slytherin. He had gone to one of the bathrooms and looked himself on the mirror. He did look like a Slytherin. He smiled, happily imagining himself among the others, cheering for Slytherin. His mother would be glad.
Unfortunately Peeves was around and he decided to lock Caligula in the bathroom, realizing he was desperate to go to the match. Peeves also stole his wand so he could not even try and use magic to open it. Caligula had heard Peeves dropping the wand outside the bathroom door, and leaving as he laughed and sang a song that included the words: "After they returned from the Quidditch match, all they found in the bathroom was Nott's lifeless corpse."
Caligula tried to call for help, but no one came. He was upset he was going to miss the match, his chance to try and please the others. Maybe today he would finally be accepted as one of them, but that would not be possible if he stayed the entire match locked inside the bathroom.
He heard some steps and once again started to scream and knocking the door asking for help.
"HEEEEELP!"
Someone tried to unlock the door but without success. Then the girl on the other side said:
"Step back. I will try to use magic."
She said Alohomora and the door was unlocked. His rescuer was Gryffindor Hannah Powell. Like Caligula she too had her face painted, but in her house's colors.
"I should have left you locked up," she said, staring at his Slytherin scarf. "I don't understand…You're a Ravenclaw!" She said, following him, as both were headed to the pitch, after Cal had picked up his wand from the floor.
"That was a mistake. I should be in Slytherin. All Notts belong to Slytherin."
"Well most of my family were Hufflepuffs. I was a bit surprised to be sorted into Gryffindor but my mother told me it doesn't really matter the house you are in, as long as you feel at home in it and represent it well. You clearly are doing a poor service towards Ravenclaw, painted like that."
He did not like the way Hannah was talking to him. She seemed like an adult giving him a sermon and she was quite annoying. He did his best to ignore her, hoping to arrive to the pitch as soon as possible so he could get rid of her.
(Oliver) Frowning
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 10-27-19 07:31
Oliver caught on to Belinda's ploy, but he didn't see Mira's coming. Mira, with the quaffle in hand, charged at the goals and looked every bit determined to score, but just before she got close enough to foul, she threw the ball backwards. Belinda caught the quaffle neatly and then fired it at the left most hoop before Oliver could even react.
New commentator Barbie Bones shouted, "And just like that, the first points of the match are scored by McCourt for Slytherin after an amazing play by Eternal-Black. Well done!"
Oliver retrieved the quaffle with a frown. 1. He had allowed the red ball to get past him. 2. Barbie was in Gryffindor. How could she announce her own house team's losing status so measuredly?
Her unbiased commentation was probably why Barbie had been picked to succeed Ollie. She was definitely better suited than Oliver, who grumbled as he handed the quaffle to Schuyler.
Schuyler immediately threw long for Gerry, but the pass overshot and the quaffle arced downwards for the ground. All six chasers took off like their lives depended upon it, all diving and trying to get to the quaffle first. None could reach it before it hit the ground. It bounced, once, twice, and then Coach Krum blew on his whistle to call a time out.
Oliver's frown only deepened because from his vantage point, it looked like Gerry would have definitely gotten his hands on it first. What happened instead was another tip off. Coach Krum stood where the quaffle had hit the ground with the six chasers in the air above him. He threw the ball straight up, and Oliver groaned aloud when Mira snatched the ball. She set Oliver in her sights and rushed towards him.
With a deep sigh and wishful thinking that he not let another goal past him, Oliver hunkered down in from of the hoops and prepared for Mira's rapid approach.
Game on!
Author: Philippa Hainault
Date: 10-27-19 13:50
Slytherin was winning by ten points!
Hufflepuff was not playing but Philippa went to watch the match. She had never seen a live Quidditch match before, so this was her very first experience of the real deal! It was hard to keep an eye at the chasers, beaters, quaffles, bludgers, beaters, keepers and seekers at the same time. The golden snitch of course was impossible to find. How did the seekers do it?
Sometimes Philippa would look at the seekers, while others she followed the chasers. Barbie Bones' comments helped to keep track of the action.
"I prefer Slytherin to win," she revealed to Nelson.
"Why?"
"My father was a Slytherin. It would be cool if he would be here today."
Philippa tried to image how it would be. Her mother would come as well, and her siblings too. She would not be the mad person her aunt and grandfather claimed she had become after the death of her father. But her mother had been a Gryffindor. And her grandfather Maximilian had been in Gryffindor as well. Aunt Margaret would not care. She had been a Ravenclaw, and she never paid much attention Quidditch. Philippa decided she would still prefer her father's former house to win today.
"It's natural to take sides," Nelson told her. "It would be boring if you didn't."
