Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff!

[Finn Miles H7]

Goal! Hufflepuff had scored. Finn couldn't help but glance over and watch once the crowd began cheering and the commentator announced that the score was now tied. It was a Coxen vs. Coxen showdown where the older sibling came out on top. "Good job, Chace!" he shouted as he flew past the huddle of players. Gryffindor seemed to be a bit discouraged by the goal, seeing that they had been controlling the Quaffle for the majority of the time. Sometimes it didn't matter who held the Quaffle the longest. It only took a second to score a goal. Similarly, it only took a second to find the Snitch, and Finn needed to keep focusing. His mind was easily distracted though, and as he flew past Cass, he couldn't help but remember the incident that happened over the winter holiday. That had been quite crazy. But, he needed to focus. Cass was fine now, and he couldn't let his mind wander on such things. Flying away, Finn watched for Melody, wondering if she had any luck yet. It didn't seem so.

((Searching...))

[Seth Wright]

Seth's attention wavered a little as he noticed a Bludger hitting Casey Allen. The poor girl, he thought, sympathising with the opposition despite feeling happy for whoever hit the Bludger. Seth had always been a pacifist - he couldn't be violent, it just wasn't in him... or maybe he had yet to discover that violent side. Scratching his head thoughtfully, he turned his eyes back to Chace, who had the Quaffle and was trying to score. "C'mon," he chanted under his breath still. He believed in his team and he especially believed in his friend.

When the Quaffle sailed through the hoops. Seth leapt up delightedly on his broom, punching the air in triumph and grinning from ear to ear. "YES!" he yelled loudly along with the other cheers from the Hufflepuff-supporting crowd. Ten all - they were even with the Gryffindors! Seth almost fell off his broom in his happiness, and reversed to grab onto the side of one of the three goalposts so he didn't lose balance. He began to chuckle. Hufflepuff could do this yet. Yes, they could.

((Believing Hufflepuff can win! GO GO GO! :D))

[Ivy Tunstall]

The scores were even! It felt good to know that, although as Ivy well knew, they needed to do even better, starting off from 180 points behind everyone else. 170 points behind Slytherin and Ravenclaw now. Still 180 points behind Gryffindor... well, apparently Cassie didn't appreciate how good she had things, because she was yelling at her Keeper for her failure, not a style of team management that Ivy tended to go for (apart from occasionally yelling at Charlie when he seemed to think it was okay not to pay attention in practice, now she came to think of it), although admittedly the Gryffindor's defence of the goalhoops had been very poor, as though she'd gone to sleep after the gameplay being down the other end of the pitch for so long. Perhaps the Hufflepuff Chasers could help her by keeping the gameplay down this end for as long as the Gryffindors had monopolised it... Ivy was confident that her Keeper wouldn't lose his focus so soon.

"Great goal, Chace!" Ivy shouted to her Vice, absolutely meaning it. He had simply outclassed the Gryffindor Keeper. "Stick in Scott's way - he's not going anywhere near our goalhoops again so long as we can help it!" she added cheerfully as she flew in at the last moment to try to grab Riley's pass away from Ryder's waiting hands.

((Intercepting Riley's pass, and thinking about how good her team is. ))

[Casey Allen G5]

“Ahh!” Casey screeched as the bludger hit her. She had to grip her broom to keep from falling off. She looked at her shoulder. It was covered with gear, but she was sure there would be a nice purple bruise there the next morning. Casey winced with pain as she shook her arm. She had to keep going on. She was hurt but she could continue on with the game for now. She would not back out. “Thanks Brady.” Casey barked sarcastically as she flew past Billy Brady glaring at him all the while. She knew it was just a game but considering the good amount of pain she was feeling, she didn’t care that it was just a game. Billy would pay. Casey flew around the goals trying to remain open in case she was needed. Just then Rosaliz was replaced with Julius which was a good thing. He would help crush the Hufflepuffs right along with the team. Casey rubbed her arm and flew over to Julius. “Keep an eye out, they’ve got good beaters, I would know.” Casey glared icily at them and. “This is war.” She said flying off.

