Game Day
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 02-26-04 08:22
Bronwyn stood over Desi's bed with one hand on her hip and the other holding Quidditch for Dummies, the book Toby had given her nearly a year ago when she became the new commentator for the games. She eyed the sleeping Hufflepuff for a few minutes before yanking the comforter and covers from Desi's unmoving form, startling her awake.
"Bronwyn! What are you doing?" Desi exclaimed, covering her eyes with the back of one hand while blindly trying to reach for her blankets, which were now at her ankles.
"Rise and shine! There's a Quidditch match today and you need to be there!"
"Why?" Desi protested. "I'm not playing today!"
"But you need to watch the other teams, of course!" Bronwyn explained, rolling her eyes. "How else are you going to learn their strengths and weaknesses?"
"Oh, all right!" Desi turned her head and pulled her hand from her eyes so that she could glare at Bronwyn. "Just give me some time to get dressed and eat, and I'll go with you to the pitch."
She started to climb out of bed, casting a scorching look at the window where the curtains had been drawn wide. The sun peaked out from the clouds and shone into the dormitory, extending a beam of brightness where Desi's head had lain on the pillow.
"Well, I need to head out there already," Bronwyn started, "but if the boys are in the common room I'll be sure and instruct them to see that you get to the Pitch. I imagine Sebastian will see that you get there regardless since he is on the team too and obviously knows the importance of Quidditch!"
Bronwyn grinned and thought of the little Quidditch field and its tiny players Sebastian had shown her and Arley yesterday. She hadn't thought to ask him where he'd gotten it from or how it truly worked, but she immediately realized it would be a nice thing to have. With Toby playing for the Brisbane Bandicoots and so far away from home, seeing her ex-boyfriend, even in miniature form, would bring joy to her heart.
"So, I'll be looking for you in the stands," Bronwyn went on, eyeing Desi sternly.
"Yeah, yeah," Desi said indifferently, but her tone brightened when she said, "Good luck today. Talk to you after the match?"
Bronwyn smiled. "Definitely." And she left the dormitory.
Pep Talk
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 02-26-04 09:39
"So, this is it."
Draco looked around the locker room, momentarily holding his gaze on each face as he gave the first pep talk of his final Quidditch season. "We go out there, show Gryffindor what we're made of, score big, and we'll find ourselves on the road to the Quidditch Cup. This is our year. Slytherin's going to take it all.
"We're more experienced than any of them, and even our most inexperienced players are better than the whole lot of Gryffindor. Play hard out there. Show no weakness."
He looked at each individual face one last time before leaning into the circle and holding out his fist.
Isolde adjusted the broom over her shoulder and extended her arm, putting her fist against Draco's. Py followed suit, and soon Alexis, Mary and the two newest Quidditch players, Nora and Crispin, did the same.
"Slytherin," Draco said.
"Slytherin!" everyone repeated loudly.
Draco dropped his arm and led his team to the double doors, which opened to the Pitch. One by one they filed out onto the green lawn to cheers from their fans and boos from everyone else. Simultaneously, the double doors across the field opened and Gryffindor marched out onto the lawn led by Ron Weasley.
Draco smirked and approached the center of the field where Viktor waited for him and Gryffindor's captain.
"Ready to lose, Weasley?" Draco sneered when Ron met him.
Ron narrowed his eyes and turned a few shades of red from anger. Before he could retort, however, Viktor spoke up...
Let the Game Begin
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 02-26-04 10:41
Viktor wouldn't admit it to anyone, not even Stefka who has kept up a steady correspondence with him to make sure he's recovering for all the nastiness the past couple of years, but Viktor is more nervous now than when he took the field to play in the last World Cup. Viktor spent all his free time this past week checking and rechecking equipment, making sure that the players had game robes that fit them correctly, and making sure the pitch was game ready.
This morning Viktor literally had been up before the sun then ended up having to wait several hours for any of the Gryffindor and Slytherin team members to start trickling down from their houses. Viktor kept watch for Jared Wynbourne's entry into the Great Hall, wanting to tell Jared something before Jared ate breakfast.