"Which side are you taking?"
"Gryffindor."
They looked at each other and started to laugh. The match had turned into a friendly dispute. Nelson was even willing to bet the sweets he had stolen from the Halloween feast in Gryffindor's name!
"Game on!" Philippa said, accepting the bet.
Veela Charm (Mira)
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 10-27-19 18:56
Grumbling under her breath Mira wishes she could have beamed a brilliantly bright smile at Oliver, calling on her Veela powers. She might only be part Veela but she has no doubt if she turned on the charm full force Oliver would have not only allowed the quaffle past him but he would have given it a hit to ensure it passed cleanly through the hoop. Schuyler and Gerry would hand her the quaffle whenever either of them came into possession of the red ball. Gideon would rush to bat away any bludgers that came her way.
Mira sighs. What's the use of having Veela powers, even if small compared to a full blooded Veela, if one cannot use them?
Mira could turn on the Veela charm but if her parents think she has for even a half second she's off the team. Dad even said he'd stop the match to pull her out on the spot, leaving Slytherin a chaser short. Mira wanted to snipe that he'd be looking for an excuse to pull her just to help his former house's team. She wisely kept her mouth shut.
Her effort at scoring halted by Oliver, Mira watches as Oliver sends the quaffle to Gerry who sends it forward to Finley. Finley jets away, Mira keeping pace with her. Fitzwilliam puts a bludger right in Finley's path, forcing the Gryffindor chaser to swerve or be hit. Finley both swerves and lobs the quaffle to Schuyler. Charlotte moves in to intercept the pass but Cecily stops her with the other bludger.
Schuyler catches the quaffle but he'd been so busy watching Charlotte that he doesn't see Belinda until she's practically on top of him. Simultaneously jerking his broom away from Belinda and darting forward, Schuyler ends up losing his grip on the quaffle. He fumbles the ball nearly regaining control of it only to have it pop away from his fingers.
Belinda dives under Schuyler but Gerry is right there. They grapple for possession of the quaffle, neither giving an inch. Coach Krum blows his whistle. He takes the quaffle and with Belinda and Gerry facing each other, both eager to be the first to move and to get the ball once Coach Krum puts it back into play, Mira is certain she can see their brooms quivering with their anticipation.
Coach Krum blows his whistle once more, hastily moving out of the way as Belinda and Gerry converge on the quaffle, the other four chasers moving in now as well. Mira can't keep back a grin when Belinda is triumphant, red ball held tightly in hand. The action again moves in Oliver's direction. Finley edges in close to Belinda but before she can try to steal, Belinda passes the quaffle to Charlotte, who retains possession of the ball as they close the gap on Oliver and his three rings.
(Charlotte) Girl Power
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 10-28-19 14:05
Charlotte accepted Belinda's pass and pressed onwards, quickly reaching the Gryffindor hoops. She eyed her target, faked a throw to the left hoop but threw to the right hoop instead. Unfortunately, Oliver was able to correct his movements in time to get his hand on the red ball. He couldn't stop the quaffle outright, though. It rebounded off his palm into the pack of chasers jostling in front of him.
Finley caught the ball first, but with her bad arm and the giant block of players pressed all around her, she quickly lost the quaffle to Mira, who yanked it clean out of her grasp. With the six chasers still crowding the hoops, Mira threw the ball at Belinda, who had already drifted slightly away from the pack.
Charlotte, realizing what they were doing, slithered out of the pack and gradually backed away from the hoops, too. The hope was to lure the Gryffindors away from their own goal hoops in order to find a better opening for Slytherin to attempt a another goal.
Belinda passed the quaffle back to Mira, who had edged backwards even more. Mira quickly lobbed the red ball to Charlotte when Cecily aimed a bludger at her. Charlotte very nearly lost the quaffle to Schuyler, who came up on one side of her, while Finley took up on her other side. Charlotte was boxed in and would have a difficult time doubling back towards the hoops.
It was time to put a maneuver the girls had practiced to the test. Charlotte pretended to pass to Mira, which even faked was risky with Schuyler close by. Then, Charlotte threw the ball downwards with a slight flick of her wrist, since Belinda wasn't directly below her. Belinda caught the quaffle and few upwards fast, sharply adjusting the angle of her broom when Gideon's bludger careened towards her.
Belinda tossed the ball to Mira, who ducked the other bludger and fired the quaffle at Charlotte. Charlotte did a sort of half roll in front of the hoops and let the quaffle fly, keeping Oliver guessing on where it might land until it was too late to stop it.
"Stratford scores! Slytherin leads 20-0," Barbie announced. "That was some impressive teamwork by the Slytherin chasers! You go girls!"
