When the Snake Meets the Raven ((Dawn))

[will]

Will heaved his books out and poured over them almost greedily, his eyes wide and trying to absorb as much as he possibly could. He smiled slightly at his eagerness. He felt the need to study, almost like a desire. He had to do it when he felt this way. If he was bored, he would just grab out a book and read it until his head felt like it would split open. He had head-sets on from the orphanage (which were cheap ones, of course) and was blaring the music. What with that and reading endlessly boring books....his head felt like a balloon under pressure. Pressing his fingers against his temples he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, willing his headache to ease away. It refused point-blank and, if anything, became even worse. Will moaned slightly and laid his head on the table, his eyes still drinking in the words in the textbook. He was put in Ravenclaw for a reason, that he now knew. Smirking at his desire to read, he pushed away the book, frustrated now. How quickly emotions could change! He glared at nothing in particular until his eyes found the window. Pushing the stop button on his CD's, he stomped over to the window, only to gaze down at the luscious grounds with green envy of the kids who were out there, playing, enjoying the pleasures the sun held. It took a while for him to pull himself away from that window and proceed to practicing his spell, although now he couldn't quite concentrate. After five tries and absolutely no luck, Will stood up calmly and placed his wand in his back-pocket, exiting the dorm without a glance back.

That halls weren't exactly bustling as the usually were. Most of the times, it was hard to weave through the crowd but now, Will only saw one or two on his way to the Grounds. What could the all be doing? Enjoying the last warm weather? Sure, winter was almost upon them already and Will...well, he hated winter. Loathed it is a better word. The cold, the wind, the snow....He shivered at the thought of such unsatisfactory prospects. Winter was not his year, although his birth-date was rather close tot he season. It ended up being in fall though, which wasn't his favorite either. He liked the heat, the sticky days. Summer in other words. Now that the sun was going to lose its heat, people must have been trying to get out to make the best of what's left. That's what Will made out of the lack of students. He strode down the halls, his hands in his jean pockets. He had left his cloak in the common room, which was probably better considering the temperature outside. He smiled as he reached the huge oak doors, pushing them wide open to reveal the Grounds.

The grass was green. Not just green, but really green. The trees swayed gently in the on-coming breeze, which also lifted Will's messy brown hair, that hung in his brown eyes. He grinned like a young boy again, his feet carrying him swiftly past the real young boys and girls to the lake, where he could refresh himself from the horrid headache that just wouldn't leave him alone. He rubbed his hair slightly as he reached the lake, conscious that he was just about to get wet. Very wet. He grinned again, only to reassure himself, before wading into the water, which was colder then he had expected it to be. When it was about waist high, he dived under only to come back up freezing. Oh God, why did he have to do that? Him and his silly notions. Sure, it got rid of the headache but now he was freezing and dripping with the lake water. He practically washed up on shore. He rolled onto the grass and whipped out his wand, performing the drying spell neatly. His hair was returned to its normal floppy state and his clothes the usual dry sort. He brushed of the dirt that had held on to his t-shirt before standing up and tucking his wand back away. Well, that had been....fun. He smirked and shook his head slightly to get the hair out of his eyes, once again. Swaggering over to the nearest clear area closest to the lake, he lay down there, drinking in the sunshine. He was an outdoor person; he couldn't stand to be indoors for a full day, let alone a few hours. He smiled, content. This was where he liked to be. Out in the fresh air with all the different adventures to follow and begin.

[dawn]

The afternoon was just beginning as Dawn Lynn McGrogan sat in the Library. Yes, a seventh year Slytherin was in the library actually studying. She actually cared about her grades and what not in school. She had no idea why not many people in her house did, like her. The Slytherin house was support to be smart, cunning and everything out of the ordinary. Not a dumb witted house that started trouble. For all Dawn knew, she did not start trouble. She didn't admit to any 'trouble' unless she was caught, and that was never. Dawn was a clever girl. She was always on top of her game. Studying books of all kind, practicing spells as well as Quidditch, working on potions. Anything she could do in her free time she would devote to school. She excelled in most subjects, although in class participation she lacked that action. She chooses not to show off anything in front of anyone. In her class work as well as homework it would show. Crossing her right leg over her left, Dawn's stray left hand fixed her grey skirt politely, while her right hand scribbled away on a piece of parchment. Her green eyes behind her grey steel frame glasses danced from her parchment to her book, back and forth. She wanted to get her work done before she did anything else. She thought most of the work she did at Hogwarts was useless. But, she thought she needed to still do it in the same. It was her last year there and she needed to do everything, and anything. She had summer classes from a tutor, not because she was slow, but because she wanted to learn anything she could. Dawn had big dreams for when she grew up and she needed to do as much as she could to gather education.

Tapping her maroon quill on the side of her ink jar as she ended her three and 3/12ths long essay with a strong period. Reviewing over her small cursive writing, she showed no emotion. She wasn't the best at writing about muggle affairs, but she tryed. Blowing softly on the last paragraph she paused for a moment, waiting for it to dry. Slowly rolling up her parchment she tired a dark green ribbon around it, into a bow. Lowering her right leg, she pushed her seat back as she stood up. Gathering her quill, ink jar, and parchment, she put them neatly into her black cloth bag. Pushing her seat in, she walked away. Her long blonde hair swayed as her elegant strides marched through the halls. Dawn wasn't exactly sure what she wanted to do next. She was finished with Muggle studies work. She already did Charms, and Transfiguration. All she had left was Potions. All the homework was to make your own potion which is better than an ickle OWLS class potion. She assumed the Professor was getting too lazy to do anything. Dawn didn't mind. It was easy enough.

Laying her hand on the hand railing, she strode down the stairs to the main hall deciding what she wanted to do. Looking down on the Main hall, she saw a few students walking around. They seemed to be wondering no where aimlessly. Frowning at the fact they wouldn't light any idea for her, she looked away. Glancing up she saw the bright afternoon light glow through the massive front windows. Shrugging to herself she decided that the idea to go outside was better than nothing. Reaching the last stair, her high heels touched the vast marble floor. As she turned left towards the door, she made and unexpected turn left again into a corridor. Taking out her ebony wand, she pointed at her bag as it vanished. She sent it to her dorm room onto her bed, so she didn't need to worry about it. Next, she pointed her wand towards her shoes as they changed into tennis shoes. The gold mist which changed her shoes slowly circled her legs and stopped at her waist. It slowly faded away, were now instead of a skirt she was wearing jeans. Un-tying her tie she folded it and sent it to her bedroom so she wouldn’t have to deal with holding it. Looking at herself, she decided that if her Slytherin vest and collared shit got dirty, too bad for that. Grinning at her own lack of non-caring she slipped her wand into her jeans pocket, pushed up her sleeves and started towards the oak doors. Pushing one door open she quickly stepped down the stone stairs on to the trail ahead. A warm breeze flew around her as her hair danced. Dawn’s green eyes seemed to shine in the glowing sun. Not exactly knowing where she was going, but understanding her legs wouldn’t let her trail where she has never gone before. Breathing in deeply and smiling at the comforting weather she walked near the lake. Watching the fish swim around undaughted. Turning her head to the left, she noticed a boy get out of the water, and dry himself off by his wand. Watching him, she noticed the way he held his wand. Dawn grinned. ‘A Pureblood’ she thought as she pushed a piece of her hair out of her face. Continuing her walk around the lake, a few minutes later she ended up to where the boy laid in the grass. Recognizing his face, since Dawn was closer now to him, she new he was William, a Sixth year Raven. Dawn knew all muggles as well as purebloods in the whole school. She felt the need to know something, at least a name of everyone she may pass in the hall or encountered.