"It iz seeming that Remadi Ye rushed to see Madam Pomfrey wery early zis morning and cannot play today. You vill need to fill ze chaser position, Jared."
Jared had gone wide-eyed in both surprise and shock then wandered off to sit and staring queasily at his breakfast. Ron came and spoke to Viktor long enough to verify the news about Remadi then spent the rest of breakfast with Brett trying to reassure the rest of the team that no, they will not die before or during the match and to just keep taking deep, calming breaths while the Slytherin team sat at their table grinning like cats who've eaten all the canaries and started in on eating the rest of the birds.
All too soon it was time for Viktor to take walk out onto the pitch to meet with Draco and Ron. He gives each a very pointed look gives the official "play fair" speech. After giving Draco another look while firmly stating anyone cheating will be penalized, even if it means yanking the worst offenders from the game, Viktor releases the snitch, then the bludgers and to growing cheers of anticipation, at least the quaffle.
Welcome to the Ministry of Magic
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 02-26-04 10:50
A stray dog ran down the sidewalk, pausing only to sniff at Ethan's feet. He quietly shooed the animal away, adjusting the hood over his head and shifting blue eyes to the telephone box across the street. Shabby-looking buildings lined the dingy road, and bits of trash blew here and there by way of the wind.
Ethan sighed deeply and winced as the all too familiar and haunting vision of Taz-Marah's death flashed before his eyes. I'm a murderer, he thought to himself. He ducked his head and closed his eyes, pressing palm to forehead as if trying to ease the pain and tension from a headache.
You know what you have to do.
It was his own voice that spoke, not the one that had been talking to him this past year.
He stuffed his hand into his pocket, fingering the wand that rested there. His eyes opened, his head lifted and he gazed back at the telephone booth, silently contemplating his next action.
Then, he stepped off of the sidewalk and approached the booth. With another deep sigh, he opened the door and walked inside, sliding the door shut behind him. He picked up the receiver and dialed 62442.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business," said a cool female voice.
Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but said nothing.
"Please state your name and business," the cool voice repeated.
"Erm," Ethan cleared his throat, shut his eyes tightly and blurted out, "Ethan Somerset."
"Thank you." A badge popped out of the coin slot. "Visitor, please take the badge and attach it to the front of your robes."
As the phone box started descend beneath the pavement of the dingy street, Ethan knew there was no backing out now. He felt sick.
"Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."
Ethan hardly heard the words.
The lift stopped, and the door slid open as the voice greeted, "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day."
Surrounding the telephone box were some familiar faces: Geoffrey Blackwell and Jaidan Peters, two aurors Ethan had the pleasure of working with in the past, stood in the center of the group. They were the only ones without their wands at the ready.
No one spoke, and Ethan felt obligated to say, "I've come to turn myself in. I-I want to speak with Dierna ni Ciaran!"
Opening Announcements
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 02-26-04 11:06
Sebastian had been in the common room when Bronwyn entered, and she greeted him with a cheerful good morning and relayed her thoughts to him about Desi. "She's habitually reluctant about all things Quidditch so you may have to drag her to the Pitch," Bronwyn explained. "Just be sure she gets there!"
"Not a problem," Sebastian replied, grinning, and waved to Brownyn as she left the common room.
She arrived at the Quidditch Pitch some minutes later and climbed to the staff box, where a few of the professors were already seated. She greeted them and took her place at the microphone, setting Quidditch for Dummies aside for a moment to run through the opening announcements in her head.
The stadium was slowly filling with lots of green and scarlet but also much yellow and blue. There was a wintry bite to the air but with a bit of sun poking out of the clouds it wasn't as cold as it could have been. Still, Bronwyn shivered a little and adjusted the yellow and black scarf around her neck.
By the time Viktor Krum walked onto the field to enormous cheers the Pitch was packed with students, staff and other fans alike. He set a rectangular trunk on the ground in the center of the field and waited for Gryffindor and Slytherin to enter the arena. They soon did, and after Draco and Ron shook hands Bronwyn turned on the magical microphone.
