|
|
That's Not Good (Alastor Jenkins)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 04-09-07 22:54
Alastor keeps chewing his lower lip while using the full ten minutes to inspect the obstacle course. He likes that he's second to go in the latter half of Group 1's round. The important things to remember about the course should still be fairly fresh on his mind.
The five in this half, the other four with Alastor being André Vincent, Jessica Miller, Jacob Harris, and Sonya Karlowitz, are given a thirty second warning. They reluctently return to the ground as their time runs out. Jessica, Jacob, Sonya, and Alastor return to the locker room with the green flag on the door and André goes to the starting gate.
The gate is really nothing but a magical illusion but Alastor thinks it's bloody cool looking. Even though just an illusion, when a flyer passes across it before the starting time counts down, one of the clocks being used for the event automatically begins counting. The time counted during the false start is added on to the flyer's overall time.
When Alastor is told it's his turn, he walks out of the locker room slowly. He wants his eyes fully adjusted to the brighter light outside before he takes his mark at the starting gate. When on his broom and in position, Alastor takes several deep breaths trying not to let the short wait left get to him.
At a series of obstacles around three-quarters of the way through the course, Alastor zags when he should have zigged. The obstacles are a set of what look like half-walls made of brick. The objective is to fly under one, immediately climb to fly over the next, go into a dive for the third then when coming out from under the third one, do a quick hop over a fourth.
Alastor forgot there was a fourth. Instead of pulling up as he cleared the third one, Alastor flew straight and hit that fourth wall. He didn't lose much time really in recovering and getting over the top of the fourth wall in the set but for the last quarter of the course, Alastor slowed way down from the speeds he'd been flying. His right arm and shoulder felt on fire and it was all Alastor could do to stay on his broom.
Alastor wanted to complete his turn. He also did NOT want to be remembered as the boy who cried on the course so his already chewed upon lower lip got chewed on a great deal more for the remainder of Alastor's time in the air. Once across the finish line, Alastor slumped over his broom with relief. Coach Krum helped Alastor make it safely to the ground. Aaron was there almost instantly to take Alastor to the hospital wing.
Seeing as how he ended up with a poor showing, and injured to boot, Alastor was very glad his parents hadn't been able to be there today. He was equally glad to have Aaron and other relatives there to make him feel better.
When Group 1 was entirely finished, at least one from Hogwarts did well. Olive Green took the first place spot with Domingos Ferreira winning second, and Napoleon Olivier earning third.
What A Rush (Wiggy)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 04-10-07 09:42
While Group 2 waits for the first seven to go out and inspect the verion of the obstacle course they will fly, Wiggy does something he very rarely does. He speaks to Cornelia Vanderbilt. It's not that Wiggy has anything against her being a Slytherin and him a Gryffindor. It's that Cornelia doesn't come across as the most sociable girl around. Nonetheless, being a good sport, Wiggy goes over to her.
"Good luck, Cornelia. Not that you need it. You've been bloody brilliant in practice."
The young witch looks cooly at Wiggy as though she knows he's spoken the truth. For all Wiggy knows, her demeanor is all a sham and her insides are as jumbled up right now as his are. "Thanks. Good luck to you too."
Wiggy returns to where he'd initially sat down and strikes up a conversation with the American Matthew Evans. They don't get to talk long about Quidditch versus Quidpot when the seven who will fly first are called. With Wiggy one of them and Matthew in the latter half of the event, they shake hands, wish each other luck, and Wiggy joins the other six going out to inspect the course.
Wiggy is third in line for this first half. When the ten minutes for the inspection are up, he heads to the other locker room where he and the five others waiting their turn for this half will be sequestered. There's not much chatter this time around because like Wiggy, the others appear to be going over the course in their heads so as not to forget what they learned of it on their ten minute inspection.
Wiggy's name is called. Swallowing hard to push down the lump in his throat, Wiggy lines himself up with the starting mark at the gate. He's off in a burst of speed, shooting straight forward to the first obstacle. That's followed by two spinning rings that aren't difficult to get through but if timing is off going through one to the other, the flyer will get at least one, if not two, time penalities.