((Hurting and declaring war on Billy. ))

[Billy Brady H6]

Yes! His bludger hit Casey! But that wasn't the main thing...CHASE SCORED! Which Billy's bludger must have had something to do with, as Casey seemed to have been a bit dazed for a few vital seconds, and wasn't pleased with him, understandably. "any time" he said, with a cheeky grin and wink, as she flew past him. He cheered along with the rest of the team after the eqalising goal, and wondered what to do next. Cass had just got to the free bludger, which was now heading towards Chase, and the other bludger was heading towards Scott anyway, so he had no choice but to defend Chase. To avoid the Gryffindors' chances of keeping the quaffle, he decided to hit that bludger towards Scott...it was unfair on him, but...this was quidditch, and fairness wasn't always the best way.

((Defending Chase, deflecting to Scott))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

Hufflepuff scored. Oscar stared in disbelief as the Quaffle shot through the hoop, but the moment the fact registered - that Gryffindor was being threatened - a rising irritation and anger stirred. Cassie's shouts cut threw his thoughts before he could say what she did, but hearing them from her made him pause slightly and take a second to shoot her a look. He agreed with her tone - Riley wasn't playing her best and he had always shared his captain's short temper, but his look warned her not to let the anger and disappointment break up their team's 'together' morales. He noted Cassandra's change of Chasers with a grin and couldn't help feeling pleased as his friend flew eagerly into the pitch. "Get in there Julius!" He bellowed encouragingly.

As the young male Hufflepuff's Bludger hit Casey Oscar winced. "Sorry!" He threw the word across the winds as he flew hard to put himself between one of the Bludger's and Scott, noting Cassandra's move to hit a Bludger towards Chace. As he did so he threw a glance upwards; the Seekers were still in place, neither Melody nor Finn seeming to have spotted anything. Frowning as he willed Melody on in his thoughts, Oscar attempted to defend and deflect with all his strength.



((Defending Scott from the first Bludger, deflecting to Finn. ))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

Hufflepuff had scored, and with that Melody felt the pressure on herself mounting. Cassandra had said in her speech that they should keep the game as short as they could because the Hufflepuffs had more endurance. Gryffindor had performed very well in the early stages of the game, but Melody felt a creeping fear that her Captain had been right. What if the Snitch just wouldn't be found? There were games when it was just nowhere to be seen... of course that couldn't be literally true (or maybe it was, maybe it really did disappear... she didn't know) but by this time in the game, a certain sense of despair and pointlessness did start creeping up on you... Melody attempted to put that feeling to one side, slowly sweeping her field of vision from side to side and scanning systematically for the faintest blink of shininess.

((Searchin' fer t'Snitch.))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((There has been a change in the Gryffindor lineup:
Julius Lionheart G7 has been substituted in as Gryffindor Chaser.
Rosaliz Hernandez G5 has been substituted out of the game.

Sydney hits a Bludger at Scott; Oscar attempts to deflect it to Finn.
Sydney = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 5 + 5 = 10
Oscar = Defend (D8 + Str) = 6 + 5 = 11
Oscar deflects the Bludger successfully. There is a Bludger flying at Finn.

Cassandra hits a Bludger at Chace; Billy attempts to deflect it to Scott.
Cassandra = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 5 + 6 = 11
Billy = Defend (D8 + Str) = 7 + 6 = 13
Billy deflects the Bludger successfully. There is a Bludger flying at Scott.

Riley passes to Scott; Ivy attempts to intercept.
Riley = Pass (D6 + Dex) = 2 + 3 = 5
Ivy = Intercept (D4 + Dex) = 2 + 6 = 8
Ivy intercepts the pass! Ivy has the Quaffle.

Finn searches for the Snitch.
Finn = Search = 12
12 is not the Snitch number. Finn does not see the Snitch.

Melody searches for the Snitch.
Melody = Search = 6
6 is not the Snitch number. Melody does not see the Snitch.))

