Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin!

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((This is set in v. early July, just before the end of term.))

Although it was only mid-morning, the sun was already high in the sky and shining directly into Madam Hooch’s bare office, making the various muddy footprints especially obvious and showing up quite how dirty the thick glass of the window was. That window had once been mostly transparent but was now more translucent, Xiomara thought to herself sadly. Argus, whom she suspected of harbouring delusions of grandeur, preferred to stay within the castle and rarely organised for cleaning of the changing rooms and buildings near the Quidditch pitch. Xiomara was a busy woman and didn’t have time to clean her own windows, although when her view of the lake was becoming particularly obscured, she did sometimes use a quick charm to remove a little of the dirt and dust. Her strength had never been in wandwork, anyway - she was a sportswoman. Trivial cleaning charms were not for her.

Joy of joys, on this baking hot day she had no fewer than twenty-four students to supervise. It would have been twenty-five, if William Marr’s son hadn’t gone and injured himself. It was Slytherin’s two teams that did it. Oh, sorry. One team with a large entourage of reserves. Whatever. Good for them, in Xiomara’s opinion, if they could get that many players. It said a lot for the initiative of the team captain, and also for Slytherin house spirit, something that sometimes seemed to be lacking from the other houses. But then she might be a little biased. Slytherin were often a bit of a headache to referee, though: there had been a number of Slytherin teams throughout the ages that were infamous for fouling other players. One could never assume that any team was free from those tendencies, of course. For all she knew, it might be the Hufflepuffs breaking the rules this time!

Well, they might as well start, the sooner to be indoors before they all got sunstroke and she had to endure an earful from Poppy. Xiomara blew her whistle to get the captains’ attention. The obligatory hand-shake over and done with, she blew her whistle again to signal that the players should mount their brooms. She released the balls with quick skill, and a last long trill on her whistle signalled the start of the game.


((The commentator for this match is Trinity Bleu G5.

The current line-ups are…

Hufflepuff

Chaser – Kael Collins H7 5, 5, 4
Chaser – Chace Coxen H7 6, (2+1=)3, 5
Chaser – Ivy Tunstall H7 (3+3=)6, (5+1=)6, 6
Beater – Finn Miles H6 2, (4+2=)6, 2
Beater – Carson McGreggor H6 2, 5, 2
Seeker – Sita Mehadi H5 6, 3, 3
Keeper – Seth Wright H7 (2+2=)4, 2, 6

Reserve Team
Ally Ross H5 4, 2, 1
Billy Brady H5 4, 2, 2
Sophia Hallington H6 2, (3+2=)5, 5
Sydney Rawson H6 6, 6, (4+2=)6

Slytherin

Chaser - Adalia St John S4 2, 2, 2 *
Chaser - Stephen Donahue S5 5, 3, (2+1=)3 *
Chaser - Julian Fallon S7 (3+1=)4, 4, 6
Beater - Kailyn Valak S5 (3+1=)4, 3, 3
Beater - Mary Evans S7 (4+1=)5, (4+2=)6, (2+1=)3
Seeker - Josephine Bowman S5 6, 6, (4+2=)6
Keeper - Drake Manning S7 (4+2=)6, 6, 6

Reserve Team
Tiernan McCoy S6 6, 1, 4
Merrick Marr S7 Injured.
Sierra Greene S5 3, 2, 4
Kelvin Morton S4 5, 2, 4
Dylan Caoimhe S6 6, (3+3=)6, 3
Pyro Blackfire S7 5, (2+1)=3, 6
Wynd Lehane S6 (4+2=)6, (5+1=)6, 5

NB. Adalia and Stephen are not playing in one of their favoured positions, so they will only earn experience points at half the usual rate.