Wiggy races as fast as he dares from one obstacle to the next, braking sharply when needed and at other times reducing speed at a slower pace before accelerating again. He watches going into each turn when too much speed could throw a person off course. Wiggy's favorite obstacle is a long tunnel entered high off the ground then swooped down through with it looking as though the ground is rushing up for a crash. Wiggy felt a real rush going through that one then exiting. It was sort of like going down a fast slide head first.
When Wiggy's completed the course, he's posted a really good time though it could have been better if not for the two time penalties he incurred from touching a wall obstacle with his foot and for grazing a ring with his shoulder.
The Joy Of Flying
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 04-10-07 14:27
Coco looks over the third obstacle for Group 5's Obstacle 2 course. With it fixed in her mind she moves on to the fourth obstacle. From there Coco goes to the fifth, sixth, seventh, and so on. She does the inspection as quickly as she dares then goes through from start to finish again before the ten minutes run out.
Coco is first up for her group so when the six she'd been on the course with are sent to the red flagged locker room, Coco is getting into the starting block. It's not really a block. It has a sort of gate look about it, magically created and of a color that the late afternoon sun doesn't obscure it.
Coco is slightly nervous but she's also comfortable. She was born to fly. Coco's only regret is that no matter how well she does, her turn will be over all too quickly. Perhaps Coach Krum would be willing to create an obstacle course from time to time after today just so those like Coco who have loved every second of practicing for the Obstacle 2, can continue having fun.
The start signal is given. Coco is out of the block so fast her breath is taken away. She just as quickly regains it, flying through the first obstacle and going into an immediate climb to maneuver around the set of barriers that comprise the second obstacle. One obstacle after another falls behind as Coco zips through the course. When she sails over the finish line, Coco is both elated at having a clean run and disappointed that she can't turn around and do it all again just for the sheer joy of it.
Coco comes in for a landing then goes as fast as she can to get seated where she has a good view of the second flyer in her group, Marco Navarro.
Rescue
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 04-10-07 17:39
Ron's stomach growls so loudly Charlie starts snickering. Ron makes a face then says, "If you can't tell, I'm sooooooo hungry."
"Me too though I think I've been eating more of their food than you have. I wonder who the university got to cover my classes. Maybe Kellen. He'd be good. So would Kenneth Shackleton if he were available."
"I can't believe that barmy chit couldn't wait until the end of term to do this to me - to us. She knows I'm graduating. Now, thanks to her, unless we get out of here within the next few days, I'll probably have to wait until Michaelmas Term, which means I don't get to graduate until December," Ron moaningly complains, trying not to sound as though he's whining.
Charlie says, "True. At least I have the dragon preserve to go back to even if Marjoribanks College ends up having to replace me as a professor." With a deep, heartfelt sigh, Charlie adds, "I hope Hendrika and the boys are fine. Schuyler was getting the snifles and Little Arthur had been being cranky like maybe he was getting stopped up too or an earache."
Ron's grumbling, "If that Henry Waltham tries moving in on Hermione pretending to console her that I'm gone, I'm going to do bodily harm."
Charlie holds up his hand. "Shhh a sec. Did you hear that?"
Ron goes quiet, listening intently.
"Charlie! Ron!"
The brothers grin at each other, recognizing Kingsley Shacklebolt's voice. Together they yell, "In here!"
They hear footsteps and Kingsley requesting, "Call out again."
"Here, we're in here!"
The footsteps pound closer then the door bursts open. Kingsley and others come flooding into the room. Their friend says, "Sorry we didn't get here sooner. Do you know how many bloody floors and rooms this place has?"
The manacles around Charlie's and Ron's ankles are released using a key. Ron, who's spirits had risen immensely over the last few seconds brightens more at what that key means. Gisela and Belladonna have been arrested.
