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(Sadie) The Sprint
Author: Griet
Date: 04-07-07 14:10
Sadie Mickle clutched her broom nervously, wishing her parents would have allowed her to buy a brand new, top of the line broom instead of forcing her to use one of the school's old Cleansweeps. Some of them were better than others, and none of them were particularly terrible. She just knew that someone with a better broom would probably be able to outfly her. Luckily, Sadie was quite small for her age and didn't weigh very much, so the lack of wind resistance coupled with her weight would help her.
The three judges, Lawson Jones, Demeter Perseopolis and Han Oh sat in the staff box, each at a small table spread out an equal distance. It was Viktor Krum who spoke to the crowd. He welcomed everyone to the Broom Racing SAT event and set about explaining the four events they would see that day. First would be the Sprint, then the Long Distance, then Obstacle 1 followed by Obstacle 2. Sadie would be participating only in the Sprint.
Among the 10 students in Group 1, which consisted of students between the ages of 11 and 12, 5 would participate in the first preliminary round and 5 would participate in the second preliminary round. Names were drawn from what looked remarkably like the Quidditch Cup to decide who would participate in which round. Sadie drew for the second round.
The five students participating in the first heat mounted their brooms and flew to the starting position. They were to follow a track marked in the sky within the boundaries of the Pitch. Coach Krum held his wand aloft and said, "Ready! Set!" And in place of "Go," a sound similar to gunfire erupted from his wand. The five students took off like a shot and flew around the track, some neck and neck with each other. It ended nearly as quickly as it started.
Sadie mounted her broom as the other flyers came down to the ground. She flew up with the other students in the second heat and waited at the starting line for Viktor Krum's signal.
"Ready! Set! BANG!"
Sadie took off, urging her broomstick forwards. She flattened her body to the shaft, hoping to make herself propel faster through the air. Some of the other students had the advantage in that their brooms were a lot better then hers, but she was still making excellent time despite her shortcomings. She silently willed herself to go faster and faster and somehow managed to snake past two of the flyers who were ahead of her. She came to the finish line in second place.
The judges quickly set about announcing which seven flyers would commence to the final round. Sadie was delighted to hear her name among them. The others were Cayetano Páez, Iver Kjærgaard, Adrien Turcotte, Veronica Diaz, Molly Carter and Jeb Walker. The final seven took their places at the starting line. At BANG!, Sadie tore off again around the track. She started off slower than most of the others but managed to pull ahead until she again finished in second behind Cayetano but in front of Iver.
She broke out into a huge smile. She'd just won second place in the Sprint for Group 1!
Groups 2, 3, and 4: The Sprint
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 04-07-07 15:05
Down on the ground the Group 1 Sprint winners were receiviing their trophies and getting pictures made. Up above the draw was being made to determine the two preliminary heats for Group 2, the 12 to 13 year olds. When things are ready, Viktor calls for the first prelim racers to the start, in a statistical improbablity, the second heat is all girs.
"Jaime Barreiro, Hestrie de Vries, Beovulf Haaken, Adnan Hafidha, Edward Smythe, Seth Thompson, and Francis Yao."
On a large board the names appear along with the schools each participant is from. Viktor looks to the judges then to the seven boys. "Ready! Set!," Viktor holds his wand up and the loud starter bang is emitted.
The boys take off in a tight pack but in the mere seconds to the first turn the pack is breaking up. They all know that it's having the lowest time that is important. Finishing first or even second in the heat might mean nothing if everyone in the other heat is faster. It's all over so quickly that anyone who blinnked as the racers sped across the finish line missed seeing who was in front.
Calling the second heat racers to their marks, Viktor can't help but wish he were there speeding alongside the contestents in each race. "Carlotta Callovay, Graziana Galanti, Valentina Marek, Aimée Martel, Vilma Nighthorse, Mercedes Peñalver."
They're off, just as determined as those from heat 1. When it's over, times are compared and Viktor is soon calling back those with the seven fastest times for the final heat.
"Beovulf Haaken, Graziana Galanti, Adnan Hafidha, Valentina Marek, Vilma Nighthorse, Brittany Taylor, and Francis Yao,."