Hufflepuff 150
Slytherin 10))

[Wynd Lehane]

Wynd tapped his fingers against his broomstick as he waited for the game to start. It had been a while since he was on this side of the pitch. Commenting on a game was fun but he preferred playing any day. He listened with impatience as Mary said her normal captain speech. Wynd Lehane was feeling extra confident today and there was no need for advice or guidance from his captain. He had been on the Quidditch pitch before and this wasn't going to be that difficult. It was against Hufflepuff after all. Everyone knew that they were pushovers. Hufflepuff and Slytherin were tied in house points and well as Quidditch standings. With Ravenclaw's defeat they were out of the running and that left the field wide open to whomever would go for it. Wynd had searched high and low for a reason to take points away from Hufflepuff but they were always goodie-too-shoes.

As the teams took positions Wynd looked around at his fellow Chasers. Julian and Pyro. Julian was and always would be a traitor in Wynd's eyes so as far as he was concerned he would not pass to him. That left Pyro. Wynd trusted Pyro and knew that they would be a great team. Their captain was sitting out right now but there must be a good reason. Jo was again playing Seeker. Madam Hooch released the Quaffle and blew her whistle. This was going to be a good game.

((Catching the Quaffle))

[Josephine Bowman S7]

The familiar scent of freshly cut grass and dewy wood made a soft smile come to Josephine's lips. She pulled back her black hair into a high ponytail, her lips curving upward as she pulled her robes on over her head. No doubt Slytherin Quidditch Captain, Mary Evans, would be getting ready to do her normal speech...or maybe it was going to be something more intense. After all, it was the last game Evans would ever play here at Hogwarts. Jo's eyebrows raised at the thought as she fussed with her robes for another minute or two before finally taking a seat to listen to the last of the game strategy/plan. What would she say if she got captaincy? It was something she wanted more than anything, well it used to be something she wanted more than anything...now there was something else on her mind.

As the speech came to an end Josephine rose from the benches with the others, her arms reaching over her head and back, stretching as much as possible. Digits popped and stretched before she grabbed up her Firebolt. Stepping out into the sun in that mid-morning light she felt the warmth wash over her skin and body. This game was the telling game about whether or not Slytherin won the Quidditch Cup. They only needed to score two goals before catching the snitch. It would be a good game...one of the best as their competition would be fierce. Josephine stretched one last time before she followed the rest into the sky. A lap around the pitch was perfect that morning before they all took their place around Madam Hooch.

The whistle sounded and the quaffle was in the air. Josephine took off around the pitch as she lapped it, her eyes looking for the snitch.

((dodging bludgers and searching for the snitch))

[Sydney Rawson H6]

Sydney pushed off the grassy pitch as she slowly gained height over other players. She made a lap around the pitch testing the wind. It was a pleasant day for a Quidditch match, but then again to Syd everyday was a good day for some good clean fun. However, that was the question- was today going to be a clean match against Slytherin. They were a good team this year and Hufflepuff was surely going to give them a run for their money. It will be a very interesting match if everyone played fairly.

Syd took her bat in her hands, and swung a few practice swings over her head. Working her wrists she knew she was going to be flying around this match like a bee on drugs. This match meant a lot to Syd. The Hufflepuff team has played a good season, and the last game of the year was here- the one match that was going to stay in everyone's minds. She was determined to make it a good one.

Taking her place above the chasers, she watched her teammates line up in the air at the ready. As the whistle sounded, Syd dashed for a bludger what was un-occupied. Hitting it, she directed it toward Wynd, the first chaser of the Slytherin team who made a motion toward the quaffle.

(( Attack on Wynd. ))

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy pulled on her leather Quidditch boots with some difficulty. She'd had this pair since fifth year, and she hadn't been able to afford the best quality so they had cracked and shrunk a bit after many cycles of getting soaked and drying out again. She felt sad as she took a surreptitious glance round the locker room. She was sad because all these people were friends, or at least good acquaintances. She'd encouraged, coerced and cajoled some number of them to audition for the team, and now she had no choice but to leave them behind. She was also sad because of the absence of her best friend... or former best friend... Charlie. His absence was her own fault - it had been her who kicked him out of the team for his lack of commitment (at least she liked to think that had been the only reason) - but for all that she really missed having him there. Being able to look over to him before she started her pre-game speech for a bit of support, knowing that despite his gentle and frequent teasing, he would always be on her side and wouldn't criticise her behind her back. That sort of loyalty was rare, even among an entire team of honourable, fair and supportive Hufflepuffs. And oh, how she missed him! How she wished he knew.