Turning away from the raven, she looked out over the lake. The top of the water was calm and serine. Kneeling down, she shuffled her hand though a bunch of stones. Finding one to her liking she stood up and attempted to skim it across the top. Merely going directly into the water, Dawn grinned at her own fault. Picking up another stone she attempted again.

[will]

The grass made for a great cushion, almost as good as any bed. Will had slept outside on occasion before. Never had he found such a nice place to lay before. The wind blew a soft breeze, rustling the grass around him, making it seem unreal. This was the way he liked it. Nature always had a way of taking him away from reality. He smiled and fingered his wand with a careful eye. He would have to shine it later tonight; make it look smooth. The finger prints on it were not appealing. He would polish it later tonight, he decided with a smile and lazily he flicked it up in the air, catching it between two fingers. This was a trick he loved to do, not that it was that hard. He sat up slightly, propped on his elbows, watching the colors swirl together in the lake. It was so wonderful...he could almost feel the colors moving around on the glassy surface near him. His elbows began to burn slightly from the pressure of his weight. He laid back down, surveying his elbows which had grass marks imprinted on the skin. He nearly jumped to his feet when he heard footsteps approaching. Just some girl. Will watched her as she continued to walk around the lake. She hadn't noticed him, or cared to notice. Will shrugged, glad in a way. Magic couldn't last forever, but the longer the better. Although he wished for some company to enjoy this with him. The only problem was practically no one had the trained mind to actual feel Nature and its beautiful ways. He had lived outdoors a few times; learning to respect it and fear it at the same time. He twirled his wand between his fingers slowly, undulating his other hand over his hair, which was starting to grow long. Time for a cut. Footsteps again. Will turned over slightly and saw the same pair of shoes as the last. It was the same girl. He hadn't bothered to look at her face yet. He looked away, thinking the footsteps would retreat again, but they didn't. They remained, making Will tilt his face up to see hers. He didn't recognize her immediately, but Will was always horrible with names. Even his acquaintances could be asked what their name was once in a while. It had happened to Dana, and he had known her for more the five years. Shrugging it off, he watched the girl go toward the shore and attempt to skip the stone. It flopped badly, and Will let out a grin. She picked up a rock to try again.

Will stood up quickly and reached over near the small stone pile the girl had used to find a stone. He found his own: Small and smooth. That's what you needed for skipping. He grinned. "No luck yet? Here, let me show you how it's done." He greeted casually, drawing in his arm, only to throw it out again, causing the stone to skip across the water about three times before coming to rest on the lake's floor. Will smiled and turned to the girl. "I presume you don't skip rocks often? It's more of a fluid motion, not much of a jerk. I couldn't see what your exact movements were from my position back there, but that's where most people's mistakes are made." He gave her a friendly smile. He had been skipping stones from a young age, naturally, even on the small pond near his stables. Will knew how to do it by heart; it was more of a mechanical movement. In other words, he didn't have to think about it. Which was the nice part about it. Natural and smooth. Yup, Will's style totally. He raised a cocky eyebrow at the girl. She looked slightly familiar, but everyone in Hogwarts did somehow or another. He struggled to come up with a conclusion to the name, only to fail miserably. Nothing came to mind, like it would if he knew the girl first-hand. "I'm not the best at it, but I can get a few skips once in a while." he admitted with a slight smirk curling his lips. How this girl hadn't learned how to skip stones was beyond him. Didn't all children try once in their life, at the least? Will hid his surprised expression cleverly, eying the girl curiously. "I'm sorry, but have we met before?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. She looked familiar, but from where, he couldn't quite place. He shrugged it off, deciding he would let the girl introduce herself. He dropped down and began shifting through the stones, separating those that were suitable for skipping, and those that wouldn't even stand a chance for a skip, even if it was done right.

[dawn]

Rolling the soft silver stone in her palm she felt the coldness of it seep through her pores. Flicking her wrist back and tried again to skip the stone. And Yet again, she failed. Letting out a smiling sigh, Dawn really didn't care that she had a fault with skipping stones, just something to pass the time. Hearing a voice from behind her she remembered there was that boy laying down there. Turning her head, her green eyes flickered as she met his eyes. He was very friendly, Dawn was actually pleasantly astonished. Normally people are rude to her, expecting an evil response from her. But William wasn't. He acted as if he was talking to anyone. Dawn paused for a moment as she watched silently on how he skipped his stone. He actually was quite good at it. Dawn grinned and nodded when he finished. "Good Job." she said still with a pleasant grin. Picking up another stone, she attempted to skip the stone with a more fluent toss. As she tried for her third trial, she failed. Shrugging her shoulders a calm, "Oh well." rolled off her lips as she turned around and walked a few paces back. Turning back toward William and the lake she seated herself down on the plush grass. It was full and soft. She could sit there for hours. She began to think of when she was younger, and used to play outside with Cole and Aden. She used to adore the outdoors, but once she set her mind to her school work- that hobby of hers seemed to change.

Looking up to William, merely two or three feet away, he spoke. Smiling, Dawn looked toward the lake and thought to herself. 'The reason he was so nice was because he doesn't know me.' She thought this was amusing. Glancing back up to him she spoke in an even normal tone. "Well, you could say we met before. Not formally of course. We had a few classes together in the past. Nothing major." she paused as she thought of what to say. She didn't want to sound arrogant, but she didn't want to sound weak. "I am Dawn McGrogan. Slytherin Prefect, Quidditch Captain." Dawn emphasized the 'McGrogan' last name. Habit you could say. She was proud of her family, and planned to carry the name strongly.

Stretching her arms out in front of her, she set them on her knees which were bent toward the sky. "No need to introduce yourself, Mr. Sixth year Raven." She joked coyly. "William Senetta is your name, of course?" she questioned rhetorically. Going on she looked away. "Beautiful day really, it is. I would like to play some quidditch..." she said rolling her eyes towards William toward the end of her statement. "... But, I decided today is a nice day to do what ever the day leads me to." Dawn seemed to be speaking truthfully, calmly, and coolly towards William: a Raven. But Dawn's summer was a handful. She can to the realization that she has no reason to not like people from different houses. But, she is free to loathe people from different blood. Plus, Dawn was still the cunning, decieving Queen she was always, that would never been changed. "What bring you outside?" Dawn asked, searching for common ground between the two to push a conversation. "An afternoon swim?" she joked as she remembered his slight dip before, when she first saw him.

