Gryffindor vs. Slytherin

[Josephine Bowman S7]

Josephine rounds the Slytherin goal posts, flickering her eyes to Julian as he soared toward the Gryffindor hoops. This was definitely going to get interesting. With his wife defending the hoops this was anyone's guess on what was going to happen or what she was going to do. Josephine, however, didn't have the time to watch, she was doing something far more important and it deserved all her concentration. She had just managed to dodge one of the bludgers, but that was not enough to get her to find the snitch...no she had to pay more attention...any movement...any glint from the sun's rays would have to be examined and there was no time to waste in doing so. With that Josephine's eyes turned back to the sky around her as she shot around the stands, looking for the snitch.

((avoiding bludgers and searching for the snitch))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

The Slytherin seeker dodged Oscar’s Bludger; but it was close, and Oscar knew it couldn’t be long before he broke through her wards. It was the first time he got through the defence of the Slytherin beaters with such force and made a mental note to pair against Dylan more than Mary, although perhaps that was obvious. From then Oscar took a quick moment to watch the movement of the game; and noticed that the Gryffindor chasers were almost standing aside to let the Quaffle pass from the Slytherin prefect’s hands into Fallon’s. Oscar’s blood boiled at this and he narrowed his eyes. “What do you think you’re doing?” He aimed his fury at Riley and Casey. Scott, at least, had attempted to steal from Wynd. “Get in there and make that Quaffle ours!” He roared across the pitch, his voice being carried by the winds towards the chasers. They had been doing so well. But the chaser game was not Oscar’s to watch anymore; he had to remember that as Beater he couldn’t keep an eye on it as he did when playing Keeper. That was for Cass to do.

Speeding towards his own team’s seeker Oscar noticed that his captain didn’t have eyes for the chasers- for her idiotic partner had approached. Oscar’s brow curved as he watched, out of the corner of his eye, the Slytherin chaser attempt to shoot. He missed the words the two shouted at each other thanks to the roaring wind but it was obvious what they were feeling. This thought amused Oscar a little, although he certainly did not have the time to chuckle at it. He wondered what the two would say to each other about the mid-air encounter later. Scott zoomed into view, at Julian’s heels, attempting to intercept. Inwardly Oscar cheered him; and outwardly he shouted once more. “Riley- Casey- get in there!” His anger was showing, and he didn’t care. As he put this irritation into his words he also transferred it into the thick wooden bat between his hands. For what felt like the millionth time in the game he drew back in arms, took one large swing, and yet again aimed for his favourite target.

((Defending Melody, deflecting at Josephine))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

Neither side seemed to have made much headway with the Quaffle recently, and Melody could tell that heads below her had started to turn the same way as she moved. Some of them were watching her. It was a thought which increased the pressure on her, but she felt a bit more relaxed again as a Slytherin was about to make a goal attempt. People would be watching that instead, rather than wondering what was taking the Seekers so long and whether it was perhaps that Gryffindor had an inexperienced, clueless Seeker in place. Not that Melody had a small opinion of herself. She believed that she could do it. She was surprised that she was being given the chance to prove that. The Snitch would be somewhere, and when it did turn up... she had the agility that came with her size, and the strength in her arms to elbow the Slytherin Seeker out of the way. She'd be all right... probably.

((Searching for the Snitch.))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Oscar attempts to defend Melody from Mary's Bludger.
Mary = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Oscar = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 6 = 10
Oscar defends Melody from Mary's Bludger and deflects it to Josephine.

There is a Bludger flying at Josephine.

Scott attempts to steal the Quaffle. Julian attempts to defend.
Scott = Steal (D4+ Str) = 4 + 6 = 10
Julian = Defend (D8 + Str) = 8 + 5 = 13
Scott fails to steal the Quaffle from Julian. Julian retains the Quaffle.

Julian attempts to score. Cassandra attempts to save.
Julian = Score (D6 + Str) = 6 + 5 = 11
Cassandra = Save (D6 + Dex) = 1 + 4 = 5
Cassandra fails to save and Julian scores.

Gryffindor 10
Slytherin 20

Cassandra has the Quaffle.

Josephine and Melody search for the Snitch.

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

Josephine = Search = 13
13 is not the Snitch number. Josephine does not see the Snitch.

