Championship Game: Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff

Owl Book Service
Author: Marina Sanjarya
Date: 09-04-02 10:31

Marina opened the library doors for the first time. "Now the library is open to everyone," she thought.

After looking all the wizards and witches passing by, she returned to inside.

"Hm, better do that now." she said, to herself.

Then she walked up the stairs and got a formal sheet of paper that was on the table.

"This will do it. McGonagall and Dumbledore will give more attention to a well-made letter than a normal one."

After thinking a few words, Marina grabbed her blue ink pen and wrote, in the best letters she could do:

"To the Headmasters of Hogwarts,

I'm Marina Sanjarya Astolferos de Gatta, owner of the new Public Library in Hogsmeade. I want to ask your permission to have Hogwarts students sending me books requests by their respective owls. I can send the books by owl, too, and they can bring it back by owl again. In that way, the students don't need to wait for holidays or weekends to come borrow my books.

Yours truly,

Marina Sanjarya."

Championship Day
Author: Madam Hooch
Date: 09-04-02 11:20

Spirits were running high today as students poured into the stadium. Hufflepuff made it to the Championship Game for the first time in many years, however, Gryffindor was slated to win. This was going to be an exciting game.

The weather was perfect for the game. It had started to warm up slightly, no more bitter cold. The wind had calmed down which would make flying a little less difficult.

Madam Hooch walked around the pitch to make sure that there was nothing wrong with the field. The players were in their respective locker rooms awaiting the start of the game.

Getting Pumped
Author: Kendra Beck
Date: 09-04-02 18:05

Kendra sat on one of the benches retying her shoes. She actually felt nervous. She never felt nervous before a game! A hand clapped on her shoulder.

"Ya doin' okay, Sis?" Toby Beck grinned down at his younger sister. "You'll do fine." He winked at her and stepped to the middle of the room and clapped his hands once, loudly. "All right, team! We're going to play our best, just like we always do, aren't we?"

They came a large cheer. "Yes!"

"We're going to show those Gryffindors what we can do, right?"

He punched the air. Again a enthusiastic. "Yes!!"

"And we're going to do it fair and square! Remember, it's only a game, but this is the Championship. It all comes down to us and Gryffindor!" He grinned his dimply grin at his team. "I know you guys can do it! Can't you?"

"YES!"

He was enjoying this too much. "All right! Are you pumped?"

Kendra giggled at this question.

"WE'RE PUMPED!!"

"Great! Then it's Hufflepuff on three, ready? One, Two, Three:

HUFFLEPUFF!!!"

Excitement at the Quidditch Match
Author: Ledara Knight
Date: 09-04-02 18:37

It was the first time I saw a Quidditch Match. Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff. The crowd definitely was pumped. I looked around the field. We were so high up. A slight problem I had. A fear of heights, but, I have learned to slowly overcome that. I learned to ride a broom and that helped some.

All through the stadium I could hear the chants of "GO GRYFFINDOR!" and "GO HUFFLEPUFF!"

The excitement was overwhelming. Even I got caught up in it. I normally was doing my studies, but I needed to get away from that just for a short while. I saw potions recipes and history of Muggles, and such in my dreams at night. Yep! I definitely needed to get away from the studies for a bit.

And They're Off
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 09-04-02 20:15

It was a warm and sunny day, when Bronwyn and Hunter slid into their seats in the Hufflepuff section of the bleachers in order to cheer their team on to victory. Both were especially cheerful and enthusiastic because they were very close to several members of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.

In particular, Hunter was rooting on his lovely girlfriend, Kendra, and Bronwyn was cheering on the guy who wasn't officially her boyfriend, but she hoped someday would be. That boy was, of course, Toby. Hannah Abbott was also the object of their jubilant cries, because more than anything on that day, they wanted her to catch that golden snitch.

To enormous shouts, both teams entered the field and took to the skies. Harry Potter and the ever-so-handsome Toby Beck first met with Madam Hooch, who gave them her standard, "I want a nice, clean game." Both boys then shook hands and mounted their brooms.