Kingsley's asking, "Do either of you need a Healer?"
Ron shakes his head, "No, just food."
Charlie says much the same thing. Kingsley says, "St. Mungo's food all right with you both? I'm sure you'll want to go there anyway to see Bill."
Charlie asks, "What do you mean?" at the same time Ron demands to know, "What's Bill doing at St. Mungo's?"
Leading the brothers into the hallway, Kingsley says, "There's at least one Floo conduit. I saw a clear jar with powder on one mantle. You should both probably Floo under the circumstances." That said, Kingsley fills them in on Bill while leading Charlie and Ron to where he'd seen the Floo powder.
Better understanding why their Belladonna and Gisela didn't want them hearing or reading recent news, Charlie and Ron are all that much angrier with the those twits for keeping them from their brother who might be dying. Charlie goes through the Floo first followed by Ron. Kingsley, being in a room free of apparation restrictions, is already waiting at St. Mungo's when Ron steps out of a fireplace there.
After Their Turns
Author: Griet
Date: 04-10-07 20:05
Having completed Obstacle 2 and Broom Racing as a whole, Griet and Cornelia could sit back and relax for the rest of the day. Cornelia had won first place in her round, while Wiggersmythe Hodfuffer had come in third. Griet had also finished in first place, much to her surprise and delight. Only a few more rounds of Obstacle 2 remained. Currently, the fifth group was competing.
Cornelia gently nudged Griet in the side. "Do you think there will be Quidditch next year?"
"Of course," Griet replied. "It was only canceled this year because of the SAT. I bet we'll have Quidditch the rest of our years at Hogwarts, unless something else comes up, though I really can't imagine something special happening every year or every other year, even. I think this is probably a once in a lifetime experience."
"I should like to play for Slytherin," Cornelia said, somewhat dreamily.
"Good, because I wouldn't like it if you decided to play for Gryffindor," Griet joked, "and I'm not sure they'd want you anyway."
"I'm probably better than the lot of them," Cornelia protested hotly. "They'd be fools not to want me." She grinned and shoved Griet a bit harder. "Not that I'd want to fly for them. I just mean that I want to be on the team next year. I wonder who will be captain."
Griet shrugged. "If Mary decides she still wants to play, then I think she will be captain, since she was captain of the team last year. Otherwise?" She shrugged her shoulders again. "I guess it could be anyone."
Cornelia nodded. "Maybe it'll be you."
Griet blew some air between her lips before she answered. "I don't know if I'll play next year."
"What?" Cornelia asked, unable to believe what she'd just heard. "You're good. You have to play."
"I'm not sure I'll be all that reliable, what with... well, you know," she said, lowering her voice a little bit.
"Everybody knows about you now," Cornelia said loudly. "It's really not that big a deal. So, you're out of it once a month. Big deal! You get an alternate if Krum will allow it or you postpone the matches when they conflict with that time of the month. I'm sure it'll work."
"Maybe," Griet replied, shrugging. She did like Quidditch and would like to play again...
"I want the distraction," Cornelia went on.
"What do you mean?" Griet asked.
Cornelia stifled a sniffle. "I miss Fido. I think about him everyday. Is he okay out there in the forest? Did he find the other acromantula Hagrid swears are out there? Are they being kind to him? Does he have enough food? I'm worried."
"Just promise me you won't go into the forest to look after him," Griet said. "You know it's not allowed and it's dangerous, besides."
"I know," Cornelia said irritably. "Dumbledore and Hagrid both lectured me about it already."
"Look," Griet said suddenly, changing the subject. "There goes Alanna."
Obstacles in Her Path
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 04-10-07 20:18
Before setting off, Alanna tuned out all the noise around her and focused her line of vision only on what lay ahead of her. She wanted the minimal amount of distractions and knew that she could do a whole lot better if she could imagine herself practicing on her own rather than performing in front of a large crowd and judges, to boot.