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

Melody = Search = 5
5 is not the Snitch number. Melody does not see the Snitch.))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

She almost had it, but Cass felt the quaffle graze the top of her fingers as it made its way through the hoop. She swore loudly, and she was actually quick enough to see Julian's eyes widen in surprise. She was fuming now. Holding the quaffle in her hands, she looked at her team. She had failed them. They were all probably thinking angry, mean thoughts towards their captain at the moment. It probably looked very odd to them that Cass had let Julian score. This was bad. This was very, very bad. The chasers started to congregate in front of her. Damnit, Julian! Why had he put her in this situation? He was making her choose the team over him! "Oscar! Rex!" She caught both of her beater's eyes. With a slight movement, she pointed towards Julian. Her entire team knew what that meant. It was time for Julian Fallon to be out of the game, and her beaters were to take him out at all costs. He was too much of an asset to the Slytherin team, and Cass couldn't have that. There was no way he was going to make her look bad. There was no way she could let them win.

"Casey!", Cass screamed. Faking towards the younger chaser, she moved ever so slightly to the other side to toss the quaffle towards Scott.

((passing to Scott))

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Dylan tightened his hand on the end of his broom in recognition of Julian's goal. But that lasted a second as he watched Cassandra, and watched for and anticipate her next movement. He saw her eyes settle on Scott, and once again, Dylan was forced to attack a friend.

((Hitting a Bludger at Scott))

[rex]

Ouch. Cass had just let Slytherin score. And out of all the Chasers it had to be her husband who scored. That's gotta hurt. Rex would almost think that Cass had let Julian score if he had never heard her speak with so much passion for the game during practices and before and after games. She caught his eye and did a little nod toward her husband. Rex nodded his understanding. The captain wanted Julian out of the game. "Hell hath no fury..." Rex whispered to himself. He smiled. If the captain wanted them to leave Melody and attack Julian that was just fine. All he needed was a Bludger. Luckily, Dylan gave him one. "Nothing personal mate."

((Defending Scott and Deflecting to Julian))

[Mary Evans]

Well, her bludger started going towards her target… but then this blooming Gryffindor got in the way. Mary hasn’t the slightest idea who he was except that perhaps he was a year or two younger than she. Of course next thing Mary realised the bludger was flying at her own seeker, rather than the one she intended while the rest of the game went on. Taking Slytherin scoring as a great sign Mary went to defend her seeker…

((Defending Josephine and deflecting to Melody))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

Slytherin had scored, meaning that they had the lead. Melody made a mental note on this, feeling the pressure on herself increase. Slytherin had the lead and her own team needed her. If she caught the Snitch, they would still win the game 160-20: a respectable score. Melody gritted her teeth in determination and concentration. The Snitch was out there, and she was going to find it, and catch it before the Slytherin Seeker was able to get to it. That was her plan, anyway. Unfortunately the plan currently lacked details… such as where exactly she was going to find the Snitch. There was a glint near the goalhoops at one end of the pitch. It might be the goalhoops themselves, but she decided she would fly a bit closer and investigate. Maybe it was a little golden ball, hanging lazily in mid-air. There was no better place to hide than in plain sight, looking perfectly ordinary. That was, of course, assuming that a Snitch could look perfectly ordinary, which it probably couldn’t. But now was not the time to worry about flaws in her search tactics. Maybe it would be there. If it wasn’t, it was no more likely to be anywhere else either. So Melody reasoned to herself.

((Searchin' fer t'Snitch.))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

A sharp hiss ran through Oscar and snaked out of his mouth as Fallon scored. He would definitely not like to be in that Slytherin’s shoes later on- even from across the pitch Oscar winced at Cass’s obvious reaction. Oscar hoped she would be able to keep personal affairs from the game. It was easy, he knew, to let the faces and friends you play against distract you in Quidditch. He didn’t know how he was going to be against Theo in the upcoming games. But for Cass and Fallon it was obvious what they were setting their minds on. Another wince sparked from Oscar as he watched Cass’s orders then. Obediently the other beater, Rex, threw his attack at Julian. But Oscar hesitated with his bat raised. He was directly before Melody now and able to defend her with ease should Mary choose to attack her after attempting to defend Josephine- which she most likely would. But where would Oscar deflect? Attacking Julian like Cass wanted would give Josephine a chance to search for the snitch, giving her extra time. Time that the Gryffindor team could not afford to lose. Even if the Bludgers did get through Dylan and Mary, Oscar would much rather get rid of a seeker than a chaser, never mind the relationships. He found it oddly ironic that he had sent a Bludger Julian’s way earlier in the game when Cass wanted the reptilian seeker taken out- and now the tables had turned. The captain wanted her husband out. Although he probably was not one to talk Oscar wished Cass could separate her personal affairs from the game. Perhaps she just needed someone to help her do that.