"Hello Hogwarts! It's time for Quidditch! Today's match is between Gryffindor...
...and Slytherin!"
Bronwyn paused to allow the fans their various cheers and jeers and then continued, "Let's meet our players! For Gryffindor: captain and keeper, Ron Weasley! beaters, Brett Kingston and Annie Paul! seeker, Ginny Weasley! and chasers, Tranquillina Aemilius, Oreiliah McCoi and Jared Wynbourne!
"And for Slytherin: captain and seeker, Draco Malfoy! keeper, Pyrrhus Fine! beaters, Alexis Black and Crispin Cooke! and chasers, Mary Black, Isolde Farnon and Nora Masters!"
The crowd went wild for the names and then Viktor released the balls into the air.
Bronwyn nearly sprang out of her seat as she cried, "And the quaffle goes to..."
Taken
Author: Mary
Date: 02-26-04 13:08
"Mary Black!" Mary heard her name shouted through the microphone as she darted out and snatched the quaffle. No sooner had her name been called then she tossed it to Nora, who caught it easily.
Not bad for a one-eyed pirate, Mary thought. She thought she might actually tell her so after the game. Nora ducked a Gryffindor arm and tossed it back to Mary, sticking to their chaser game plan. Never hang on to the quaffle long enough to be stolen. The key is perfect passing, and Isolde, Nora and Mary had been practicing just that for ages.
Nora faked right and tossed the quaffle to the left and behind her so that it landed easily in Isolde's outstretched hand.
Let the best team win, Mary thought, which is us of course.
The Quidditch Pitch Truce
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 02-26-04 13:18
"Nervous, Cooke?" Alexis had said in the locker room just before Draco's speech.
"Just don't hit me in the head with your bat, is all." He replied
"I'm not incompetent." She sneered.
"No, that's not what I meant." Crispin replied, taking a step sideways to ensure he was out of Alexis' reach, "Don't kill me because I'm your sister's friend."
The sixth year smirked, "There's always a quidditch-pitch-truce, even between Mary and myself. I might kill you for being her boyfriend later, though." She said absently.
"I'm not..." The second year began nervously, but Alexis interrupted him, "It's up to us to protect our team from the bludgers. You got it?"
"I guess."
"For someone dating that creepy walking ego, you sure are insecure."
"I guess."
"Okay."
Now that she was in the air, Alexis didn't have much time to worry about Crispin. She just barely had time to wonder if Devo and Alicia had succeeded in their special plan as she whacked a bludger back to the Gryffindor who'd sent it her way.
Alexis couldn't worry about it. They'd find out soon enough, after all.
A Great Day for Quidditch
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 02-26-04 17:22
"D'you lads want to go up to the Castle and watch the Quidditch Match?" I ask the Toms. "Professor Dumbledore has invited the lot of us to sit with him in the faculty stands." Before I can utter another word, they are off to their room and back again, each wearing his heavy jacket and his 'Official", Red and Gold, Gryffindor muffler. "Give me a minute, and I'll be ready, too!" We link hands and apparate to a spot just outside the Hogwarts gates. It's a goodly walk from there to the Quidditch pitch, but we make it in time for the opening action.
Professor Dumbledore gives us a grand welcoming smile as we slip into the reserved seats beside him. Front row... mid-field... best seats in the house! The Toms watch the action with the intensity of hardened fans, making occasional comments on one maneuver or another.
"It seems a bit strange," I observe to Dumbledore. "I mean, without young Potter in there as seeker."
"Ah, yes!" the Headmaster replies. "But... he does seem to have valid reasons for giving up the sport. Wants to concentrate on his studies, and all that. However, keep an eye on the red-haired young lady. She's the last of the Weasleys. Seems to be doing a fine job."
Working Overtime and an Unexpected "Guest"
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 02-26-04 20:53
The weekend is the best time to get work does at the ministry. Except for a few token staff and a dozen aurors, it was quiet: no "Woman of Warts" to interrupt, no offended decrees to dance around. I could actually do my job. What a totally amazing thought!
So, when Jaidan Peters come into my office telling me the elusive auror-gone-astray Ethan Somerset is here to see me, I'm astounded.
