A Time for Change ((open))

[Nasser Salah G6]

"Don't think anymore about them," said Nasser firmly to himself. Actually, and for the first time in weeks, he wasn't finding that too hard. He was even rather proud of himself, which was a rare thing for Nasser, for although he did not have serious self-esteem issues, he did not exactly have a high opinion of himself or his capabilities. But this time he had done something, instead of sit and mope and wallow in self-pity. He was a Gryffindor and proud of it, and if he didn’t have the support and friendship of his two best friends to help him on, he had his belief in himself, and he could make new friends, even if he never got as close to them as he had done with Sethia and Perseus. Again he pushed them from his mind as he walked down to the grounds and to the area he had chosen last week for his plan. Nasser had arranged a softball game, for anyone who wanted to play, even players who had no idea what it was. With the help of people he knew from other houses especially the muggle-borns who were fans of the game like him, word had spread that there was to be a softball game next Saturday on the grounds and everyone was welcome to join in. Nasser was hoping they would have more than one game, the first few being for people who didn’t know even the simplest thing like how to hit a ball with the bat and then another group of games for those who had played before. He didn’t really care whether they played seriously and stuck to his plans or not, he just wanted everyone to have fun, and for people to get a last chance to socialise before the end of the year, and for them to see that they could have fun playing a muggle game just as much as Quidditch.

The May sun was shining down on the lush green grounds and filling Nasser with hope and excitement. He was going to play a game he loved almost as much as loved Quidditch. He was going to make new friends. He was going to throw away all his sorrow and look forward to a happier time and let nothing stop him from doing that, because he knew he could do it, and because he wanted more than anything for today to be a success. Nasser put down the four cones he was carrying and took off his backpack. He pulled out some miniscule bats from it, enlarged them back to their normal size using his wand, and then started to place each of the bases at the correct distance from each other while he waited for the first person to arrive.

((Dana, Caiest and Jaquin are probably going to post here, but this is open to anyone. Yes, anyone means you can post too. )

[Jaquin Prokenstien]

Jaquin had experienced a great loss when one of his closer friends, Perseus, left his side because of a sudden change in his already eccentric indivituality. Looking out his dormitory in Ravenclaw tower, Jaquin saw turbulent clouds billow across the sky. It reflected the choleric mood he had developed after losing Perseus as a friend. He had always been someone Jaquin admired because of his intelligence and indifference to insults from his fellow Slytherins. Perseus had helped him master potions, something that Jaquin would always be grateful for, and was always willing to help him with other subjects he was not so good at. Of course, Jaquin did return the favor now and then, but when Perseus ceased to associate with Jaquin, he knew that Perseus had joined the other Slytherins. Perhaps it was time for Jaquin just to forget about Perseus if he had indeed become so evil. Afterall, Jaquin already had other friends he could associate with and there were plenty of opportunities for him to make new friends. He had heard about a game of softball, a game similar to baseball, that was to take place that Saturday. The game would be an ideal place to meet new people. Jaquin had played the game when he visited America with his father the previous summer. He had a great time with a few of his friends, who attended Salem School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and made some good muggle friends. The game was something that he could definitely look forward to. It was a good thing that Jaquin had already finished all his homework for the following week and was more than ready for the exams that were coming.

On Saturday, Jaquin found himself in the outdoors once again, elated that the weather had changed for the better; rays of sunlight penetrated through the sparse clouds and illuminated the grounds. Dark penumbrae were formed wherever trees blocked the light. The greenery had never been so bright. However, there was a desolate look to the grounds with only one person standing among the set-up for the softball games. It was Nasser, a Gryffindor 5th year whom Jaquin had heard was a very good student. Jaquin strode down the rolling green lawns to where Nasser stood and greeted with euphoria, "Good day, Nasser. I see you've got the bases set up. I'm not that great of a player, but I did play a lot of baseball when I visited America."

[dana]

The weather was great, the sun was shining, no studying planned for today and plans to spend a nice active day outside. Besides breakfast today had been great and Dana adored food. She was one of those people who sometimes lived to eat. All of those little facts had put Dana in a great mood. The rock’n’roll blasting in the room didn’t hurt either.
Pulling her hair into two pony tails on each side of her head and grinned at the mirror reflection. Pulling out a pair of white sneakers Dana glanced at the mirror once again – T-shirt and jeans cut short – Dana didn’t have anything better, so this outfit would have to work for the softball game. Grabbing her wand Dana rushed out of the dormitory and out of the common room heading towards the grounds and sliding down on railings when she came to the stairs.

