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(Oliver) Giving His All
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 09-16-18 07:38
Oliver had briefly entertained the idea of trying out for more than just keeper but had ultimately only signed up for his former position. He tried not to feel overly confident about earning his old spot back on the Gryffindor team, but Oliver felt that his chances were fairly good. After all, he had experience that most others trying out didn't. He was also pretty sure he hadn't let down his team last year, even though Gryffindor hadn't done very well last season.
Hopefully, things would turn around for the team this season, regardless whether Oliver was on it or not. He didn't want to imagine himself sitting in the stands during the matches, but if he didn't make the team, then he wouldn't be sore about it. He'd cheer on Gryffindor to victory every time.
In his first scrimmage match, Oliver, whose number was #34, guarded the hoops for the white team. Much of the action turned out to take place across the Pitch, so Oliver did quite a bit of waiting and watching. When at last the quaffle changes hands and began making its way towards him, he hunkered down and got ready to defend the white team's hoops with all his might.
The charge came swiftly and fiercely. The chaser with the quaffle lobbed it almost directly at him, as if intentionally trying to hit him with it and risk him blocking a goal attempt. Oliver put up both his hands to protect his face and felt the quaffle bounce off his forearms. After the rebound, the chaser tried again. Oliver slapped the ball with the flat of his palm. On the third try, Oliver saw a bludger aimed for him and wiggled out of its path while at the same time doing a full body-block on the quaffle. It was scooped up by a chaser on his own team and carried far away from the hoops.
The next scrimmage match Oliver played in kept him very busy. His team kept fumbling the ball, putting it in the opposing team's hands time and time again. He constantly blocked quaffles, dodged bludgers, and on two occasions was unable to stop the red ball from entering a hoop. By the time that scrimmage match ended, Oliver was both invigorated and exhausted. He was sorry to let those two quaffles get by him, but he felt as if he'd played his best ever in just that brief showing.
Now to see if Coach Krum and the other guest referees agreed with his personal assessment.
Can't Concentrate
Author: Finley
Date: 09-16-18 11:19
There was no way around it. Finley was distracted, and she didn't think there was anything that would change that fact. Her inability to concentrate had nothing to do with a sleepless night or a lack of discipline. She simply couldn't stop thinking about how bringing Leroy home had totally upended her life.
Her father had checked into a hotel the very same day after dropping Leroy off at the orphanage. At that time, Finley had had no idea that Leroy had returned to Winchcombe with all his memories intact. She'd worried and fretted over what her father may have done, but it had been all for nothing as far as Leroy was concerned. In fact, things had turned out surprisingly good for Leroy in the end.
Finley's father didn't return home for the remainder of the summer, and he didn't see her off onto the Hogwarts Express either. Finley's mother did that alone. Mrs. Pride was quite sore over what had happened, but Finley could tell that her mother was trying hard not to pass the blame onto her. She wasn't sure why, because as far as Finley was concerned, it was ALL her fault that everything had fallen apart.
A few days after arriving at Hogwarts, Finley learned that her parents were officially separated and in the process of getting a divorce. That was surprising enough, but what was even more shocking was the letter that arrived from Leroy! He had never written to her at Hogwarts before because he'd not known it existed. The letter he sent her arrived with an owl, which was something he wrote about extensively: Owls as mail carriers! Brilliant!
The biggest news of all was that Finley's father had shown up at the orphanage after a few days of depositing Leroy there and asked if he wanted to be adopted. And the rest was history. Leroy, a truly Muggle boy far too old for any normal family to consider adopting him, had finally found his forever home––and with Finley's father, no less!
Finley told Phoebus and Eirene everything. Needless to say, Eirene was very shocked to learn that what she thought based on the prophecy about Finley's parents was wrong. Eirene was never wrong!
Now at the Quidditch Trials, Finley did her best to focus on earning back her spot as chaser on the Gryffindor team, but it was hard. Phoebus was also trying out. He'd put his name on the list for all positions. Currently, he was playing chaser for the opposing team.
Phoebus fumbled the quaffle. In a flash, all three of the opposing chasers swooped in for the recovery. Finley emerged victorious and shot out from the cluster to meet Oliver Towneley at the opposing goal hoops. Oliver's beater teammates worked hard to unseat Finley, and eventually she was forced to pass the quaffle to one of her teammates. Between Charlotte Stratford and Kaycee Sickleby, Charlotte was in better field position. Finley lobbed the quaffle at her and Charlotte caught it easily, continuing on the path towards Oliver.
