Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor

[Casey Allen G5]

Jeez. How long would this game last? Casey shook her head to herself as she flew back and forth along the goals. She didn't want Ravenclaw to get another goal before the game was over. She wanted Gryffindor to end strong, but Casey wasn't exactly sure that would happen. At least she could try her best to keep the score tied. Casey watched as Celia grabbed the quaffle and passed it to Theo. Casey got ready. She didn't want to make any kind of mistake.

((Defending the goals.))

[rex]

This game seemed like it had gone on for hours. Rex was glad that Zara had let him take a break and breathe. Although he wanted to catch the Snitch and be the hero of the game, it had been nice to actually watch what else was going on on the pitch. Ravenclaw had made quite a recovery much to the chagrin of the Gryffindor team. But it wouldn't matter. As soon as Rex had caught the Snitch, a hundred fifty points would be added to the score and regardless of the recent scores, Gryffindor would win. And then Rex would be a hero. Rex could hardly wait to see Billy and Stace's faces. But more than that, Rex wanted to impress Harmony as well.

((Searching for the Snitch))

[cdc]

Oh not not again. Just as Jasmine got away from one bludger two more were heading toward her. Jamison eyed the crowds who seemed eager for the game to end. It would be much longer or at least Jamison hoped so. "Hey Jazz. Watch out!" He warned. Jamison then sped over to Jasmine to try and protect her.

((Defending Jasmine against Melody's bludger and deflecting to Rex.))

[Zara Phoenix]

Damn! Zara couldn't believe, even with a two-pronged attack on Celia, that the Quaffle had managed to still land in Theo's hands. Were she and the fifth year really that rusty? They had been doing excellently only moments before. Becoming a little frustrated, Zara forced her whirring mind to calm down. Although allowed herself to worry somewhat, she let her usual instinct of determination and pride overwhelm her adrenaline. Yes, Gryffindor were going to win this game, and go on to win the Quidditch Cup this year. She refused to let her team down. Refusing outright to give up yet, Zara urged her broom to spurt forward and after Theo, who was racing towards the goals. The younger boy was not as fast as her, and she knew speed was not his strength, and she needed to exploit that weakness now. Catching up to him, Zara narrowly avoided hitting him in the side as she surged to grab the Quaffle from his hands.

((Attempting to steal the Quaffle from Theo and avoiding any Bludgers.))

[Theo Darke]

"I'm open!" Theo yelled loudly across the noise of the wind, broomstick movement, crowd and commentary. Gosh, a Quidditch stadium could sure get rowdy when it was a match... Theo had barely noticed before, since he was one with the crowd normally, shouting his lungs off for his friends and house. Now, he was actually in the midst of the action, playing against Gryffindor, a skilled Quidditch, for his house team, an equally capable side, and all those spectators' eyes were on him right now, willing him to do well. Theo couldn't possibly let them down. Even if Ravenclaw lost, he had to do his best right? He managed a grin even as Scott rose beside him in order to prevent him from gaining the Quaffle. Theo couldn't avoid being blocked and marked this way, and so let it be. He couldn't almost believe he was even against one of his newfound friends... Surely, this year had been somewhat of a revelation. What with Theo's open sexuality, meeting Scott, Lori's odd behaviour, and joining the house Quidditch team (because of Scott). Theo was enjoying every moment though... he really was.

Just because Scott was in front of him though, did not mean Theo planned on resigning himself to defeat. He swerved sideways a little, just enough for there to be a small gap for Celia to throw the Quaffle through. "Now, Celia!" he yelled, and threw his arms open. The Quaffle came sailing at him, having avoided being stolen by Gryffindor's Vice-Captain, and it too eluded Scott's hands. Theo cheered from within as his arms closed securely around the red ball, and immediately began flying to the goals, intent on scoring for his team. If he did, it would put Ravenclaw in the lead... Theo hoped luck was on their side again today.

((Defending the Quaffle, attempting to score, and avoiding any Bludgers.))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Jamison attempts to defend Jasmine from Melody's Bludger.
Melody = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Jamison = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 3 = 7

Tie! Re-roll.

Melody = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 2 + 6 = 8
Jamison = Defend (D8 + Str) = 5 + 3 = 8

Tie! Re-roll.

Melody = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 4 + 6 = 10
Jamison = Defend (D8 + Str) = 6 + 3 = 9
Melody's Bludger continues on to Jasmine.

