Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff!

[Ivy Tunstall]

It hurt to find Lenora outmanoeuvering her to get to the Quaffle first. But Ivy was used to being in this position - the other team having the advantage. She had brought it back into Hufflepuff's possession many times before using one simple technique - persistence. Persistence was something that Hufflepuffs were good at by nature, and they would harrass the Gryffindors until they had the Quaffle back! Self-assured by this, Ivy set off on a pursuit course after Lenora, trying to get any extra burst of speed out of her Nimbus 2001 that would allow her to get the position she needed to steal the Quaffle back. Below her, she saw a blurred mass of red, where the Gryffindors must be poised to cheer at any extended possession of the Quaffle on Gryffindor's part, or else some other part of the game which with her current preoccupation she was not aware of. Actually, Chasers probably didn't make ideal captains during the actual course of a game - they were almost constantly on the move, without much time to make note of what the other team members were doing. Of course, she could count on Ash to do that anyway.

She had finally caught up with Lenora. She quite liked the older Prefect in normal life - she'd found her helpful when she was first faced with the difficulties and the sometimes solitary and isolated duties of Prefects. But getting along with members of the opposition was only an obstacle in Quidditch. As Ivy swooped round to block Lenora's path, she wasn't the usual quiet girl. A look of hard determination was on her face as she leaned over and attemped to knock and wrench the Quaffle out of Lenora's protective arms, the aggressive action carried over slightly into her expression.

((Attempting to steal the Quaffle from Lenora.))

[Bryce Alexander]

His bat made a loud crack as he made contact with the Bludger. It was a pretty powerful hit. Bryce spun, letting his momentum carry him in a circle before he stopped mid air to watch the Bludger. It was heading right toward Zara, prepared to knock right into the center of her broom. Then, Bryce was crushed to see Branden Davis speed over and stop the Bludger from hitting Zara. What made it even worse was that he had deflected it toward Ivy. Bryce gripped his broom handle tightly and attempted to speed forward toward the speeding Bludger.

"Ivy, heads up!" He shouted in case he didn't have the speed to get there and stop it. Luckily, the crazy little Bludger wasn't flying quite in a straight line, and as it zigzagged toward Ivy, Bryce was able to get close enough to take a swing at it. In doing so, he tried to at least hit it toward a Gryffindor, though he was mostly focused on just stopping it from hitting Ivy. There were two Gryffindors that were somewhat close to each other off to his left, and so he attempted a shot at them, though he wasn't so sure how accurate his aim was.

At the same time, once he had taken his swing, he noticed that Ashley was just across from him on the other side of the two Gryffindors. She had managed to find the other Bludger and send it toward the group of two Gryffindors, though she had seemed to be aiming for Lenora who had the Quaffle. He gave her a wink, though she probably was too focused to see it. "Good teamwork, Ash!" he shouted from among the huddled chaos that surrounded both Bludgers and the Quaffle.

((Defending Ivy and deflecting at Lenora if we are allowed to hit 2 Bludgers at her. If not, then deflecting back at Zara. Sorry Zara.))

[Charles Driscoll H7]

It felt strange to be in your sixth year and new to the team, most of the other players had been on it for a while and were not experiencing the first-time jitters nor trying to suppress that nagging notion that you were going to fall to pieces right in front of everyone and never be able to live down the humiliation of having let your team down. There was the comforting thought that Scott was just as new to this as he was, but then he was a year younger then Charles. His eyes did not meet Scott's as he was too busy shaking off his fears and concentrating on his excitement instead to be finally playing his first match. Charles had been visualising his fingers closing around the Snitch all morning and had been aware of little that was going on around him, even what Ivy, their Captain and his best friend had been saying, though he'd given her a small smile when she'd squeezed his hand. He'd been proud and a little surprised to see her confidence as she talked to her team on the way to the pitch, addressing each of them individually with a few well-chosen words.

He'd been on the pitch so much in the past few days it felt like home, that is, until this moment. Somehow everything was much more intense right now, like he was in a heightened state of awareness, and even amongst his own team and the opposing one Charles felt like he was in a place foreign to him where the colours were sharper and he could hear everything louder than usual and yet all of that had to fade away as he concentrated on his goal to find the Snitch. So with grim determination and only two ideas in his head, the first being 'find the Snitch' and the second 'avoid Bludgers', Charles kept his eyes peeled and zoomed across the pitch, crisscrossing the paths of the other players carefully as he pursued his search.