At the loud BANG emitted from Viktor Krum's wand, Alanna launched forward towards the very first obstacle on her path. It consisted of a series of bright orange cones positioned one after the other but not in a single line. They were staggered and required that Alanna weave between them. Then she climbed sharply to reach a series of brick walls of varying heights. Some were extremely short. Others were mid-sized and others still somewhat tall. Alanna had to go under some, over others, and weave through the rest.
There were even some rings on the course, all of varying sizes and positioned at different heights on the course. Alanna went through all but one without touching the rings, and only managed to graze her shoulders on the very last one. She ducked, dodged, zigged, zagged and did all the maneuvers necessarily to successfully pass through the obstacle course and to do so in good time. Alanna really wanted to place in the top three and hoped that the others before her, aside from Coco of course, had done worse.
She came to the end of the obstacle course and smiled, glad she'd gotten through but also somewhat pleased with herself. She was asked to return to the ground and go into the locker room while the remaining contestants participated in the obstacle course. After a while, all the competitors emerged from the locker room and learned their placements.
Alanna had made it in the final three! In fact, she'd earned first place! And Coco had won second! Alanna hugged Coco, just as a photographer for the Daily Prophet snapped a picture. Maybe the photo would appear in the paper the next morning!
Earning One Penalty
Author: Jet
Date: 04-10-07 20:26
Flying around Group 6's obstacle course, Jet really wishes he could take written notes. Being seventh to go, the last in the first heat, means he's got the longest wait from time of inspecting the course to time on the course. More simply put, Jet has a longer time of doing nothing while possibly forgetting important elements to the course.
In the red flagged locker room, Jet finds a spot where he can stretch out and close his eyes. He's not trying to be unsociable. He's simply trying to keep a running, mental image of the course in his head. Shutting out all the extraneous sounds, Jet flies the course over and over in his mind. Kaleb Kindu, the event sponsor from Okapi École de Sorcellerie ends up having to physically touch Jet to let the young man know it's his turn to compete.
To Jet it seems that no sooner has he lined up with the starting mark at what some are calling the starting gate and others the starting block then the GO signal is given. The first obstacle is reached by doing a shallow dive then darting forward to zig zag through what look like floating doric columns. They are tightly spaced and the next obstacle is made more difficult, even though it's just a spinning ring, because coming off the columns that ring is on the blind side.
At the fifth obstacle, a narrow opening between two half walls, Jet bumps his knee. Determined not to garner any more time penalties, Jet is more careful about where his arms and legs are when he's passing through and around the remaining obstacles. When he crosses the finish line, Jet's pleased that he made it through the rest of the course without another penalty.
As Jet touches down, the remaining seven competitors for Group 6 are streaming out of the green flagged locker room to get their inspection of the course. For Jet, it's now the waiting game to see how his result compares with the other standings when Group 6 is entirely done.
All In All, Pretty Darn Good (Daria)
Author: Blossom
Date: 04-10-07 21:00
Today has so far been both good and bad. It's been bad in that several times so far Daria has had to be around Kody. Being the one who did the dumping, Daria kept feeling embarrassed. Kody didn't look all that happy to see her but he must have been expecting to when he decided to come cheer on Deak and Phin in their event. So, while Kody didn't look all that happy when she was near, he at least wasn't obnoxious or rude about it. Daria hadn't expected Kody to act like that but it was still nice that he didn't. He has every right to still be thoroughly cheesed off with her.
Sitting in the locker room waiting her heat's turn to inspect the obstacle course and then have their turns flying it, it's easy for Daria to let her mind wander to thoughts about Kody and to some of the guys she's interested in and who've shown reciprocal interest in her. If she gets her way this summer, and she should given she'll be of legal age, Daria has several weekend trips planned - some she'll go on and some that involve another person coming to visit her.
Daria supposes that if her parents put their feet down about her going off, she'll have to make other arrangements or get a job to pay for any jaunts herself. As much as she'd like to think she'd put her own foot down with a declaration of being of legal age, she knows that it's not quite as easy as it sounds to be openly defiant, even if one is considered an adult.