[will]

((Sorry it took so long. I've been really busy and hadn't had much inspiration for Will when I did get on Again, really sorry. I'm going to be on sooner now, so the replies will start coming quicker. ))

His eyes skipped on to hers with a smile forming on his lips. "Thanks." He picked up another cool stone. This one was dark brown - an ugly color really. Will bounced the stone in his palm as if to measure the weight it held before skipping it across the water. Five times it went before falling into the water again, with no noise whatsoever. Will gave a pleasant grin at Dawn, who had tried again to no success. "Don't worry. It takes lots of time, just like everything else." He shrugged and followed the girl with his eyes as she sat a few feet away from him. Picking up yet another rock, which was bronze, he fingered it gently in his hands, rubbing away all the dirt evident on it's surface. Just something to busy his hands with. Will continued to do this without actually looking at the stone. He was just feeling his way around, making the rock as smooth as possible for something so rough.

He was about to go sit down beside the girl when she introduced herself. Will blinked a few times in surprise, not bothering to hide it. Shock also erupted through his mind. His fingers stopped fingering the stone as he stared at Dawn McGrogan. It wasn't that she was the Quidditch Captain or a Slytherin Prefect. The main part of his surprise came from her being known as a Queen. Will despised the Queen's - they always seemed to be causing trouble to people who didn't deserve it. He didn't hate the Queens - just disliked. Will - ashamed now at his reaction - looked away from Dawn. He was judging her without even knowing her. Queen could signal quite a few guesses about her, all of which didn't match her personality to him in the last few minutes. Will smiled and sat down beside her anyway, deciding to ignore the stunning facts about who she was. If he hadn't known her name, he would still be acting pleasantly. Deciding quickly to continue his friendliness, Will gave Dawn a grin.

"I see you know more about me then I you. Surprising, actually. Do you make a note to remember everyone's name or am I just special?" Will joked with a teasing glint in his eyes. He turned over the stone and felt around it's edges, which were continually smooth. Pleased at his result, Will continued to 'pet' the stone. Maybe he should keep it as a pet? He smiled at the thought but didn't stop his fingers from the action. "Quidditch," Will replied with a quick grin, "doesn't really appeal to me. I've tried it before but for some reason I just couldn't keep up with all the fast movements on a broom and look out for bludgers and all the crazy people.." Will ran a hand through his hair as he looked across the grounds and to where the Quidditch stand would be. He couldn't see the details through eye-sight, but behind his eyes he could see the six tall posts, three at each end and the stands, their tips meeting the blue sky. He brought his deep brown eyes back on Dawn. "You're a Quidditch Captain, eh? How about you teach me a few moves on a broom? There's nothing much for us to do here anyway, besides sit and converse, and I doubt that could hold much amusement for you. Plus, I don't get to met a Quidditch Captain everyday and be in the mood to jump on a broom. How about it?" He grinned at Dawn, already standing up and putting the stone in his pocket.

[dawn]

Relaxing, Dawn watched Will's expressions. He paused and looked at her for a moment after she introduced herself. She was confused, was it her name, or the title what astonished him? Maybe it was the fact that she was a Slytherin. She has been quite nice to him, oddly enough. Narrowing her eyes, she spoke in a whisper, "What?" William looked at her and smiled and began to speak again. As Dawn listened she grined. "I'm sorry, but it isn't only you. I like to know a little 'something' about the people I interact with." She rolled her eyes knowing exactly what she ment, but knew it came out a different way.

Soon Will began to go on about Quidditch. "It only appeals to the talented." she boasted with a snark grin. Dawn sat up as she listened to Will's question. Dawn's eyes lit up as she was given a choice between Quidditch or sitting around. "I'm up for it. I'll teach you a thing or two to take back to you own Quidditch captain." She laughed as she stood up. "I just got to geat ready." Dawn took out her wand as she said an incantation under her breath. A golden mist fell over her body as her jeans and vest changed into black work out pants and a long sleeve Slytherin tee she got last year from Pany Parkison's store. "Ready?" She said as she started turned towards the pitch, and started on her way down the hill. "Do you need a broom? I think in the locker room closet there are some cleansweeps, and maybe even a Numbus 1000." Dawn said as her captain's keys appeared in the palm of her hand. Turning back to Will she spoke challengingly, "We'll play one on one. Both Chaser positions. Do you want to play full pitch, or half? Its up to you."

(( Sorry For the shortness. I'll try to get better. I just need to get back into the swing of things. ))

[will]

((Don't worry about the shortness. It was perfectly fine. ))

William let on a fake look of sadness. "Darn," he said, snapping his fingers in exasperation. "I was hoping I was somewhat special among people." Will smiled in amusement, letting down his false sorrow. "I'm sorry. Not a very good actor yet, am I?" He smirked. He had always been somewhat good at lying, but when it came to pretend, things just never went his way. The fact that he had lived in an Orphanage and had secretly taught horses in the forbidden pasture made him an expert at false stories. He smiled at Dawn, sweetly tasting the memories again. Although this brought up painful memories of Lucifer, William didn't refrain from stopping the memories from coming. In an odd way, he was glad when Dawn broke his flow of good and bad times in his past.

"That I can believe." William replied, ignoring the near insult. He wasn't ashamed at his ignorance for flying; it just wasn't his thing. William followed Dawn. The sun filtered through the clouds, making everything seem hazily humid. Will kept pace with Dawn's quick steps, if a little out of breath. "I'm sure Dana wouldn't accept help from other Teams." Will replied with a small smile. He never really talked to Dana that much, but the image he got from a few conversations gave him a good feeling of what she was like. Will would consider her prideful and a little 'Slytherin-like.' Not that it was a bad thing. Will did have a few arrogant moments here and there. "Interesting spell," he commented while watching the old clothes cast away by new clothes on Dawn's figure by a golden mist. He was a little wary - noticing for the first time that Dawn must be rather talented with magic. He smiled, casting aside his feelings.

"Yeah, I'm ready." William said with a huge grin. The Quidditch pitch loomed below them. He followed Dawn down. "I'll need a broom. Preferably the Nimbus 1000. I don't doubt that's the fastest version they have. I'll need everything to keep up with you." Will smirked, anticipating what their match would hold. Dawn had a great probability of winning, which meant William would be trying even harder to win. He nodded as Dawn took out the keys that was only given out to the Captains. "One on one." He agreed, not hesitating in the least. "I think I can play Chaser well enough. Let's do full pitch. I prefer to have lots of room." He smiled, walking to the locker rooms for men. A slight breeze ruffled his hair. A perfect day for Quidditch, Will thought with a full out boyish grin. He stopped at the doors to the locker room, waiting for Dawn to unlock it. "Just to forewarn me, how long have you been playing Quidditch? If you tell me since second year, I might just fall over," William winked at her. "But don't expect a surrender just yet."