It is assumed Jamison would have warned Jasmine about the Bludger, and would attempt to dodge it.
Melody = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 5 + 6 = 11
Jasmine = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 6 + 6 = 12
Jasmine avoids Melody's Bludger.

Cassandra hits a Bludger at Jasmine. It is assumed Jamison would have warned Jasmine about the Bludger, and would attempt to dodge it.
Cassandra = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 6 + 1 = 7
Jasmine = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 2 + 6 = 8
Jasmine avoids Cassandra's Bludger.

Zara attempts to steal the Quaffle from Theo. Theo attempts to defend.
Zara = Steal (D4 + Str) = 4 + 5 = 9
Theo = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 6 = 10
Theo retains the Quaffle.

Theo attempts to shoot. Casey attempts to save it.
Theo = Score (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Casey = Save (D6 + Dex) = 1 + 4 = 5
Casey fails to defend the goal. Theo scores. Casey has the Quaffle.

Ravenclaw 50
Gryffindor 40

Rex searches for the Snitch. Since Rex has a Con of 6, concentration does not need to be rolled, therefore he is able to search.

Rex = Search = 14
14 is the Snitch number. Rex sees the Snitch.))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

It looked like Rex might finally have seen something! Praising the skies, the wispy clouds and the thin air beneath her that the game would soon be over and she could put down her increasingly heavy-feeling bat and just... relax, Melody knew that she must make a last effort now to help secure the game for Gryffindor. She flew up to one of the Bludgers that Jasmine had just dodged and hit it in the Ravenclaw Seeker's direction yet again... perhaps this time, when it mattered most, she would be lucky and manage to hit the Seeker to distract her.

((Bludger attack on Jasmine.))

[Jasmine Anderson]

Jasmine had been put on the bench for a while, which was alright with her. All the bludger attacks were bringing to catch up with her causing her body to ache. Jasmine sat on the bench, breathing in deeply until she was needed again. Celia then called her in causing Jasmine to fly back up into the air. It wasn't long before more bludgers were heading her way. What was up with hitting the seeker today? There were other targets as well? Sighing Jasmine spitted Rex speeding up rather quickly. Deciding to check it out she fly off after him.

((Snitch searching.))

[rex]

There it was! Right behind the left ear of Madam Hooch. The golden glint that Rex had been waiting for all game. Rex tried to stay calm. He tried to reason that if he got excited, Jasmine would notice and then surprise would not be on his side. But he couldn't help it! Finally, it seemed like he had a purpose in this game. Ravenclaw had just scored a goal but if Rex caught the Snitch then none of that would matter. He sped in Madam Hooch's direction trying to play it off as if he was going to ask her a question but it was too late. Jasmine had seen him make a discovery and she was quickly zooming in the same direction. Would he make it in time?

((Catching the Snitch))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Since the Snitch has already been found, Jasmine cannot search for the Snitch, but it will be assumed she would be trying to catch it.


Melody hits a Bludger at Jasmine. Since Jasmine posted, it is assumed she would attempt to avoid it.
Melody = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 6 = 9
Jasmine = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 8 + 6 = 14
Jasmine avoids Melody's Bludger.

Jasmine and Rex attempt to catch the Snitch.
Jasmine = Catch (D10 + Dex) = 4 + 6 = 10
Rex = Catch (D10 + Dex) = 9 + 6 = 15
Snitch = Escape (D10 + D4) = 10 + 4 = 14

Since Rex beat the Snitch, Rex catches the Snitch.

Gryffindor win!

Ravenclaw 50
Gryffindor 190

All players may now post their reaction to the end of the game and leaving the pitch.))

[Zara Phoenix]