Oscar took his eyes away from Cassandra and her husband, turning them instead to the Slytherin seeker. He liked her for a target. She suited the role very well. He ignored what Cass was doing- even what his own team’s chasers were doing, although he doubted it was very much. He merely waited, sure that a Bludger would head his way soon. He made sure to be ready to send it right back at the Slytherin seeker. “Sorry Cass.” He muttered under his breath as he gripped his bat.

[Scott Ryder G7]

"Damn," Scott cursed, angry to watch as Julian so effortlessly scored yet again. What was it with this guy? He should have been playing for Slytherin ages ago. Then again, Scott couldn't be upset that he hadn't otherwise, Slytherin might have actually beaten Gryffindor for the cup last year. Part of Scott was happy that Julian wouldn't be around for more than this year. That meant Scott wouldn't have to deal with him next year when Scott hoped to help lead Gryffindor to another win since it be his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. He hoped to leave on a good note.

Next year was far away though, and Scott needed to focus on the here and now. He saw the frustration in Cass's eyes, and simply hoped that this might at least keep her critical side down a bit. Perhaps she'd stop yelling so much criticism and start encouraging the team like she had earlier in the game when things were going well. Success didn't come by just having a positive outlook when things were going your way. You had to be optimistic in the good times and bad. The slightest slump in morale could do a lot of danger to a team. For Scott, he found himself constantly battling with his determination to do well yet play tough when he wasn't doing well.

"Come on, Cass. Don't let it get you down. Keep your head in the game and we've got this!" Since she was the captain, somebody had to keep her head straight too. They couldn't expect that she'd do it herself. Leading an entire team wasn't easy, which was probably why she had assigned Oscar as the vice. He was one of the more physical players, and many of the younger players probably looked up to him. Scott was a bit more timid, though on the pitch he somehow found that extra spark of energy and motivation to step up. Between the three of them, Cass, Oscar, and Scott, they just needed to make sure that nobody was being negative. If the younger players looked and saw their older teammates getting negative, then things would go downhill fast!

((Waiting for the Quaffle and boosting team morale!))

[Kailyn Valak S6]

Though she failed to steal the Quaffle from Casey, Kailyn was pleased to see that her action may have helped Wynd to pick off the pass that Casey then attempted to make. Either way, Kailyn would fly away believing she had made some sort of an impact. She wasn't one to doubt her abilities or neglect to take credit when she could.

Flying alongside Wynd and Julian, she watched as the older pair worked together to add ten more points to Slytherin's total. That should be me, she thought to herself, noticing that neither of them seemed to even notice her presence. She wasn't going to let it bother her though, and instead she figured she'd make herself known. She'd let Wynd and Julian know she was just as valuable to Slytherin as they were. Most importantly, she'd give Mary a reason to keep her in as Chaser.

Watching the distressed Cass come away with the Quaffle after her husband scored on her, Kailyn noticed Scott again, and realized he was one of the key Chasers for Gryffindor. It was likely Cass would pass to him. As she dodged the other players and the Bludger that was headed toward Scott, Kailyn swooped in just as Cass's pass was coming that way. She was determined to come away with it and then show Wynd and Julian just how much she was capable of.

((Intercepting the pass to Scott and showing off. ))

[Julian Fallon S7]

Julian couldn't believe that Cassandra had missed his attempt at scoring and had let the quaffle slip by her. He knew that life for him would soon be totally different, but it was too late for him now. Why did Cassandra have to talk about quidditch so much and get him infected by what she had always called a bug. Now he was on Slytherin's team, and playing like he had belonged there for years, even if it was his first real game ever. Sure he and his brother had goofed around with the game before they both got too old to act that way with each other, but Julian had never thought he would actually play in a game.