The balls were soon released and the action began! Bronwyn observed that both Becks were armed and ready to deflect any bludgers coming their way, and Hannah was perched high in the air scouring the skies for the elusive snitch.

There was no doubt that Gryffindor was an awesome team, and they had, after all, beat Hufflepuff at Quidditch only a few months earlier. Nevertheless, both of the happy Hufflepuffs in the stands were confident their team would take the cup this year.

Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps...
Author: Belladonna
Date: 09-04-02 21:52

It was going to be an incredible day, thought the raven-haired beauty as she set down a silk cushion on the stand and then delicately took a seat. For Bella, nothing in the day had gone wrong. She had woken up and looked in the mirror to find her complexion more luminous and her whole self glowing and lovely. As she had brushed her long hair, every curl had formed perfectly. After she was done with makeup, the effect was soft and as romantic as the spring days that had happened lately. She felt had felt light as air as she had slipped into the filmy strawberry daiquiri colored gown. Perfect for a spring Quidditch match, if one asked her.

She had blown a kiss to her reflection in the mirror and giggled at herself as she tucked a rose in her hair. John had been invited to the game and she had ordered a basket of champagne and caviar, along with other gourmet goodies for them to enjoy, although she'd quite easily tuck into it herself if he was too busy to show.

Bella Sinistra no longer planned her life around a man. Love could hold too many disappointments and no one would catch her making a fool of herself for a guy. No pushing marriage, no pushing anything, no planning weddings, and no counting her chickens prematurely. No way she was going to make the same mistake again.

Charlie had just been a phase, and she's been so proud of herself when she had responded to Izzy's news about Ms. Tufton going to the Burrow for Easter. She'd just shrugged and asked what the odds had been about her relationship had been. Izzy wrinkled her nose and said the odds were better on Lady Stella making Minister of Magic. Both sisters had collapsed in giggles and Izzy had jokingly slapped her before asking what exactly had gone on at Blythe House.

Bella chuckled at the memory as she examined her manicure and sighed. She looked expensive. Exactly the way she was supposed to look, not the careless way she usually did. Maybe Mumma had been right about trying to find one's self and running away from life. She'd think about it later. For now it was a lovely day.

Would John come? She had been quite abrupt about refusing his offer. It had been so perfect---lovely night, perfect place, great atmosphere, but she couldn't. If she'd learned one thing from her mesalliance with Charlie, it was to be honest and sincere.

"John, I can't! I'd love to but I can't right now. I've just gotten over a rather messy relationship with a guy I'd had an unrequited crush on for years. I'm afraid that I rather pushed myself on him and tried to push things far more forward than they should have been. My mother and sister were filling my head with all this horrid advice and I took it. We broke up over a long period of time, and I was miserable.

No, let me go beyond miserable. I cried until I could cry no more and then I cried silently in great heaves. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, and my family discussed putting me in a mental hospital. Lately, I wondered if I had a heart, if it had broken like fragile glass dashed underfoot, torn to ribbons, or simply wilted like a flower. I'm afraid right now to love, honestly.

The damnedest thing is that it would be a perfect relationship. I mean I'm as suitable as you get. Hell, I'm even properly tall and have the right education, not to mention equistrienne skills. Plus, we come from the same world and you understand why I am the way I am. I think I even love you, which makes things worse. I mean if I love you, will I get crazy again and drive you away ? And what if I don't recover this time ? I couldn't stand it. You would get together with all those women you appeared with in the Sun, News of the World, and let's not forget the Daily Prophet. As for me, I'd be just as miserable as before.

However, I don't want to let this leave me. I'm happy around you and it could be incredible. Okay, so what I suggest is that we become a couple, appear together in public, and maintain some degree of exclusivity. We enjoy things and re-evaluate things around the New Year's. We'll get to know each other and see if it remains as right as it does now. It's not a no, completely. More of a wait...."