Zara had been getting ready to receive the Quaffle from Casey. It was somewhat irritating Ravenclaw had again scored, bringing them to the lead. However, it hadn't deterred her from thinking Gryffindor would definitely still win - or at least give it their all. She wasn't about to lose this game without a fight. Ravenclaw had managed to claw their way to the top, and zara would acknowledge their determination with a boost of resolution of her own. "To me, Casey, to me!" Zara shouted, before realising that the entire crowd that become more hushed. The atmosphere had changed. Why? Zara recognised this sensation, and immediately whipped around to confirm her thoughts. This could only mean one thing - the Snitch had been seen. Zara's wide, anticipating eyes landed on a blur of red streaking across the stadium, after what she presumed was the golden glint of the Snitch. She assumed he had seen it first, but Jasmine was not far behind him, tailing his movements. "Go on, Rex!" Zara screamed at the fourth year Seeker, "Go on!" The younger boy wasn't arrogant for nothing, she thought as Rex pushed closer to the flying Snitch trying to evade his grabbing fingers. He was a very fast flyer, and he seemed to perform better in the actual games than he did in practices. Probably because he couldn't be bothered to try, Zara thought dryly with some amusement. Plus, he was now in the limelight, able to show off to his friends and followers. Even Zara had heard of Rex Carter's antics around school, and when he had auditioned for Quidditch, she had been surprised, somewhat, he would be able to concentrate long enough to even look for the Snitch. But, he had surely proven himself. She supposed even if he didn't catch the Snitch now, against a much more experienced Jasmine, she wouldn't blame him. She could tell he was trying his best, even if it wasn't necessarily for Gryffindor.

Rex was narrowly closing in on the fluttering Snitch. Zara saw the gold shimmer in the morning sunlight, and noticed Rex's hand just a metre or so away. "Go on, you can do it!" Zara screamed again excitedly, urging her teammate to win it for them. Gryffindor had worked too hard to lose now. It now all rested on Rex's shoulders. The entire game seemed to have stopped, despite the fact she was sure Casey wanted to pass that Quaffle. Everyone was cheering their side on. The battle between Jasmine and Rex was close-cut, but it seemed Jasmine was beginning to tail away from the Snitch, whilst Rex continued to follow its movements accurately and precisely. Zara watched with bated breath as finally, Rex made that last stretch to take the Snitch his hands, and suddenly the entire stadium erupted, the one, large breath it was holding amongst the people being let out in a great big whoosh. "YES!" Zara shouted in delight, jumping on her broom in joy and pride, "Yes, we won!" Around her, her red-clad teammates were celebrating happily with one another, and Zara beamed proudly as she looked over them all. The crowd, the Gryffindor side, that is, were in high spirits, waving crimson flags and banners and shouting their heroes' names. Feeling completely fulfilled, Zara temporarily, again, forgot her woes about Luke, and found herself smiling the widest she had in months. Yes. This was it. This, Quidditch, was her life, and it made her the happiest girl in the world.

A few minutes later, and all the players had descended onto the pitch. The Ravenclaws gathered at one end, the Gryffindors at the other, and Zara immediately began congratulating, thanking and praising her worthy teammates. She started at Melody first, the youngest player both on the team and in the game. "You did wonderfully today. I know you don't enjoy beating people up, but you did Gryffindor proud." Next was Casey, and again, Zara thanked her for her participation. "Sorry for switching you around so much," she addressed both the younger girl and AJ, then turned to Scott, "Thanks for filling in Rex's shoes for a while. I hope you enjoyed playing more of the Chaser role this time. You did great." Zara beamed, then moved onto hugging Lenora happily, "You were great too. I can't believe it's your last game here. Thanks for all the great times." Zara wasn't going to cry, but that probably would've been the moment she would've chosen to had she let herself. Zara rarely cried, but she wasn't lying when she said she would miss Lenora's presence. She had always been a fantastic player and teammate... she would be sorely missed. "And you," Zara turned to the man who had brought Gryffindor to victory, "You, young man, were fantastic. You did good against Jazz. Well done. You deserved to help us win it." She ruffled Rex's crop of messy hair, thoroughly proud of her team, before smiling brightly at Cass, and going across to hug her tightly too, "We did it, Cass," she almost squealed into her friend's ear, but thankfully Zara wasn't a squealer, "We won the cup this year!" Yes. This was definitely one of the proudest moments of her life.