Cassandra now had the quaffle, and he could tell by the look in her eyes, that her shout to the Gryff beaters was a signal for them to try to take him out of the game. He knew his wife well enough to know that she played for keeps. He knew that Quidditch was her dream. Playing professionally was all she had wanted, and by the look in her eyes, she wasn't going to let him take that away from her.

Julian watched as Kailyn got between Scott and Cass to intercept the quaffle. He could only wish her luck with that, as he made sure that he was open should she succeed in her attempt.

((I'm Open))

[Josephine Bowman S7]

Josephine takes another turn and flips around to circle again around the pitch. The fact that neither of the seekers had caught even a glimpse of the snitch was rather annoying and just plain boring. She wanted some action! Like Kailyn was getting down there with her showing off. Why couldn't she have that luck!? The girl was going to have to be quick though to get that pass to Scott that was being attempted, he was good...they all knew that, but Cass was even better.

Josephine sighed in resignation as she turned her eyes back to the sky, getting bored of dodging bludgers and not finding the snitch. To make things a little more interesting Josephine caught sight of the Gryffindor seeker to her left and really she just couldn't stop herself as she darted to the left, her whole form wheeling right into the seeker, elbow connecting with her shoulder and chest hard, at the goal posts. "Get out of my way squirt!" she cried out in indignation as the smirk fell across her features.

((avoiding bludgers and searching for the snitch))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Mary attempts to defend Josephine from Oscar's Bludger.
Oscar = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Mary = Defend (D8 + Str) = 8 + 6 = 14
Mary defends Josephine from Oscar's Bludger and deflects it to Melody.

There is a Bludger flying at Melody.

Dylan hits a Bludger at Scott. Rex attempts to defend him.
Dylan = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 2 = 3
Rex = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 3 = 7
Rex defends Scott from Dylan's Bludger and deflects it to Julian.

There is a Bludger flying at Julian.

Cassandra attempts to pass to Scott. Kailyn attempts to intercept.
Cassandra = Pass (D6 + Dex) = 6 + 4 = 10
Kailyn = Defend (D4 + Dex) = 4 + 2 = 6
Kailyn fails to intercept. Cassandra passes to Scott. Scott has the Quaffle.

Melody and Josephine search for the Snitch.

Melody = Search (D6 + Con) = 5 + 4 = 9
Melody’s search roll is 5, so she is able to search.

Melody = Search = 22
22 is not the Snitch number. Melody does not see the Snitch.

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

Josephine = Search = 17
17 is not the Snitch number. Josephine does not see the Snitch.))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

Josephine it was. Oscar no longer had time to give thought to Cass's orders and what she may do when he disobeyed her. The Bludger came over, as expected. And Oscar was right there to defend his team’s little seeker- as expected. His eyes tracked Josephine as she neared Melody and Oscar. He swung his back and attempted to defend and deflect when she had closed the distance between them considerably- should the Bludger get through, the damage would be heightened. If Oscar was lucky she could be out for the game. Her antics as Oscar defended Melody did not go unnoticed. Before he tried to launch the Bludger her way his eyes narrowed. Oh, if only she were Fallon, or Lehane, or Dylan. Oscar had no problem sending Bludgers at the opposition’s female characters anymore. Admittedly he had been doubtful when he had first learnt that this was a must if he wanted to win. But he had grown used to it. However, even as a beater he refused to ram Josephine. This advantage she had over him made him grit his teeth. If only she were male! Oscar would happily send his full body weight trailing along after the Bludger then, no matter what harm it may put to his body later.

But the fact was Josephine was female. This meant that as Oscar hit the Bludger he put all of his strength into it, all of his effort, all of his anger held for the Gryffindor female chaser’s; all into that hit. “You’re gonna regret that, Bowman.” He hissed through his teeth, not caring if the cold words didn’t even reach the girl. What mattered was the attack with the Bludger. He had to make it count.

