Game Three
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-28-04 08:33
Quidditch in January should be played in an indoor arena, Bronwyn thought as she shuffled into the staff box. She wore a yellow and black Hufflepuff scarf around her neck, yellow earmuffs, and yellow mittens. Still, the warm clothing failed to keep out the blasting, winter wind, which continually blew against her exposed face and through her robes.
She sat down at her usual place behind the score board, and smiled as Professor McGonagall entered the stands and greeted her. More and more spectators were finding their seats in the stadium, a sea of yellow for Hufflepuff and scarlet for Gryffindor dominating. When the time came to start the formal announcements, Bronwyn clicked on the magical microphone, cleared her throat and shouted:
"Good morning, Hogwarts! Welcome back to the Pitch! It's time for Quidditch!"
She paused, grinning as thunderous applause and cheer erupted throughout the stadium.
"Today's match is between Hufflepuff--" She paused again, allowing for yells of enthusiasm from the said house, and inwardly shouted praise for them as well. "--and Gryffindor!" Again, the crowd went wild.
"Here come our players!" The double doors to each locker room swung open and out flew each member of the teams.
"For Hufflepuff: Abbott, Beck, Delgety, Diamond, Masterson, Montgomery and Sjoblom!"
She clapped her hands happily as she saw her friends fly around the Pitch. Tensions were still high among them, but she hoped they could put their differences aside for the match. Bronwyn was also extremely pleased to see Anthony on the team. If he was anything like his older brother Toby, Anthony would make a fine player!
She directed her attention to Gryffindor and shouted, "For Gryffindor: Aemilius, Kingston, McCoi, Paul, Potter, Weasley and Weasley! Welcome back, Potter!"
More cheers ripped throughout the Pitch. It was deafening!
Finally, Hannah and Ron touched down to meet Viktor, who waited for them at the center of the Pitch with a trunk of balls at his feet.
It Begins
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 04-28-04 10:06
Moving onto the pitch, Viktor waits for the players to come out of the locker rooms. Moments later they do as Bronwyn Dewhurst lively announces them. Hannah Abbott and Ron Weasley, captains of their respective teams, come to stand near Viktor who reminds them to play a clean, fair game. The two shake hands then with a blow of Viktor's whistle the teams are on their brooms and in the air, the balls flying up quickly as they are freed from the bonds of the ball box. The snitch pauses, fluttering as its wings become burnished gold in the light of the bright winter sun. A blink and it's gone. Abbott and Potter immediately begin searching for the elusive little winged ball as the other players jump into the game full force, struggling for control of the quaffle while avoiding the string of the bludgers.
Oops!
Author: H Potter
Date: 04-28-04 18:16
Harry watches the snitch flit away, tracking it with his eyes even as he leans over his broom to give chase. The only problem is that Hannah, in her own efforts as a seeker, is following the exact trajectory as Harry resulting in a huge collision mere moments into the game. Both are sent arse over head off their brooms, landing with a hard thud in a jumble of arms and legs, Hannah and Harry are glad that they hadn't been very far off the ground yet when the crash happened. Helping each other up and each taking stock that nothing's broken, including their respective brooms, the two seekers are quickly back in the air, immediately scanning the air over the pitch for a flash of fluttering gold.
Quidditch Match? What Match?
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 04-28-04 22:18
Three-month old baby Grace, well bundled against the cold, drowsily peers out at the pitch from the extra warmth and comfort of her mother's lap. She seems oblivious to the noise of the crowd and to her mother flinching as the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor seekers collide mere seconds into the game.
Briar, one arm firmly around Grace's small body as the baby leans snugly against her, still manages to clap loudly when Harry and Hannah quickly retake to the air. Without taking her eyes off the pitch, she asks Hermione, "Harry's hasn't shown any side effects, has he?"
Understanding what Briar's referencing, Hermione replies, "No, at least so far he hasn't. One thing's certain, Ron's happy that Harry turned him down on being captain again. Ron thinks staying as captain will help his chances alot for making a pro team."
From Briar's other side, Majandra inquires, "Did you decide what you're donating from the bakery for the Valentine's Day carnival? George and Fred are going to donate some items from the shop and some coupons and gift certificates. I'm donating my sewing skills. Two blankets. Each done in the style and colors the two winners want."
