Gryffindor vs. Slytherin

[Oscar Flynn G7]

He missed it. So close. So close! He had felt the stupid leather between his stupid fingers, but not clasped between his hands. With this thought in mind, Oscar set a grim expression on his face. His neck was throbbing from the wasp sting, and he was still swallowing the coppery taste of blood- but he pointedly ignored both things now. He had let the snake past. But he wouldn’t let it happen again. The position changes that came next surprised him but he immediately welcomed them. As he took the beater’s bat from Cass he nodded. “Thanks.” His voice was quiet but just audible enough for her to hear; his irritation from letting Fallon’s shot go through was obvious in his tone. Admittedly, he was very annoyed now. Beater was just where he wanted to be. He also accepted that Cass; as probably Gryffindor's finest beater, was giving him this new opportunity. He was determined to throw himself fully into this new position.

That irritation increased further as a shock numbed the side of his arm; Oscar was barely into his beater mode and away from the hoops, and already had been attacked by a bludger. The beater that had launched the thing at him was a girl. Oh, god. A fifth year girl. Although it wasn’t enough to knock him from his broom, it was certainly enough to cause the anger inside him to boil even further. “Bloody useless Slytherin girls.” He muttered loudly. And with that, he launched himself and the bat between his fingers at the bludger that was now just a few metres from him. His trust nimbus held steady as he brought both arms back; this time, his strength was certainly in the hit. He glanced up as the bat made contact with bludger, a jarring sensation that he had expected coursing through his arm. He ignored it, and watched as the bludger streaked across the sky towards the Slytherin chaser that had somehow scored.

((Attack on Julian.))

[Casey Allen G5]

Ah the game was going by so quickly. Casey squealed with excitement when Gryffindor scored the first goal, but quickly after Slytherin scored one for their team. “Drat.” Casey exclaimed under her breath. She then shook her head quickly and tired to focus on the task at hand, beating Slytherin. She quickly gained speed and flew to the direction of all the action. Cass had the quaffle and attempted to pass it to Scott, but that Slytherin, Wynd, intercepted the pass. Casey shook her head and flew over toward him. She simply had to get that quaffle back! She dodged different players as she gained speed. Casey was a good flyer. She was usually good at avoiding players, but she couldn’t always be good and Casey knew that. She took in a sharp breath and quickly approached Wynd. Hopefully, she could snatch the quaffle right back from him and continue the game in Gryffindor’s favor.

((Stealing the quaffle))

[Scott Ryder G7]

Cass attempted the pass, but Scott was frustrated to see that it was stolen by Wynd. That boy had already tried to irritate Scott with his cutting words, but it was only his actions that could truly tug at Scott's temper. If he even tried to give Slytherin the lead, Scott was bound and determined to turn around and simply even the score.

He figured he could do one better though. While Casey edged closer to Wynd in an attempt to possibly steal the Quaffle, Scott placed himself between Wynd and the other two Slytherin Chasers. If a pass was made, Scott would have the advantage to try to snatch it from the air and head off the other direction. As long as Gryffindor stayed one step ahead, he was sure that they could make sure that the score never favoured Slytherin.

((Ready to intercept if a pass is made this round.))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

From what Melody observed of the game when she glanced down towards it, the Slytherins had the upper edge at this moment in time. Interestingly (worryingly, from her point of view since she had been hoping to be defended from Bludgers), Cassandra had switched places to Keeper. Oscar appeared to have started off as a rather dozy Beater, allowing himself to get hit by a Bludger. She hoped that wasn't a predictor of his general ability as a Beater or else she was going to be dodging a lot of Bludgers in the near future. She decided that she'd have to keep a good look out in the direction of the Slytherin Beaters. But perhaps there was no better hiding place for the Snitch than in the dizzyingly fast whirl of players who converged round the Quaffle?

((Searching for the Snitch!))

[rex]

All right. Cass had gone from a Beater to the Keeper. She was on the side lines now. Even if she did yell at Rex again the roar of the crowd would most likely drown her voice. Rex tried to look for something to do for fun and found the Bludgers were free. Although Rex never wanted to actually hurt someone (except maybe JJ but that was different), Rex was a Beater now and his job was supposed to defend his own and confuse the other team. Cass had asked him to protect Melody and that is what he planned to do. Of course, they always say the best defense is a good offense.