Viktor gets them on their marks and with the loud starting bang the final heat for Group 2 is underway. At the finish line it's Adnan Hafidha and Valentina Marek so neck and neck that the judges have to look at slow motion replay. Beovulf Haaken is undeniably in third.
Judge Demeter Perseopolis announces the decision of the judge's panel. "Valentine Marek wins by a nose. Literally! Adnan Hafidha takes second. Congratulations on an excellent race!"
When the time comes a short while later for the first heat for the 13 to 14 year old age group, Group 3, the seven at the starting line are Gustave Lakatos, James Lennox, Julissa Lopez, Sébastian Martin, Blaine Rookwood, Catherine Scott, and Keiko Yamashita. They're a blur going around the track, giving yet another thrilling race to watch. Their counterparts in the second heat don't disappoint either. That heat is made up of Mark Edwards, Ezra Gilbreath, Hannibal Kituba, Antoinette Levitte, Gunther Maier, Cornelius Olmetti, and Hans Stellenbosch.
The Group 3 final seven are Ezra Gilbreath, Hannibal Kituba, Julissa Lopez, Blaine Rookwood, Catherine Scott, Hans Stellenbosch, and Keiko Yamashita. It's a very close race but not like the final for Group 2. Viktor wishes at least one of his had placed in the top three but he's still very pleased to announce third place to Ezra Gilbreath, second to Hannibal Kituba, and first to Keiko Yamashita.
The Group 4 contestants wait on the pitch out of the way of trophy presentations and pictures, waiting to be called to a heat. Judge Han Oh hands Viktor the sheet of parchment with the preliminary heat breakdown on it. Viktor calls to the aerial track, "Noel Blanc, Alponse Dumonde, Curtis Fiennes, Alexei Fyodorov, Susana Jardim , Shaun McHenry, and Andrew Robinson."
Before he knows it, Viktor's calling the remaining 14-15 year olds for the second of the preliminary heats. "Dante Galler, Amanda Harris, Jure Ljubomir, Hideko Morokuma, Pita Mvouba, Nala Noor, and Isabel Parker."
From the two Group 4 preliminary heats, the seven with the fastest times are announced to be, "Alponse Dumonde, Curtis Fiennes, Dante Galler, Jure Ljubomir, Hideko Morokuma, Pita Mvouba, and Andrew Robinson."
Hogwarts is once again shut out but Viktor can tell that Isabel and Curtis had a grand time, which is the main thing. The third place finisher is Hideko Morokuma. Second goes to Alponse Dumonde and the Group 4 sprinter with the fastest time in the final heat is Pita Mvouba.
Group 5's Three Sprint Heats
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 04-07-07 16:44
****Co-written with Emerald Green****
Sage joins the other 15 to 16 year olds, all waiting to learn which of the two preliminary heats they are in. Emerald Green comes to stand by him, a queasy look marring her face.
"You all right?" he asks.
"Sort of. I'm very nervous," Emerald says, patting her stomach.
Sage puts his hand on her back and gives a pat. "Try looking at this as nothing but fun. Maybe that will help."
"I'll try." Emerald gives Sage a weak smile.
Emerald doesn't mention that she's tried looking at this race that way for days now. It hasn't helped her nervousness one bit. Emerald wishes she'd been flying longer. Many of these people were born knowing all about flying and probably all had flying lessons around the ages of 11, give or take a year. Some probably even learned to fly before that.
Sage nudges Emerald on the arm. "First heat is being announced."
When Sage's name is one of the ones for the first preliminary, he gives Emerald another pat on the back. "All this will be over faster than you can think about. That's a good thing because the less you have time to think, the better you'll do."
Sage leaves Emerald to join Gregoire Martin of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, both the La Escuela de Hechiceria sprinters Lucrécia Ribeiro and Hidalgo Kahlo, Corne van der Merwe from Okapi École de Sorcellerie, and the two Watling's Wizarding Academy participants Javier Higuero and Blair Silverman. They line up in the order their names were drawn so Sage finds himself the second person from the outside. He can feel the tension eminating down the line as all seven of them anticipate the loud bang that Coach Krum will fire off from his wand.