[dawn]

Dawn walked up to the locker room, she opened the door with the key. Pushing the door open she walked inside, hopeing Will would follow her. He was a Ravenclaw- he would pick that fact up quickly. Walking straight for a few paces, she turned right into the large locker room. Lockers lined up on the walls as well as two aisles of them as well, filled the room, as well as a wall with sinks and mirrors on it. Walking across the room, Dawn had an option, walking into the showers room or the storage closet. Of course, she went into the storage closet. Unlocking the fenced in room, the gate opened and she ticked the light for the room. The room was laced with pads. Knee, shoulder, shin, and chest pads. There was a box full off gloves for any player. Of course, this closet was for a player if they lost some part of their own equipment, or it got torn or was broken. Walking a little farther back, Dawn pushed a box of beater bats aside as she put another key into yet another door. "And here we have a few brooms." She opened the door as four brooms sat leaned up against the corner. Stepping into the closet, she sorted through them and found only one numbus 1000. "Here ya go." Dawn said walking out of the closet, locking it behind her. Bending down she pushed the beaters box back in front of the door. Walking back across the room she found a chaser's box. Looking at William, she sized him up, his sizes of course for pads. "Try these on." she said as she tossed a pair of leather hand gloves to him. Pushing that box aside, she found a pair of arm guards, as well as elbow pads. Putting them on a table for Will, she closed the box. "You will only need arm guards. No bludgers will be flying around, so you don't need to worry about those. Only thing you need to worry about is how hard I throw the ball." Dawn raised her eyes at him. She didn't make the comment to be rude, just as a matter of fact. She wasn't captain for being a bad player. She was captain for being a good player. She has been playing chaser since she was 9, thats 8 years for William to play against.

"Come on." she commented as she walked towards the gate and waited for Will to get out, so she could lock the door. Locking it, she found a different key on the ring, and went towards the lockers. Walking around the wall, she found hers. Putting the key into the locker's lock, she opened it. Her Slytherin Quidditch uniform hung on a hanger, with all of her pads, goggles, and three different pairs of shoes. On the inside it was layered with old pictures. From her first year playing with her sister, to her first year playing at school, one from playing Beaxbatons and another from Drumstrang her fifth year. Dawn loved Quidditch, and loved to remember awesome games. Taking out her leather gloves; which were already formed to her hand shape, she slipped them on with ease. Slipping on her arm guards as well as elbow pads, she looked over her locker for everything. Closing it, she turned and spoke. "Are you getting nervous yet? You know I won't go easy on you. Not my 'style'." she said with her back towards William walking towards another closet, and unlocking it. Taking out a long box, she tapped it as it levatated into the air next to her. "Have everything?" she asked, as she stood next to the door begining to lock it.

Taking out her wand once more, she circled it the air, as you saw from afar, a broom shoot from the bottom of the school down to Dawn. Smiling, she looked at William. "I would Never keep firebolt in the locker room." She cringed as she thought how many mudbloods, as well as half-breeds swarmed the room at different occasions. Mounting her broom, the box she got previously rised into the air with her.

Swooping down to the pitch's side line, she used her wand and set the box down safly on the ground. Getting off her broom she unlocked the box, and opened it. "Practice balls." she said calmly. You knew they were for practice. They were tarnished and warn, but still very useful. Taking out the reb quaffle Dawn held it in her arms. Locking the box, she mounted her broom. "Pick your goals." She shot. As she flew over towards the middle, ready for the small game.

[will]

William had no experience at Quidditch whatsoever. He followed Dawn around eagerly, watching her unlock all the different doors with mounting excitement. He knew in his heart he was in for a beating; Dawn was the Captain of the Slytherin team. The SLTHERIN team! My god! William chased away any thoughts of broken bones or harm that had come open others that stood against a Slytherin, especially in a match. That had been not only frightening, but a scary experience for spectators as well. Will gazed at the gloves Dawn had passed to him and the broom as well. Last time he had held a broom was in first year, when he was forced to learn how to ride. He had suspected he wouldn't use it ever again, and he hadn't. It was easy to read Will's future, but now he had a real challenge ahead. An interesting one, but he knew it could have a bad outcome in the end. Not to worry though, William thought as all the different pads were giving him. He thought he would look like a mummy when this was over; encased in all the pads. He smiled as Dawn said all he needed to worry about was how hard she threw the ball. "I'll be sure to watch out for it." He replied with a grin still spread across his face.

When everything was on (and to his surprise most of it fit, except for the gloves, which could have been a bit larger) he followed Dawn around once more, clutching his broom with a death grip. Maybe he was getting too piped up about this. That was probably it, but to tell the truth Will had a slight fright of flying. Sure, it wasn't so bad that he would refuse to get on, but he much preferred riding in a horse's saddle. "Perhaps," William replied as Dawn asked if he was nervous yet. "I won't go easy on you either." He warned, but it sounded silly even to himself. He was a rookie in this field, and the chances of him playing well were close to none. That wouldn't stop him though; Will was quite stubborn at times. With a deep breath he loosened his grip just a bit as he watched with interest as a broom flied toward them. A Firebolt, found out when Dawn explained why she didn't keep it in the locker room. Okay. Not a big deal...yet. A firebolt against a Nimbus 1000. Should be....interesting, at the least. If not, it would be a total embarrassment, and Will wasn't embarrassed easily.

He sucked in air as Dawn mounted her broom and flew off. He should do the same, but somehow his feet remained rooted to the ground. Oh, how he would miss the solidness of the grass.... Without breathing, Will got on and pushed off against the solid ground for the last time in a while. Air immediately greeted him and William closed his eyes against the rush. It was too much to handle right now. When everything became still, Will realized that he had just been hovering in mid air. With a strangled breath, he leaned forward and the broom moved forward as well. It stopped with a jolt when he leaned back again to rest. This would take some getting used to. Somehow, he managed to get to Dawn just in time for her to hear say, "pick your goals." William nodded and followed Dawn to the middle, getting across from her and pointing to the goals behind Dawn. He didn't say anything in case his voice came out as squeak. Ravens were never known for being exactly brave. He must have looked at least a little calmer then he felt, at least. Will had an easy time keeping a straight face in the hardest of moments.

"Okay," William said, surprised to hear his voice was stronger then he looked. He didn't much enjoy the thought of looking nervous in front of a Slytherin, so he was grateful for that. With a deep breath through his nose, Will closed his eyes for a few moments and waited, gathering all of his poise and masculine power. "Ready!" He called to Dawn, who was a few feet away. He opened his eyes and gripped his broom, reviewing everything he had seen in the stands while watching Quidditch. Whether he was truly ready or not was yet to be seen.