((Hitting a Bludger at Wynd))

[Mary Evans]

They had scored, Mary had done well in trusting Julian. Just into the game and he scored. After Adalia had protected the hoops. Maybe this line-up change had been a good idea. Just as Mary thought that she noticed Dylan back down on the benches looking anxious to be back in the air; he seemed a lot better. “Valak! Good hustle girl, back down but keep an eye on the game.” Mary said when she got near Kailyn, sending the girl back to the bench so Dylan could return. The girl was good, but Dylan was vice-captain and her usual partner for quidditch.

With the two players switching up Mary looked around again, making sure none of the bludgers were going against her players while the beaters did their switch. Sure enough, not one but two bludgers were going for her chaser. “Two seconds, just two seconds” Mary muttered as she flew after Julian who seemed to be in the more imminent danger.

((Changing Kailyn back to the bench and Dylan back in as beater.

Defending Julian from Oscar.))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass did a quick summary of events in her head. The game was starting to go badly. Not only did Slytherin have possession of the quaffle, but Oscar had been hit by a bludger as well. Little things like these made her blood pressure skyrocket. As keeper, she had a better view of the game. As long as she knew where the quaffle was at all times, she could easily survey her team. Groaning a bit, she hated to admit she didn't like what she was seeing. Why had her team all of a sudden lost it? She could only hope that her chasers got a hold of the quaffle soon. Both of her beaters were doing quite well at the moment, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that she made a bad decision in her line up change.

Suppressing the urge to yell, she nodded her head in an encouraging way. She didn't want to risk any of them becoming discouraged. Gazing intently at Oscar, she watched as he began to swing his beater's toward an oncoming bludger. With her years of experience, it didn't take her long to figure out who that bludger was intended. She swore loudly. "What are you doing, Flynn?!" She spat. The bludger was aimed directly towards Julian. "Did you not hear what I told you?! Take out the seeker, not the freshman chaser!" Sighing, she slapped the palm of her hand to her forehead. If she had been smart, she would of seen this coming the moment Julian scored that goal.

[Kailyn Valak S6]

"Finally," Kailyn said with a sigh of accomplishment as she watched the Bludger knock into the unsuspecting Oscar. True, he had just missed saving a goal and been switched from one position to another, probably not paying much attention to what was going on around him to be able to dodge the thing or defend himself, but Kailyn didn't care. She had hit him, and that was all that mattered. She had managed to make at least one decent play after two failed attempts. She wasn't about to have her first game be a complete failure. Kennedy would have been so ashamed, not that she needed his approval. Still, as a Valak, she felt that people were expecting her to be as good as her brother who had been captain at one point.

Seeing that the other Gryffindor Beater had just sent a Bludger toward Wynd, Kailyn was off in another flash, more confident than before as she surged forward. While passing Mary though, Kailyn heard her shout a quick compliment but then send her back to the bench. "Just after I get this Bludger," she said somewhat snidely despite Mary's kind tone. Kailyn was not happy to be leaving the game so soon. Sure, she was only one for three in her success rate, but she was just getting warmed up. Now, she was even more determined to end on a good note, for all she knew, she'd not get back in the game if Dylan came back to play well.

Nearning Wynd, Kailyn took an angry swing at the Bludger which was coming right for him. If all went well, it'd be soaring off toward the little runt of a Seeker that Gryffindor had playing and Mary might regret taking Kailyn out so early.

((Defending Wynd and deflecting toward Melody if successful.))
((No hard feelings from me for being subbed out... but Kailyn's obviously pretty upset. ))

[Josephine Bowman S7]

Josephine flew back up into the sky not even turning to see if a bludger was behind her, just moving and flying seamlessly as she weaved past the towers around her, blue orbs focused on only one thing...trying to find a flicker of gold, something that glinted in the sunlight...anything really. She needed that snitch...wanted it so much that all her concentration was now being placed on finding it before the Gryffindor seeker. Of course it'd be easier if her beaters actually hit the Gryffindor seeker, but that seemed impossible, the little girl too small to hit or something along those bloody lines. It was enough to drive a girl mad...but right now that was far from her thoughts, as she circled the pitch, glancing around every now and then to make sure a bludger wasn't headed her way as she searched for the snitch.