Hidalgo Kahlo suddenly shoots forward. Two of the others start moving at seeing him move but the others hold the line. Hidalgo, Blair, and Corne are chastise for the false start and warned that they will be disqualified. They sheepishly retake their starting positions, giving apologetic looks to the other four. Everyone tenses up again.
This time all wait, though it's hard not to dart forward. The starting gun bang sound is give and they are off! Sage bolts forward, finds himself jostled by Lucrécia on his left side. Sticking his elbow out at the same time he lies low over his broom handle, Sage pulls from of her. He surges past others in a blur, Sage reminding himself to breath. When he reaches the finish line in what seems both like only seconds and like a lifetime, Sage knows at least one person was ahead of him but didn't see who.
One the ground Emerald cranes her neck to cheer Sage on, thinking it seems a little odd to be staring up at a line of racers. From below, it looks to Emerald as though it's Javier Higuero just ahead of Sage but it's hard to tell.
Emerald doesn't have much time to wonder because she's got to get up to the starting mark for the second preliminary heat. From the inside of the track there's Rona Seidler, Afanasiia Romanova, Mahmood Khalid, Emerald, Louella Baker, Théodore Landry, and then Farai Gazini on the outside. Emerald isn't sure how she feels about being smack in the middle of the field. To her it seems like that increases her chances of getting caught up in the pack and being unable to move away.
When the start is given, Emerald tries to block out those on either side of her. The concentrates on propelling herself forward as fast as she's able. With three people on either side of her, Emerald can well understand why some horses run better with blinders on. Blinders are far less distracting!
Just as Sage said, the race is over so quickly, Emerald barely has time to think about it. She didn't cross first but she did much better than she'd anticipated. Now to see how her time stacks up against the other thirteen.
Rejoining Sage on the ground, they wait with baited breath for the seven top times to be announced for the final heat. Sage's name is the second one called, right after that of Javier Higuero. Also called are Lucrécia Ribeiro, Mahmood Khalid, Gregoire Martin, Afanasiia Romanova, and Emerald's. Sage claps her on the back as Emerald's mouth drops open in shock.
"Come on. We've got another race to run," Sage grins at her.
Remounting her broom, Emerald follows the chuckling Sage up to the starting line. This time Emerald is on the outside while Sage is the second from the inside. Couch Krum makes sure no one's over their marks, then proclaims, "Ready! Set! Go!" He yells Go at the same time he fires off his wand.
Sage starts off this time stretched lean over his broom. He gets off well, no tangling up this time. On the outside, Emerald finds she likes the position better. It's easier to pretend she's not right alongside others in a sprint to the finish line.
Emerald is so focused on just flying as fast as she can, as cleanly as she can, that she doesn't see who finished ahead or behind if anyone did come in after her that is. Sage had been neck and neck with Lucrécia but managed a surge at the very end. He's certain he was first over the line but is trying to contain his excitement until the official results are given.
Back on the ground, they wait looking upwards at the judges and Coach Krum. When Emerald's name is announced for third, her mouth drops open in shock again as Sage whoops loudly with glee, clapping her heartily on the back. Then when Lucrécia Ribeiro's name is announced for second, Sage whoops even louder for joy almost so loud that he nearly misses hearing, "In first place, from Hogwarts, Sage Porter!"
Emerald grabs Sage in a hug and together they do a little jig before composing themselves for the awards presentation.
Depressed
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 04-07-07 19:11
Sitting in the backyard, slumped down, arms crossed, Harry looks as though he's pouting. In a way, he is. Harry's just come from St. Mungo's to see Bill. His friend isn't doing any better. In fact, Bill's worse. Harry knows without a doubt that having Ron and Charlie missing still isn't helping Bill's spirits in the slightest and that being upset or depressed can hinder a person's recovery.