(Defending Melody, deflecting to Josephine)

[Scott Ryder G7]

Once he felt the Quaffle within his grip, Scott wasted no time in speeding off in the other direction. He was half tempted to just attempt to zoom from one end of the pitch to the other and attempt to even the score. If Julian could score back to back goals, Scott had no doubt that he could do the same for Gryffindor. Then again, it seemed that Kailyn wasn't letting up on him. She seemed to make it her personal vendetta that she should continuously make Scott's time in a game a living nightmare. She was wherever he seemed to be no matter what position she was playing. Scott wished that she might take a Bludger to the broom so that she'd be scared right out of the game. He didn't exactly want her to get hurt, but he wouldn't mind seeing her have to be benched again.

Glancing from side to side, Scott looked for any glimpse of red. He hoped Casey or Riley might be nearby. No such luck. He decided to keep flying as fast as he could until it was necessary to either pass or shoot.

Before long, he heard the fluttering of robes behind him. Sure enough, it was Kailyn, likely trying to steal. But then, he realized that Riley was just on the other side of Kailyn. Apparently Kailyn was attempting to prevent Scott from passing. No worries; Scott had a plan. All of the sudden, he stopped midair and then did a barrel roll as he swooped beneath Kailyn and came up on the other side of Riley. "Here, I'll take care of making sure you get an open shot on goal." Scott wasn't sure how he'd do that since he'd have to stop three Slytherin Chasers as well as the Keeper if Riley tried to score. Oh well.

((Passing to Riley.))

[Kailyn Valak S6]

That bloody Ryder was getting lucky. Perhaps his bit of experience was enough to make Kailyn look like a fool once or twice, but she wasn't going to let him make a fool of her much longer. As he zoomed off with the Quaffle, Kailyn decided she'd try something different. She figured that Wynd or Julian would be a matter physical match up for Scott, so she'd let them try to steal. Meanwhile, Kailyn found someone who was about her size (Riley) and hurried to place herself between Scott and the other Gryffindor Chaser. This way, if Scott tried to pass, his task would be a bit more difficult.

When she made eye contact with Scott, she realized he must have figured out what she was doing. When he stopped, she momentarily lost her view of him, but then he appeared on the other side of Riley. "Not that easy, Ryder!" Kaily said, swooping in a similar fashion as Scott had. Despite her small figure and seeming lack of experience, Kailyn was fairly good at handling a broom. Perhaps it was the only aspect of Quidditch that came naturally to her. Just as Scott was about to pass off the Quaffle to Riley, Kailyn swooped in between them, causing a red and green sandwich as she went full force to try to interfere with the pass in any way possible.

((Intercepting the pass... though essentially she's just pushing her way around. ))

[Josephine Bowman S7]

Josephine turns at the call to her, a smirk flashing across her face as she eyed Flynn. "Give it a rest Aimless Wonder," Josephine said as she continued on her way, past the Gryffindor seeker whom she hoped was at least really feeling the hit from Jo. Her hair flipped over her shoulder in it's hair tie as she returned to searching for the snitch and avoiding the bludger Flynn had undoubtedly sent her way.

((being a pain, avoiding bludgers, and searching for the snitch))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

WHAM. Melody felt the shock of the impact and blinked. She opened her mouth to protest and no sound came out - she just gaped. And then the air came back into her lungs, and with it, the pain. When she was in first year, she had been injured in the midst of an attack some Death Eaters had made on the school, and she'd sustained two cracked ribs when one of them had casually walked over her. The pain now was sort of similar, probably not as bad, although she couldn't really judge because the human brain doesn't store a memory of pain. Josephine hadn't cracked any ribs, but she had brought to mind a traumatic memory for Melody and left the younger Gryffindor reeling. Melody could have retaliated, but it wouldn't have done much good. She was a bit more of a waif than Josephine, and anyway then her inital anger and indignation had been quickly replaced by a familiar, but more recently absent, feeling of vulnerability.

Melody's head whirled and she doubled over as she hung on desperately to her broom. It was a long way down. Oh gosh, it was a long way down. She blinked, attempting to focus. There was a lot of air on the way to the ground which the Snitch could be flying through. She didn't feel up to looking anywhere else. But she was already looking in one direction and she had her eyes open. 'Down there, that's jus' where thoo want to be.' she willed the little golden ball.

((Reeling from Josephine's foul ( ) and trying to find the Snitch.))