((Snitch Searching))

[Lenora Byers]

She had it! The quaffle was there in her hands and Lenora immediately zoomed toward the Hufflepuff goal with a moment of pride in finding herself in possession of the red ball. As Lenora went she noticed Zara out of the corner of her eye; she was falling into one of the positions they practiced. Lenora also noticed, perhaps a little unfortunately, Ivy pulling up in front of her. Ivy was a perfectly lovely sweet girl in real life; but this was quidditch not real life. Ivy went to wrench the quaffle and Lenora attempted to drop the quaffle to Zara in order to protect it. As soon as the quaffle was out of her arms Lenora was too distracted to see who it went to; if Ivy or Zara got it because she suddenly noticed a bludger ((or two?)) coming for her and tried to get out of the way.

((Defending the quaffle and passing to Zara. Also trying not to get hit by the bludgers.))

[Branden Davis G6]

There was a satisfying clunk as the wood of Branden’s bat hit the metal of the speeding bludger. Zara flashed Branden a smile, which he returned before checking to see his bludger went towards the intended target. Unfortunately as the bludger flew toward Ivy Bryce got in the way. The Hufflepuff beaters sure were on top of their game today, before Branden could see what Bryce did with the bludger he noticed one flying at Lenora, apparently Ashley had noticed Lenora had the quaffle. Not able to let his team mates get hit Branden zoomed off in defence of Lenora.

((Defending Lenora from both bludgers. Send Ashley’s at Ivy, if Bryce’s comes then send it back at him))

[Sydney Rawson H6]

The Quidditch game was struck underway as Madam Hooch threw up the shinning red quaffle. Buzzing around in many different directions, Syd watched as Ivy and Lenora both dove for the quaffle. Syd hung out on the outskirts of the two as they battled for the quaffle. Lenora rode away with the ball tightly under her arm. Luckily, Ivy didn't handle that lightly. Syd bit her lip as she dove down to the two as they battled for the ball. Syd saw as Lenora eyed up Zara, the other Gryffindor Chaser. She was wide open for a pass.

Syd flew down between the two leveling out on her broom. The roar of the crowd was faint in her ears as she was focused on the game, Ivy, Lenora, and the glissening quaffle that was her prime goal. Waiting for the pass to be thrown so she could intercept if, that was the case. Syd was "on her toes" ready to leap to grasp the red ball in her hands.

(( If Ivy doesn't steal the quaffle, Syd is trying to intercept the pass between Lenora and Zara. ))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((I am so sorry! I completely missed Branden’s deflecting the bludger. Good catch Bryce!

As well, we have decided that it is fine for both bludgers to be headed at one person as it would be more canon.

Another, I missed last time that defending against a bludger is a D8 so for simplicity sake we will leave last post as is but from now on we will do it with a D8.

Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding – this is obviously our first game with this system!

Branden deflected the bludger at Ivy and Bryce tries to defend her.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 6 + 5 = 11
Bryce = Defending Bludger (D8 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7

Bryce fails to defend Ivy but it’s assumed he would warn her and she would swerve to avoid the bludger.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 6 + 5 = 11
Ivy = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 6 + 4 = 10

The bludger hits Ivy. Ivy needs to concentrate to maintain her actions.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 5 = 6
Ivy = Concentration (D4 + Con) = 3 + 3 = 6

Tie! Re-roll.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 5 = 8
Ivy = Concentration (D4 + Con) = 1 + 3 = 4

The bludger has a higher score. Ivy looses concentration and does not try to steal the quaffle.

Ashley hits a bludger at Lenora and Branden tries to defend her.
Ashley = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 4 = 7
Branden = Defending Bludger (D8 + Str) = 6 + 5 = 11

Branden defends Lenora and sends the bludger toward Ivy. There is a bludger flying at Ivy.

Lenora attempts a pass to Zara that Sydney tries to intercept.
Lenora = Pass (D6 + Dex) = 1 + 6 = 7
Sydney = Intercept (D4 + Dex) = 4 + 5 = 9

Sydney has the quaffle.

Scott and Charles search for the snitch.
Scott = Search (D30) = 12
Charles = Search (D30) = 17

12 and 17 are not the snitch number. Scott and Charles both miss the snitch.))