[dawn]

Dawn was for once keeping most of her comments to herself. She didn't go 'full on Slytherin' on the dear Ravenclaw, yet, and for that fact she was proud. Dawn noticed the whole time the two were in the locker room Will's look was slightly dazed. Not dumb dazed, he just seemed like he was taking the moment in. Dawn merely laughed as she remembered that, due to the fact in Quidditch you must go for the moment not making sure every detail was correct just that you are doing what you are suppose to be doing and that is it. Flying off to center field William replied to Dawn, by pointing at the goals behind her. "Good Good, Now remember that." She said, half snotty, half truthful. She paused as she let go of her broom and balanced with her torso, holding the quaffle in both hands at her chest. It was normal for her, easy. When she needed to catch or pass the quaffle she did it often but to a beginner it would be difficult. Noticing how William's seating was on the broom she noticed he wasn't all too comfortable. "I'm Sure you know the spell to make object bigger?" Dawn commented holding in laughter. "I think its one of those times." Pulling her wand from her right pocket, she held the quaffle in her left. She continued to talk while she found the incantation in her mind, and flicked her wand. The Numbus 1000 merely grew a inch or two. "Normally you wouldn't get a broom 'custom fit' But some brooms just don't fit some guys." Dawn said eying the broom up. "Try something, see if it feels better." She urged as she slipped her wand back in her pocket. Dawn was fully aware he wasn't good on his broom. She basically asked him to do a trick so she could laugh. Yes, that was one of the reasons, but another was so she actually had competition who had more than merely a minute on a broom. She wanted to win- fair and square.

While, she buttoned her pocket shut making sure her wand wouldn't fall out, she threw the quaffle up and caught it in the arm that was now free since she wasn't holding a wand. "Are you sure you are ready?" she re asked as she caught the ball simultaneously as she spoke the question. Grinning a snark grin she pulled a small piece of loose hair behind her ear. "Alright. Lets get mid- way high." Dawn spoke as she pulled her broom up, basically by pushing her knees toward the sky, still flying hands free. Flying about thirty feet from the ground Dawn looked down. "Seems good. Alright, So I am going to throw this straight into the air. Since this is a two person game and we want this to be fair- we both must fly to the ground touch it with out foot, then that is when we can actually make an attempt to get the ball. Got it?" Dawn asked as she tossed the red quaffle back and forth from her right to her left hand. "Alright, Ready...?" she asked one last time before throwing it into the air. Glancing up and back at Will she spoke, "Oh yeah, Don't get Too dizzy." Just as sher sentence ended the quaffle flew twenty feet above the two, and Dawn dashed toward the ground.

[will]

William smirked at Dawn for once at her tone of voice as she told him to remember. "It won't be hard to forget, I hope." He said, not really adding any texture to his voice as Dawn had. With a grin, he looked down at his broom. It did seem a bit small, and she was the expert on this after all. He didn't want to object, but he grew a little frightened that when the broom grew bigger, it would shake him off. Holding on for dear life even though the ground was mere inches away, Will watched as his broom grew just a bit before stopping. There. It hadn't been terrifying, now had it, Will? He asked himself, trying to gain some confidence but failing. When Dawn told him to do something, Will nearly fell off. What did she expect him to do? It was the time to do it; to get used to it before the real game. With a deep breath, Will launched upward, doing a complete cartwheel in the air. He only got a tad scared when he was upside down, for he could actually see the ground for a few seconds! And then he was back in normal position, his eyes wide.

"Wow!" William exclaimed, nearly jumping with delight. He contained himself just in time, a small blush creeping up his neck. "It was easy," he said to Dawn with an imaginary bragging tone. He grinned and shook his head but didn't add on. He nodded as she asked if he was ready again. He watched with a keen eye as she threw the Quaffle in the air a few times, trying to paste it in his memory. You never know, it might help him to catch it in the future. Pulling his gloves higher up on his hands so his fingertips were squished at the front, Will grabbed the piece of wood that was keeping him in the air. He couldn't help but watch the Firebolt with jealousy; how could he possibly keep up with that on a wimpy Nimbus 1000? At least he wasn't ready a Cleansweep or something even worse. Will wasn't sure what that would be. Dawn was in control by now, and all Will did was say, "okay," and follow her up. He had thought they were high then but man, they got even higher. Mid way seemed all the way. Will looked down at the ground even though it made his stomach do flip-flops; it would be better if he saw it now instead of later while flying through the air.

The Slytherin explained what to do, making Will become so excited he had to move his broom around. They had to touch the ground without foot? Did that mean with hands? But that was impossible! Will looked forlornly back at the ground, which seemed so far away. A slight breeze came and moved his hair around and the broom, but not so much Will had to clutch it again. He pouted at Dawn's comment and was about to reply when she dived to the ground. She had thrown the Quaffle already?! Will didn't look to check, but dove straight to the ground. It surprised him how fast the broom went. His hair lifted and he felt like he was going to fly off any second. He made the dive more angled then straight as a result, but Dawn was already ahead, from a head-start and the Firebolt. Will gnashed his teeth but had no time to fret, he had reached the ground. No foot? Meaning hands...Okay. Will pulled up from his dive unsteadily, his feet about five feet from the ground. Dang! He reached down and slowly touched the ground. When the grass reached his fingertips, Will lurched upward so hard it made him dizzy. Dawn hadn't been joking there. While the wind rushed past him, Will looked around for the Quaffle and found it starting to fall toward mid-pitch. Having lost time at the ground factor, Dawn was even more ahead. All Will could do was keep his eyes on the red ball in the air and lean forward as far as he dared.

[dawn]

Dawn dipped to the ground. Merely a foot from the hard dirt Dawn's outstretched hand touched the grass, as Dawn evened out her broom; made it parallel to the ground. Pulling back up to the air, Dawn noticed not only did she touch the ground, she grabbed quite a bit of grass as well. Throwing it out of her hand she leaned closer to the broom. Her stomach touched the slender pole as she flew straight up to where she began. Looking over her shoulder, Dawn noticed that William just touched the ground. The Slytherin in her cheered as the quaffle was a few feet away from her as it hit its highest point and started to fall back down. Grabbing the cold red ball, she folded it so it was cradled under her left forearm and elbow. This was the first time she noticed exactly where she was. Always in quidditch you tend to loose your sense of direction, but Dawn's pause wasn't even a second long, since she darted off to WIlliam's goal while she gained her direction. Lowing down about twenty feet in height, Dawn was now in the stadium. She was at the same height of the middle goal. Glancing behind her she noticed William watching. He had a cliche` raven look about him. Determined and the look of 'thinking'. Dawn always laughed at that look- 'it makes you actually look dim.' she remembered herself say to Pansy a week ago after class. Grinning to herself, Dawn inched toward the goals. Pulling the quaffle from under her arm she threw it above her in the air. When the ball hit it's peak- she spinned in a 360 and from the base of her broom; where all of the straw was, she hit the red ball toward the middle goal.

