Quidditch: Slytherin vs Ravenclaw

Last Hopes
Author: Adam Higginton-Smythe
Date: 07-13-02 07:37

Adam Higginton-Smythe yawned as he awoke the morning of the match between the Ravenclaw House and the Slytherin House. He was silent and had a peaceful look about his face while he dressed and reached for his Silver Arrow Companion. The broomstick's beautiful wood shone bright in the morning's light casting a smile on Adam's face. The excitement of the Ravenclaws in the common room rose up to meet him as he left his dormitory. In the voices he sensed the feelings he felt too, but to show them would only strengthen the fears. Ravenclaw hopes for a return of some glory to their house was already dashed earlier in the year, and the years before that, and now a mist of defeat hung over some, foreboding what reality likely held in waiting for them down at the Pitch. Adam himself was once personally shamed at the loss to Hufflepuff, something the team had received much shouting for. Adam knew what a victory against Slytherin, or the other teams, could do for the spirit within the house, but he knew better what another defeat would mean to himself. Either way, what was inside his mind he did not let off to another person.

The commotion dimmed as Adam appeared. Most wished him luck, his closer friends gave him a warm look. It was Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw seeker, that spread another smile across his face. If she was nervous, Adam would not know until he was close to her. Her voice was sweet, her figure held strong and eased Adam's thoughts. He desired to kiss her, but her eyes hinted to her hidden worries. Adam kissed her cheek as a friend would to another when there is little else to do.

"Just the same," he said to her in a soft voice, "I should like to believe the fates are with us." For what it meant to him, Cho appeared to not understand what he meant, but the tone of his voice soothed her nerves.

"My Grandmum once told me what her Grandmum told her before," Adam said, "For all our hopes and prayers it is not ours to make out what lies beyond us. Believing that we will, through labor and acts of pure will, have done what we desire gives us comfort, so take that comfort whenever you face a path you would not take if you could travel different. Great miracles unachievable by the most skilled of warlocks and witches do happen. Have faith in yourself, and perhaps you shall see something you had not before. All things have their reasons, it is best to understand than to refuse their happening."

Pre Game
Author: Madam Hooch
Date: 07-13-02 11:11

Snow hadn't fallen in a few days and the existing snow on the ground was beginning to melt. A few patches of grass could be seen on the field. Even the sun was trying to peak out from behind the clouds. Students and staff were starting to fill up the stands and the Quiddtich players were waiting in the locker rooms. Oliver was bringing out the crate containing the balls. The game would be starting soon.

It Starts
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-13-02 14:14

The pre-game peptalk in the locker rooms was a heated one. Draco reminded his teammates of their previous game and the embarrassing loss to Gryffindor. He emphasized over and over again that if they were to lose this one, he'd make sure the rest of them never played Quidditch again. Of course, they all knew he was over-exaggerating, but the threats nonetheless weighed heavy on their minds. They had to beat Ravenclaw.

Soon, Lee Jordan's voice boomed out over the stadium and the teams were called out to take the field. Isolde high-fived Azaelia and gave Pyrrhus a quick kiss on the cheek before mounting her broom and kicking off the ground, reaching an impressive height in a matter of seconds. Once stationary in the air, she scanned the Slytherins stands and waved to Alexis, who was sitting with Pete and Tempest, the latter of whom had recently quit the team due to an unexpected injury. She was replaced by Simon Samhain, who zigzagged across the sky confidently. Isolde silently prayed that the new addition to the team was as good, if not better, than his predecessor.

Down on the ground, Madam Hooch was talking to Draco and Adam, who shook hands after a few minutes. The flying instructor mounted her broom and took off to find a suitable birds-eye view of the toss of the quaffle, and then Oliver unlocked the trunk. The bludgers screamed up into the clouds, the snitch was released, and with one solid throw, Oliver sent the quaffle straight up into the air.

With a quick maneuver of the broom, Pete was able to snatch the quaffle first.