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley grinned as she heard the familiar clank of her bat hitting the bludger. She sat back on her broom watching as the ball flew straight toward Lenora. Looking up across the pitch at Bryce, she winced seeing the bludger hit Ivy square on. “It’s alright, Bryce. Hang in there Ivy!” Ashley screamed across the pitch groaning as Branden deflected her bludger from Lenora. This kid was good. Noticing it heading toward Ivy, Ashley quickly zoomed forward holding out her bat. It looked like Ivy was going to be the main concentration today of the bludger hitting. Bryce was already close by, but Ashley wanted to take a shot this time at defending her captain. “Ivy!” she warned moving to her friend’s side, and taking a swing at the iron ball. Glancing over her shoulder at Bryce, she apologized through her eyes, sending him almost a silent message to look for the other bludger to send at one of the Gryffindor chasers. Bitting the inside of her cheek, she looked straight ahead swinging hard hoping to make contact this time. Ashley was better at defending than attacking. Maybe if she surprised Branden by sending the bludger his way, it would hit him. It was the only idea she had at the moment to stop him.

((Defending Ivy and deflecting back at Branden. (You are allowed to hit the beaters, right?) ))

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Could Scott see something yet? Apparently not, and Charles had never really liked the idea of trailing the other Seeker though he did know it was best he kept his eye on him. Below him things weren't going all that well but for now they were in possession of the Quaffle. No Bludgers were heading in his direction. Charles decided the Snitch might be flying about somewhere below the players, so zooming downwards at a 45 degree angle he searched diligently for the elusive gold ball.

((Snitch Searching.))

[Bryce Alexander]

As the Bludger collided with Ivy and causing her to lose the ability to steal the Quaffle from Gryffindor, Bryce bit his cheek in anger for missing the Bludger that was headed toward her. He thought for sure that he had made enough contact to send it on another course. She seemed alright though, only flustered from the attack. The Bludger that Ashley had hit at Lenora was also defended by Branden and deflected back toward Ivy. Ash was attempting to take care of that one though. Singlehandedly, Branden was giving both Ashley and Bryce a good run. The other Gryffindor Beater hadn't even seemed to make any moves yet, but still one might have assumed that there were at least three Beaters for Gryffindor the way that Branden was taking care of it all. He was good, but Bryce was determined to be better.

"Sorry Ivy!" Bryce shouted as he zoomed past her, on his way toward the other Bludger. He caught up with it and was sure not to miss this one. Heaving his bat until wood met metal, Bryce saw the Gryffindor Seeker coming down toward the huddle of people. He figured that he should split up from Ashley so that Branden couldn't defend both of them at once. While Ash was sticking close to the Quaffle... wait, Sydney had the Quaffle! Bryce saw her zooming toward the goal posts. Regardless, since Ashley was defending Ivy and sticking close to the Chasers, Bryce decided to head elsewhere. Branden could only be in one place at one time. As the contact was made with the Bludger, Bryce watched as it began on its way toward Scott Ryder, the new Gryffindor Seeker.

((Bludger attack on Scott.))

[Zara Phoenix]

Zara swooped below Lenora as Ivy, one of the Hufflepuff Chasers, tried to steal the Quaffle. However, thanks to Branden a Bludger came flying their way to distract Ivy, leaving the Quaffle to be easily passed from Lenora to Zara. Knowing Lenora was aiming for a drop shot, Zara was about to catch it, when Sydney, another one of the opposing Chasers, intercepted it with a lightning entrance. Immediately Sydney took off in the other direction towards where Cass was goalkeeping, and cursing under her breath, Zara sent Lenora an apologetic look for being outwitted by Sydney. Not letting this faze her, Zara shot off after the Hufflepuff Chaser in hot pursuit, hoping to steal the Quaffle back.

Zara slowly caught up to Sydney’s figure, nearing the yellow robes flapping noisily in the wind, mixed in with loud cries of “Go Gryffindor!” and “Go Hufflepuff!” Out of the corner of her eye, Zara noted the opposition’s Seeker, Charles, continue on his search for the Snitch. She prayed he would not find it soon. Flicking her other eye, Zara found Scott evidently having not discovered it either. She willed her teammate on, before she noticed a bludger heading right for him. Narrowing her eyes, Zara remembered her role in the match and turned back to Sydney’s back; she knew the Gryffindor Beaters would protect him… or at least try to. For now, Zara had to make that last stretch to catch up with Sydney and steal that Quaffle.

Finally reaching Sydney, Zara ignored the constant whistling of cold air in her ears and overtook the Chaser with a grim look of determination. Zara swerved in the breeze, blocking Sydney’s path, before diving in to hit the Quaffle out of her arms.

((Attempting to steal the Quaffle from Sydney.))

[Scott Ryder G7]

As Scott entered the area where a good five or six players were gathered in a mass of swinging bats, flying Bludgers, and the Quaffle, he attempted to steer clear of everyone, just enough that he could watch for the Snitch and maintain his focus. He watched as Branden seemed to have control of the Bludgers, defending the Gryffindor players while managing to hit the captain of the Hufflepuff team, Ivy Tunstall. Still, he watched as another of the Chasers intercepted a pass and headed off with the Quaffle.

