Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff!

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy watched happily as Sophia passed successfully. Zara Phoenix had either misjudged the Quaffle's pass quite badly, or else Sophia's pass had just been a very good one (or perhaps a mixture), but Ivy hadn't thought that Zara's attempt to intercept was going to succeed for a second this time, so overall it was a nice bit of teamwork for the two Hufflepuffs. "Nice pass, Sophia!" she yelled at her younger friend, before zooming off to the other end of the pitch after Harmony, wanting to cover for the other Chaser. Unfortunately Lenora was already alongside her teammate, and for a moment Ivy thought that she might be going to get the upper hand and actually knock the Quaffle out of Harmony's arms. But the fourth year had surprising strength for someone so small and slight, and Ivy whooped silently in slight relief as Harmony broke away from the Gryffindor Chaser and managed another attempt on goal.

Just like the crowd (especially the Hufflepuff part of it, but the Gryffindor supporters too), Ivy held her breath as the Quaffle stayed on course towards the goals. If Cassandra didn't catch it, it would go in. She willed it on, wanting it to go a bit faster so that Cassandra wouldn't be able to react in time, but it was no use - Cassandra made a good, slightly last-minute save that had certainly maintained the suspense of the game. Still, she reckoned that Harmony had done her best, and it had been a good attempt. All that had been lacking was the absolute speed needed to cheat Cassandra out of her chance to save it.

"Nice try!" she yelled to Harmony, before hearing Ash scream to her and looking up in appropriate trepidation. There was another Bludger coming at her, rather too fast for her liking. "Thanks!" she yelled back at her best friend, attempting to swerve sharply out of the way in case Ash didn't manage to defend her.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass toyed with the round, red ball in her hands for a few minutes. She looked at all of her chasers for a moment. Stopping on Zara and her excited movements, she called over Madame Hooch and Zara. "I need to replace Zara with Arywiel. Arywiel really wants to be a chaser, and I am going to give her the chance. You played an awesome game, Zara." She watched as her players switched positions. Cass hesitate throwing the quaffle a little bit longer. She caught Lenora out of her eye again. Lenora was one of the best players on her team. She never let her down. With a small grunt, she threw the ball towards the blonde haired chaser.

((replacing Zara with Arywiel. passing to Lenora))

[Branden Davis G6]

It hit! Branden’s bludger hit Bryce and went flying away. Well, that kept him busy for a little while at least. Branden chased after the bludger and hit at it again, this time toward Harmony.

((Bludger attack on Harmony))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((The Gryffindor line-up changed, Arywiel is replacing Zara as chaser.

Ashley tries to defend Ivy.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 2 + 5 = 7
Ashley = Defending (D8 + Str) = 7 + 4 = 11

Ashley defends Ivy and deflects to Lenora. There is a bludger flying at Lenora.

Branden hits a bludger toward Harmony. There is a bludger flying at Harmony.

Cassandra passes to Lenora and Harmony tries to intercept.
Cassandra = Pass (D6 + Dex) = 6 + 5 = 11
Harmony = Intercept (D4 + Dex) = 2 + 5 = 7

Cassandra succeeds in passing. Lenora has the quaffle.))

[Bryce Alexander]

This match was definitely not going well for Bryce. Just as he had smacked a Bludger at Cass, the one that was heading at him managed to hit him when he tried to deflect it away. Not only that, but Branden had managed to prevent the one that was heading toward Cass from getting to her, which allowed for her to stop Hufflepuff's attempt to score. On the bright side, Ash had managed to stop the deflected Bludger from hitting Ivy. What was wrong with him?! Bryce never usually played this terrible. He knew he wasn't the greatest, but Branden was making him look bad. He was grateful though that Ash seemed to be having one of her best games so far.