Exciting the castle Dana noticed Nasser and Jaquin already there. Hopping down the couple of stairs Dana cheerily made their way over with a light jog. Grabbing a bat as she was passing the pile where the bats were Dana twirled it in her hand feeling it’s weight and how it moved. It wasn’t really that much different from a beaters bat Dana decided and made a full twirl on her right heel before stopping in front of the two boys and saluting at Nasser.
“Reporting to duty, sir!” grinning at letting her hand fall Dana continued, “It’s a nice day. Good to see you, Nasser. Jaquin.” Dana’s smile for the sixth year Ravenclaw was a bit more reserved. They didn’t get along too great and didn’t even talk outside quidditch practices, but Dana was going to forget it and just enjoy the game.

“I know some rules – I know homerun, three tries and some more – and I can hit the ball with the bat usually, but can’t say I’ve played the game very much or that I know all the rules. But I’m a quick learner!” Dana grinned and looked around looking where the bases had been positioned and getting a correct overview over the place where they were going to play.

[ingeahlqvist]

Inge looked at herself in the mirror, a bit sceptical about how she looked. Her parents would probably have freaked out if they’d known that she was publicly wearing her oldest robes so that it wouldn’t matter if they got damaged during the muggle game she was about to participate in. She looked like everything but the well-raised pureblooded lady that they had hoped to make of her by sending her of to the most prestigious wizarding school in Europe. And Inge found herself not caring. It was a beautiful day outside, though a few small clouds obscured the sun once in a while. But that wasn’t too bad. It would just take away from the heat that would otherwise build on such a sunny day. She left the Ravenclaw tower with a spring in her step, hoping that she’d finally meet some new people here. Maybe not the kind her parents would have liked her to consort with, but as stated earlier that wasn’t something she worried about. It wasn’t as if they’d ever find out.

The only problem about this whole softball thing was that she had no idea what it was and how it was played. A housemate had told her that it was like baseball, which didn’t help much as she didn’t know about that sport either. They had then started into a long explanation of how the game was played, which only confused Inge further. It sounded interesting though, and she was usually a quick learner when she enjoyed something. Not that much of a sports nut, there had never been enough children around for a full team at home, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her and she’d decided to go, if only to see what it was like. Learning about new things could never hurt, in her opinion.

Arriving on the grounds, Inge hung back for a few seconds, noticing that the only people that were there already were upper years that she knew nothing about except that one of them was a Ravenclaw prefect. Hesitantly taking a few more steps forward, she convinced herself that making new friends was what she had come here for and picked up her stride, joining the small group. “Hi, I’m Inge. Are you the people playing softball?” She asked, the typical singsong of her Swedish accent ringing in her voice. “If so then I would like to join, though I have no idea how to play. The only muggle sport I’ve ever seen played is hockey.” She’d never played that either, it being a bit too rough for the little girl she’d been back then, but it had been fun to watch. In a sadistic I-like-to-watch-people-beat-each-other-up-over-a-piece-of-plastic kind of way.

[Caiest Hamilton S5]

Caiest was in a semi good mood today. First off she'd gotten a few hours sleep the night before and that a few hours more then she'd gotten in weeks. That topped with not having to study for tests this weekend put her in a better mood then she'd been in for days. Humming lightly she walked over to her chest and tried to find something fit for playing outside in. She'd heard talk of a softball game being set up for today. Originally she hadn't planned on attending but she decided it could be fun especially since she had a general idea of how it was played. Plus it was either that or wander around the school something she'd been doing almost every day for a month so the softball game won. Picking out her favorite pair of worn jeans and a black t-shirt she dressed and made her way to where the game was to be held.

After leaving the castle she had no trouble at all finding where it was to be held. Automatically she saw Dana one of her only friends. She also saw Nasser and Jaquin both of whom she'd only talked to once. They were okay though so Caiest knew today would be fun. Still humming lightly Caiest made her way over. Once there she stopped humming not wanting to look like a fool being the second youngest there. There was another girl there she hadn't seen before also a ravenclaw also in her year. She'd seen her around but never actually spoken to her. "Hey Dana, Nasser, Jaquin." She greeted the three she knew cheerily. She turned to face the other girl there. "Hi my name is Caiest what's yours?"