[will]

William's analytical mind speed forward in fast motion as Dawn got the Quaffle. The possibility of him catching up to her now wasn't a good one, so instead he speed off to the goals as fast as the broom would go. That wasn't exactly fast and the quickest way to get there was the way Dawn was going. Straight. There wasn't a shortcut in this instance, so Will would just have to lean so far forward on the Nimbus that he looked as flat as a board. This didn't cause much change, but the distance between him and Dawn may have inched closer during this time. When Dawn reached his goals she slowed down just a bit. Will speed ahead, but looked back, confused. What was she doing? He watched as she threw up the Quaffle and hit it toward the middle one, which Will was closest to.

Almost with a frantic look on his face, William pushed forward, eying the red Quaffle and bent on the broom farther down. Here goes nothing.... Will was close to the red Quaffle, almost beside it. Now came the difficult part. Reaching out to catch it. Will shakily moved forward to get it, but got out of balance and had to stop to clutch his broom. The ground blurred for a moment as Will held on, but his broom was still going forward as he was still leaning that direction. By this time, he had slowed down his speed and the Quaffle went through the middle hoop, caused by a very well aimed hit by Dawn. He sighed and mentally hit himself; he couldn't even let go of the broom with one hand, let alone two.

The Quaffle speed toward the ground and Will realized he would have to go fetch it before Dawn if he wanted a chance to make a point. Speeding to it, Will tried again to overcome his fear of the ground, which was closer now. He let go suddenly, his fingers grazing the red Quaffle just as his broom lurched from the shift of his body weight. Will grabbed the Quaffle just in time and pulled up to level in mid-air. The red ball was cold to the touch. How was he supposed to carry it? He went back to when Dawn had had it, she had put it under one arm and had held on to another. Deciding that was the best way, Will held on with his right hand while keeping the Quaffle under his other arm. Bending low on his broom, Will shot off to the hoops that seemed so far away. The ones across the Quidditch pitch. And to go that way, he had to get past Dawn.

How that would work, Will had no idea. He had to pass her without her catching up to him and grabbing the Quaffle away from his clutches. Thinking of possibilities again, he realized that chance was not on his side. He could only hope that luck was. Getting closer to Dawn, he decided to do a little trick of his own. First, he feigned going into a dive for about five feet before shifting suddenly upward. If Dawn had fell for it, he didn't look to see. The suddenness of the change made Will's lunch almost come back up again, but he swallowed down his goosebumps and speed toward Dawn's goals as fast as possible, not daring to look back and see where she was.

[dawn]

Dawn watched as her hit was perfect, right to a T. The 360 turn was her signature move. She did it once somewhere in the beginning of ever quidditch game, and once toward the end- just to show off. When Dawn was a 3rd year she remembered her quidditch captain doing that move once on his last game, his 7th year. Ever since then Dawn tried to prefect it. And her 6th year, as Captain she did. Watching Will retrieve the quaffle, Dawn flew toward middle field to take her position. As rules state the returning player with quaffle has free area until mid field, So that was there Dawn waited. She was used to this and watched William like a Hawk. She saw him quiver a little as he reached for the red quaffle and rolled it into his side.

Guiding her firebolt with her right hand, she had her left arm relaxed at her side. She paced the line and didn't let her eyes escape him. His broom didn't move as agile as hers, and that was a given- his broom was probably made several years back, and used brutally in many many games. Who knows how many times it was hit by a iron bludger. William was close to the line, when he dipped down five feet below Dawn, and came back up. Dawn shook her head by amusement. 'He actually TRIED a trick!' she laughed as her firebolt sped off to his side. She wasn't exactly at his side, she was more behind him then anything. A breeze flew over Dawn's face as she bit her lip. She noticed the core of the Numbus was steadily faced toward Dawn's goal, not ready to change directions. Lowering her flying height above the ground, she flew below him silently. Taking her hands off her broom, she flew with ease using her legs. reaching above her, she clasped her left hand on the broom quickly then punched her right arm at the bottom of the quaffle with all of her strength.

She used this move often, she was controling where the broom moved as well as attempting to get the quaffle back. If the quaffle did in fact fall from the boy's grip, it would be a free ball and anyone's game to get it before it hit the ground. And since Dawn was already flying below him and had a must faster broom, she already had the upper hand.

[will]

William streaked forward, the broom moving slightly to the side as a breeze came here and then. It was obviously rather beat up and worn, but Will didn't bother to check and look down to see where he was. He continued to stare at the on-coming posts, a look of pure determination on his face. He was calculating too; how was he going to throw the Quaffle? Would it go in if he did manage to make a good throw? Probably not. He had no experience at this. Dawn in the meantime, must be gaining space on him. Will hadn't yet checked on her, so he turned his head around to see where she had gotten to.

As things turn out, Dawn had almost been beside him the whole time! William bit his lip but wasn't surprised. The Firebolt outmatched this poor Nimbus. Now William realized why people were so worried about what model they had. Even a Nimbus 2001 couldn't really out go a Firebolt. It was close though. Will sighed with frustration, finding out that Quidditch was a difficult game. Since he had no team mates to pass to, he would have to travel the whole pitch to get to Dawn's hoops. That would be near impossible without her catching up with him! Will leaned forward and slowly but surely, inched toward the goal hoops.

In the mean time, Dawn had caught up to him more and, suddenly, a change came over the Nimbus. Will wasn't sure what it was, so he looked down to see Dawn holding on to his broom and her other hand was loose. She was holding on to the broom with only her knees! Will's eyebrows rose as he watched, amazed and terrified that Dawn now had complete control over his broom. He watched as she hit the Quaffle from the bottom, popping it out of his grasp. Startled and becoming angry, Will attempted to grab it but it slid from his fingers and down to where Dawn was. Great. He moved his broom to pull down and found he could; Dawn must've let go. The Quaffle was falling down and it was merely inches from Dawn. Without thinking, Will went into a dive and let go of his broom wobbly, arms outstretched like a zombie. He knew it must have looked funny from the ground or even at Dawn's position, but it had to be done.

It was strange, but in Quidditch, seconds seemed to be longer then normally. As William went toward the Quaffle, it seemed to take forever and all the while someone was close to the Quaffle then he. In slow motion, he watched as the Quaffle was taken away from him by Dawn (who else could have done it?) and he had to pull up from his dive in order to stop crashing into her. But instead of stopping, he went up in order to gain some momentum. This way, he could possibly charge toward his goal hoops while Dawn got the Quaffle. He knew that he wouldn't be able to get the Quaffle from Dawn like she had done it to him, and since he wasn't feeling creative at the moment to make up his own move again, he strained forward, trying to get to the goals before Dawn so he would have a better chance at stopping the Quaffle there then behind her.