"Thank you, Jaidan. Send him in at once."
When he is brought in, I stand and look at him for two minute before saying anything. There is nothing of the dankness about him - the attempt at acting normal - that I'd seen in him last time at Hogwarts.
"I'm going to send for Dumbledore." I finally say.
I take out a paper from my desk and quickly scrawl a note:
Olamh: If you are available, please come to my office. There is someone here who you’d be interested in seeing. Dierna
I send the note off with my owl, then turn back to Ethan.
"Now. Why don't you tell me why you've turned yourself in?" I ask, pointedly.
Go Gryffindor!!
Author: Sora
Date: 02-26-04 22:02
Sora stood in the stands waving his red and gold flag over the edge. "YEAH!! GO GRYFFINDOR!!! GO-GO-GO!!!" he screamed as he leaned over the edge. This was his first time he's ever seen a quidditch game, and he liked it so far! Almost as much as watching the New York Yankees in the world series!
"LIONS LIONS GRYFFINDOR!!" Sora kept screaming, getting deep in it! He almost fell over the edge three times now, which made Logan and Riku a little worried for Sora's safety... therefore they both took an arm and held Sora on the stands while they shouted their support to their team.
"THIS GAME ROCKS!!!!!! I LOVE QUIDDITCH!!!!!!!" Sora screamed, not noticing Logan and Riku holding him by his arms, "ALMOST AS MUCH AS I LOVE CHOCOLATE FROGS!!!!!"
A New Beater Style
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 02-27-04 05:13
Ron had it planned well for the Beaters: just keep it free and clear from the chasers and try to knock the Quaffle out of any Slytherin hands. I managed to get a few good hits in while Brett managed a few close shaves himself. I managed to hit a Bludger with a great amount of strength and sent it towards a Slytherin. "What a shot by Paul who sends it right to Alexis Black, Black then sends it back right to Paul who manages a tremendous hit missing Black's sister Mary."
Brett and I soon were side by side when I saw we had possession of the Quaffle, but then something was happening. By the crowds reaction I didn't know what was going on, and I had no time to turn to look as a Bludger came zooming towards us. "Brett! Duck!" I shouted and tried something I never did before. Kneeling on my broom I took a good aim and sent the Bludger sailing towards the Slytherin stands missing Brett's head by inches.
The kneeling then sent my broom down a few feet much to the shouts of the Gryffindor side. I then managed control and pulled out of the dive.
Confession
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 02-27-04 07:37
Disarmed and surrounded by his escort, Ethan walked with Jaidan to the lift. They rode to the second floor and walked the short path to the Head Auror's office. His former comrade in arms showed him inside, where Dierna regarded him silently for some minutes. Ethan's outward appearance marked the way he had felt these past few weeks; his hair was uncombed, his face unshaven, his skin pale... he cared not for anything but the trouble on his mind.
Finally, Dierna announced that she would send for Dumbledore, and the uneasiness in Ethan's stomach doubled. Had he done the right thing in turning himself in? Should he have run to the ends of the earth and lived out the remainder of his years alone, unknown and perpetually haunted?
Ethan's panicked thoughts were interrupted when Dierna addressed him. "Now. Why don't you tell me why you've turned yourself in?"
Tell her everything you can remember, Ethan told himself but he found it difficult to find the proper place to start.
"I'm ill," Ethan finally said. "Something's terribly wrong, has been wrong for a long time now. I've only just remembered, a few weeks ago, that something isn't right." Ethan's voice dropped to a whisper. "I've done a very bad thing."
"What have you done?" Dierna pressed gently.
"I've..." Ethan paused, reliving the event again before his eyes. He saw himself, arm outstretched, wand aimed at his intended target. He heard himself shout "Avada Kedavra", and a green light enveloped the woman, whose eyes widened in horror as death overcame her. Then she collapsed onto the ground, lifeless.
Ethan felt whatever color remained in his face drain. His blue eyes found focus again and looked into Dierna's, who patiently awaited his confession.
"I've murdered a woman."