Looking up at the ecstatic crowd, Zara knew searching for either Luke or Sapp was futile. She felt only a tinge of guilt for winning against her sister's team, but in terms of houses, it had always been an individual thing. She knew Sapp wouldn't begrudge her for trying her best against Ravenclaw, and her twin didn't even enjoy Quidditch. Luke, on the other, Zara was sure would have witnessed the match. "I wonder what you're thinking right now," Zara thought a little sadly, memories of him surfacing in her mind, "But, it is time to move." Turning back to her team, Zara was about to motion for Cass to do her captain's speech, before Madam Hooch called them over for the captains to shake hands. Zara shook hands with the referree, thanking her for her hard work, before heading to Jasmine, then Celia. "You were a really worthwhile opponent," Zara smiled sincerely, "And it was a great game. Thank you." She felt sorry for the blue team, who had worked just as hard as them for victory. But, in the end, there was only one winner... and luckily for them, it was Gryffindor's win today. "Let's go inside and party!" Zara yelled as she ran back to her waiting teammates, then grabbed Cass' arm, "And you need to do your speech. Speech!" Zara encouraged and laughed. "But, if I could say a few words before that, I'd like to thank everyone again for your hard work and effort. You have been fantastic today, we couldn't have done it without you all. From the bottom of my heart, I have to say that was one of the best, and tensest, and closest Quidditch games I have ever played, and I am so glad to have been a part of it, and on the winning team."

"Oh, and a big round of applause for Lenora. It's her last game. You're really going to be missed." Zara beamed at her friend and laughed as the cheering began. It had certainly been some year for her... and she hoped next year would be just as eventful.

[Celia Richmond]

Celia grinned as she threw the quaffle to Theo, and he managed to successfully catch it, and then fly over to the goal hoops, despite Zara's attempt to steal it from him. He then threw it with his full strength, and she heard her teammates and the crowd cheer as the red ball went through the goal hoops. They were now 50 - 40 ahead, which was great, especially as they were 40-0 behind not so long ago and it had looked like it was going to be a completely one-sided game, ending in disaster for her team. It was amazing how they'd managed to come back and managed to put up such a strong fight, with the trademark Ravenclaw spirit. Now all they needed was for Jazz to catch the snitch, then it would all be over. She couldn't allow the Gryffindors to win now, after the long work and all the effort that had been put into preparing for the game-especially after they'd lost their other game of the year before it had even properly started, and Gryffindor had won theirs, despite Hufflepuff being ahead on goals.

Just as Casey was preparing to throw the quaffle to one of her teammates, and Celia prepared to intercept the pass, she noticed the crowd go eerily quiet, which could only mean one thing-someone had seen the snitch. She turned around and saw with disappointment that it appeared to be Rex that had seen it, though Jazz had obviously noticed and was following him, and the snitch, with all her power. "COME ON JAZZ!!" she shouted as she saw that the captain was struggling to keep up with the younger boy-those bludger hits had taken their toll, though she was in much better shape than she had been earlier on. Celia watched as Rex's hand reached out to catch the golden ball and sighed with disappointment as the inevitable happened and Rex caught the snitch. The crowd erupted in cheers, but Celia couldn't join in. They had lost. Again. And both times they had been ahead too.

It had been a good game nontheless, and both teams had performed excellently throughout (despite the game going on forever, or so it seemed. She thought it would be interesting to see how much time had passed-it wasn't getting dark yet at all, but it was getting late, she could tell. She flew down to the grass and walked over to where the rest of the team was gathered, all looking woeful and disappointed with themselves. She couldn't believe that they had lost both matches, and the only consolation was they they were well ahead on house points and would almost certainly win the house cup. She waited for the crowd to calm down a bit before attempting to talk to the team-she wanted to say a few words before the official captain's talk from Jazz later on.

"Well, firstly" she said, addressing the team, "I'd like to say a big well done to you all. You all played extremely well out there, and we were so close to winning, it was untrue. Yes, we've lost both games, but as Ravenclaws we have to rise above it and think of other triumphs! Anyway, Theo, you were brilliant out there-I don't know what we would've done without you-you were fantastic! Elaine, sorry we generally kept the quaffle between myself and Theo, but thanks for the help you gave. Stewart, Jami, thank you so much for defending us out there, and keeping us safe. August, don't worry about the goals that you let in-you have plenty of time to practice, and remember to keep the eye on the ball! Adriahna, same goes for you, and thanks a lot for filling in as seeker while Jasmine was off. Speaking of which, I'd better pass over to the captain herself-thanks so much for all you've done as captain and seeker. It'll be a shame to loose you, and Jami, from the team next year."

She finished thus, and noticed Madam Hooch beckoning the captains over to the centre of the pitch. "Good game, congratulations" she said to both of the Gryffindor captains as she shook their hands with a smile on her face. They returned to their respective ends of the pitch, and Celia waited for Jazz's captain speech, wondering what else she would have to add to what Celia had already said.