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Softball!! Cass hummed to herself as she swung her bat over her shoulder and headed to where what was rumored be a softball game. She hadn't played softball since last summer, and after a long winter she needed to stretch her legs. Yawning slightly, she saw a small group gather around what looked like a softball diamond. Waiving to everyone, she cried out to her friends. "Dana, Caiest! How are ya'll?" She gave both of her friends really quick hugs. She did consider these two her best friends at Hogwarts. In fact, she didn't really have any friends in the wizarding world before Dana.

Smiling widely, she jumped up a little with glee. " Softball! I love softball! How are we going to divide teams guys?"

[Savannah Johnstone R7]

Savannah rummaged through her large trunk tossing things this way and that. She was searching for her miniature sized baseball glove, bat and ball. These were items which she always brought with her but never was able to get much use out of. Earlier in the week however, she had heard someone mentioning that there was going to be a softball game today. After attempting to convince some of her fellow 6th years to go play, she finally gave up and decided she'd have to go at this alone today.

Sliding open a side drawer of her trunk, Savannah found her glove and tapped it with her wand to enlarge it to it's normal size. Further down in the trunk she found her aluminum bat and enlarged that as well. Slamming her trunk shut, she went to her desk and tipped over her cup of ink quills and caught her miniature baseball before it rolled off the table and once more enlarged that her it's normal state. Before she left the dormitory, Savannah put on her Charleston Riverdogs hat and headed down towards the grounds.

The grounds were very green and the sun was shining rather well today, it was good weather to play ball. Already there was a small gathering where the game was said to take place. Most of those assembled were Ravenclaws, that was a bit of a shock to Savannah, she didn't really think too many of her house mates would be into this sort of thing. Dropping her bat in the grass, Savannah looked at the others before putting on her black glove and holding her baseball in her left hand, "Alright, so when do we start?" she asked Dana, the only person she ever really spoke to in the whole assembled group.

[dana]

Dana tilted her head and smiled cheerily at the younger Ravenclaw third year that had approached them.
“Nice to meet you Inge. I’m Dana. These guys are Nasser and Jaquin,” Dana said pointing to both guys as she said their names and smiled cheerily, “And no worries – I don’t know much of the game either.”
Smiling brightly at Caiest Dana hopped behind her and pulled at her hair playfully, being sure not to hurt: “Glad to see you here. Oh, you have to let me give you to pony-tails as well. And that’s Inge.” Without waiting for Caiest’s response Dana pointed her wand at her hair and a moment later Caiest was supporting two pony-tails with ribbons just as Dana.

Returning the quick smile being given to her by Cass Dana repeated the making of pony-tails on Cass as well, even though because of having shorter hair her pony-tails were looking a bit different.
“Savannah!” Dana greeted with joy the next person joining them and shrugged, “I don’t even know that much of the game. This is Nasser’s show, so we are going to have to ask him about the teams and when the game starts. Nice glove.”
Dana was happy. Beaming with joy would be a bit closer to the truth actually and it obviously showed. Pulling on Caiest’s and Cass’s pony-tails playfully Dana moved further and did a quick cartwheel – she just felt that she needed to move and do something and the game hadn’t started yet.

“So when is the game beginning, Nasser?” Dana called to the fifth year Gryffindor prefect while hopping to the group once again.

[Nasser Salah G6]

Nasser looked at the first person who arrived for a bit too long. So many thoughts were going through his head. For one thing he wasn't exactly sure he wanted to talk to Jaquin, he knew he and Perseus had been even closer than Perseus and Nasser and he wasn't sure he wanted anything reminding him of Perseus at the moment. Then he realised how irrational he was being and that Jaquin was a half-blood so he was probably going through exactly what Nasser was and he flashed him a smile. "Hey Jaquin, actually they're very similar, few differences in the distances between the bases and in pitching, it's done underhand, but nothing too drastic," said Nasser. "I'm sure you'll like it," he continued. Nasser was taking out the balls to show one to Jaquin (the ball used in softball was larger and softer than that used for baseball), when Dana showed up, obviously in a very sunny mood.