The fact that Ron and Charlie are missing without a single clue definately has Harry depressed. It's to the point that if he doesn't watch himself, he snaps at others, is impatient, and just in a general, all around foul mood. Harry's gone over and over what little is known, trying to make some connection between the disappearance of his friends and the attack on Bill.
One of the major questions is why would Khalid Adallah cause two of the brothers to vanish, then attack Bill as he did, yet so far do nothing to Percy, or any of the others for that matter? If Khalid Adallah was behind Ron and Charlie disappearing, was it to make Bill suffer more? Are the two indicidents, or three really when considering that Ron and Charlie vanished separately and hours apart, even connected?
Harry, like others, has pretty much concluded that the disappearance of the two brothers isn't connected to Bill and the attack on hiim by Khalid Adallah. Harry also figures that Adallah hasn't made any known efforts against Percy, if he has any plans to, because he's waiting for Percy not to be expecting anything.
One thing Harry is fairly certain of, Bitchatrix Lestrange isn't behind Ron and Charlie going missing. She would have killed them and left them to show off what she'd done. At least Harry thinks that's how it would be anyway. He shudders to think of what she'd be doing to Ron and Charlie for a week now if she does have them and has them alive.
Sighing and slumping further in his seat, Harry tries to remember when he last felt this useless.
Group 6's Sprint
Author: Thessily
Date: 04-07-07 19:46
I stood on the edge of the field a little away from the rest of Group six. I was shaking from head to foot I was so scared. If it wasn’t for Krystal I would have probably never walked up to the group. I knew I wasn’t going to win. I probably wasn’t even going to place. But this was something I had to do.
“ Go on Thessily. The worst that could happen is you don’t place.” Krystal said softly.
I looked at her. That was the problem. I thought as I gripped my broom. I wasn’t going to place. I walked up over to the group and stood in the line.
Within minutes I was up in the air. I kept telling myself to concentrate. I had to concentrate. Think about nothing but the race. I told myself as I flew by a few of the racers. I felt the wind in my hair and pushed further through the race....
Before I knew it, I was catching up to the top racers and then the race ended. We landed on the ground. I had to blink a few times. The world felt like it was still spending. And I could still feel the wind up against my hair.
Thessily, Thessily!” Kyrstal’s voice broke me out of my day dream. “ You placed in the top seven. Didn’t you hear them call your name?”
“ I.. I what?” I asked staring at Krystal. Finally coming out of the daze I had been in through the whole race. I couldn't remembered most of the race. All I remembered was passing the others. And telling myself I had to concentrate.
“ Placed in the top seven!” She said happily and hugged me.
I had placed in the top ranks? I had actually placed? I hadn’t failed like I thought I was going too? I let out a huge breath of relief.
“ Oh my gosh I cant believe I placed in the top ranks!” I cried suddenly as it all sunk in. I didn’t win. But I had placed. I was so excited that I danced around with Krystal. “ This calls for a celebration!” I said smiling. “ Tonight we are going to have pumpkin juice and pumpkin bread and sweets and a good dinner! On me!” I said.
The Prophecy
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 04-07-07 20:09
Ethan had had to talk to a number of people in the Department of Mysteries before they finally allowed him to leave with the orb containing his prophecy. Since bringing it home, it sat on the mantle over the fireplace. Ethan looked at it often but couldn't quite bring himself to smash it yet. What if he didn't like what the prophecy said? What if he wasn't ready to hear what it said? What if he forgot the exact language the moment it stopped talking? What if, what if, what if?
The reality was, Ethan had waiting long enough to learn every last detail about his life. It almost seemed like a never-ending battle. Every time he answered one question, he found himself concerned with several more mysteries regarding his life. He knew full well that while hearing the prophecy would close one door, it would also open many others.
Ethan finally decided he shouldn't delay the inevitable any longer. After all, he truly did want to learn what it said. He strode purposefully towards the fireplace and lifted the orb from the mantle. He turned it over and over again in his hand, running his fingers over the smooth glass. Pulling his wand from his pocket, he pointed it at a quill and parchment on the coffee table and set them to copy down the dictation.