Before Charlotte could even get in scoring range, though, one of the seekers caught the snitch. Finley, not even noticing whether her team "won" or "lost" the scrimmage match, touched down and went to the water cooler for something to drink. She only had a moment's notice before being called up to participate in the next scrimmage match, though.
(Asher) Injuries Abound
Author: Jolyon
Date: 09-16-18 16:32
Before the trials, Asher had bumped into Alys in the Great Hall. Although he'd seen her around Hogwarts since term began, he'd not talked to her since that day at the music shoppe in Hogsmeade. He'd wanted to thank her for helping him find a guitar teacher, though any future private instruction would have to wait until Asher could leave the Hogwarts grounds. In the meantime, Asher practiced using self-instruction, and he was seriously considering joining Professor Flitwick's music club. He just wanted to get better at guitar, and unless there was a spell for that, he knew he had to get in all the practice he could.
It was after mentioning all that that Alys surprised him by offering to meet with him to practice. She didn't play the guitar herself, but she did play a stringed-instrument, the fiddle, and she could probably help him out if he was interested. He was, and they agreed to meet in one of the smaller classrooms outside the music room, which Professor Flitwick let his music students use for private practice. The plan was to get together later this afternoon, unless Asher got injured during the Quidditch Trials and had to go to the Hospital Wing instead. Since Alys was planning on watching the tryouts, she said she would know whether or not they were still on without him having to tell her anything.
Now Asher was at the Pitch in the role of beater, the only position he was interested in playing for Slytherin. With it being his seventh year, he'd be awfully sore if he didn't get his old position back, but then again, this year was supposed to be an extra busy one. He had NEWTs to worry about, and then there were his Team Delta Echo meetings and band practice. He'd probably need a Time Turner to get it all done.
After warm-ups and drills, Asher sat out several scrimmages before finding himself in his first one. Very quickly, he found himself chasing after an opposing chaser driving the quaffle all the way to his team's goal hoops. Asher fired off a bludger at the chaser, but it wasn't needed. His own team's keeper effectively blocked the goal attempt and then chucked the quaffle at a chaser on Asher's team. That chaser sailed past every obstacle, only to be forced to give up the quaffle when both bludgers converged on him simultaneously. Asher had tried to intercept one or both but hadn't been near enough to do either. He was, however, in a position to return the favor.
Asher whacked the bludger at the chaser now in possession of the quaffle and grinned when he heard a sickening crack. He was pretty sure he'd just broken the little girl's forearm. The look of pain and horror on her face was priceless. A big timeout was called, and then it was decided that the scrimmage might as well end.
Asher waited around for a bit, threw a look up into the stands, and found himself looking at Alys. She was sitting next to one of her many siblings, the pretty one who talked too much. Asher redirected his attention when his name was called up for the next scrimmage match.
As soon as the match began, Asher shot off like a rocket for the nearest bludger. He connected with it and once again found himself grinning, when the bludger made contact dead center in the chest of another seventh year player who was trying out for the first time. Bet the guy regretted that decision now! He seemed far better off than the little girl from the earlier match, though, so the match continued.
Asher turned his broomstick around to follow the flow of the quaffle, discovered a good opportunity and hoped that his timing was perfect. He hit a bludger and watched as it struck somebody's bicep, knocking the quaffle free. All the chasers converged on it, and somebody came out with a black eye thanks to the nose of somebody else's broomstick. Injuries were great unless they happened to you, thought Asher to himself.
So Close (Leo)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 09-16-18 18:23
Leo scrubs a hand down his face. For some reason he'd not slept well Friday night. The initial adrenaline of taking part in the trials got him through the first few hours this morning but now he's starting to flag. He hopes his tiredness doesn't start affecting his performance.
He looks around at the faces of those who will be his teammates in the next scrimmage up. As a seeker it's not as important for him to lock in who's who each scrimmage but it does help knowing who the beaters are and it's nice to be able to call out to a chaser to duck or swerve or whatever if a bludger is headed the chaser's way.
The current match ends and within seconds those players have cleared off and Leo and the ones in the next game are at mid-pitch waiting for the signal to take to the air. They don't have long to wait. As the chasers converge on the quaffle and the beaters go after the two bludgers Leo and the other seeker begin the search for the snitch. They'd seen it when it was released but rapidly lost sight of it.