[dawn]

Dawn praised herself as she made the quaffle fly loose. William stumbled for a moment trying to catch it in mid air, but Dawn knew he wouldn't be successful. Sitting back comfortably on the broom, she pushed her knees to the ground directing her firebolt toward the falling red ball. The wind started to pick up as she noticed the ball started to spiral. Grabbing the broom she sped off under the quaffle. The quaffle fell directly into her leather gloved grasp. Pausing for a moment, she made sure she knew where William was. Looking up, she saw him change direction and fly off toward his own hoops. Dawn grinned as she watched him fly off. She gave him a few seconds lead so he could be ready when she arrived at the three Golden poles.

Dawn sped off toward the goals. She was thinking of some way she could score, due to the fact Will was already ready. Circling the goals a few times, something caught Dawn's eye in the distance. Breaking her concentration she looked away from the goals and saw a few people gathered in the bleachers to watch the one on one match between herself and William. Only about five or six students was all she could make out. Dawn wasn't sure what house they were all from, or if they even knew who Dawn or Will were, but of course, everyone loved an audience. Dawn turned back toward the golden goals and circled once more, like a hawk getting her concentration back; plotting her next move.

Taking the quaffle from its cradled position comfortably under Dawn's arm, She circled high in front of all of the goals. She paced back and forth with her arm ready to throw trying to get Will confused. Finally Placed about ten feet in front and above the middle goal, Dawn acted like she hurled the ball toward the middle goal yet again. But faking the throw she actually let the quaffle go a little late and on an angle. It spiraled toward the bottom of the left goal instead. It was a good throw, she thought. Normally faking keepers out worked on Dawn's side but William had a few minutes to think of his next move as well as did Dawn. She wasn't too sure how William would guess the move. Or even if his broom would agree with him once he ordered it to move the way he wanted to if he did actually catch the fake. Watching with her eyes as wide as ever, she paused to see if William would get the falling red quaffle.

[will]

Things weren't going as badly as Will had thought they might. He took a deep breath. Okay, not bad, not bad. He just had to get to the Goals before Dawn and get ready for a shot from Dawn. The goals came closer and closer, but Will couldn't help but look back to see where Dawn was. His stomach was slowly loosening the knot formed at the beginning of the game. He felt free, more loose. Loosey-goosey. Will grinned and listened as the wind whistled by his ears. Dawn wasn't too far behind, nor was she too close. Will wasn't about to relax though; he still didn't like the thought of a charging Firebolt. He shot toward the goals with as much speed possible of the battered Nimbus.

The hoops came up closer and Will wasn't ready. He wasn't ready to be a Keeper. I mean, how hard could this game possibly be? He had to stop the Quaffle from getting into the goal and then he had to try to score again. This wasn't going to go very well, he just knew it. With a deep breath, William gazed at the hoops. Breathe. That's it. Breathe. The stomach that had been in his knot tightened slightly as he thought over what to do. Catch the ball, yup. He got that part. Get past Dawn. Hmm... a little harder but he would do fine. Gosh, who was he joking? He couldn't catch the ball, much less get past Dawn without having the Quaffle stolen yet again. William paused his mental tirade against himself as he saw shapes moving in the stands.

Bloody brilliant! A crowed. How wonderfully sickening. Nerve-racking! William bit his top lip and shook his head. This probably only boosted Dawn's arrogance and confidence. He had to shift his gaze away from the new audience to watch Dawn. She was circling the hoops. Will blinked in surprise; he was standing only at the right hoop. Pacing in front of both the goals, Will felt his stomach contract every time Dawn got close to him. He was afraid to be made a fool of. Great. This never usually happened. But Dawn was a Slytherin Captain, a seventh year, and a Queen. She had a reputation and what did Will have that could match up to that? Not much. If bets were going on in that audience, it must have been in Dawn's favor. And Will couldn't believe he was thinking bad about himself! What had happened to self-confidence/pride?

Dawn finally shot at the middle goal. William was closest to the left, so he instantly moved to the right. He was confident now; his body nearly blocked the main part of the hole that the Quaffle had to go through....and Dawn had faked. Darn! And he had fallen for it? William slapped himself mentally, getting a wake-up call as the ball went to the left hoop, the one he had been at! Oh, gosh! He went toward the hoop and suddenly, he found himself between the Quaffle and the hoops. He reached out to grasp the Quaffle but found it slippery against his gloves and he....he fumbled it. It fell toward the ground and Will, realizing that Dawn might not have to wait since she hadn't made a goal, could possibly get a chance at this too. He spiraled toward the ground, and got knocked off course a little by a shift in the breeze. He glanced around for a second before placing his eyes once again on the red Quaffle. His arms reached out and he safely claimed the red ball, only to turn around and see Dawn coming straight at him. He shot toward the ground so abruptly, he felt the Quaffle slid against his side, but somehow he managed to keep it with him. He got so low to the ground he was sure that if he got closer, his feet would graze it. With gritted teeth, he pulled up suddenly and angled up and straight toward Dawn's goals.

[dawn]

Dawn watched as William stuttered for the middle goal. Not blinking, he managed to go toward the left goal just in time to block her quaffle. She didn't understand how, due to the fact his broom was so slow, but she guessed he actually stood up for once on his broom. "BLOODY HELL!" She shouted as she gritted her teeth and flew to the ground to retrieve the quaffle. Will had full knowledge of his own plan, as Dawn caught on. He knew he was hit the ball and let it fall so he could catch it. Watching William cradle the quaffle Dawn leaned forward shooting through the air to William. Dawn was far better than him to let him even get near her goals, or even able to make a shot. She was furious that she didn't make the goal- let alone a Raven who never played quidditch in his life actually blocked it. Narrowing her eyes, she was flying at her firebolt's top speed, she knew this because she was flying in a straight line directly behind William getting his wind from his broom. Dawn jerked to her right side and flew besides William. She was cut down her speed so she was the same as Will's Numbus as she quickly shoved her left shoulder into William's arm to get the quaffle loose.

Once...... Twice..... Dawn attempted waiting to see if she made his right arm weak in the least bit. THIRD time she shoved her left shoulder into William's arm with all of her power and strength in every ounce of muscle she had in her body. Gritting her teeth, Dawn's face was tight every time she hit William. Falling to Will's slide left, Dawn fell into a barrel roll. (where she was spinning in a circle) She didn't want this. It was too dangerous. Her weight was off balance and you couldn't fly in a straight line if that was off, but she knew how to get out of it. Holding her broom flat and straight, she turned in a circle toward William. She was now sitting normal facing him head on. Dawn begain to fly toward him, straight to his front. Head On Head On. Gaining speed she locked eyes with the Raven. Her's were deep and powerful, where his were light and carefree. Dawn gritted her teeth, she wasn't going to pull away. She took quiddith personal. That was probably why she was captain of the Slytherin team. As a Slytherin everything was personal. Dawn was going to get that quaffle and she knew very well how to do it.