The memory caused her to sigh as she poured herself a glass of champagne and gazed out at the field through designer sunglasses. She hoped John came. She missed him, but what was wrong with that. After all, she hadn't seen him for two days, although he'd sent roses both of them. He'd come, though. That was a sure bet.

Joining Bella
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 09-04-02 23:07

Sorcha had been in her chambers when the owl arrived containing a package from Belladonna Sinstra. It contained a lovely filmy scarf, one that couldn't find anything that matched it.

After trying several outfits, and realize that not a one would work with the scarf, Sorcha then decided to take Ailsa with her to go by an outfit to wear with the scarf.

It had taken a good part of Easter to find an outfit for the scarf, but one was found. Then, the problem soon came that Sorcha couldn't wear the new outfit until the Quidditch game. The day of the game came quickly, and then Sorcha was finally able to wear her new outfit and scarf.

Sorcha was slightly startled at the number of people she saw when she arrived, but soon go over it. The quick search for Bella was soon over. It also wasn't hard to get over to her. "Hi Bella, you wouldn't mind if I joined you for the game would you?"

Cheating Heart
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 09-05-02 19:59

Hermione observed the action in the Pitch with great interest, but all of her attention was focused on a certain boy. This boy was the object of her affection; the boy of her dreams. This boy's name was Harry Potter.

For nigh on two weeks now, the feelings for the redheaded boy named Ron were dwindling. She didn't know why, and frankly, she didn't care. It was gradual at first, with Hermione finding herself daydreaming about him instead of her boyfriend, but it soon progressed into a fullblown crush. She found herself scribbling Hermione Potter into her notebooks instead of Hermione Weasley. Her skin would tingle at his slightest touch, like when she accidentally dropped her quill and both bent to retrieve it at the same time. That simple brush of the fingers was nearly enough to set her heart into serious convulsions.

Funnily enough, it seemed as if Harry was experiencing the same jolt of new feelings for Hermione, for she had caught him staring at her several times during the past week. Sometimes, he'd immediately look away and a deep crimson flush would creep up his cheeks. Other times, he'd continue to stare at her adoringly, which would cause her to lower her eyelashes and blush as well.

Ron didn't seem to notice, and even as he and Hermione sat there in the stands, he had no reason to believe that she was no longer interested in him. He held onto her hand, and she let him, but as far as Hermione was concerned, this was only a friendly gesture. Her heart belonged to Harry now.

Exeunt Wormtail: Running
Author: Peter Pettigrew
Date: 09-05-02 20:34

Hearing that Dierna has been captured, Wormtail banks on Voldemort being in a good mood. Good enough to let him live, anyway. This means a long trek back the secret headquarters, thought several counties and cities.

He can still get caught, but he hopes not.

Wormtail waits for nightfall before heading out. He sneaks out of leads, undiscovered. However, he is in such a hurry, he doesn't realize that Lupin, who is having a hard time sleeping that night, is watching from a window and sees Wormtail. Wormtail also doesn't know he dropped the letter from Voldemort he was to deliver to certain wizards.

{Location Unknown}: Check
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 09-05-02 20:43

I remember my father saying to me, Wizardry can never compensate for lack of intellect, inionn*, remember that. Anyone can do incredible things with a wand and some fancy incantations. Remember that, Dierna. The mind is truly the most powerful weapon. It is - as the druids would say - sharper than a sword; or more powerful than a wand.

My mind is a whirl of possibilities, thoughts, ideas. I keep a carefully neutral appearance, not giving anything away. It is only with extreme self-discipline that I manage to keep expressionless, though. I never thought Tennille would be susceptible to the imperious curse. Yes, it is rare that people can resist I (though after prolonged periods most people will begin to fight it) Worse than that, it seemed she was one of the hooded figures who helped Sorcha. There are so many plans at work here, I can't take anything to be what it seemed.

I cannot do anything right now. With a broken or sprained ankle, trying to escape would just be stupid. I'd need to get out of here and get to Scaithmor, who has also been caught. (or so Voldemort says) I can, however, continue making my captors lives VERY difficult. The initial exchange made it clear that I am NOT going to be cooperative. No, if there's any trouble to be had here, they will have it with me, not the other way around.