Leo starts out somewhat high, the bulk of the action on a plane below. He can see off to one side the other seeker darting around a beater, Douglas Dippet he believes, who's coming up on a bludger, bat arcing back to make the hit.
Catching sight of something golden winking in the sunlight Leo zeroes in on it. Arriving where he thought it was coming from he finds nothing. Probably just a trick of light then. As the game progresses below him, the other team making a goal, Leo moves to the boundary of the pitch then glides in a shallow dive to a lower elevation, eyes constantly scanning.
He turns to cross the width of the pitch when the other seeker suddenly surges past. Following that player's flight path Leo tries to determine whether the snitch is involved but sees nothing. Apparently the other seeker now sees nothing as well because she decelerates then stops altogether.
Leo flies even lower, skimming the ground, all to aware of the scrimmage's allotted time ticking down. Another glint of something catches his eye. Angling towards whatever it is, Leo squints as if that will help him get a better look. The snitch comes into sharp focus, bringing a smile to Leo's lips.
He increases his speed slightly, drawing nearer the winged ball. It darts towards him then slowly moves away. He lays low over his broom, aware now that the other seeker is almost parallel with him. A bludger sails past the tips of their brooms. Leo stretches one arm out, reaching for the snitch. The other seeker is doing the same. Leo's fingers brush the snitch and as he starts closing them around the small ball a whistle blows signaling the end of the scrimmage.
Snitch in hand, Leo groans in frustration. He may have caught the snitch but the actual capture came after the whistle. Still, he had it in hand more or less so that should count for something.
Snitch (Sylvestor)
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 09-17-18 14:21
Sylvestor and a boy whose name he's not bothered to remember, Bert something or something bert. Makes him think of Bertie Nutcombe who is actually an Albert. Bertram? Hubert? Bartram maybe? Sylvestor shrugs. Doesn't matter. If the firstie makes it on whatever team he's trying for then Sylvestor will learn the kid's name. He and Sylvestor are both near one set of stands searching for the snitch.
Sort of annoying that the kid came over simply because it's where Sylvestor is searching. Seems he goes wherever Sylvestor does. Sylvestor angles away from the stands toward the center of the pitch, flying a few feet above the ground. Sure enough here comes the firstie.
Above, one of the McCourt girls scores for the team she and Sylvestor are on. Belinda. She's cute but then if he's being honest with himself so are Sophie and Eileen. And all three are into Quidditch through he doesn't remember seeing Sophie in any scrimmages so far today. Sort of odd but he thinks she's a seventh year this time so maybe she's not trying out because she wants to focus on NEWTs or something. Personally, Sylvestor can't imagine giving up Quidditch just to get in extra study time.
Sylvestor and Who-bert come to a stop as a foul is called. Sylvestor takes the lull to hiss, "Stop copying me."
"Just looking for the snitch."
"Whatever. Stay out of my way."
A foul shot is taken but the keeper is able to the shot. Regular play resumes. It's then that Sylvestor spots the snitch. With Who-bert right there he has no way of being secretive so he doesn't bother with being stealthy or subtle. Rocking his broom forward, Sylvestor stretches out, gaining on the snitch.
Startled, Who-bert does nothing at first then springs into action. He catches up to Sylvestor but can't pull past him. His reach is also shorter than the older, taller Sylvestor.
The snitch climbs with the two seekers right behind. When it looks like they'll run straight into one of the beaters, the snitch hops over the girl while Sylvestor veers left and Who-bert goes right. He sees a bludger heading his way from the side and rolls to avoid it. Who-bert isn't so lucky. He hears it solidly hit the younger boy. Either a beater on Sylvestor's team hoped Sylvestor would avoid the bludger or one of Who-bert's teammates may have just caused their team to lose.
Not may have. Has. With great satisfaction Sylvestor's hand wraps around the snitch. Just in time too. The scrimmage was in its last minute. On the ground Sylvestor turns the snitch over to one of the referees so it can be reset or whatever they do to the scrimmage snitches for use again.
Locating Fitzwilliam, trying out for any position he can get, Sylvestor hopes there's still time left for him to be called for another scrimmage or three.
(Malden) Trying Out
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 09-17-18 18:15
Malden threw the quaffle at Kaycee Sickleby. She zoomed off towards the white team's hoops with Ruth Lynam right behind her. Ruth wanted to steal the quaffle straight from Kaycee's arms, but she wasn't experienced enough to even try. Kaycee ended up passing the ball to Gerry Martini-Blackwell, who passed it to Malden, who threw it back to Kaycee. Ruth followed the exchange closely, but she couldn't detect any sort of pattern.