The doors of the locker room open and those inside are told it's time to inspect the course. They're again reminded they have only ten minutes. Daria joins Ludivine Mercier, Antonio Contreras, Edgardo Gomez, Glenda Davies, Sally Wovoka, and Tyrone Williams in the air as they move around the course, checking out each of the obstacles and the order the obstacles are to be taken.
Daria and five of the others return to the locker room. Sally Wovoka, a bubbly American from Nevada, remains to fly the course first. Soon, as second up, Daria is getting into position then ZOOM! she's off. Other than one near mistake at the eighth obstacle when she nearly doesn't tuck in in time, thus almost hitting part of the barrier, Daria has a good run. She just hopes it stands up to the five flyers left.
When Antonio Contreras, the last for Group 6, has crossed the finish line, the wait is very short for the official results to be posted and announced. Jet Obsidian takes third, Daria to her delight takes second, and Edgardo Gomez wins first place!
Obstacle 1-Group 6 Review (Hank & Jane Hillier)
Author: Rolf Haaken
Date: 04-10-07 21:39
For once in his life Hank is not being all smug brilliance to Jane. Good thing too because she would have had to hit him and Jane is fairly certain that smacking a fellow contestant would be immediate grounds for elimination. It's also good that Hank isn't being that way because the harder Hank tries to exude superiority, he just ends up making a complete prat of himself. Jane wonders if Hank knows that deep down and in his efforts to impress some of the girls from other schools, he's refraining from purposely being an idiot.
Jane's name is the fourth drawn, Hank's the ninth. As nervous as she's feeling, Jane's happy to go earlier and get her turn over, though she's glad she wasn't first drawn. Jane's not exactly sure why she's so nervous. She's a good flyer and has done jolly well in practicing for today.
In the end, Jane's sure it's her blasted nerves that did her in. She coming out of the fourth ring she goes too wide to properly take the fifth ring. Jane goes off course, has to swing around and get lined up. All she can think about is that precious seconds are ticking away, adding to her overall time.
In an effort to gain back some of that time, Jane does a full out sprint to the sixth ring. She doesn't slow in time to account for the slow spin the thing has so ends up bumping it. Angry with herself for incurring a penalty out of sheer stupidity, Jane has trouble with the rest of the course.
When she's crossed the line, she's got three more penalties along with more added time for going off course on her approach to the tenth ring. All in all, a bloody rotten run!
Hank isn't nervous in the slightest. Probably because he's too busy thinking about the three different girls he's showing out for. If not for having them on his mind, Hank probably would have had room in his mind to think about the fact that it's a competition and while he's an average flyer, average is not what it takes to win.
Hank sets off, keeping an eye out for each of those girls he's bent on impressing. The other eye he keeps on the rings. Hank speeds along, cleanly taking one ring after another, not really thinking overly much about any of it. Hank's a doer, not a thinker, even if most of his doing is average to most. Hank doesn't consider himself average anyway. As far as Hank's concerned, he's the best male at Hogwarts and is deserving of more attention and respect and he's not above voicing that opinion. Some people need such things hammered into their heads afterall.
When Hank's flight is done, he's very happy. Good time. No penalties. The three girls all waving at him and two more winking his way. When the results are announced, Hank can't believe he didn't get first but oh, well, if he's got to be second, it's nice being squeezed between first place Hyacinth Jones and third place Annabeth Fitzwilliam for all the pictures they pose for.
First Up For Group 7, Obstacle 2
Author: Rolf Haaken
Date: 04-10-07 21:56
Rolf's getting a headache so he's really glad to be first to go in Group 7's first heat for Obtacle 2. He thinks if he'd had to wait, even if in the first heat, his head might have been pounding enough to make it too hard to remember his inspection of the course. With the 17-18 year old age group having the most difficult of all the courses, Rolf figures it's going to be hard enough to keep in mind all twenty obstacles. Adding a growing migraine on top of that and Rolf doesn't want to contemplate just how badly he'd do if he were further in the line-up for heat 1 or if he were assigned to heat 2.