Then, after pocketing the wand, Ethan hurled the orb at the wall. It shattered into a million pieces, glass fragments showering to the wooden floor as the ghostly image of a woman emerged from the orb and said:
The Muggle-born from Bristol with three names will wield extraordinary power. His magical talent is unlike none before him. Where others bend to the will of those more powerful, he will use pure, innate strength to surpass all odds. For good, or for bad, he has the greatest of potential.
And with the last words falling from her lips, the woman disappeared.
Ethan remembered Hattie telling him that this woman had been a friend of hers. They'd been having lunch together when she prophesied what would occur. The woman no longer lived and now the shadow of herself was gone too.
Ethan turned away from the broken glass on the floor and went to the sofa. The quill had fallen limply onto the parchment. He brushed it away and picked up the parchment to read what had been written onto the page.
The Muggle-born from Bristol... yes, he'd been born there and was of Muggle parentage.
...with three names... Finn Towneley, Silas Emeric and Ethan Somerset.
...will wield extraordinary power. Ethan didn't think he was any bit more magically inclined than the next wizard, but then again, he had been the only member of Project 25 to break free of Voldemort's enchantment. Was that what the prophecy meant? That Ethan could break even the strongest bind over him?
Had Hattie found the prophecy so interesting because she could mold Ethan into the next big bad in the wizarding world? Was she disappointed that he hadn't chosen the darker path in life, and that he would rather pursue an honest life?
How had Hattie known that the prophecy spoke of him, though? His name is never mentioned and in the beginning, Ethan had had only one name. It was something to ponder, something he would ask Hattie the next time he visited Azkaban.
He lowered the parchment to the table and rose, pulling his wand from his pocket again to clean up the glass shards off the floor.
Now Isn't That Interesting?
Author: Forest
Date: 04-07-07 21:09
Gisela Quackenboss sits alone on one side of an interrogation table. Forest sits alone on the other side. Lisi and Indigo McFusty are watching and listening in another room, located on the other side of one way window.
Gisela's brow is deeply furrow as she meets Forest's stare straight on. "I don't understand. I've already talked to someone about Ron Weasley. Has he been found? Is he all right?"
Forest has to admit, the girl is good at acting. He smoothly replies, "Just some follow up questions, Miss Quackenboss. Sometimes having someone else follow in behind the initial work helps find something to move along a stalled case."
"Oh. I see. What is it you want to ask?"
"I realize you've answered certain questions before. I hope you'll bear with me on the repitition. When was the last time you saw Ron Weasley?"
Gisela screws up her face again. "I saw him in Diagon Alley a few times and once in Hogsmeade but I made sure he didn't see me. I knew it would make Ron angry."
Forest leans back, crossing his arms as though getting more comfortable. "Why would Mr. Weasley get angry with you?"
Gisela has the grace to blush. "I have been infatuated with Ron and I was, well, there is no way to sugar coat this as they say. I was guilty of stalking even though I hadn't meant to do that. One day when Ron told me enough and made it quite clear I was to stay away."
Forest asks another question and based on Gisela's responses formulates what he'll next ask. As far as he can tell, Gisela has no clue that her being picked up this morning and brought in was based on a sketch Lisi McFusty made. Those working the Charlie and Ron Weasley case instantly recognized Gisela from the sketch as someone initially deemed as being "of interest" to the case.
After Forest has had Gisela talking for close to an hour, he gets up and leaves on the excuse of getting her some refreshments. Stepping into the room where the McFustys are, Forest asks, "Anything?"
Lisi excitedly nods. "Tons. Her mind is a whirlwind of thoughts about Ron, many of them showing him in a room with a chain around his ankle. There's another woman as well. I've been sketching her."
Indi speaks up. "In my opinion the drawing is shaping up to very much resemble a former Astronomy professor at Hogwarts, Belladonna Sinistra."
Forest's eyebrows go up. Belladonna Sinistra is listed as an initial person of interest in the Charlie Weasley aspect of the case. He talks a little long with the two McFustys then goes out to tell someone to go bring Belladonna Sinistra in. Getting the promised refreshments, Forest then goes back into the interrogation room to talk more with Gisela Quackenboss.