Malden had the quaffle when the pack got within scoring range. He fired at one of the hoops, but Eileen McCourt blocked with a quick lunge and outstretched arms. Malden recovered the quaffle and started to throw again, when a bludger grazed his forehead. He jerked backwards and lost the quaffle to Ruth, but she barely kept possession of it before Gerry yanked it straight from her arms.
Malden, meanwhile, touched his fingers to his head. The bludger hadn't hit him very hard, but it was enough to draw blood. He made a face, wiped his fingers on the leg of his trousers, and then shoved his way between Gerry and one of the other white-vested chasers.
A little while later, the match ended and Malden touched down to get a drink and check the status of his wound. It wasn't bad, but he needed a serious shower. Not only was his hairline and forehead caked with blood, but he was sweaty too.
He glanced up into the stands and gave Arielle a thumbs up. She had come to watch him and possibly Asher try out. Malden was glad for her support, but he really wished she would stop harassing him about his new band. He couldn't very well tell her the truth about why she couldn't join in, or then he'd probably have to kill her. He turned away, grimacing, and waited for his name to be called again.
When it was his turn, Malden found himself chasing after Chloe Campbell, who managed to get the quaffle at tipoff. After a while, Chloe attempted a pass to Will Wentworth, but the quaffle was intercepted by Malden himself. He shot the ball at Chip Winters, but Chip didn't get too far before Chloe stole the quaffle right back. The scrimmage match continued in the same vein until the whistle sounded, with each team vying for possession of the quaffle and neither being able to keep it for long.
The Trials
Author: Saffron
Date: 09-17-18 18:59
Rex takes his place in front of one set of hoops. At the other end of the pitch his cousin Wallace gets into position in front of the other hoops. Rex is hoping to retain his position as Hufflepuff team keeper. Wallace doubts he'll make the Slytherin team as he's only a first year and doesn't have much experience with playing on a full team. Until starting at Hogwarts all the pick up type games he'd been in never had seven per team.
The balls are released and at his end of the pitch Rex cheers on the trio who are his team's chasers this scrimmage. He knows Cornington Marchbanks well and knows Charlotte Stratford from having played against her. Augusta Rushworth is a Gryffindor but is a fifth year like he is. He's not as familiar with the two beaters, both either first or second years as is the seeker. At the other end of the pitch Wallace is thinking how odd it is that the last scrimmage he played he was familiar with several people on his team but this time he doesn't know any of them.
Charlotte first gains control of the quaffle, getting it about a third of the way to the hoops when she passes to Cornington. A beater from Wallace's team slams a bludger into Cornington's leg. Another chaser uses that moment to try and steal but can't get to the quaffle. Seconds later Cornington passes to Augusta who almost immediately sends it on to Charlotte.
All too soon for Wallace they are in front of him, as the Stratford girl charges toward him with quaffle in hand he wonders if she's related to the Stratford who is in his year and house, Sophia. This one, Charlotte, whom he knows is also in Slytherin but older, throws to his left. Wallace jerks his broom that way, one hand straining to block the ball. He sends the quaffle back into the fray. The Rushworth girl nearly has it but a beater on Wallace's team assists with a bludger allowing a chaser called Sanjay to grab it.
Sanjay and the other two chasers on Wallace's team work the quaffle down the pitch. They've nearly gotten it to Rex when Cornington intercepts. Cornington brings his broom around only to be met by a bludger to the chest. He fumbles the quaffle. Charlotte and Augusta try to get it but it's Sanjay with it once more.
Sanjay still has the quaffle when he and the other chasers reach Rex. Sanjay hurls the ball but Rex slaps it back. One of the other chasers on that team grabs it, quickly sending it back toward the hoops. Gripping his broom tightly with one hand he throws himself to the left to catch the quaffle with his other hand.
Tossing it to Charlotte to put it back into play, Rex doesn't relax until the quaffle is once again in front of Wallace. During the scrimmage Wallace only lets the quaffle get by him once while Rex doesn't let a shot get past him at all this time around.
In the scrimmage that follows Kurt is a beater on one team with Douglas Hyland as the other beater. Douglas would love to make the team as a first year but with Kurt who's played several years now and someone named Noah who was also on the team last year, Douglas isn't going to hold is breath. He's mainly trying out today for the experience and because it's fun.
