Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff!

[chace]

No, no, no! Things could not be going this badly already. The game has just begun but before he knew Scott had slipped away and passed the Quaffle to Casey. She was likely to shoot seeing as Ivy just switched out their warmed up Keeper to be replaced with Seth. Chace gave his best friend a secret smile before chasing after the Quaffle once again. With Seth in the game his was feeling more confident and he knew that this time he could get a hold of that bloody ball. Leaning forward on his broom, Chace set off.

((Stealing the Quaffle))

[Finn Miles H7]

With no success at his height, Finn decided to swoop a bit lower. In doing so, he risked the chance that he might have a few extra Bludgers hit his way, but he knew that flying in one place wouldn't be much of a strategy. For all he knew, the Snitch could be flitting around near the ground.

He zigged and zagged through the other players as he made his way downward. This took a lot more concentration, but Finn's flying skills could make up for where he lacked in concentration. Most importantly, he knew he just needed to stay calm. He couldn't grow impatient, since it might be a long while before the Snitch was even found.

((Searching...))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

The Bludger knocked the side of his bat - and flew straight on. Oscar watched angrily as it continued towards his Seeker, only to cheer loudly as she dodged it without too much trouble. "Sorry Melody!" He shouted over the brisk winds. It wasn't fair for her - her job was to focus on the Snitch, not to worry about getting attacked by the Bludgers because her Beaters couldn't defend her properly. With a determined expression Oscar searched for the Hufflepuff who had sent the Bludger initially. He spotted her not too far away, aiming yet another ball towards a Gryffindor player. Thankfully - although perhaps not really - this time Syndey was attacking Casey, who Oscar noted had the Quaffle held tightly after a smooth pass from Scott.
"Cassie!" Oscar's cry was picked up by the wind so he repeated it quickly. He couldn't see another Bludger being aimed at Melody anywhere - but if a Hufflepuff decided to attack last-minute while he was defending Casey, then Cass would have to intervene.

(Defending Casey, deflecting towards... umm. Chace!)

- I was in a rush. xDD

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

((will edit later...Sorry guys! I am so busy))

((defending Melody if needed))

[Sophia Hallington H7]

Nooo! The game wasn't going very well for the Hufflepuffs at all. Firstly, both Gryffindors that had bludgers going towards them had managed to dodge them, although she thanked Carson for managing to defend her. Then Scott had intercepted Kael's pass, and had then managed to pass to Casey despite Ivy and Chase's best efforts to get toe quaffle back in the Hufflepuff's possession. It wasn't going well, but she hoped that Chase would be able to steal the quaffle back from Casey. Sophia had no idea where Ivy had gotten to, so positioned herself ready to intercept the pass, just in case Chase didn't steal and Ivy didn't show up in time, as she was more skilled than Sophia at intercepting passes. But it was especially important now, as Casey was attempting to shoot, and they couldn't let the game go to 20 - 0 so quickly! She just hoped that Finn would see the snitch soon...

((Intercepting the pass...though if Ivy posts then she can take over, in which case Sophia does nothing, but sheers on Chase and Finn!))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

Melody had anticipated needing to dodge the last Bludger and so she managed it without too much difficulty. She heard Oscar's apology borne to her on the wind and grinned because the sound was quite distorted, but her own reply was whisked away in the other direction by the stiff breeze. Melody glanced anxiously at Finn and saw that he had lost some of his height; she was tempted to do the same because the cold breeze was starting to become very chilling up here, but she decided to maintain her bird's eye view of the game for a little longer, while there seemed to be a lull in the Bludgers heading towards her. Her deep green eyes scoured the pitch below intensely for any sign of the Snitch. The game was going well so far from what she'd heard of the commentary, but things could change at any moment in a Quidditch game, so she needed to focus on the job in hand.

((Searching fer t'Snitch.))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Sophia, you can’t intercept the Quaffle when Casey is trying to shoot.

Sydney hits a Bludger at Casey; Oscar attempts to deflect it to Chace.
Sydney = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 2 + 5 = 7
Oscar = Defend (D8 + Str) = 5 + 5 = 10
Oscar deflects the Bludger successfully. There is a Bludger flying at Chace.