At the same time, Scott finally noticed Charlie. He didn't seem to be chasing the Snitch, and Scott was relieved to see that he still seemed to be searching. With another scan of the pitch, Scott thought for a second that he saw a glint of gold up toward the Hufflepuff section of the stands. Perhaps it was just the sun reflecting off of something else, but he didn't want to dismiss it in case it really was the Snitch. He looked a bit closer, but didn't see it again. He decided he should fly over and check, just in a case. Not wanting to draw attention to himself in case it was the Snitch and Charlie was watching, Scott flew at a normal speed, making his way toward the stands to get a better look.

((Searching for the Snitch... still. ))

[Sydney Rawson H6]

Clasping the quaffle in her grasp, Sydney lowered herself as she shot down the pitch away from the mess of players. The game was in action for several minutes so far, and a point had yet to be made. Sydney scanned the pitch for Weetzie. Not finding the yellow and black cloak, Sydney took off toward the three goals. Her heart beat rapidly, as her eyes were focused sharply on Cassandra Blackfire. The cheers were now evident from the school bearing the winter weather outside as the frosted breath rose into the air. All a mesh of screams and hollers seemed like a constant roar Syd found comforting. If it was quiet, then she would be afraid the snitch was already visible and her part of the game would be nearly over. Feeling comfort in her deep and focused breathing she soared higher to match the goal's height.

As Syd mapped out the practice plays Ivy drilled into all of the chaser's minds during their practices. And Since Syd grew up playing quidditch, a lot of them seemed easy to her. However, now in a game- she questioned her motives a lot more. She wanted to make sure she acted at the right moment, with the most efficient move. Within seconds, Syd started to spiral acting out a play. Eying up Cassandra, She wouldn't alter her focus trying to syke the keeper out. As she twisted and turned, she noticed a Gryffindor girl, probably Zara, behind her, attempting to steal the ball. Syd tossed up the quaffle slightly in the air and spun so the brussels of her broom smacked the slide of the glistening red ball, targeting the goals on a curve.

(( Syd attempted to shoot ))

[Arywiel Coone G3]

Arywiel circled the pitch, eyes determinedly peeled for Bludgers. It was her first game, and her leather gloves were soaked with sweat. She held the beater's bat over her shoulder, attempting to knock some confidence into herself. Her Comet quivered a little on the bends, and she whispered to it quietly. "Come on, I'll be darned if I don't need to buy a new broom, after you crashed into that tree three years ago." She silently cursed her brother for having misused his broom before handing it down to her.

A blur of black was suddenly heading towards Scott. Eager for some action, Ary sped off to meet the recieving end of the Bludger with her bat. All nervousity left her, as she zoomed towards Ryder, bat at the ready. She swerved and hovered, directly in range of the canonning ball, a second from its blow. She thrust out her bat to send the Bludger off course.

(( attempting to defend Scott Ryder))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass watched the game from her perch near the goals. The game was going well so far. Both Gryfindors and Hufflepuffs were playing admirably. For a while there, the Gryffindors were giving the other team a run for their money. From her vantage point, it seemed that the scales were tipping in their favor. As Hufflepuff got the quaffle, Cass braced herself for what she felt was an upcoming goal.

((blocking goals))

[Weetzie O'Keeffe H7]

Weetzie tried to remember why she had joined the Quidditch team. She really couldn't remember why. Honestly, she didn’t have the concentration for this game; the focus that was needed in order to follow the actual stats. However, just because it took her a moment or so to focus didn't mean she didn't try and when she did try, she was pretty much amazing at what she did. This match, however, Weetzie was having a difficulty of focusing more than usual simply for the fact that she was still feeling the after effects of a dizzying head with all the events that had happened with Bryce and Chris. Bryce kissed her, she got mad, Chris asked her to go on tour with him over the summer, and she pretty much had set her mind on accepting. She just wished the tour would begin sooner. Preferably before the next Quidditch match… she thought as she followed the Quaffle with her eyes. Yes, to the audience she would look like she was just hovering there – watching the game from a closer view than what they had, but Weetzie most definitely wasn't just watching. She was getting the strategy of each individual member of the opposing team. Then, she narrowed in on Sydney Rawson who was trying to score and Weetzie was off.