Bryce knew that if he dwelt on the negative aspects of his playing, he would only do worse, and so he shrugged it off, or at least attempted to as he flew back down to the Hufflepuff side of the pitch. As he was pushing forward, he saw that a Bludger was coming dangerously close to Harmony. With a focused effort, Bryce turned sharply to the right and darted off in the direction of Harmony. As he neared both Harmony and the Bludger, Bryce reached out, slipping just a bit from his balanced point of flying. The slip caused him to shift just a bit, enough so that he wasn't even sure if he would make contact with the Bludger. Seeing that he just wanted to prevent Harmony from getting hit, Bryce was unable to attempt to deflect it at anybody else and so he worried most about not letting it hit Harmony.

((Defending Harmony.))

[Scott Ryder G7]

Scott's arms and bottom were both starting to get stiff and sore from the constant flying. He desperately hoped for some sort of action to keep his mind busy. He still couldn't understand on such a bright day how well the Snitch had managed to avoid not only himself but Charles as well. Scott would have normally started to feel like he was doing very poorly, but the fact that Charles seemed to be doing about the same made Scott feel at least slightly better about having not yet seen the Snitch. Though, perhaps both of them were just not looking very carefully. Maybe they were both terrible Seekers. Scott didn't allow himself to believe that though.

As he flew over the stands, his scanning eye noticed Theo sitting among another group of Ravenclaws. He wasn't looking his way at that point in time, but the memory of their late night practice earlier that week gave Scott a bit of a boost that he needed. That night, he and Theo had done quite well tossing the Quaffle back and forth, and it reminded Scott that he was on the team for a reason. He was good enough, and he just needed to believe in himself. With that added boost of confidence, Scott flew over the rest of the stands with his eyes keenly focused for that first glint of gold. He was now determined to see the Snitch before Charles. He just had to!

((If I were a little golden flying ball... where would I be?))

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn smiled as Cass defended the goal. C’mon Gryffs. She thought. They were trying hard, that was for sure. Maryn tried to get near Cass so that she could take the quaffle, but there were too many people in the way. She smiled when Lenora got the quaffle. Good. Maybe they could turn this game around. She nodded as Cass replaced Zara with Arywiel. Maryn wasn’t as used to playing with Arywiel as she was with Zara, but they could make it work. Maryn sped up to Lenora. She didn’t want to shout as she didn’t want anyone to notice her presence. Maryn waited for Lenora’s next move.

[Arywiel Coone G3]

Arywiel surpressed a whoop of happiness as she shot up into the air as Chaser. She did a lap, tightening her goggles and pulling up her gloves. Now business was going to get serious. It had been fine whizzing around as Beater, but Chaser was her inborn position.

Lenora had the Quaffle. Ary slipped around to her right, ready to recieve the quaffle. Maryn was also patiently waiting for the next move. The girl had never played much with Ary in Quidditch practise, and Ary hoped that she wasn't sceptical about the replacement. Arywiel eyed Lenora, ready, but relaxed. She was prepared for the familiar blurr of red heading towards her, ready to be grabbed and clench it under her arm.


((ready to recieve the Quaffle if Lenora passes))

[Lenora Byers]

Cassandra saved it again! Woo, so now they had time to catch up. Lenora positioned herself near Cass and saw the other girl pass to her. Despite Harmony’s attempt to intercept Lenora felt the red rubber ball fall into her arms and bolted as far down the pitch as she could. She noticed Arywiel nearby and flung the quaffle at her when Lenora felt it was too much to hold onto – Hufflepuff were closing in.

((Pass to Arywiel))

[Branden Davis G6]

The bludger was soaring at Harmony but Branden had no time to see what became of it. Quick as he could he needed to go check on the chasers. Lucky he had as Branden saw a bludger flying right for Lenora, it seemed to be coming from Ashley. Well, another beater he needed to keep busy.