---

* = daughter

Strawberry Pitch Forever
Author: Belladonna
Date: 09-05-02 20:49

Bella smiled before she held up a finger and finished her sip of champagne. Sorcha had been rather quiet lately and hadn't been seen much. It had been a little odd, but Bella knew from experience several things could have happened. Well, looked like she wasn't the only one who looked like a spring day. The scarf looked absolutely lovely on the ancient runes professor and that was clearly a new outfit. How nice!

She moved down the row so there was a seat available on either side of her and opened the basket of expensive treats before smiling warmly. She was so happy that lately her mood had wavered between hopeful and complete bliss.

"No, grab a cushion and sit down. Cushioning makes games so much fun. Champagne from a great year? Caviar? Foie gras? Just help yourself to anything you want in the basket. No espresso this time, so you should be safe. Just champagne, I'm afraid.

My word, don't you look nice today! Is it a man? Never mind if it's none of my business and it probably isn't. If you'd prefer, we can talk about this lovely weather. God, horrible as Scotland is in the winter, spring more than makes up for it."

She picked up her field glasses and scanned the Pitch. No sign of John...yet. Hmmm, there was Mumma and Da with some of the other Hogwarts governors. Mumma was using her glasses to check out the dresses and see who was with who. Should be a nice bit of gossip when she went home for the weekend. Oooh, Liam was chatting with his sister Brighid, probably wanting to find out about her N.E.W.T.S.

She waved a quick hello at the two of them and gave her parents a little wave before turning back to Sorcha.

"I am sorry for being so distracted. I have someone meeting me here for the game, if he can get away from his schedule. Rather delightful chap and I spent my Easter vacation at his home in Staffordshire. Excellent stargazing and lovely scenery. So, how was your break? Do anything exciting?"

She held up a glass of champagne and handed it to her guest before refilling her own and having a bite of strawberry. The wonderful taste reminded her to schedule a strawberry picking party at Avonford, and have a outdoors picnic with lots of champagne. The two went together perfectly.

Nerves and Excitment
Author: Amerah Patterson
Date: 09-05-02 21:03

We enter the quidditch pitch. For some reason I find myself so nervous I find it hard to move. I've never been this nervous ever, not even when I was being sorted or trying out for the quidditch team. I guess it's because it is the championship match, so it's the most important match of the year. Toby enters and leads the team in the cheer "All right, team! We're going to play our best, just like we always do, aren't we?"

"Yes!" We cheer.

"We're going to show those Gryffindors what we can do, right?" He punched the air.

"Yes!!"

"YES!"

He was enjoying this too much. "All right! Are you pumped?"

"WE'RE PUMPED!!"

"Great! Then it's Hufflepuff on three, ready? One, Two, Three: HUFFLEPUFF!!!

And the game begins.

Soaring Scarlet
Author: George Weasley
Date: 09-05-02 22:44

"Tum tum tum tum tum tum tummmmmm," George sang as he flexed his bludger bat a few times, getting loose for the first swing he would have to make. "Tummmmm tum tum tum."

He zoomed around, keeping careful watch for the bludgers who came in search of his teammates.

"Oy, George!"

George turned around on his broom and saw Fred grinning at him. "We're gunna do this, right?" Fred asked as they both watched for incoming bludgers. One zoomed right over Fred's head. George whacked it a good one and sent it flying in the opposite direction.

"Of course we are! We beat 'em last time!"

Fred looped then landed where he was hovering again. "That's the spirit!" They knocked their bats and went their separate ways.

George zoomed around some more, looking for the ideal set-up. Though he didn't really want to knock someone off their broom, but sometimes that just ended up happening! Suddenly, he saw a bludger headed in the direction of Harry who was busy searching for the snitch. George gathered up his speed and sped toward it. He skidded to a halt in front of Harry and gave the bludger an extra-hard whack.