Chace tries to steal the Quaffle from Casey; she tries to defend it.
Chace = Steal (D4 + Str) = 2 + 6 = 8
Casey = Defend (D8 + Str) = 5 + 4 = 9
Casey retains the Quaffle.

Casey shoots; Seth defends the hoops.
Casey = Score (D6 + Str) = 4 + 4 = 8
Seth = Save (D6 + Dex) = 5 + 6 = 11
Seth saves the goal! Seth has the Quaffle.

Finn searches for the Snitch.
Finn = Search = 11
11 is not the Snitch number. Finn does not see the Snitch.

Melody searches for the Snitch.
Melody = Search = 15
15 is not the Snitch number. Melody does not see the Snitch.))

[Finn Miles H7]

Finn heard a roar of cheers from the Hufflepuff section, indicating that Seth had prevented Gryffindor from scoring a second time. Apparently Ivy had made a good call in substituting Seth for Kael. Finn just hoped that he wouldn't need to be substituted out. He quite enjoyed every second that he got to spend on the pitch. Lately though, he was starting to realize why the Seeker position was so tough. It could be very tempting to become bored or frustrated when nothing was happening around you. As a Chaser or Beater, it seemed that you were constantly on the move. Constantly doing something. Though he was constantly searching for the Snitch, it wasn't as entertaining. Perhaps that was the downfall, along with holding a whole lot of responsibility. Finn was up to the challenge though. He just had to keep his head in the game and keep searching.

((Here Snitch, Snitch, Snitch, Snitch...))

[Scott Ryder G7]

Scott watched as Casey successfully held of the Hufflepuff Chaser from stealing the Quaffle. Yet, when it came time to put ten more points on the board for Gryffindor, Casey didn't have as much success. Scott didn't blame her though. Ivy had made a good swap by taking Kael out of the game and putting Seth in. It could really do some damage to one's ego when they let a goal slip by them so soon in the game. Kael would have probably just been frustrated with himself. Perhaps the bench would do him good.

As for Gryffindor though, they could have used a frustrated Keeper trying to defend their shots. But, Seth was the one flying in front of the goals, and Scott knew he would just have to find a way to score on him as well. But, first things first, Scott needed to get the Quaffle back in Gryffindor's possession. If he could keep Hufflepuff away from the Quaffle as much as possible, then maybe he'd make Riley's job a lot easier. He watched the Keeper, judging where he might pass it, and then shot forward in an attempt to intercept.

((Intercepting the possible pass...))

[Seth Wright]

His eyes in front, arms ahead of him - he was ready. The Quaffle flew towards him, firm in its flight and prepared to outstrip him to land through the hoops. In his head, Seth flailed madly. He had to save it! And, to his utter shock, he did. As he gripped the Quaffle tightly between his hands, Seth stared down at it, stunned, then looked up to see the Hufflepuff Chasers grinning and their Gryffindor counterparts sporting disappointed expressions. Casey whatever-her-name-was had failed to score - because of Seth! Elated, he bobbed up and down, hearing the cheers ring in his ears.

Feeling less nervous, Seth scratched his head with one arm and then prepared to launch the Quaffle back to one of the Chasers on his team. Spying Sophia out of the corner of his eye, Seth thew the Quaffle at her, only remembering at the last minute to yell for her attention in case she wasn't watching. "Sophia!"

It was then that Seth saw the big black Bludger curving its way to Chace. He didn't know who had hit it, but it was definitely zooming towards his best friend, who was hovering innocently in midair, waiting for Seth's pass to be completed - hopefully. Seth didn't have eyes for that anymore, though. "Chace, watch out!" he yelled across the pitch, waving his arms haphazardly, hoping to grab his friend's attention.

((Passing to Sophia and warning Chace about the Bludger!))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

Oscar was not put off by Seth's good save. Initially when the Hufflepuff had been switched he had groaned inwardly; Seth was good at what he did, although sometimes Oscar thought he didn't think it himself which was certainly a shame. He often reckoned that if half the players he was playing with and against now would face the facts - that they were genuinely very good at the game of Quidditch - then they would play far better even then. Of course you didn't get the same feeling when playing the Slytherins... none of them ever lacked in confidence and arrogance.