[Sydney Rawson H6]

Sydney roared with excitement just like the rest of the crowd as Hufflepuff made their first goal. "YES!" She howled as she threw up her bat in the air, and caught it in her other hand. Once she caught it, she gripped it up and rubbed her palms on the handle. Who knew Sydney could get even more into the match than she already was... but she was in it to win it. Although her position never made points, she could help her team get the points they deserve by keeping them safe. Quidditch is a dangerous sport you know.
As Syd scanned the game from high up, Finn caught her as as he flew around searching for the snitch. For some reason, her intuition held onto her as she watched him. A wizzing sound also caught her attention- the sound of a flying bludger. "Finn, Again!" She shouted as she took off after him, trying to get enough distance to prepare herself to deflect the iron ball away from Hufflepuff's seeker.

((Deflect/Save Finn- Redirect toward Melody))

[Seth Wright]

Seth watched as Ivy flew forwards to try to intercept Riley's pass. He was surprised, actually, that Chace's little sister was playing as Keeper; she normally preferred Chaser, right? But it was nice to see her in a different position, and technically she and Seth were competing, as they were both Keepers. Seth smiled. But he still wanted Ivy to get that Quaffle. So when she did, he cheered loudly along with everyone else. He'd pat Riley on the back later... She was a sweet girl underneath her rough exterior, and Seth knew since he'd watch her grow up (or had she grown up?) since his first few years at Hogwarts when he'd met Chace. They didn't get along well but they knew each other well enough. Seth was always with Chace.

Seth's eyes were darting around the pitch as Ivy moved to pass or shoot. Really, his eyes were doing more flying than his body and broom! But thankfully he was being rather observant (for Seth, that is) and noticed Oscar Flynn whacking a Bludger in Finn's direction. Neither Finn nor Melody had seen the Snitch yet, but there would be no Snitch for the Hufflepuff team if Finn was injured. Thoroughly alarmed, Seth began waving his arms madly about to attract Finn's attention - even though the younger boy didn't exactly need to be distracted from avoiding the Snitch and keeping an eye out for the Snitch. "Finn! FINN!" Seth jumped on his broom in frustration. "BLUDGER!"

((Warning the Finster! ))

[Julius Lionheart]

Julius saw Ivy flying forward and held his breath. Oh no, she can't intercept it, not now, his mind screamed. His fears became a reality when he saw her catch the pass smoothly as though it had been to her. Pausing for only a second, he took off after her, intending to make sure that the Quaffle would be back in Gryffindor possession. " Nice one Ivy, but now it's Gryffindor's turn." he shouted, a youthful glee written on his face. His arms stretched forwards to take the Quaffle....

(( Attempting to take back what's rightfully ours, the Quaffle! ))

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction as she felt the Quaffle land safely in her hands. She pointed her broom sharply upwards to get away from Scott, fearing that otherwise he would be swiping it out of her arms within seconds; she gripped the red leather ball more tightly at the mere thought, cradling it protectively. She couldn’t possibly score from this angle, she decided quickly, so she glanced between the two other Hufflepuff Chasers, trying to decide to whom she should pass. Chace was still near to Scott, as she had suggested, so she decided not to pass to him – the Quaffle wasn’t going anyway near the sixth year if she could help it. That left Sophia. Ivy shouted her friend’s name, rather contrary to her general belief that one should never alert the opposing team of one’s plans to pass, and a moment later chucked the Quaffle in her direction, hoping that Sophia would catch it before Julius could rudely intercept her pass.

((Passing to Sophia.))

[Scott Ryder G7]

Hufflepuff had not only evened the score, but now they were the team that seemed to be controlling the Quaffle. He watched as Ivy shot in between himself and Riley's pass and took it once again. Frustrated, he saw Julius flying directly toward Ivy in an attempt to steal. Ivy looked eager to get rid of the Quaffle, and once Scott saw her looking at Sophia, he knew where he needed to be. Quickly, he flew in between the two Hufflepuffs, ready to stop the pass if he could. Gryffindor needed to take back possession.