Charlotte almost choked on the laugh stuck in her throat at the look on Oliver's face. Sullenly, he handed the quaffle to Schuyler.
OOOMPH (Wallace)
Author: Saffron
Date: 10-28-19 18:14
As he waits for the action to return to his end of the pitch Wallace thinks maybe next year he'll try out for a chaser position or maybe beater. He wouldn't mind seeker even though a seeker goes it alone and only participates in action when avoiding bludgers and going after snitches. Unlike a keeper, a seeker can move all over the pitch.
Then again, keeper is a pretty good gig. Part of the team. Gets some down time when others don't. Can enjoy some of the action without the pressure of being in the thick of it. Yeah. Keeper isn't so bad. Maybe he'll stick with it. He guesses he'll what his thoughts are next time trials are held.
With Schuyler heading his way, quaffle in hand, Wallace is on alert, anticipating soon being in the thick of the action. Dodging a bludger from Doug, Schuyler passes to Gerry. Fitzwilliam sends that same bludger towards Gerry, clipping him on the knee. Gerry seems unfazed, smirking at Fitzwilliam as he darts around the beater.
At that very same bludger now Gideon sends it towards Charlotte. Knowing she might get hit by the bludger Charlotte stays focused on Finley when it looks like Gerry's going to pass the quaffle to her but also does a half roll to help ensure the bludger misses her. Despite a great effort, she's unable to prevent Finley from getting the quaffle.
If the other bludger had thoughts and feelings Wallace thinks it would be wondering why everyone was ignoring it. Cecily takes care of that in short order, however, by smacking her bat against it, targeting Belinda as Belinda swoops between Finley and Gerry when Finley tosses the quaffle back to him. Belinda makes the interception but the bludger gets her spot on in the middle of the back. Belinda lurches forward, the quaffle popping from her grip, allowing Finley to scoop it back up. She then tosses it again to Gerry who catches it this time, driving in to where Wallace is ready to go whatever direction is needed to block any goal attempt.
Gerry doesn't shoot for goal but instead hands off to Schuyler. Schuyler hurls the quaffle to Wallace's left. Wallace throws himself left, intending to do a full body block. Next thing he knows he's doubled over, all his air forced out in a mighty, "OOOMPH!" as a bludger smashes into his stomach. From the direction it seemed to come he thinks Gideon batted it at him but he's not certain.
What Wallace is certain of is that the quaffle got by him. Schuyler has scored for Gryffindor but Slytherin leads 20 to Gryffindor's 10.
Hurry Up
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 10-29-19 14:55
Fitzwilliam Bates is so intent on getting just the right angle on a bludger that he doesn't notice how close he is to one of the hoop posts. He flies right into the post, hitting it hard enough he and his broom bounce backward. Viktor blows his whistle, halting the match. Fitzwilliam has managed to stay seated on his broom but he's dazed and his eyes are somewhat glazed. Viktor gently guides Fitzwilliam to the ground where he assesses whether the boy needs to pay Madam Pomfrey a visit or can remain in the match, at least for now.
In the short time it took to get Fitzwilliam grounded he's rubbing his forehead and claiming he's fine. In that same short time a very visible red lump has formed in the spot Fitzwilliam keeps tenderly rubbing. It won't be long before the lump's color is shades of black, purple, and blue.
Fitzwilliam's pupils look fine, he's not slurring words, his vision is clear. Other than saying his head hurts, understandable under the circumstance, Fitzwilliam appears to be fine. Appears being the operative word, Viktor sends the Slytherin beater back into the air then goes to speak with Theodosia who is in the stands. She'll help Viktor keep a close watch on Fitzwilliam for the remainder of the match.
As he blows his whistle to signal the Gryffindor and Slytherin players Viktor looks again to where Theodosia sits. He wonders if she's as eager for the match to end as he is. Usually, Viktor enjoys every second of a match, even if he's merely a spectator. There's even more of a thrill when he's officiating or playing.
Today is not the usual.
Before the match began Barbie made an announcement for Viktor. After the match a special event is taking place with refreshments to follow. After the match, right there on the pitch, Theodosia and Viktor are getting married. The refreshments afterward include a wedding cake large enough to feed a crowd. They're having a luncheon in Hogsmeade tomorrow as a reception of sorts for all those who wouldn't be at the Hogwarts game today as well as some who are here.
Blowing his whistle to signal a foul, Viktor zooms over to where Schuyler had accidentally grabbed Mira's broom to steady himself after being hit by a bludger. Announcing the foul, Viktor hands Mira the quaffle then zips out of the way, silently urging one of the seekers to hurry up and find that snitch.