Knowing Dawn must have made William's arm weak, she knew that was where she was going to hit next. Time slowed down as Dawn got closer, inch my inch. She wasn't going to let him pull away either- they were going to collide. Less than a foot, time came back to normal- for Dawn- as she directed her broom to her left. Suddenly Dawn hit her target. Her left shoulder smashed into William's right; the one Dawn hit three times previous. The force of the 16 year old male's wide shoulder's on her's felt like a hitting a stone wall, but Dawn knew that was only receiving pain. William had to hurt much worse by being hit several times by a strong competitor. From the crash, Dawn was falling to the ground. She was holding on to her broom with one hand. She wasn't sitting on it, she actually fell off. To anyone else they would be loosing their cool and freaking out. But Dawn fell from high heights many times; its what came with the game. Dawn knew very well how to get out of it like anything else. Been there Done that. Twisting and turning, she shoved the broom into regular seating only about five or six feet from the ground. Breathing heavily, Dawn watched William as he......

(( I left it open because ... well... I can't God-Mod you. I know you gave me permission its just, I will let you say if the quaffle fell out of his arms or not. Or if he is hurt and if he was falling as well. [just like Dawn was] I'll leave it up to you. ))

[will]

((Thanks for not god-moding. I know we gave permission and everything, but it makes the posts more interesting, doesn't it? And - I'm terribly sorry for such a late reply. I've been gone for a while now. I'm trying to catch up as best I can, but please bear with me if William isn't exactly as good as he was before. ))

William cradled the ball in his right arm as he flew closer to the ground and Dawn's goals. He could hear her behind him, gaining slowly. Will knew from her speed and experience he stood little chance of making a goal, let alone getting there. The tough part was not letting her get the Quaffle before her reached the three poles. His stomach convulsed as Dawn got to his right side. Great! He bit his lip so hard he drew blood and shot off toward the goals with his eyes glancing from Dawn and back. She appeared angry and frustrated. What had he done? They were playing a game of Quidditch. He had to try to win sometime, didn't he? And - his show back there had been bloody embarrassing; trying to block the quaffle and then dropping it. If he had caught it that would be time for celebration, but no.

"Ouch!" Will cried aloud when Dawn suddenly rammed into him. He swerved to the left, his right arm feeling numb with pain. The Quaffle had hit his rib cage and now he felt bruised, battered, and sick. The ground swirled below him. Bam! Will's breath was knocked out of him from Dawn. She was vicious! He clutched the Quaffle with what remaining strength he had. His arm was weakening, and the red ball was slowly inching away from him. He couldn't control where it went anymore. He tried to get away from his attacker but yet she hit into him again, this time harder then ever. Will yelled as his right arm nearly bent in from the fierce attack. No wonder she was captain of Slytherin team. She knew how to hurt people. Will clutched his broom harder and closed his eyes, trying to calm his stomach. The ground seemed so far away and if he was to fall...

"BLOODY HELL!" William shouted as he felt incredible pain in his right shoulder. It caved in and the Quaffle snaked away from him, falling toward the ground. His eyes had been closed at impact but now they were wide open. He wasn't sure how Dawn had managed to collide into him so hard. It seemed completely unreal, as he swerved out of control. His left hand was still strong but his right was limp at his side. Bloody hell! He couldn't do anything now, he couldn't control his broom. He wasn't left handed. Will closed his eyes against the on-rush of wind. He knew he was going down, down toward the ground. He freaked out and tried to pull up, but his broom was going nearly crazy. Will knew it was from his quick movements that made it jolt so much, but he couldn't think straight. He scrunched up his eyes in pain as he rammed into the ground, the broom cracking under him.

Will's eyes popped open minutes later. He wasn't sure what had passed. He looked around and saw grass everywhere. He was laying face-down on the grass, his right arm at a strange angle that must have meant he had broken it. Will groaned and slowly turned over. He saw that the Nimbus was cracked in two from the collision with the ground. Poor thing. It looked like Will felt. He closed his eyes against the sun, which seemed too bright to look at. Waiting, waiting. If Dawn had landed or was still in the air Will didn't know, nor did he care. He just felt broken, shattered. Damn, he didn't want to play Quidditch ever again, especially with a Slytherin Captain. How could he be so stupid? William picked up his left arm carefully and waved it like a flag in front of him, showing he was defeated and needed help. He opened his eyes but the sudden brightness hurt his head, so he closed his eyes again, hoping the Slytherin would come down to help him out.

((I told you it wouldn't be the greatest. You can do what you want with Will - as he's completely powerless at the moment. I think he'll somehow have to go to the Hospital Wing, so Dawn could bring him there if you want. ))

[dawn]

(( Oh, its alright. I made you wait as well. Seems we both are very busy. No worries.
We won't God-Mod Madam Pomfrey. I already talked to her, she will be repling here shortly.))

William fell from the sky. She knew he wasn't experienced but she merely wanted to challenge him in a game. He actually was the challenger- he asked. Dawn's eyes grew wide as his body fell like a rock on to the grass many feel below him. "Oh Merlin." She whispered, half worried and half annoyed at his lack of ability. 'I thought Ravenclaw's knew everything.... He couldn't even mount his broom!?" she shook her head at her own comment. Dawn turned her broom backwards and went toward the quaffle and picked it up off the ground. Holding it in front of her she dusted the dirt off of it. She hated the thought of a quaffle being dirty. 'The Quaffle is made for the air, not for the ground!' she rang in her mind as she shined it in her shirt.

After a moment or two, she looked up. Will was still on the ground, motionless- "William?" She asked drove her broom toward her apponant. There was no responce. "Will!" She roared as the small crowd in the stands shhhed each other. When Dawn reached him, she dismounted and set the red quaffle beside him and spoke, "William, are you alright?" He didn't move.
"Wonderful." Dawn shot as she knelt to his side and put her head next to his. She wanted to hear his breathing patern, she knew more about injuries than some, she had to. As a captain she didn't only care about herself- she had to care about six other people on the field as well.

Listening His breathing was shallow and scratchy. 'Must have gotten the wind knocked out of him.' Dawn sat up and scanned the boy for movement. "Hey Will, move something if you hear me." she said in an annoyed tone waiting for a responce. He was ifeless and still, "Damn. I am not ready for these games, boyo." Dawn said as she let the quaffle sit beside him, lone. She mounted her broom and pushed off the ground. As her body rose into the air Dawn felt a knot in her shoulder; the same shoulder she hit William with on her last hit. Looking down at William she knew he had it worse. Dawn held her soulder with her other hand and shot off up the hill towards the castle in search of Madam Pomfrey for William. Only one though ran through her head, 'A Slytherin looking for help for a Raven. Classic. Not all of us are Cold hearted--- all the time.'