((Intercepting))

[Finn Miles H7]

Within seconds, Finn found himself being shouted at from all sides. First Sydney and then Seth, both were warning him of the oncoming Bludger. He was grateful to have them on his side. Swerving, he attempted to fly in a path that would save him from being hit, but with the unpredictable flight of a Bludger, one could never be sure. In the meantime, he kept an eye out for the Snitch, but his main concern was staying safe. Bludger hits were never pretty.

((Dodging and searching.))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

The action below caught his eye just after his attempt to defend sent Billy's Bludger speeding towards Finn aggressively. Hoping it would find it's way to his friend without Syndey or Billy getting in the way again, Oscar noticed - almost too late - that yet again a Bludger was going for Scott. With a sound almost like a growl, quite suiting his house, Oscar sped off yet again to attempt to defend Ryder. It was odd how often he found himself doing that; he doubted he would be so quick to protect Scott should something find the two in an off-pitch struggle. But for now he put all his strength into the defence once more, picking his aim with a simple glance at the Chasers beside him.

((Defending Scott, attack on Ivy.))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Sydney attempts to defend Finn from Oscar’s Bludger.
Oscar = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 5 = 6
Sydney = Defend (D8 + Str) = 5 + 5 = 10
Sydney defends Finn. There is a Bludger flying at Melody.

Oscar attempts to defend Scott from Billy’s Bludger.
Billy = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 2 + 6 = 8
Oscar = Defend (D8 + Str) = 1 + 5 = 6
Oscar fails to defend Scott. Billy’s Bludger continues at Scott.

Scott attempts to avoid the Billy’s Bludger.
Billy = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 5 + 6 = 11
Scott = Avoid (D4 + Dex) = 4 + 6 = 10
Billy’s Bludger hits Scott!

Scott must concentrate in order to maintain his actions.
Billy = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 4 + 6 = 10
Scott = Concentrate (D4 + Con) = 2 + 6 = 8
Scott fails to concentrate and cannot intercept.

Julius attempts to steal the Quaffle from Ivy. Ivy attempts to defend.
Julius = Steal (D4 + Str) = 2 + 1 = 3
Ivy = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 6 = 10
Ivy retains the Quaffle.

Ivy passes to Sophia. Sophia has the Quaffle.

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

[Seth Wright]

Thankfully, Sydney was there to protect Finn from Oscar's Bludger. "Go Sydney!" Seth yelled exuberantly, still jumping rather haphazardly about on his broom. It didn't look great for the Gryffindor team, though. Billy, who had been subbed in before in replacement of Carson, had hit a really good Bludger at Scott. Oscar tried to defend him, but it was simply too strong. It hit Scott and deterred him from reaching Ivy, most likely to try to steal or intercept his pass. It looked good for Hufflepuff. And, Ivy had successfully fended off Julius Lionheart's attempts to take the Quaffle too - he was the Seventh Year Seth had sat next to on the bench, and who had been rather passionate about Gryffindor's play. It had been amusing... distracting... rather over-enthusiastic? Seth couldn't talk, he supposed, as he continued to hover dangerously on his broom.

Now Sophia had the Quaffle and she looked like she was to score. "C'mon Sophia!" he yelled, along with the crowd. It seemed he was basically taking a backseat in this match - and Seth wasn't complaining. He was so excitable his broom careered towards the crowd, where a bunch of Slytherins were booing rather nastily. Seth let his broom take him there. It wasn't like he had to defend the goals right now... He almost flew right into a cocky-looking Sixth Year boy Seth had heard talk behind Chace's back. The boy leapt out of the way, yelping indignantly, and Seth flew off again, grinning in amusement. "Sorry," he yelled apologetically, though he was far from sorry. "I'm so clumsy, you know?"

((Bored, therefore annoying the Slytherin crowd. >D))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

"Damnit, Flynn!" Cass screamed as Scott was hit by the bludger. Scott dropped the quaffle in mid flight as he scrambled to get his wits about him. Red faced, she soared toward her vice captain. "Get your head in the game! You nearly got Scott decapitated!" Cass rocketed off all the while giving Oscar a look of hate. How could he do that?! Scott was one of their best chasers. They couldn't let him get hurt. They just couldn't! It was Oscar and Cass' job to protect the team. They were the ones who were supposed to be in harm's way! The game was going badly in her eyes. The Puffs were playing well today. They were certainly on their A game, and it was making Cassandra worried.