Whoop Whoop (Schuyler)
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 10-29-19 17:47
Schuyler rolls the shoulder that was hit hard enough with a bludger that he was knocked off balance. He ended up causing a foul but it wasn't a major one and just after Mira had accepted the quaffle from Coach Krum she'd passed to Belinda. Belinda had then thrown to Charlotte but Gerry was able to intercept. Gerry, Finley, and Schuyler worked the quaffle down to Wallace with Finley in possession of the ball as they drove in close to the hoops. She'd thrown at the ring nearest her position, which was also farthest from Wallace at that point though he'd already been in motion. With an extra burst of speed and stretching out as far as he could, Wallace knocked the quaffle back, sending it straight to Mira.
Mira threw it on to Charlotte who was able to catch the ball this time without Gryffindor interference. Charlotte makes it about halfway down the length of the pitch before passing back to Mira. As Mira is shifting the ball to improve her hold on it, she's hit by a bludger from Gideon. The quaffle flies from Mira's fingers with Schuyler and Belinda nearly colliding in their rush to be the one to gain the quaffle.
In the distraction from the near collision neither Belinda nor Schuyler gets the ball. Gerry is the one who snatches up the quaffle, whipping his broom around in a dizzying move, then charging straight back up the pitch at Wallace. He's moving fast, blitzing in as close as he can to Wallace and the rings without committing a foul, sending a streak of red toward one hoop before Wallace can fully react.
Schuyler wants to whoop aloud with joy, but doesn't, as Barbie Bones proclaims, "Martini-Blackwell scores for Gryffindor! With the score at 20 to 20, we now have a tied game, folks!"
Chasers Who Don't Cooperate (Doug)
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 10-29-19 19:35
Doug isn't overly perturbed that the match against Gryffindor is currently tied. Slytherin can still out score Gryffindor on goals and get the snitch as well. Heck, Gryffindor could score several more goals but when Sylvestor catches the snitch Slytherin still has the win. As he approaches a bludger, bat arcing bat Doug is glad to be a beater and not a chaser. Imagine scoring 14 goals and the other team not any but the other team's seeker gets the snitch, thus winning the game for the other team. All that work for nothing.
Doug's read some of the history of Quidditch but if he's ever seen an explanation for why goals only count 10 points but catching the snitch is good for 150 points, he doesn't recall it. He would think he'd remember at least something so he's fairly certain he's never come across anything about how the scoring system evolved. He'll have to read up on it more. Maybe he'll ask a Ravenclaw. Seth Weasley and Noah Stratford are Quidditch players and classmates and Ravenclaws. Maybe they'd know. Or he could always ask Grace.
Thinking of Grace, Doug reminds himself to ask his cousin if she'd help him perfect a couple of spells good for dueling. He'd really like to be considered the best fourth year dueler in Defense Against The Dark Arts.
Bludger now well on its way to cross paths with Gerry, Doug frowns when Cecily intercepts the bludger and redirects it at Mira. He'd rush to re-redirect but by now it's too far from him and too close to Mira for Doug to do much good. He turns his attention to the bludger he's now closer to but has to hang back when Gideon gets there first. In the meantime, Mira's dodged the bludger. She currently has the quaffle so it's really no surprise when Gideon targets her as well but this time Doug can assist. He turns the bludger in Oliver's direction as Mira gets within goal range.
Oliver swats the quaffle away with the flat of his hand and only then does the bludger reach him. He jerks away from it then has to almost immediately move back that same direction in order to reach the quaffle when Belinda, who'd caught the rebound, launches the red orb towards the middle of one of the hoops. He barely makes it but make it he does. This time Oliver's hit sends the quaffle to Finley.
Knowing she's been favoring one arm after a bludger hit earlier in the match, Doug scurries to get to one of the hard black balls before either Cecily or Gideon, thinking he'll target that same arm and, hopefully, cause Finley to lose the quaffle to one of his chaser teammates. Doug reaches a bludger and does send it on a path to connect with Finley's arm but she abruptly climbs while simultaneously passing to Gerry. Trying not to get annoyed at chasers who don't cooperate by staying on course to be hit by a bludger he hits, Doug ones more goes after that bludger and then tries not to get annoyed when he again has to wait on Gideon to bat it then try to get to it in time to keep it from hitting a Slytherin clad player. He tries not to get annoyed, even telling himself the game wouldn't be that much fun or challenging if everything went exactly as he wanted, but sometimes, like now, he still ends up annoyed anyway.
Taking a deep breath, Doug pursues the bludger Gideon hit, trying to reach it before it gets to Belinda and trying, again, not to be annoyed.