((Defend Lenora and deflect to Ashley))

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy felt a little disappointed as she saw the pass between Cassandra and Lenora succeed, but was already a little further down the pitch than Lenora and made sure always to keep ahead, moving in to block the other Chasers who Lenora would surely need to pass to. As she saw the older girl start to pass to Arywiel, she put on a burst of speed towards the third year, whom Cassandra had just substituted into her position in the first change in the Gryffindor line-up of the game. She would leave it to one of her other Chasers to attempt to steal the Quaffle - she herself had to get close enough that she would be able to grab the Quaffle before Arywiel reached it. She wasn't sure how likely she was to succeed, but at least if she didn't manage to intercept, she would be close enough to Arywiel that she could try to steal the Quaffle off her almost immediately - there was still too much distance to go to the goals for the Gryffindor to be able to bear the Quaffle there entirely without harrassment from the Hufflepuff team.

((Trying to intercept Lenora's pass to Arywiel.))

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Charles knew he could let every passing minute build up frustration inside him but that wasn't what was happening, he was convincing himself that with every passing minute he was getting closer to finding the Snitch, becuase excitement was building up inside him and his concentration was only getting higher. Charles could feel his pulse in his temples now, blood rushing through his veins and sweat running down over his face as all else faded but his mission. At the bottom of the pitch near the Gryffindor goal hoops Charles saw somthing shine and without any further thought he swerved around the players in his way and flew towards it.

((In the palm of my hand Scott . Seeking.))

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony tried grab the Quaffle, but missed and it landed in Lenora's arms. Disappointed, Harmony turned around to watch the Gryffindor Chaser streak away; meanwhile, Gryffindor subbed Zara for Arywiel. Harmony frowned in annoyance at losing the chance to steal, before realising a Bludger was heading her way. Eyes widening in alarm, she began to pull away at the same time she noticed Byrce arriving to try to defend her. She didn't have her eyes on where the Quaffle was now, and she hoped Ivy or Kael would try to steal from Lenora.

((Avoiding Bludger.))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Bryce attempts to defend Harmony.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 5 + 5 = 10
Bryce = Defending (D8 + Str) = 3 + 6 = 9

Branden’s bludger continues at Harmony.

Harmony swerves to avoid the bludger.
Branden = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 2 + 5 = 7
Harmony = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 3 + 5 = 8

Harmony succeeds in avoiding the bludger.

Branden tries to defend Lenora.
Ashley = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 5 + 4 = 9
Branden = Defending (D8 + Str) = 6 + 5 = 11

Branden succeeds in defending Lenora and deflects to Ashley. There is a bludger flying at Ashley.

Lenora attempts to pass and Ivy tries to intercept.
Lenora = Pass (D6 + Dex) = 5 + 6 = 11
Ivy = Intercept (D4 + Dex) = 3 + 4 = 7

Lenora succeeds in passing. Arywiel has the quaffle.

Scott and Charles search for the snitch.
Scott = Searching (D30) = 14
Charles =Searching (D30) = 1

14 and 1 are not the snitch numbers. Neither seeker sees the snitch.))

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony watched as the Bludger skimmed past Bryce, continuing to head towards her. She jerked her broom sideways and the black ball only managed to pass her without injury. Gasping in relief, Harmony focused her eye back on where the Quaffle. "Thank you!" Harmony yelled at Bryce for his attempt to defend her. She zoomed down the pitch to greet the other Chasers in a battle for the Quaffle. Ivy was swooping to try to intercept a pass between Lenora and Arywiel, but the Gryffindor second year managed to receive it. Determined to steal the Quaffle from the youngest player on the pitch beside herself, Harmony dived forwards to do just that; hoping Arywiel would forgive her mercilessness.

((Attempting to steal Quaffle from Arywiel.))