He glanced around for an attack - but it seemed there was a momentarily lull in the Bludger action in the sky. His own attack was still speeding towards Chace. With a frown he sped towards the other free Bludger quickly, and hit it hard towards Sophia.

((Attack on Sophia...

but not if Cass wants to claim the other Bludger!
Otherwise umm. Aha. Yes. I don't know if I can have two actions at once, but since it's over two rounds and no-one else has posted a Bludger action...))

[Sydney Rawson H6]

Sydney sees a bludger being hit at Sophia, a Hufflie chaser. Sydney, trying to be on top of her game flies near by. "Watch out, Sophia." Syd mumbles as she gets behind the bludger and tries to deflect it towards Scott; who she noticed was trying to get the quaffle.

( Sorry it's so short.. I don't have much time on my hands. )

(( Defending Sophia, and redirecting the bludger toward Scott.))

[Sophia Hallington H7]

Well, that was something - Seth had managed to defend the goal hoops, preventing the game from going to 20 - 0 which would have been disasterous. Once again, Sophia moved into a free area so he could pass to her, though Scott quickly noticed and got in the way. She hoped that he wouldn't be able to catch it - Sophia wanted the oppurtunity to try and shoot for the equaliser. And not surprisingly Oscar was trying to hit a bludger towards her, which she tried to avoid, whils trying to get the quaffle. Though, luckily, Sydney was trying to defend her, for which Sophia was thankful - she needed all the help she could get from her team mates.

((catching quaffle and bludger dodging))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

Another glance towards Finn from the small Gryffindor Seeker. She frowned to herself. He really did look much less cold than her, but she didn't reckon he had such a good view as she did. She surveyed the pitch below her. The ground below was a mottled brown sort of colour; the tender spring shoots of grass were starting to spread, but most were the older blades in their embattled, dull winter green, and with half measures of grass and mud (it might be fine and sunny at the moment, but there had been no shortage of rain over the past few weeks), the ground did look more brown than green. Melody just hoped that the Snitch would show up next to that colour. She looked downwards, ignoring the game and sweeping her eyes around the pitch. She could stay cold a little longer, and hopefully not give the Hufflepuff Beaters any ideas by entering their line of sight.

((Searching fer t'Snitch, an' trying to stay away from Hufflepuff Beaters...))

[Ivy Tunstall]

"YES!" Ivy shouted happily as Seth exerted his skills admirably to land the Quaffle safely in his hands. It was maybe a bit sad that the Hufflepuffs could only cheer at Gryffindor not scoring, rather than the Hufflepuffs getting an attempt on goal, but after Kael's early performance had been a bit weak, it was great to see the Hufflepuff's Keeping skills shown to be absolutely up to scratch. "Great save, Seth!" Ivy shouted over at the rather nervous-looking seventh year, beaming happily. She was very glad that they'd agreed to give him a chance to play, and that she'd decided to put him into the game so early on, not that Kael had left her with much choice...

The brief lull in the game as Seth prepared to pass gave Ivy a chance to look over the progress of her other team players. Finn was doing his thing... he didn't seem to be distracted in any way so her gaze didn't linger on him for too long; she wasn't anxious to see that he wasn't looking like a horse about to bolt its stable, as she'd sometimes felt when Charlie was playing due to his predilection for unsafe speeds. Sydney looked to be busy, chasing after the Bludgers whenever and wherever she was needed, but Ivy couldn't see Carson doing very much. She decided to try to spur him on; he was a good Beater but apparently he was suffering from a bit of a drop in focus.
"Come on, Carson!" she said bracingly, flying up to him (once she'd spotted him). "We need you focused... more Bludgers at the Gryffindors and less at us." It wasn't an unreasonable demand, she didn't think. She gave him a quick smile and flew away to provide back up for the other Chasers on her team; Scott was proving to be a formidable opponent for the three of them.

((Posting and spurring my team on?))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((There is a Bludger flying at Chace. Seth warned him, so he will get his stat points for dodging.
Oscar = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 5 = 8
Chace = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 1 + 4 = 5
Oscar’s Bludger hits Chace! Chace has no actions so he does not need to roll Con.