Isolde cheered aloud for her teammate and quickly tailed him towards the hoops. Suddenly, the other team's chasers came in to block Pete's mad dash, so he did the only thing he could do. He caught Isolde's eye and sent the quaffle straight into her open arms.

The Ravenclaw team's chasers were quick, however, and as Isolde's eyes locked on Azaelia, Sykra managed to snatch the quaffle away in mid-throw.

"Damnit!" Isolde cursed, and quickly turned her broom to chase Sykra across the Pitch. The Ravenclaw grew closer and closer to the hoops, and just as Isolde's fears reached a climax, a solid toss by said chaser created a roar of approval from three-fourths of the spectators.

"Sykra Sawyer has scored for Ravenclaw! " Lee Jordan shouted enthusiastically. "It's 10 to 0! How do you like that, Slytherin?"

"Jordan!"

"Sorry, Professor!"

Isolde frowned and caught Draco's eye. He didn't not look pleased. Luckily, the dirty look he was shooting her way was interrupted when Azaelia gained possession of the quaffle and started to high-tail across the field.

A New Student: NeferSekhmet
Author: NeferSekhmet
Date: 07-13-02 16:48

I felt so lost here at Hogwarts. I have been placed in the Gryffindor House. The House that the famous Harry Potter is in. Hogwarts is completely different from my Wizards School back home. It is quite a large place to be in.

I look around as I make my way to the Gryffindor Tower. So many pictures moving. I look at one of a Lady in a white dress standing next to a full length mirror. She smiles and waves at me.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!" I hear all around me.

It feels so strange to see such thing happen. Here I am, a third year student, at a new school. How different are things going to be from home?

I finally make it to the Portal to the Gryffindor Common Room & Dorms.

The Lady in the portrait looks at me and asks: "Password?"

I say the password, and she opens the way. I step inside and look around. Such a beautiful room. So warm and pleasant. I find the stairs that lead to the girls Dorms. I find the door to my Dorm room, and open it. All of my things are already there, along with my cat, Isis. I sit down next to her on the bed.

"Isis, we are so far away from home. Coming to Hogwarts is an honor. How will I fit in? I hope to be able to do well here.

I have much to learn here. And some classes are quite different here." Isis "meows" and curls up on my lap and falls asleep, purring.

Game Time!
Author: Simon Samhain
Date: 07-13-02 21:04

Simon had just begun his first quidditch match as the Slytherin team's new beater. On Valentine's Day he had promised perfect prefect and Ravenclaw chaser Prescott Clearwater (whom he nicknamed ClearWarted) that he would aim a bludger at him.

Not wanting to break his promise he hit a bludger right at Prescott, only to have it blocked by Ravenclaw captain and beater Adam Higgington-Smythe!

The Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs booed at Simon but it only made him more determined to hit someone else.

Just then Sykra Sawyer scored 10 points.

Simon didn't dare try to swing a bludger Prescott's way again as he was being protected by Smythe.

Minutes passed by and time was getting shorter. He had to hit someone, Draco's orders! He spotted seeker Cho Chang but she was too far, so he swung a bludger at Skyra Sawyer.

WHAM!

She got hit and fell down hard on the ground.

Lee Jordan shouted, "There goes Sykra Sawyer who was hit by the revolting and cruel Slytherin Simon Samhain...Oh, sorry professor!"

Simon high fived Clara Devaki and flew around the stadium looking for another victim.

Slytherin cheered louder and louder! Everyone else was in shock.

Taking advantage of Slytherin's attention toward Sykra, Prescott Clearwater scored 10 points for Ravenclaw.

This brought Slytherin's morale down a little but they reinforced they're efforts to change the status of the game.

So Simon flew around the stadium to look for his next victim.

Que Sera, Sera
Author: Aradia Forest
Date: 07-13-02 21:21

When it comes to Quidditch, I want to win as much as the next team-player. However, I also strongly feel that there is no shame in an honest defeat. Nor is there any point in berating ourselves over past losses. We go out there, play as fairly as a game against Slytherin allows and hopefully we win. It's as simple as that.