Briar gently lowers the now sleeping Grace into the carrier she brought, tucking her in well and making sure there's no draft. Sitting up straight, she turns to face Maj. "I'm going to give a few of the items for the cake walk, make all the cream filling for the pies to be throw and for the pie eating contest, as well as some coupons. I'm also giving a couple of, I guess packages for lack of a better word. Each package is good for one sweet a week for a year from the bakery."
"That sounds great! The carnival is going to be so much fun and George is going to attend, which will make the day all the better!"
Hermione quips, "I think one of the big questions on many minds is who is going to sit in the dunk tank and who will be targets of the pie throw."
Majandra and every other student within earshot nod their heads in agreement, a few of them muttering names under their breaths of those they'd like to see at either booth. Before long, the entire section is laughing at the thought of certain people getting a pie in the face or getting a good soaking, the game before them momentarily forgotten.
Go Gryffindor!
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 04-29-04 07:07
Banners, flags, and noise-makers at hand – I had to confess, Quidditch had grown on me. Of course, I had sneaked in one text book as well, hidden in the folds of my robe. Seated in the stands with the rest of the gang, I pulled out my omnioculars and searched the pitch for Tranquillina. I spotted her, and saw a bludger heading in her direction at the same time. Without thinking, I stood up and shouted.
"Watch out Tran!"
Slytherin Spectators
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 04-29-04 14:55
As soon as the quaffle entered the air, the new Hufflepuff chaser, Anthony Beck, snatched it from the sky and tore across the field for his team's goal hoops. He manuevered with incredible dexterity, weaving in and out of scarlet-clad players. His impressive first performance drew the attention of many, even the Slytherins, but was severely overshadowed by the collision between Abbott and Potter mere minutes into the game.
An evil grin spread across Draco's face and he said loudly to any who cared to listen, "Looks like Gryffindor made a mistake in letting Potter back on the team!" He paused to allow for the cackles of his comrades, the loudest of which came from none other than Pansy Parkinson. "Of course, the fact that he lacks any talent to begin with," a statement Draco himself even knew to be blantantly untrue, "makes you wonder why it took them so long to drop him from the team in the first place!"
"But didn't he quit the team willingly?" Crabbe asked, his brow furrowed.
Draco exhaled an exasperated sigh and turned to Santhea, who sat at his left. She shivered slightly and adjusted the green and silver scarf around her neck.
"Cold?" Draco questioned, nudging closer to her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. "Better?"
Distracted
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 04-29-04 16:23
Severus, seated in the staff box with his colleagues and their guests, watched the match between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor with limited interest. His mind was more concerned with the events from last New Year's, when he and Bellatrix Lestrange broke into a vault at Gringotts Bank. The full value of the document they had offered to Voldemort had yet to be determined, but both had been praised for their efforts.
He wondered what the scroll contained and why it was of such interest to the Dark Lord. Surely it couldn't be as dangerous as anything in the true tome of Magnus the Norse, but anything coveted by Voldemort likely also had its dark and terrible strengths. Snape also thought about the goblin Bellatrix murdered. Its body lay rotting away in the vault and would likely not be found any time soon, but surely its disapperance had gone noted.
Roars of cheers suddenly erupted throughout the stadium, pulling Snape from his thoughts. Mr. Beck, in possession of the quaffle for Hufflepuff, darted for the hoops after a series of well-coordinated passes between himself and the other chasers, Mr. Sjoblom and Mr. Montgomery.
Mr. Weasley, gearing up for the goal attempt, fixed the approaching chaser with a determined glance. Mr. Beck feigned a throw to the right hoop, but quickly changed course and sent it spiraling through the left hoop.
"Beck scores for Hufflepuff!" Miss Dewhurst shouted.
Re: Game Three
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 04-30-04 20:02
Tranquillina soon found herself whizzing high above the crowd below, chasing after the quaffle. Sometime into the game, she got hold of it, and passed it to Oreiliah McCoi.
A strange humming sounded in Tranquillina's ears, but she figured it was wind or something of the sort. Turning to change direction, however, she soon found herself face to face with a bludger. Suddenly, she could see it all in slow-motion. Her life flashing before her eyes, her final prayers said, and resigning herself to the afterlife, Tranquillina was surprised as the beater Annie Paul came to her rescue just before the bludger was going to hit.