[Arywiel Coone G3]

Arywiel caught the rubber ball in her gloved hands and instinctlively zoomed off towards the Hufflepuff goalposts. She was far, perhaps a little too far, but she had a chance. Harmony was on her. Arywiel sped up a little and zig-zagged, hoping to throw the Hufflepuff off track. A rain of Bludgers. Ary bit into her lower lip so hard that it started to bleed a little. The red ball felt like a giant egg under her arm. She was the protective mother saving it from the others. Ary looked right and left. The Gryffindors didn't seem to be all that close to her. Should she dare shoot? The Hufflepuff keeper didn't seem to be on the watch. With an audible 'hmmpf!', she flung the Quaffle at the golden hoop. Hopefully she would make the first score for Gryffindor.

((attempting to score))

[Sophia Hallington H7]

Yes! Her pass to Harmony had been successful, and Zara hadn't even come close to blocking the pass. The younger girl flew all the way to the other end of the pitch (despite a steal attempt from Lenora) and attempted to score. Unfortunately though, Cass managed to defend the goals, and passed to Lenora, although Harmony attempted to intercept the pass. Lenora then passed to Arywiel successfully, despite Ivy's attempt to intercept the pass, and the young Gryffindor would now be attempting to shoot, if Harmony didn't steal the quaffle from her. Sophia prepared herself to catch the quaffle, defending the goals-she couldn't allow Arywiel, or indeed any of the Gryffindor chasers, to score an equaliser.

Meanwhile, the beaters were busy. The bludger that Ashley had sent towards Lenora was deflected by Branden and was flying towards Bryce, and unfortunately hit him. Branden then hit the same bludger towards Harmony, who luckily managed to dodge it although Bryce's attempt to defend her was in vain. The other bludger was sent from Bryce towards Cassandra, but Branden managed to deflect it towards Ivy. Sophia was getting frustrated with Branden-she admired that he was such a good beater, but it wasn't exactly helping her team. Luckily Ashley managed to defend Ivy, and send the bludger towards Lenora. However Branden again sent the bludger back towards Ashley.

((Yeah, basically just defending goals, and defending self if bludger hit my way))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cassandra watched carefully from her spot in front of the goals. Arywiel was doing a good job. Cassandra hoped that the young girl could make the goal, she understood how much it would mean to her. Watching the game, Cassandra made sure to not let her gaurd down, in case the Quaffle changed hands and started back her way. She kept her position, defending the goals.


((Defending the goals in case someone tries to score))

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley grinned triumphantly as she swung hard against the oncoming bludger. With a loud clank, it flew into a new direction toward Lenora. Holding onto her broom with both hands, Ashley looked over her shoulder at the chasers. The quaffle was back into Gryffindor clutches, Ayrwiel trying to score. Looking across the pitch at Bryce, she winced noticing the bludger slip past him toward Harmony. That previous hit had to have made him flustered. Before she could say anything, Ashley’s eyes grew wide as she noticed her own bludger heading right back toward her. Glancing up at Branden, Ashley glared as she scooted back, waiting just in time to swing hard against the bludger.

((Defending myself and deflecting back toward Lenora.))

[Bryce Alexander]

Bryce felt the tip of his bat only brush the passing Bludger. It did nothing to set it of course, allowing for Branden's attack to continue right toward Harmony. Luckily, Bryce's mistake was short lived as Harmony was able to dodge the oncoming Bludger. Despite her evading it, Bryce grit his teeth in frustration, unsure how much more failure he could handle before he lost the control he had tried to maintain. Perhaps this just wasn't his day... at all. It seemed as though only one of about ten things so far had gone in his favor, and he never remembered having a game this terrible. Though, this meant that he could only do better starting from that point on, right? There couldn't possibly be any way he'd be able to do worse.

Seeing that Branden had also managed to hit a Bludger at Ash, one which she seemed to at least see coming, Bryce chased after the one that Harmony had been able to evade. He noticed that simultaneously the youngest of the two chasers were both making their moves. Arywiel was trying to score just as Harmony was working to steal the Quaffle before a shot could be made. Bryce caught up to the Bludger and smacked it right at Arywiel to add the possibility of a second distraction while she was trying to score.

((Bludger attack on Arywiel.))