It's the GAME itself that matters to me, there's a rush to it, its a kind of addiction. So, in blue and silver robes, I take my broomstick and follow my fiends down to the match.

One thing is certain, a game against Slytherin is bound to be exciting.

Game Morning
Author: Belladonna
Date: 07-13-02 21:30

It was morning and Bella Sinistra was awake, thanks to the jolt of expresso that was hitting her system and she knew that she could dispense with the dark sunglasses. Thursday had been spent passed out at her parents' and Friday had passed in the hangover from Hell. Why she did things like that to herself confused her, but nothing in her life made sense right now.

She sighed as she got out of bed and checked her platinum and diamond watch. Two hours of sleep? Those potions were actually helping, oddly enough. She pulled out a lovely angora dress of a sky blue color and slipped into it while examining herself in the mirror-----far too thin, circles under her eyes, pallor in her cheeks, and an unhappy look in her eyes that was undeniable. Well, a little eye shadow, careful blending under the eyes, fairy dust, blush, and red lipstick would do a little something or at least fix it so no one would think her a ghost.

She expertly did up her hair in a French twist and secured it with combs carved to look like little ravens. A pair of bronze ivy leaf earrings and a necklace of bronze resembling an ivy vine made for a slightly sophisticated look and showed which team she hoped would win, just as sure as the pennant on the table beside her. Once a Ravenclaw, always a Ravenclaw.

She picked up the basket, stuffed with fatty baked goods, chocolate, and little shepherd's pies for something more filling, and tucked in a thermos filled with more expresso as well as lovely mugs with violets painted on the ivory surface before setting down the basket.

After picking up her wool coat and scarf and putting them on along with fur-lined gloves, she grabbed a huge cashmere throw and draped it over her shoulder before grabbing her pennant and the basket, her last action before leaving her room. Her life was going to change now and she was going to make an effort to enter the real world instead of withdrawing into herself.

She walked along the hall and knocked on the door to a room.

"Professor Sorcha? I'm Professor Belladonna Sinistra, Astronomy. Would you care to walk to the game with me? They're always so much more fun when there's someone to go with and I always pack way too much food for one."

Fast Paced Action
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 07-13-02 22:02

Pyrrhus is very pissed with himself. Within seconds of the game starting, Sykra stole the quaffle from the glorious Isolde then rapidly followed up the steal with getting a goal off of Py. Very quickly after her successful attempt, Clearwater also managed to get the quaffle past him but only because Py's attention had been momentarily diverted to Simon knocking Sawyer from her broom. Py was still maliciously grinning at seeing Sykra splatting on the ground when the quaffle got past him.

Pyrrus narrows his eyes and focuses on the action. He can't let them score off him again anytime soon. The other Slytherins quickly recover and by this time Ravenclaw has realized Sawyer's on the ground. While the other team is momentarily distracted making sure Sykra's okay and back on her broom, Clara takes the opportunity to knock the bludger at the quaffle held by a Ravenclaw member.

RE: Game Morning
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 07-13-02 23:34

A couple of letters lay on Sorcha's desk; the last one had just been finished that morning. It was a letter for Michael. The other ones, she didn't remember writing them. Still, she figured they were there for a reason, and she could deal with them after Michael got his letter.

Since it was another Quidditch game, Sorcha had intended to sleep. She wasn't even ready to go out, her hair was still a mess, and she was still wearing her night cloths. She was crawling into bed when she heard a knock at the door.

After a low groan of annoyance, Sorcha walked over to the door and opened it a crack. She was surprised to see Belladonna Sinstra.

"Oh, Sure. I would love to go. Hold on just a few moments." With that Sorcha closed the door. She ran, threw on some clean cloths, and put a brush threw her hair a few times. A quick check in the mirror confirmed that she looked presentable.