((Avoiding any bludgers and searching for the snitch))

[Wynd Lehane]

Just when the Gryffindor team thought it would be okay to let up, Wynd stole the pass from right under their noses. He flew with the Quaffle seeing that Julian was open nearby. Where in god's name was Olivia? Did she expect Julian and Wynd to do everything by themselves? Whatever. He didn't need her help anyway. Then everything happened at once. Wynd noticed one of the Gryffindor Chasers next to him trying to steal the Quaffle and the distinct sound of the wind as a Bludger cuts through it. A Bludger headed for him. Luckily, he could see that Kailyn was on here way to defend him. One worry out of the way and now that bloody Chaser. Hopefully Wynd could pass it before she got the chance to steal it.

((Defending Quaffle, Dodging Bludgers, Passing to Julian))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Slytherin substitutions:
Dylan Caoimhe replaces Kailyn Valak as Beater.


Oscar hits a Bludger at Julian. Mary attempts to defend him.
Oscar = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Mary = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 6 = 10
Mary defends Julian from Oscar's Bludger.

Rex hits a Bludger at Wynd. Kailyn attempts to defend him.
Rex = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 3 = 6
Kailyn = Defend (D8 + Str) = 6 + 3 = 9
Kailyn defends Wynd from Rex's Bludger and deflects it to Melody.

There is a Bludger flying at Melody.

Casey attempts to steal the Quaffle from Wynd. Wynd attempts to defend.
Casey = Steal (D4 + Str) = 4 + 3 = 7
Wynd = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 5 = 9
Casey fails to steal. Wynd retains the Quaffle.

Wynd attempts to pass the Quaffle to Julian. Scott attempts to intercept.
Wynd = Pass (D6 + Dex) = 1 + 5 = 6
Scott = Intercept (D4 + Dex) = 1 + 6 = 7
Scott intercepts Wynd's pass to Julian. Scott has the Quaffle.

Melody and Josephine search for the Snitch.

Melody = Search (D6 + Con) = 6 + 4 = 10
Melody's search roll is above 5, so she is able to search.

Melody = Search = 11
11 is not the Snitch number. Melody does not see the Snitch.

Josephine = Search (D6 + Con) = 1 + 4 = 5
Josephine's search roll is above 5, so she is able to search.

Josephine = Search = 19
19 is not the Snitch number. Josephine does not see the Snitch.))

[Riley Coxen G7]

Riley's face fell slightly as the Slytherins made their first goal. It seemed that Gryffindor's unbeatable streak wasn't going to last for too long. Now they had to step it up. They had to play even better than before if they wanted to win. Slytherin was their most competitive opponent, so it would be a pretty big blow if they ended up losing after a start that was so great. Riley needed to get back into the game. She wasn't quite sure how to position herself in a place to score, so she simply remained open for a pass the entire time. But now it was time to step it up. Riley accelerated on her broom after Slytherin had scored and waited, open for a pass in case Scott wanted to pass the Quaffle her way. Not to mention she kept an eye open for any bludgers that could stray her way.

(( I'm open! ;D Dodging any bludgers as well, of course ))

[Kailyn Valak S6]

Two for four. Kailyn's odds were increasing nicely when compared to her terrible start. However, after having saved Wynd from being bloodied by the Bludger, he went and threw the Quaffle over to the Gryffindor Chaser who had scored the first goal. Seeing that and knowing that Mary was now sending Kailyn to the bench made her angry enough to fly past the Gryffindor Chaser and purposely make sure she slowed down right when he was in front of her. "Oops," she said, shrugging her shoulders in that fake innocent way that she liked to do as the boy's leg smashed into the handle of her broom. She hoped it'd knock him off balance, enough that he might mistakenly loose the Quaffle right back into Slytherin's possession.