Breathing again, Tranquillina turned to her savior. "Thank you, Annie!" She called, gratefully. The beater smiled before going back to work.
Finding herself quite alive, Tranquillina continued on her originally intended course, moving to an open spot should a Gryffindor chaser need her.
Well Drat!
Author: Orieliah McCoi
Date: 04-30-04 20:18
Orie, focused on where the quaffle was, had narrowly missed making a third to the collision between Harry and Hannah. Since then, she's flown back and forth the length of the pitch countless times and just now took a hand-off of the quaffle from Tranquillina. Oblivious for a moment to anything else, Orie tucks the quaffle under her arm, shooting down the pitch towards the goals. Next thing Orie knows, there's a jarring thud against the quaffle, which goes flying out of her reach and straight into the hands of Anthony Beck. Frowning, Orie is thankful that at least the bludger only hit the quaffle and not her.
Gryffindor! Gryffindor!
Author: Sora
Date: 04-30-04 21:31
Jumping up and down on his seat, Sora cheered for his outstanding team in the most wonderful game in the world (not to mention his favorite!) "GO GRYFFINDOR!!!!" Sora screamed as he watched the quaffle be passed. He gazed over to see how Tranquillina was doing. He saw a bludger race to her. Sora pulled on his hair. "TRANQ!! WATCH OUT!!! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he screamed.
He gave a big sigh of relief as another Gryffindor came to her rescue. "DON'T EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN!!" Sora shouted after her as he leaned over the side so far that he almost fell over! But luckily, Logan Hendrickson came to his rescue. "Hey! Don't you ever scare me like that again!" He snapped. Sora gave his silly smile and shrugged. "I can't help it!"
Re: Gryffindor! Gryffindor!
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 05-01-04 00:22
Logan's heart was beating just about a million miles a minute. The game was great, the bludgers fast and mean. They had been dodging them all over the stands.
Suddenly Sora had jumped up to scream at Tranquillina, and then almost went over the edge of the railing.
Quickly grabbing him by his pants and shirt, Logan frantically hauled him back to a upright position. His hands shaking visibly, he shouted back at Sora, "Hey! Don't you ever scare me like that again!"
Sora just gave his silly grin and they both started laughing together. The excitement of the game once again claiming their full attention.
Logan quickly grabbed a couple of chocolate frogs out of his coat pocket and stuffed one in Sora's hand.
"Here," he said with a laugh, "hang on to this, it just might help to keep you upright...or at least give you something else to keep your energy up."
Then it was back to the game....
"GO GRYFFINDOR!!!!" yelled Logan and Sora at the same time. Suddenly laughing together once again...
That Stings!
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 05-01-04 17:09
Before Anthony Beck can get very far down the pitch with the quaffle, Brett Kingston gives a nod to Ginny as a signal to be ready. She nods back and presses low over her broom as she speeds to catch up with Beck. Brett dives down towards the pitch then flies parallel to it before zipping upwards to come in directly in front of the Hufflepuff.
Brett sends a bludger straight toward the quaffle in Anthony's hand. Ginny tenses in preparation of grabbing the quaffle once it's free from Anthony's grasp but in the time it takes to blink, Beck somehow manages to avoid the bludger. It doesn't even graze him. Instead of the quaffle, Ginny finds herself out of breath, her ribs and sternum aching, the bludger hugged tightly to her chest. Letting it go, she pauses only long enough to shake off the pain but still grimaces when she hears, "Beck shoots! He scores! Hufflepuff 10, Gryffindor 0."
A Proposition for Severus
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 05-01-04 17:52
During a lull in the match, I lean over to Severus. "Could I have a word with you?" I ask.
He nods, somewhat uncertainly, and I direct his attention to some empty seats near the top of our box. When we are out of the line of the other spectators, and most of the crow noise is directed the other way, I speak softly so that only he can hear.
"Severus, I know well that you are a very private person and prefer to avoid social activities. However, it has come to my attention that you are the only professor who has not volunteered to help with the school carnival. Is this true?"
Once more, he nods, then eyes me suspiciously. "What are about to suggest?" he growls.