Viktor Krum gives the signal for Rolf. Very quickly Rolf realizes that anything that involves sharp or steep movements has him wincing and wanting to shut his eyes. Going along at top speeds with walls, columns, and other objects not good for colliding with at great speeds is not the place or time to be shutting eyes. Much as it pains him, Rolf picks up speed whenever he dares just so he can get this over with. He's really hating that something that should be fun is so miserable for him at the moment.
Bracing himself for a steeply angled dive combined with a very sharp turn, Rolf heads through the 18th obstacle. To go cleanly through the 19th, Rolf has to put his broom into a shallow climb even before he's fully out of the 18th obstacle. That done, Rolf levels off and zips through the 20th, which is ring with an aperature that goes from small to large then back to small. Any of the racers can get through the ring even with the smallest of the openings but that increases the risk of touching the ring. Rolf slows his broom just enough to time his approach with the smallest of the openings then as the circle grows bigger, Rolf puts on the speed, shooting through the ring as the opening is at its widest point.
Across the finish line, his turn done, Rolf heads for the ground, looking forward to being able to go take something for his ever growing headache.
Winning
Author: Fionna
Date: 04-10-07 23:25
The next to the last to go for Group 7's heat one, Fionna emerges from one of the locker rooms. Flying swiftly to the start, she feels nothing but confidence even though it's been a little while now since the ten minute fly through to look over the Obstacle 2 event course. Reaching the starting line, Fionna gives her brother and father a jaunty wave then BANG the starter sounds and she's off like a flash.
Fionna experiences the adrenaline rush that she gets when she's playing Quidditch. As with Quidditch practice, the preparation Fionna did for this event was fun, thrilling even, but the real thing is a bloody blast. Fionna's face starts to hurt from the combination of grinning, gravitational force from the dips, climbs, and turns she's making, and from the brisk, late April air streaming over her face, the air made all the sharper by her speed through it.
The course is challenging but Coach Krum had given his students challenging practice courses so Fionna never experiences a twinge of feeling unpreparedness. Certainly the course is different from any she's practiced on, but the obstacles themselves are familiar. The biggest difference is the order in which the obstacles are presented.
Coming up on the twentieth obstacle, Fionna lays flat over her broom handle and tucks arms and legs in tightly, never slowing, and in fact she's gaining speed, even though she'll take the obstacle with the aperature is at its smallest. Smoothly passing through the aperatured ring, Fionna zooms the short way to the finish line.
There's one person after Fionna in this heat, Lilith Kiptanui from the African school Okapi École de Sorcellerie. After that there's the ten minutes heat two has to inspect the course and then the seven individuals left to fly the course. Fionna knows she's done damn well and can't see how any of the eight after her or the five before her could do or could have done any better.
When the Broom Racing Event comes to an end with the last of the Obstacle 2 competitors, Fionna is not the least bit surprised to know she's right. Fionna wins first place with Durmstrang's Vlad Lakatos in second and Sydney's Jarod Davies. The other Hogwarts 7th year in the event, Rolf Haaken, ties for fourth place with Beauxbatons' Sprague Mazur.
Jubilent, Fionna gets hugs from her brother and then her father. Better still in when Angus presses a handful of galleons into Fionna's palm. "For doing so well throughout the SAT," he says proudly.
Fionna grins, accepts the money, gives her father another hug then a kiss, then reminds, "There's still the two events in South America."
Angus beams at her as Fionna's brother Fergus says, "Maybe we can convince Mum to go see you then, eh?"
Fionna shrugs. "Would be good if she did but with how she's been about me for all these months now, forgive me if I don't hold my breath."
Angus face clouds. "Here now. This is a happy occassion. Let's not say or do anything to ruin Fionna's victory."
"Agreed!" Fionna says. "Now, excuse me while I go get my trophy!"