As soon as the scrimmage begins Douglas goes after one bludger while Kurt goes after the other. And older Ravenclaw, Ector, is after the same one Douglas wants. Douglas lets him have it then scurries after, getting in front of the bludger to redirect it, batting it on a trajectory to hit the chaser with the quaffle.
That chaser avoids Douglas's bludger only to be hit by the one hit by Kurt. This allows another chaser to snatch up the quaffle. As that chaser is one Douglas's and Kurt's team, they try to get to the bludgers to help her move the quaffle down the pitch. Ector once more gets to a bludger before Douglas but again Douglas goes after it. Reaching the bludger he swings around, sending the bludger to a chaser harassing the current quaffle holder.
The chasers on Kurt's team get the quaffle to the hoops. He's able to send a bludger at the keeper just before one of the chasers throws the quaffle in a goal attempt. The bludger assist works and the keeper isn't able to fully stop the quaffle. It's not quite on the same course as the chaser had sent it on and it's wobbling but it passes through the hoop, giving Kurt's and Douglas's team a goal.
Before Douglas knows it, the scrimmage is ending. Each one he's been in has gone by way too fast. He wonders if an actual match is the same, going by in a blink.
On the sidelines earlier Bran had asked Adiran, "Why aren't you trying out?"
"I was going to but my stomach is queasy today for some reason. Don't want to get up there and hurl on everyone."
"Can't blame you."
Also sitting out because of a sour stomach is CJ DeMarco. He really wanted to try out, though with no hope of actually making his house's team, but his stomach is so touch several times he's had to stop watching everyone flying about or risk losing what little breakfast he ate.
Jordan Blackthorn had felt a little queasy Thursday and Friday but this morning seemed fine. Now, after a full day out here, his stomach is starting to feel strange again. As he's now in the middle of another scrimmage he hopes it's just a matter of having had too much to drink right before this match began.
The quaffle is thrown to him by a teammate so he tucks it in close, dodging around one of the other team's chasers. He weaves around another chaser and a beater, slowing when he gets within goal range. Just as he goes to throw a bludger conks him in the shoulder. His arm lurches and his hand lets go of the quaffle but it's off course from where he'd intended. Thankfully, one of his team's other chaser grabs up the ball then throws in hopes of scoring.
The keeper stops the ball, sending it back from the hoops. Jordan reaches for it but one of the other chasers, playing overly aggressively, literally shoves him aside to take possession of the quaffle. A foul is called, one that gives Jordan the quaffle and a chance to score a goal with only the keeper to worry about.
As he's debating where to send the quaffle Bran, also in this match, has stopped because of the foul. He's impatient to get going as there by the bristles of one of the rival beater's brooms is something shiny. Jordan takes his shot, somehow getting it by the keeper who had no other distractions. Jordan is elated while Bran is annoyed. As soon as everyone kicked back into action the shiny whatever vanished.
Bran nonchalantly glides near that beater, checking out the end of the broom, seeing if the broom has any spangly bits. No. Nothing. Bloody hell that was the snitch! He just knows it. Where would it have gone? Acting as though he's doing a regular search Bran closely scans the area around where the beater had been.
There!
Bran homes in on the glint of gold. Unfortunately, the other seeker figures out about then what he's up to and comes rushing over. That in turn draws the attention of one of the beaters, one who happens to be on the other seeker's team. The snitch takes off with both seekers after it and the one beater sending a bludger Bran's way.
The snitch climbs then dives, climbs then dives. Bran and the other seeker follow along, crowding each other but without either of them committing a foul. Bran has just edged past the other seeker to reach for the snitch when a shrill sound pierces their ears. The whistle ending the scrimmage. Blowing out air in frustration, Bran exchanges a that's how it goes look with the other seeker before saying, "We gave it a good try."
On the ground again, he locates Kurt to sit with, grumbling now about how close he'd come to having the snitch this time.
Bertie But Not Libby In The Trials
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 09-18-18 18:04
As the reason Bertie had participated in the Quidditch trials last year he was shocked when Libby chose not to take part this time around. This morning, sitting down in the stands next to Edwina to watch she'd shrugged when something was said. "That was last year."