"Well," I begin somewhat cautiously. "I'm sure you realize that your lack of popularity among the students is a matter of legend. It has been suggested... that if you were to take a turn in the dunking tank, it might stir the student's interest."
Severus simply stares at me for several seconds, lips compressed into a thin dark line. His dark eyes bore into mine. I wait patiently for his reply.
Attack
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 05-01-04 19:45
"Hufflepuff 10, Gryffindor 0!" Came Bronwyn's cry.
"Shoot!" Tranquillina muttered to herself, scowling at the crowd below as she went back to chasing the quaffle. Back and forth, back and forth she went in a futile attempt to get at that ball! The cold January wind thrust full-force in her face, though she tried to pay it no heed.
As it was tossed between the Hufflepuff chasers, Tranq saw an opportunity. She was able to come from an awkward angle and intercept the quaffle. Zooming towards the goals, she made eye contact with Ginny, whom she quickly threw the ball, too.
No sooner had she done that then a rather large force knocked her from her broom. With an unpleasent thud, Tranq hit the ground, her breath knocked out of her. With a grunt, she made sure she was okay, regained her composure (and breath!), and got on her broom.
She once again went up in the air, cursing her stupidity of not being more carefull under her breath.
Take Aim
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 05-01-04 21:02
Brett swings sharply around as he tracks the path of one of the bludgers. He guides his broom into position to send the bludger straight at Anthony Beck who's once again in control of the quaffle. Just as he goes to swing his bat, Brett spots the snitch with Hannah Abbott close behind and nearly within reach. Quickly changing his aim, Brett sends the bludger speeding directly in Hannah's path, forcing her to swerve. He grins when it's clear that she's lost sight of the snitch but that grin quickly turns into a scowl when Bronwyn Dewhurst excitedly announces, "Beck scores again! Hufflepuff up by twenty!"
Down By 20
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 05-02-04 02:18
"Beck scores again! Hufflepuff up by twenty!" Dewhurst announces and I shake my head quickly. "Not again," I muttered. They were good I had to admit and soon we had the Quaffle again. "It's Weasley with the Quaffle and Beck is closing in." I heard Dewhurst and gave a quick glance to my right. Spotting a Bludger, I zoomed to position and made my move hitting the Bludger and causing Beck once again to veer off.
"Paul gives a splendid hit and separates the two Chasers. Ginny Weasley heading for the goal, but wait! Masterson hits the Bludger and tries to stop her." Zooming in, I lock on the Bludger as Brett seees to spot it. Giving him the thumbs up I laid flat on my broom and took a swing just as the offending Bludger gets too close. "Whack!" I felt the club vibrate in my hand as I sent it flying high and gave Ginny a chance to score as she zoomed past.
Poor Adam. Poor, Poor Adam.
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 05-02-04 13:23
Sidi watched he husband sitting silently in the empty shoppe. Griffindor was playing Hufflepuff and the Quidditch arena was just not exactly handicapped accessable. If it wasn't made in the early 19th century or before, things just didn't work in the Wizarding world. Adam was dependent on a rickity old wooden wheelchair that Molly had given him and Sidi couldn't figure out how to manuver it in that environment. Adam was beside himself with grief. He sat sulking at a table wearing his "black market" Griffindor hat and scarf and looking at a stack of Quidditch books. No matter how immature her 22 year old husband was being, Sidi felt sorry for Adam.
They had gotten in a nasty arguement after she called him infantile, childish and blamed Darius in frustration. Sidi, 13 years older than Adam, often had a problem with the age gap and in too many cases was unable to hold her tongue in their arguements and ended up making them worse. This was one of those cases.
She couldn't apparate with him as Adam had a nasty habit of redirecting anyone he apparated with.
Someday I'm going to teach him to meditate, maybe that would help me clear his mind. Unfortuantely up to now meditation wasn't his forte.
He flinched when she came up behind him and squeezed his shoulders.
"I'm sorry." She felt so bad. "I'm just not good enough at apparating to get us there safely....and then how would we get to a seat? I'm sorry."
Adam flipped the pages of the book. He knew it was stupid and he was being a baby but that didn't make him feel any better. For the first time in a long time, Adam missed the muggle world. He started feeling sorry for himself.