With that, Kailyn was at least somewhat pleased with her performance. She still wasn't happy to be flying to the bench, but Mary had told her to keep an eye on the game. Perhaps there was a chance she'd be joining it again, sooner than she thought. After hearing the taunting jeers from the Gryffindor section as she neared the players' bench, Kailyn simply offered her sickeningly sweet smile and plopped down beside Drake (who happened to seem quite angry himself).

((Making my grand exit from the game. ))

[Scott Ryder G7]

"That's more like it," Scott muttered under his breath as he felt the Quaffle grace his fingertips and fall into his grasp. Wynd would think twice about running his mouth before he proved that his skills were evenly matched. After all, it wasn't even him who had tied the game, it was Julian, a brand new Chaser for the Slyths. Scott was worried about that fact. Only a few minutes into his first game and he had scored so quickly. Then again, in Scott's first game as starting Seeker, he managed to catch the Snitch. Of course it did come after a rather long spree of searching, as well as the fact that he had a fifty percent chance of catching it since it had to be either he or Charles who did. Still, Scott was rather irritated that Wynd seemed so eager to spit out all kinds of cutting words when he hadn't exactly proved to be any sort of superstar. Scott wouldn't have called himself a superstar, but at last he didn't run his mouth as much as Wynd. Then again, wasn't that what always seemed to separate the stereotypical Slyths from the rest of the bunch? Scott let it escape his mind as he zoomed forward with the Quaffle.

Out of nowhere, he was face to face with a different problem. No, it wasn't a Bludger, but it was one of the Slytherin Beaters. She seemed intent on stopping right in Scott's path as she was on her way to the bench. He barely had time to steer around her, and part of him even managed to knock into her protruding broom handle. "Watch it!" he shouted as he flew past her, facing somewhat sideways from the sudden collision. He wondered if Madame Hooch would call a foul, but figured she wouldn't since it hadn't really affected the game and couldn't really be considered much since all players were supposed to be watching where they were going; even Scott. Still, it angered him since it was obviously intentional. Just stay cool... he told himself. Sometimes he had a hard time controlling his temper. It was a rare occasion, but still, it didn't take much once he was truly angered. If Slytherin continued to play the dirty game they were known for, he'd surely need some way to vent some of his frustration.

Deciding he'd had enough possession of the Quaffle for the time-being, he saw Riley in a rather convenient location ahead of him. In fact, if he timed it just right, she might be able to get a quick shot on goal. She had been playing quite well so far, and Scott was confident she might be able to put the lions in the lead. "Riley!" he shouted, though it seemed as though she was already waiting for the pass. Great minds think alike, and in Quidditch, the Chasers practically needed to act as one person if they were to do well. Scott figured they were doing fine so far, if only they could score a few more by working together.

((Trying to pass to Riley, defending if someone tries to steal, on the lookout for any Bludgers.))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

Cass’s tone made Oscar wince, but he had already sent the Bludger to his captain’s partner, and there was no going back. He didn’t regret it; that was where he had wanted the Bludger to be. At the snake who somehow got the Quaffle past him. But he recognized the slight foolishness of his actions and at least had the decency to nod, slightly apologetically, in Cass’s direction. Defying his captain could easily get him sent off to the bench, despite being Vice. He would not have argued if Cass had decided on such a fate for him. After all, he himself would have sent a disobedient player from the field without hesitation. After this thought, his eyes returned to the game at hand, tracking every movement, every action and every player with keen eyes. His own Bludger was soon blocked by the Slytherin captain; he had expected her to be there and was not incredibly surprised when she defended the attack.

Oscar's eyes tracked the pitch for the other Bludger; and saw it travelling towards Melody. That made Oscar wince inwardly. The child seemed so small. He knew however this was not equal to her Quidditch talent. She could be a valuable player. With a grimace he hoisted his bat and threw his weight at the Bludger trying to force it’s way towards her. His shoulder still ached slightly from where the stupid Valak girl had sent him a Bludger earlier. Then, he decided to at least obey Cass’s order this time around- the Bludger was soon making it’s determined way towards the Slytherin seeker. As he did so, from the corner of his eye he noticed Scott gain possession of the Quaffle; something inside him cheered and it wasn't long before he allowed himself to voice his emotion.