"Dana, hi!" said Nasser smiling. He still didn’t know why exactly she was bothering with him, but he wasn't complaining. Plus the enthusiasm and joie de vivre in her dancing green eyes was contagious, and Nasser was suddenly feeling very excited about the game as he could see people coming from the castle towards them. "Don’t worry Dana, it's not going to be a very serious game. I just thought it would be a chance for us all to do something different," he explained. Another Ravenclaw showed up, a few years younger than those already with Nasser. "We are indeed," said Nasser. "Well softball is very different from hockey, but don't worry this is just a game for fun, and I'm sure you won’t be the only one who doesn't know much about it," said Nasser affably. Dana introduced Jaquin and Nasser to Inge and then Caiest showed up. "Hey Caiest! Good to see you again," said Nasser cordially, thinking to himself how different she seemed from the last time he had met her. Finally a person he knew showed up, Cassandra Logton, the new Gryffindor Beater. "Hey Cass!" said Nasser cheerily. "We'll see about that once I know how many we're going to be and how much everyone knows about the game," answered Nasser.

Another girl with long black hair Nasser didn’t know at all but recognized form Quidditch showed up. She had a glove, bat and ball with her. "Wow, someone is sure ready to play," he said with a friendly grin in her direction, and then he looked back at everyone else. He nudged Dana and pulled her aside for a minute. "Dana, I need you to help me get everyone into the spirit OK?" he said in a low voice. He then went back to the group and addressed everyone trying to sound as enthusiastic as he felt. He was still a little shy about being the one in charge. "Well to play a proper game we need more people so I think we could just practice a bit first. We should start off going over the basic and everyone should get a chance at trying to bat first. Cass, you and I will throw the ball for now and everyone get in two lines so you can try batting. Oh, and those of you who know how to do that, maybe you could help the others?" he suggested, and then stood away from them waiting for everyone to get ready. This was turning out better than his expectations; he had been a bit worried that no-one would like the idea. "Inge, Caiest, and Jaquin, I'll throw it to you, Dana and Savannah, you girls go with Cass," he said.

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

Melody jumped down two stairs at the time as she came down the main stairs in shorts and a red t-shirt. The bunches bobbed beside her. She always found them very comforting, just being there. They were a part of her vibrant personality. Today there was an opportunity for fun. Some older Gryffindor prefect had apparently organised a softball game. Melody had only heard about it the day before, but she was going. She still wondered what softball was. Was it anything like cricket? Didn't sound much like it. Well, nothing could beat cricket. Yorkshire cricketers... well, there wasn't a greater place in the world than Yorkshire now was there? Though Hogwarts was a grand old place as well, and if there was one thing you could not find in Yorkshire it was the best wizarding school in the entirety of England... no, Britain. Hogwarts was in Britain, not England. Shame that. Yorkshire would've made a right grand old job of hosting 'em all.

Making use of the banister to avoid one of the false steps that wouldn't have made a very good landing spot, Melody had to quickly divert herself back onto the stairs as she noticed a teacher at the bottom of it. Instead she scampered down the rest of the flight and into the Entrance Hall. It didn't take long before she was outside in the bright sunshine and heading towards what looked to be the 'softball' game over in a corner of the grounds at a rather fast speed, hurdling over a couple of first year Ravenclaws who were sat in her way, who had only the chance to look at her retreating back as she cleared them easily. There seemed to be quite a few people near the game and Melody halted suddenly right next to the fifth form Ravenclaw prefect Dana.
"'Allo there!" she greeted the general company cheerfully. "I've 'eard say there's summat going on 'ere, though what t'heck softball might be I 'aven't a clue." Melody eyed the posts ruefully. "Must say, bears some resemblance ter a rounders match though. Liked t'game when I did it in juniors. Still couldn't compare ter cricket, though at least t'ladies can play it too." Melody bounced up and down on the spot, her bunches bobbing ridiculously as usual. Suddenly she noticed everyone seemed to be copying her style. She'd never seen Dana in bunches before, and there were two other girls more around her age in them as well. Melody grinned. "Yer can nae put me 'air in bunches Dana, though knowin' yer it's probably your doing so many people round 'ere do. Me own style though, if I do say so meself. So what do I do then? Yer can nae 'ave me 'ere and 'ave me doin' nowt." Melody grinned at no one in particular, in a very good mood, looking around to see if there was anyone else present she knew.