Sorcha walked over to the door and walked out. "Ok, let's go."

Breakfast Time
Author: Samantha Thatcher
Date: 07-14-02 10:42

Sammi entered the Great Hall for breakfast, her hair wasn't done up like usual and looked like a mess. Slowly she wandered over to the seat Samuel had saved for her.

He already had a plate full. "Hey, how'd ya sleep Sammi?"

"On me back, Sam." She said sitting down.

Samuel cracked up laughing. "D'ya ear that fellas?!" Samuel said. "I asked Sammi how she slept and she said "on me back Sam"!"

Sammi smirked.

"What's the matter?" Samuel asked. "Yeh look like ya haven't slept in days."

"Been avin' some trouble sleepin' is all," Sammi replied.

Samuel put his fork down. "It's not cause o' Fred is it?" Samuel asked, more seriously.

"No!" Sammi scowled. But the truth of the matter was, that every since Valentine's Day, she hadn't gotten much sleep. "Is jus...the bed is too...soft."

Samuel rose a brow. "Too...soft." He repeated.

"Tha's right." Sammi took a bite of her breakfast.

"Okay," Samuel began eating again. "Ya try sleepin' on the floor?" He chuckled.

"Very funny."

"Right," Sam plopped his fork on the plate and stood up. "Well I'm done. Ready ta watch a Quidditch match?"

"I'm goin' ta pass on this one. I'm goin' ta go get some shut eye."

"Good idea...Maybe you should go see Madam Pomfrey." Sam said as he walked off.

"Yeah," she said to herself. "Maybe."

Floating Around
Author: Nearly Headless Nick
Date: 07-14-02 10:52

Sir Nick was the ghost of Gryffindor tower and usually helped students around, but since everyone was at the quidditch match he flew down to Ravenclaw to see his friend and fellow ghost, The Grey Lady, but she wasn't there. He floated downward, then he spotted Peeves tying invisible rope around two torches so that it would trip someone. He told the Bloody Baron of these events, then he stopped and saw three Slytherins enter Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Knowing what was there he followed them in...

Thinking Too Much
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 07-14-02 14:59

Fred sat alone at the top of the bleachers in the Gryffindor section of the Pitch, his arms stretched out across the barrier he was leaning up against. The air was cool, and it stung as it whipped him across the face. At least, the snow was finally starting to recede from the cold, hard earth.

He figured George would show up with Majandra in tow. In truth, Fred couldn't have been more happy for his brother and the charming fifth year girl, but loneliness still weighed heavily upon his own heart. He missed Sammi. After all, they had gone together for four months and two weeks. For teenagers, that's a long time. At the same time, however, the separation just felt so right. Only time would tell what would be in store for the former couple.

Fred let his eyes scan the stands for Sammi, but she was no where to be found. He wasn't really surprised. It seemed that ever since Wednesday, she became more and more distant. It started to worry Fred, and he kept expecting Samuel to beat the living daylights out of him, or at least try to smother him in his sleep. Although worries plagued Fred's mind, he was getting the most fantastic sleep of his lifetime. He awoke every morning very well-rested and was full of energy...until one of the Thatcher twins came into view, which never failed to happen early on in the morning, since Samuel was, after all, one of Fred's roommates.

Conversation between the two boys was minimal at best, mostly because Fred would find excuses to be somewhere else. Fred didn't talk to much about his break from Sammi with George either. It wasn't that he couldn't talk to his brother, it was just that he really didn't want to talk about it. Besides, with George currently in a happy relationship, he probably wouldn't analyze the situation in the same light. Charlie, on the other hand... Fred would definitely have to write his older brother later. For now, he needed to sort out his feelings himself, and any advice would just confuse him further.

What Fred needed most at that moment, was a nice, frothy pint of butterbeer and a cauldron cake or two. He sighed quietly to himself, shook off any melancholy thoughts, and focused his attention on the game. Thankfully, Ravenclaw was leading by 20. If the game continued this way, Fred just might be in an excellent mood by the time it's over.