Bertie had looked blankly at Edwina, shrugged as well then exited the stand to join those on the ground waiting for the first portion of the trials, the warm-ups and drills. He was sweating by the time the scrimmages began and was glad not to be called for the first one. In his thinking the first scrimmage would have the attention of everyone at the pitch and if he played in it he'd be certain to make some massive error, such as score three goals but put the quaffle through the wrong hopes and have the points count for the other team. Or he'd be assigned as beater but somehow catch the snitch.
When Bertie finally was called the first time it was as a beater. He was pleased when he kept hold of the bat the entire match. He had visions of somehow letting it go flying, conking someone in the stands - most likely someone like Professor Snape - and being kicked out of the trials as a result. But, no. He'd done passably well. He'd wielded the bat in a manner that had bludgers going where he sent them, even if they didn't always hit the intended target. He can't help that the targets slow down or speed up or change course. He also had no control over another beater taking over a bludger he'd hit and redirecting it. While annoying, that is part of the game and Bertie did it a few times himself.
The next time Bertie was tapped for a scrimmage it was as seeker - he signed up for three positions. In that match he'd seen the snitch four times. Four! And in such a short amount of time. The first time he saw it he'd given chase only to have a bludger bonk him on the shoulder. He wouldn't have thought a small hit like that would distract him enough to lose sight of the snitch but it had. Good thing was the other seeker hadn't caught on yet that he was after it.
Second time the other seeker was giving chase when Bertie joined in. They'd climbed and climbed then dived almost straight down until both, worried about crashing full tilt into the ground, peeled away. Coming back level neither could find it. They'd nearly flown into each other while trying to figure out where the snitch had gone.
Third time Bertie spotted it the snitch was clear across the pitch from him. By the time he got over to where he'd seen it, the snitch was gone again.
Fourth time he saw the snitch the little winged ball had flown almost straight into his face. Bertie had jerked back blinking in surprise. He quickly recovered and reached out for it but it flitted away. Bertie gave chase with the other seeker soon joining in. They zigged and zagged all over the pitch only to have time called for the scrimmage before either could catch the darned thing.
In the third scrimmage he played Bertie was in as chaser. He did not, as feared, score for the other team, thank Merlin. In fact, he did not score at all. He did try. Several times. He'd shoot the quaffle at a hoop only to have the keeper stop the ball. He'd feel worse about his lack of scoring but for the fact no one else did for either team the entire match.
After playing once in each position he'd signed up for, Bertie played each position in at least one more scrimmage. Sitting now on the sidelines, with the daylight almost gone, he doubts he'll be called again so will just enjoy watching what matches there are left.
Gerry and Gareth Try Out
Author: Gerry
Date: 09-18-18 18:36
Gerry scowled when Daphne swooped in and stole the quaffle before her twin Emily could complete a pass to her fellow white-vested chaser. He turned his broom abruptly and darted after Daphne, eager to reclaim the ball before she could get within scoring range. Daphne ended up passing the quaffle to Belinda. Gerry saw his opening then and swooped in to steal the ball back for the white team.
He didn't get very far, though, because Tessa nailed him in the shoulder with a bludger. Gerry managed to keep his grip on the quaffle, but it wasn't very firm, allowing Belinda to lift the red ball straight from his arms. She tore across the Pitch. Several times, Daphne indicated she was open to receive the ball, but Belinda ignored her and plowed on. Fortunately, the scrimmage match ended before she could score.
The second time Gerry participated in a scrimmage match, he found himself playing chaser with his brother in the same position for the other team. Just like last year, Gareth had thrown his name in the running for all positions. He wasn't picky. He just wanted to be on the team.
Gerry was the first to get his hands on the quaffle. He charged to the goals but quickly found himself hemmed in by the other chasers, his brother included, and then a bludger also had him in its sights. Gerry made to throw the quaffle at his Gryffindor teammate Finley, but a bludger courtesy of Conrad and one Gerry did not see coming clipped the bristles of his broomsticks, causing him to wobbly slightly and lose his focus.
Before Gerry could maintain his hold on the quaffle, the second bludger hit the ball and sent it spiraling straight into Gareth's arms. Gareth spun and darted away, entering scoring range within seconds. He fired the quaffle at the center hoop, but the keeper knocked the red ball back into the fray.
Gerry had caught up to the others, having no obvious damage to his broom, and was glad to see that Finley had caught the rebound. Finley turned and threw the quaffle at him. Gerry put on an extra burst of speed, closing the distance on the other hoops, and fired away. The keeper there was a novice and had no chance of stopping his goal attempt. It was almost too easy.