Taking The Lead (Gideon)
Author: Blossom
Date: 10-30-19 06:45
The wind hasn't been that bad so far during the Gryffindor-Slytherin match. It can be bad enough having air whipping around you during a game but when having wind can make that whipping around even worse and on a cool or cold day make the temperature feel a lot lower. Though not bad this time, every now and then a strong gust will blow across the pitch. One just now not only is hard enough to push the bludger Gideon has just lined himself up with to hit but it also carries with it dust particles or something that smack Gideon right in the face, causing him to repeatedly sneeze.
By the time he's done sneezing, Fitzwilliam has batted the bludger and sits there long enough to say, "I'd laugh but my head already hurts enough as it is."
Gideon thinks Fitzwilliam must be understating how badly his head hurts. Based on the vivid bruising coloring his forehead and the size of the lump there, Gideon wouldn't be at all surprised if Fitzwilliam would like nothing more than to exit the match and curl up in a hospital wing bed, knocked out by whatever potent potion Madam Pomfrey gives him. He's likely staying in the match as long as he's able so that Slytherin isn't disadvantaged.
Gideon would have gone after the one bludger he'd lined up on but that Fitzwilliam hit but Cecily's is nearly to it so he swivels to locate the other then directs his broom in that direction. Belinda's just gained possession of the quaffle so Gideon targets her. She speeds up right after he's batted the black ball so his hit ends up being just short of its goal.
Doug is almost to that bludger so Gideon waits a half second then starts after it. Based on the direction it's traveling Gideon surmises Doug sent the bludger for Schuyler. Gideon gets to it before it reaches Schuyler and he again sends it towards Belinda. This time it not only gets right where he wanted but the bludger hits Belinda in the side. The slight distraction is enough to allow Schuyler in to steal.
Schuyler flies in close to Wallace but Charlotte gets practically in his face so he lobs the quaffle off to the side where Mira tries to grab the ball but Finley catches it. She starts to throw in hopes of scoring but has to duck a bludger Doug sent. Gideon maneuvers into the thick of the action centered around Wallace, trying to get that very same bludger to bat at the Slytherin keeper while also trying not to smack his bat into Charlotte's head.
The hit isn't quite as he'd have liked but the alternative would have been to whack Charlotte soundly enough she'd almost surely be out of the remainder of the match and he'd get, rightly so, a foul called against him. He'd feel bad about the foul but even worse that Charlotte might seriously be injured. Glad he isn't faced with that sort of guilt Gideon's even happier when the bludger connects with Wallace's outstretched arm. The quaffle soars by the keeper. Finley's shot is good!
For the first time this match Gryffindor leads with a score of 30 to Slytherin's 20.
One Sighting So Far [Sylvestor]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 10-30-19 14:04
Sylvestor pauses in his search for the snitch to rub the knuckles of one hand. The knuckles along with the fingers and much of the back of that hand are red, slightly puffy, and in a couple of spots look scraped, all the result of a bludger the only time this match he's seen the snitch since it was released.
Shortly before Fitzwilliam collided with the ring post, Sylvestor had seen the snitch. It was hovering just above the level of the uppermost part of the viewing stands. The snitch was also right on the invisible line demarcating the field of play from out of bounds. Flying slowly, as if he'd been continuing his search, Sylvestor eased towards the snitch's location.
He'd gotten about a broom's length and a half from it when the tiny winged ball decided it had been stationary long enough. Frustratingly, the snitch darted away. Sylvestor kept a sedate pace, the better to go unnoticed by others. Others being Gareth and Barbie in particular.
The snitch sped up a tiny bit so Sylvestor did the same. It must have been steadily increasing its speed without Sylvestor being fully aware of it because one second he's poking along and the next everything was a blur as he streaks after the golden ball and Barbie sounded overly loud announcing, "Trainor has the snitch in sight!"
Expecting Gareth to join the chase at any moment Sylvestor increased his speed, gaining ground - or would that be air? - on the snitch. He'd just about gotten near enough to be able to stretch out and grab for it when BAM! a bludger, he doesn't know if it was sent by Cecily or by Gideon, smacked into his side, right at the shoulder. The momentum of the hit was enough to cause Sylvestor to veer into one of the stands. He'd scraped one side against the wooden structure before pulling away and steadying himself, the back of one hand somehow taking the brunt of the smack into the stand.
The snitch, of course, was nowhere Sylvestor could see and from Gareth's perplexed expression the Gryffindor seeker had lost sight of it as well, that is if Gareth had even seen it.
With Gryffindor leading by a goal it's time for Slytherin to either score again or for Sylvestor to have another snitch sighting, preferably one without Gareth's involvement.