[dana]

Nasser pulled Dana to the side, asking her help to get everyone into the spirit. Dana raised an inquiring eye-brow – how exactly was she supposed to make everyone happy? Use cheering charms? Dana grinned at the idea and shrugged: “I’ll do what I can.” Hopping back to the group after Nasser Dana grinned and listened to him. She was in one group with Cass and Savannah. Just then Melody appeared and Dana grinned hopping next to the second year: “Melody! Yup, bunches are great. You are coming with me, Cass and Savannah, that alright? And I can throw the ball for you three then.”

Dropping the bat she had been holding, Dana picked up three balls instead and moved a bit further so the beaters – or whatever the persons hitting the ball were called - wouldn’t bother each other.
“You know, beaters really have an advantage in this game,” Dana stated as she prepared to throw the ball. Oy, to who am I supposed to throw it anyway?” Dana pondered for it for a moment, before shrugging, and pulling out her wand. Copying the ball so there were three of them in front of her, “Ready or not – here they come. Everyone save yourself.”

Picking up the first ball Dana threw it in the air for a moment and caught it. Repeating the throw in the air Dana caught the ball again and this time sent it flying towards Savannah. Picking up the next two balls quickly Dana sent the next one flying towards Cass and the third towards Melody after aiming for a moment. Grinning broadly – Dana tilted other head and watched to see if Savannah, Cass and Melody would hit the balls or not. Actually Dana didn’t even have the clue if there was some special way she was supposed to throw the balls in. Well, if there was, someone could always tell her and show her how to throw it then.

[Savannah Johnstone R7]

Savannah found herself in a group with Cassandra and Dana, and then that little girl Melody Bang Bang something, she didn't know or really care what her name was. They were supposed to just be tossing the ball around but Dana had some idea about pitching, "Dana stop, do you know what...." yet before she could finish Dana said "here they come, save yourself" Looking up, Savannah saw three balls flying towards them, instinctively she ducked as the one ball flew past her head, missing her by a couple of inches. "What the hell are you doing Dana!?" Savannah screamed as the ball landed some 30 feet behind her.

Waving her wand, she summoned the ball that had narrowly missed her and one of the bases that was on the ground, she then grabbed her bat. "Cassandra, Melody, Dana come here. You have to play right Dana or you're going to kill someone!" She then put the base down in front of then and handed the bat to Cassandra. "OK, Cassandra you hit the ball and I'll be the catcher." Savannah then took her wand and with it made a large fiery red vertical box over the base. "Dana you have to throw the ball THROUGH that red box there for it to be a strike, if you get 3 strike balls past Cassandra then she is out and someone else gets to hit, Dana you have to throw the ball THROUGH the box OK? If it is outside it's called a ball. Melody why don't you go back behind Dana and get the ball if Cassandra hits it." Only after carefully giving Dana instructions did Savannah finally toss her the ball back.

[Caiest Hamilton S5]

Caiest grinned as Cassandra came over. Now that her two best and probably only friends were here, today would turn out to be good. Cassandra gave her a quick hug which Caiest returned before giving one to Dana as well. "it's good to see you again." she said laughing as Cassandra began jumping up and down in excitement. She wished she had as much energy as Cassandra did.

Another girl who was also in Caiests house came up and greeted only Dana. Caiest didn't mind as she wasn't comfortable with strangers. She grinned as Dana made her hair go into pigtails with ribbons and tugged lightly on them. She smiled as Dana did the same to Cassandras hair as well and proceeded to tug on both of their hair. Dana only stopped when she apparently decided cartwheeling was a good idea.

After a while Nasser pulled Dana aside whispering to her so that no one else could hear. After a little bit he split them all up for practice. She was disappointed to hear that she wouldn't be with her friends at all. She would be with him, Jaquin and Inge. It wasn't that she didn't want to play with the others it was just that she really didn't feel comfortable in groups where she'd only talked to someone once. So with a feeling of unease she left her two best friends and went over to where Nasser was standing. She waited silently yet patiently for him to throw the ball.

[Nasser Salah G6]

Nasser laughed at Dana, amused by her behaviour. Savannah, her friend who Nasser didn’t know did not share his amusement and spoke to her harshly, showing her how to do it properly. Nasser turned to his own group, several balls in his hand. Caiest looked slightly annoyed, but he wasn't sure why, besides the first time he had met her she hadn't struck him as a very happy person anyway, unlike Dana whose zest for life was apparent from just one look at her. He gave Caiest a quick smile and saw she was ready, so he threw the ball, wondering whether she would manage to hit it on her first try.