Oscar hits a Bludger at Sophia; Sydney attempts to deflect it to Scott.
Oscar = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 4 + 5 = 9
Sydney = Defend (D8 + Str) = 6 + 5 = 11
Sydney deflects the Bludger successfully. There is a Bludger flying at Scott.

Seth passes to Sophia; Scott attempts to intercept.
Seth = Pass (D6 + Dex) = 2 + 6 = 8
Scott = Intercept (D4 + Dex) = 3 + 6 = 9
Scott intercepts Seth’s pass! Scott has the Quaffle.

Finn searches for the Snitch.
Finn = Search = 5
5 is not the Snitch number. Finn does not see the Snitch.

Melody searches for the Snitch.
Melody = Search = 18
18 is not the Snitch number. Melody does not see the Snitch.))

[chace]

Chace turned to see his Seth waving and yelling his name to watch out. Watch out for what? By the time he realised that Seth was talking about an oncoming Bludger, it was too late. The darn thing hit him. Chace recoiled from the hit and held his side where the contact had been. He lay as felt on his broom as possible as he tried to catch his breath. He forgot how painful a full on Bludger could be. He looked and saw that the Bludger had been sent by Oscar. If only he was a Beater then he would send a Bludger Oscar's way. When the world returned to normal he saw that once again, Scott was in possession of the Quaffle. Was he using a summoning charm? Hufflepuff needed to get that ball. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves he went after it.

((Stealing the Quaffle))

[Scott Ryder G7]

Scott smiled as he felt the Quaffle drop into his hands. Quickly, he hugged it to his body, protecting it from the inevitable attempts of Hufflepuff to take it back. He didn't want to seem cocky though, so he let his smile fade as he focused on trying to score again. It seemed though that Hufflepuff had been gathered on the defence for so long as they hadn't been able to get the Quaffle away from their own hoops. This would make it harder for Gryffindor to score, but it wasn't impossible. Once again, he saw that Casey was open. With Chace coming back for another steal and a Bludger headed his way, Scott saw this as an opportunity to pass. He pulled upward, lining himself above Casey. When he was directly overtop of her, he prepared to drop the Quaffle rather than make a direct pass. It was risky, seeing that a drop was more easily intercepted than a pass, but perhaps Hufflepuff wouldn't be expecting it. To add to his strategy, Scott thew in a good shot-fake, hoping to throw someone off...

((Defending, Dodging, Dropping (Passing to Casey), Duping. ))

[Finn Miles H7]

Zooming through the mess of players congregated around Hufflepuff's goals, Finn let out a grunt of dissatisfaction as he saw Ryder come away with the Quaffle for what seemed like the tenth time already. His teammates were having a tough time keeping control of the bloody thing with Scott seeming to be everywhere that the Quaffle was. At least they had held off the lions from earning any more points. They really needed to score though, and Finn knew that the one-hundred-fifty points that he could earn them would be nice, but not enough to put Hufflepuff in the running for the Quidditch Cup. "Let's go guys!" he shouted enthusiastically as he flew past. They were a good team, then just needed a few breaks here and there. Surely luck would be on their side soon, he hoped. With that, he kept his eyes alert and his flying steady. The Snitch could pop up at any time.

((Still flying, still searching...))

[Casey Allen G5]

“Dang it.” Casey said loudly as she missed the goal. Oh well. She would just have to try harder and hopefully it would pay off. Gryffindor was playing a great game so far and hopefully that could continue. Soon after Casey’s missed attempt, Scott got the quaffle back. Well that was good. Hopefully they could attempt it again. Casey swerved around players as she followed after Scott. She needed to get open in case he needed to pass. Again, Casey flew right by Carson. He was being such a baby. This was a game. He didn’t have to avoid her like the plague. She was supposed to get hurt that was basically the point of Quidditch. Okay so maybe not the point, but players did get hurt all the time. Casey leaned toward him as she passed. “C’mon Car. You’re not gonna kill me. Play the bloody game!” She called toward him before speeding off. Scott was flying over Casey and she knew he would attempt to pass. This was risky but it could completely pay off. Casey braced herself for the pass and hoped that it would work.

((Mmm posting and receiving the pass))