She was desperate to win this game. Desperate! It would be one of her last at Hogwarts, and she didn't want her legacy to end with a loss to Hufflepuff. Yes, there is only one way to end this, thought Cass as she rocketed off to the far side of the pitch where Finn was scanning the skies. Cassandra had to take out the seeker. Yes, it was the only way. Seekerless, Hufflepuff would lose the game. She hunched her shoulders against the wind as she sped up. This would be a difficult maneuver. She just hoped that Finn would be strong enough to catch her. Cass only had to hurt him enough to get him sent to the hospital wing. Nothing more.

"Finn!" Finn turned to face her just in time. Panic and fright seemed to cross his face as realization seemed to cross his face. Cass' Firebolt fell from the sky as she launched herself from her broom. Screams echoed from the stands. Finn's racing broom dipped from Cass' extra weight as they started to fall from the sky. "Ah!" she screamed suddenly frightened. Her arms held onto Finn's waist for dear life. The broom began to roll to the left. She felt what she thought was Finn's left arm encircling her so that she wouldn't fall to the ground. She shifted her weight hoping to pull him from his broom.

[Julius Lionheart]

(( Sorry to everyone I post with, but I've been in my hometown for a few days, and have limited access to internet, but I should be back home tomorrow. As for now, Quidditch is all I have time for))

" Damn!" Julius exclaimed in indignation as his fingers only grazed the Quaffle. He turned just in time to see Ivy pass to a girl he had never seen before, but there was Scott trying to intercept. Behind Scott was.....a bludger? Yes, a bludger and it was getting uneasily close to him. " Scott roll no-." He said, but to the bludger hit Scott before he was finished. Groaning, he saw the pass land safely in the other girls hands.

Shaking his head he took off after her, fully intending to make sure that he would intercept a pass or a shot should she take it when he saw Cass. Looking at her, shock ran across his face and he paused. She had hold of the Huffle's seeker, Finn Miles, and they were beginning to fall. Looking fleetingly at Sophia, he wondered what he should do? His Captain looked scared, but why had she done that in the first place? Gritting his teeth, for he was sure he would be in trouble for his next action, he turned away from Sophia and sped off to Finn and Cass yelling, " Scott, Casey make sure she doesn't score.

" Cass!" he exclaimed as he reached the two. His hand plunged into his robes and produced his wand. Doing the familiar flick upward his mind screamed Levicorpus, and Cass hung upside down in midair. Sighing with relief, he put his wand back in robes, and was noticing that Finn was still falling from his broom. " Cass don't be mad about this, but that was something even I might not have done." he said as he extended a hand to Finn to steady him. He had done the right thing as a friend, but not as a Quidditch player, and he berated himself for it inwardly. He looked at his upside down Captain with a worried look, hoping later she would forgive his actions.

(( Hoping Casey or Scott steals the Quaffle, or Riley makes a save. Saving Cass and Finn, and posting))

[Sophia Hallington H7]

Wooo, the game was going exceptionaly well for the Hufflepuffs as it stood! Billy, new to the team, had successfully hit Scott with one of the bludgers, and Sydney was doing a great job controlling the other one too. And what's more, Chase had scored an equalising goal, yay! Ivy had managed to catch the quaffle from him without much opposition, and had hence made an easy pass to Sophia. She was near the goal hoops now, and hoped she could score their second goal of this match. She believed they could win, and was a lot more confident than earleir in the game. She held the quaffle tightly under her arm as she flew closer to the goal hoops, and grinned as she faced Riley, infront of the hoops - she wasn't going to let the younger girl get the quaffle back from her! She faced the left hoop, but at the last second threw the quaffle to the right, hoping that would fool Riley, and that it would go through the hoop before she got there.

((Attempting to score, and bludger dodging...))