The Gryffindor Keeper was readying herself for the block, and Weetzie didn't know whether or not Syd would see her in time to pass to her. She let out a lengthy breath as she reached the goal posts and flew at an angle a couple of feet past the goal posts. She eyed Sydney and waited, her heart pounding in her ears.

((Really, not doing anything *laughs* Just posting like I should. )

[Branden Davis G6]

Lenora was fine, again. And once again the bludger was flying at Ivy thanks to Branden. Of course, her beaters would be on it right away. The Hufflepuff beaters seemed to be on top of their game today… That was certainly obvious as Ashley swung at the bludger and seemed to be aiming at him.

((Defend myself and deflect to Bryce))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Ashley attempts to defend Ivy.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 5 = 8
Ashley = Defending Bludger (D8 + Str) = 1 + 4 = 5

Ashley fails to defend Ivy. It is assumed Ivy would be warned and swerve.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 5 = 8
Ivy = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 5 + 4 = 9

Ivy swerves and is not hit by the bludger.

Bryce sent a bludger at Scott and Arywiel tries to defend him.
Bryce = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 4 + 6 = 10
Arywiel = Defending Bludger (D8 + Str) = 1 + 4 = 5

Arywiel fails to defend Scott. It is assumed she would warn him and he would swerve.
Bryce = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Scott = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 2 + 5 = 7

Tie! Re-roll.
Bryce = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 6 = 9
Scott = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 2 + 5 = 7

Scott is hit by the bludger. Scott needs to concentrate in order to maintain his action.
Bryce = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 5 + 6 = 11
Scott = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 4 + 5 = 9

Scott cannot concentrate and does not search for the snitch.

Zara attempts to steal the quaffle from Sydney.
Sydney = Defending (D8 + Str) = 4 + 5 = 9
Zara = Steal (D4 + Str) = 1 + 1 = 2

Sydney retains the quaffle and attempts to score. Cassandra tries to defend the hoops.
Sydney = Score (D6 + Str) = 4 + 5 = 9
Cassandra = Save (D6 + Dex) = 5 + 5 = 10

Cassandra catches the quaffle. Cassandra has the quaffle.

Charles searches for the snitch.
Charles = Search (D30) = 26

26 is not the number. Charles does not notice the snitch.))

[Zara Phoenix]

Zara dove for the Quaffle, her fingers tight against her broomstick, but Sydney managed to outmanoeuvre her as she lodged the red ball at the goalposts. Zara, having flown past Sydney, immediately swerved and turned round her broomstick to see the outcome of the attempt to score. She could see Cass going for the Quaffle, causing Zara to hold her breath, although she was already inching her broomstick into a better position so that even if Cass didn’t manage to save lost points, she would be able to throw it to Zara afterwards and try to make up for it. Zara was always thinking, always plotting… you never knew what to expect in Quidditch matches. Zara let out a short sigh of relief when Cass caught the Quaffle between her hands, delighted that she had saved it and the score was still 0 – 0. Thank goodness for Cass’ good goalkeeping skills; Zara had never been a goalkeeper herself.

Zara continued to back away from Sydney’s position, aware that Weetzie, another one of the Hufflepuff Chasers, was also floating near the goalposts. Zara wanted to be able to snatch the Quaffle next, hoped Cass would see her and therefore make the pass. Currently she seemed to be the only Gryffindor Chaser in close vicinity. Zara made a quick scan of the skies, noting with a wince that Scott had been hit by a Bludger. Feeling very sorry for him, Zara turned back to the problem at hand – obtaining the Quaffle again. “Over here, Cass!” Zara screamed at her Captain, bobbing on her broom and waving both arms in the air somewhat wildly. She probably looked like an odd speck of red going crazy to the crowd, but Zara couldn’t really care less. Before the match, she had thought about Luke watching the match… wondered which side he would be supporting, but that was a stupid question that could be easily answered. He was a Hufflepuff, simple as that… and his ex-girlfriend was a Gryffindor. Zara highly doubted he would support her, even if he had asked her to go to the Winter Ball.

[Arywiel Coone G3]

Ary watched in horror as her bat missed the oncoming Bludger by an inch. She whirled around and moaned as Scott was whacked by the bludger. He was thrown off course and lost his concentration for a second. "Sorry!" mouthed Arywiel, turning around and whizzing back towards the game. Sydney thrust the Quaffle towards the hoops and Cassandra saved spectaculary. A whoop of joy escaped Ary's lips, and she smacked a Bludger towards Sydney, this time whacking the ball neatly and sending it spinning towards her target. She dived and drew up along side Zara, ready to ward off any Bludgers if she got hold of the Quaffle.

((Bludger attack on Sydney, defending Zara))