Re: Thinking Too Much
Author: Belladonna
Date: 07-14-02 15:27

Bella silently gave a groan about the game having already started as she finally sat down with Professor Sorcha and tucked part of the throw around her legs before offering her guest the other half. She seemed familiar, although she didn't know why. Of course, she never could concentrate unless all aspects of her life were in order. Either that, or Izzy was right and Mumma had finally driven one of them mad.

Bella elegantly poured a cup of expresso and then offered the other one, saying that it was great for feeling awake. Had to be the understatement of the year, but a quad expresso was just what the doctor ordered to clear up the last vestiges of hangover. Her mother had just put a cold cloth to her forehead while her father had just shook his head and muttered something about home confinement.

Since the coffee wasn't upsetting her stomach at all, Bella picked up a hot shepherd's pie and took a nibble before biting into the first solid food she'd had in two weeks. No wonder she'd been so thin when she'd looked in the mirror. Maybe a weekend letting Mumma fatten her up would be advisable.

She unpacked the huge basket, sitting out what had been a huge picnic and was quite too big for two. Oh well, they'd manage, especially since Bella was beginning to remember how good food tasted. This would be a great game, especially if Ravenclaw won and she didn't run into Charlie. God, she was completely asinine for doing what she did to him.

"Okay, so we're a bit late, but since Ravenclaw is ahead, I'm too happy to care. My siblings and I were all in that house, so you can imagine that I'm quite partial. Can I offer you a pie? Marzipan fruit? Something chocolate? More espresso? Really, it's quite good for perking one up. Now, this sounds silly, but I remember you from somewhere, but my bad memory won't clear it up for me."

Re: Thinking Too Much
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 07-14-02 18:25

Sorcha couldn't remember the last time she had been to a Quidditch game, she hadn't gone to any this year. When the two had arrived, the game had already started. She had accepted the espresso when it was offered. She took a sip and found it tasted very strong.

"Sure, I don't think I could take more espresso," Sorcha replied. Bella seemed to understand and gave her some of the food. When that was done, Sorcha then continued to speak.

"I remember that you invited Adriana and I up to your room once for tea. That may be where you remember me."

Is it just me, or are my hands shaking? Sorcha thought to herself.

Textbook Perfect
Author: Aradia Forest
Date: 07-14-02 20:32

After making sure Sykra is okay, and yelling selected insults at the snake who hit that bludger at her, I resume flying around the Pitch. . Things seem to be going in our favour, my teammates scoring twenty points for us. "YAY!!" I shout waving my hands in the air enthusiastically. "ALRIGHT!"

I resume my flying, in good spirits, and catch the quaffle as it flies in front of me. I fly over to the hoops and execute a flawlessly brilliant shot - it flies over and into the goal hoop with textbook accuracy.. I fly around in glee.

"Yes!! Yes!!" I shout as Lee announces, "A brilliant score by Chaser Aradia Forest of Ravenclaw. Take that Slytherin!"

Shaking
Author: Belladonna
Date: 07-14-02 20:58

Bella clapped a hand to her head. "That's right! I did invite you and Adriana for tea. How silly of me to forget. I think I've managed to kill off all my remaining brain cells. Naughty me. I've had so much going on that I barely remember last week. It was a lovely tea, wasn't it?"

She sipped her espresso and savored the scent. She and her siblings were practically weaned on the stuff and had been known to eat the beans as a snack. One of the nicest things about visiting their Nonna were all the coffee houses and having proper espressos. Sheer heaven, but apparently Professor Sorcha wasn't quite used to the stuff.

"Oh dear, your hand seems to be shaking! I always get the stuff too strong. It's the Italian in me. If you think this is bad, you should taste my Nonna's. Some nice Chamomile or jasmine tea instead? I also have some butterbeer, but it's not as warming."