((Defending Melody from Kailyn's bludger, deflecting to Josephine.))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

Oh no! Another Bludger. Well, the respite had been nice while it lasted. Melody simply hoped that this one didn't come from Mary, because a Beater of Mary's skill could add all sorts of nasty backspin and reverse spin and so on. Not that Melody knew what she was talking about. It was some kind of spin. If she knew what kind, she would be able to try adding it, rather than only being able to defend against it by instinct. It just made the path of a Bludger more difficult for a Beater to predict when trying to defend against it. Or a target trying to dodge it. If it did come from Mary, she hoped that one of Rex or Oscar would turn up soon to do something about it. Hitting it at the Slytherin Seeker instead would be the best tactical move, of course, but Melody had something more important to do for the team than give her elders (one of whom was the Vice Captain!) unneeded advice. She didn't really mind too much so long as they stopped it from hitting her.

Well, where was it? The Bludger might be looming ever closer in order to blot out Melody's view of any glinting Snitch, but she could still see some sky. The Bludger wasn't yet obscuring her vision. This was useless though; she kept on glancing nervously at the Bludger so she might as well start taking some evasive action and hope that it didn't follow her on some brutal whim. Melody accelerated a little away from the Bludger and continued gazing into the sky.

((Searching for the Snitch, and dodging t'Bludger if need be.))

[Julian Fallon S7]

Julian cursed at the missed pass. How could he do such a thing after such a great start in his first game? He gave Mary a wink as a thank you for saving his now sorry behind from that bludger. He flipped his broom around and took off after Scott. Julian wanted to get the quaffle back for his team. He wasn't worried about the reprecussions from his wife any longer. He just wanted to have a bit of house pride, and to prove every one of his housemates that he still had house pride. He had originally thought that he was only joining the quidditch team to have more in common with Cass and to be able to be closer to her. He pushed his broom faster. He had to reach that quaffle.

((Attempting to steal from Scott))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Good, he got it, a slight look from Oscar was all that it took for her to understand. He knew that she was angry about the play towards Julian. She didn't care that he had sent the bludger towards Julian. It was that he had ignored a direct instruction from her. Josephine had to be out of the game. Period! Nodding that she understood, Oscar flew to defend Melody. Where was the snitch? She watched Melody search and search. It was nowhere to be found. This was Melody's first bat as seeker, and she didn't want the girl to feel as if she was failing. Cass beat her hands against the handle of her broom. She sang "Go, go Gryffindor!" along with the crowd. The mantra focused her in on the game.

((defending hoops))

[Wynd Lehane]

It seemed like Slytherin could not hold onto the bloody Quaffle for more than five seconds! Wynd had just caught the pass from their Keeper then Scott came and did the same thing. This game was getting old fast and it was still early. Wynd looked around to find Jo and she how her search was going. She seemed to be making as much progress as the Slytherin Chasers. His attention snapped back to the situation at hand. Wynd saw that Julian was making a move to steal the Quaffle from Scott but Wynd feared that may not be enough. He was bigger than Riley. He could easily block her. He fly so that he was in between Scott and the girl Chaser. He then turned to face the boy Chaser. He searched his mind desperately for a witty or snide comment but nothing came to mind. Instead he just waited.

((Intercepting Scott's pass))

[Josephine Bowman S7]

Josephine pulled back to fly back by the Slytherin side of the pitch, she could hear the roaring of the crowd below her as she circled the pitch for the umpteenth time. This was getting ridiculous. She should have gotten the snitch by now...finished the game. As it was though, she had not, and Gryffindor was now once again in possession of the quaffle. Of course...it was impossible to keep the quaffle and not get it stolen or intercepted in this game. She just had to make sure she caught the snitch first. So blue orbs turned back to the sky and pitch, looking everywhere for the glint of gold that she was praying to see.

((Avoiding any bludgers and searching for the snitch))