"Whoa. Thanks, George! Lucky to have you around!" Harry grinned.

George grinned back. "Yeah, that's what Maj always says! Don't mention it!" And George was off again, but was soon stopped short.

Ha! He could sent that bludger in Hannah Abbot's direction to throw her off the trail of possibly finding the snitch! It was worth a try. George held on tightly to his broom handle with one hand, and with the other came speeding toward the bludger going the opposite direction of Hannah. He was going to send it back!

But, wait! Kendra Beck moved in and hit it toward him! He dodged it and looked back as Kendra's back was headed in the opposite direction.

"Well, that wasn't very nice!" George chuckled.

Patience and All Forgiveness - And Quidditch-Fun
Author: John 1st Duke of Marlborough
Date: 09-06-02 07:12

"Hrrmmm, pardon, is this seat taken already?" A voice was overheard above and slightly behind the seat of Belladonna. She looked up and next jumped up, almost spilling her Champs in doing so.

"John! John, you did make it?" she exlaimed in a rather excited tone. "Yes, why would I not have made it, dar?" John replied and let up a beaming smile, proving that he was quite alright and unaffected after their little "disagreement of intention" a couple of days' before. But then John was a patient, cunning man who realised when he had committed an error or gone too far. He was, however, committed to attempt to conquer and in his own way vanquish this brittle flower of the North! Thus all the flowers sent to the Sinistras...

He had spent his free time considering the events leading up to Bella's refusal and his own, maybe a bit tactless proposal. Now, even more determined than ever, (and having discussed his "warplans" with a huge life-size portrait by Constable of the 1st Duke of Marlborough before the besieged city of Lille and with a French Cognac in his hand), he showed up, decidedly intending to turn Bella around to allow her to begin to trust him better in the coming future.

But now, the Quidditch games were about to commence, and those could be quite fun, so, taking the seat next to Bella (having kissed her tenderly on her cheeks, in a chivalrous manner...) he let himself be relaxed and focus more on the games. There was a persistent rumour that, maybe Bella herself would participate, or???...

Quite Enjoying the Game
Author: Belladonna
Date: 09-06-02 12:45

Bella's eyes alit with happiness as she handed her glass of champagne to the charming older man and planted a kiss right on his lips before allowing him to put his arm around her and snuggling into him.

"Speak of the devil....or rogue! Sorcha, may I present John Churchill? John is a collegue of my father's in the M.O.M. and the most wonderful thing to happen to me in a while. Jonny, may I present Professor Christina Sorcha? Sorcha teaches Ancient Runes and just joined the staff this year.

Now then, you'll have to share my glass because Sorcha's got the other one and I only nicked two from my room when packing my basket. Wonderful vintage of champagne, caviar, and foie gras, among other things. Nothing too heavy because you're taking me to dinner in the local village after the game, of course."

She smiled and snuggled closer while casting Sorcha a helpless glance. The action on the field was getting rather exciting and she could barely bring herself to look away to get a bit of caviar on a cracker. Hufflepuff might do well this year, although she had a sneaking suspicion the Gryffs would win, as they had every year Harry Potter had been on team.

"Okay, Jonny, Gryffindor is in the red and Hufflepuff is in the yellow. The Gryffindor seeker is the famous Harry Potter, but you knew that, of course. Should be quite a game...."

She took off her sunglasses to watch more closely and without thinking twined her hand with John's. It was an odd relationship...somewhere between courtship and something indefinable. Only thing was to wonder which would give out first: her fear or his love.

Bella glanced at Sorcha before handing her a plate of tiny watercress sandwiches and caviar fixed different ways. Something about the girl had changed, or maybe not. It was confusing.

"Sorcha, how is Michael Thomason? Heard from him lately? Seemed rather nice, if you asked me. Course, I do have the worse taste in men, if you ask my sister. Present company excepted, Jonny."

She nibbed on a sandwich while wondering what Sorcha and John thought of each other. One she was beginning to consider a friend...and the other a possible fate.