Of course, this was no time to be dwelling on private regrets. It was simply hard not to when she had so many Quidditch memories involving Charlie, but she had to fulfil her role as Captain... for the very last time. She was already in her bright yellow robes, but she waited until even the stragglers of the team were ready to begin her speech, clapping her hands to get their attention.
"Okay everyone!" she said as they gathered round into a circle. "I won't say much because you already all know what you have to do, but mostly I just want to say thanks to each of you for everything that you've put into Quidditch! As a team you are fantastic and I am really proud of you all. I suppose that might sound a bit silly, but actually... I hope that you're proud of yourselves, because you should be. You've got enough talent, skill, guts and dedication between you to make me proud, anyway."

She had to wait for a minute to continue, because of a lump she'd suddenly got in her throat. She wasn't sufficiently eloquent to tell them all how much they meant. When she continued, it was to talk about the match they'd be playing today.
"So... the last match. For some of you, it's just the last match of the season. You'll be back next year to take the team on to bigger and better things. For me, and for Chace, Kael and Seth," - she looked to her Vice and two Keepers in turn - "this really is our last match at Hogwarts. I'd like to make it a good one. We've got a tough challenge... the Slytherins are good and there are a lot of them... but we have got what it takes. So go out there, stick to teamwork, don't be intimidated and most of all believe in yourselves. Okay, that's all. Thanks, guys."

She stopped her speech a bit abruptly, aware that she had lost her train of thought even more than the last time she'd given a speech without Charlie being there. She was really nervous about this game... actually then she was pretty scared of the Slytherin team, even though she knew her own team truly was fantastic and she really did mean those words. There was just... a lot at stake. It would be very, very hard to lose to Mary Evans' team. 'Not Quidditch too.' she thought suddenly. A smaller voice in the back of her mind added: 'You can have Quidditch if I can have Charlie.' That thought played over in her mind as she shook Mary's hand, and she ended up giving the Head Girl rather a dirty look. Normally she kept her animosity fairly well hidden... the Slytherin was hardly to know the reason for Ivy's jealousy. She was fairly sure that Charlie himself was oblivious to it. Well, she regretted it, but it had just slipped out. And the handshake was over with now anyway. Time to play Quidditch and forget all these worries.

As the whistle blew, Ivy kicked off the ground quickly, her eyes glued to the Quaffle falling through the air. She saw Wynd Lehane going after it as well, and gritted her teeth with determination as she tried even harder to reach it first. She had something to prove here. Last time they were matched up together, in the Quidditch Skills Cup, he'd got to the Quaffle first, but her opinion of him certainly hadn't improved since. He was still a thoroughly nasty piece of work. The Quaffle didn't want to be held in his arms, now did it? No, it was far better off with her.

((Losing it a little bit... and focusing on going for the Quaffle.))

[Sita Mehadi H7]

Hufflepuff Seeker! Seeker! A game sitting on the bench and now Seeker! Sita was utterly euphoric. Ivy had told her the news a couple of days ago and Sita had spent most of the time since then jumping up and down, whittering on at Billy about it, polishing her broomstick and making sure her hair was properly straightened. Seeker! This was something big. A chance to prove herself as a hero, to impress Gavin, to prove she was more than just a princess needing a knight in shining armour (though one would be welcome). Oh, but she must try to concentrate, and not get distracted. She found that terribly difficult even during practices, and how many more distractions there must be during an actual game! Actually, Sita couldn't really believe her luck at being put in as Seeker. She certainly hoped she didn't go and make a hash of it now.

Sita listened to Ivy's speech a bit impatiently. She supposed it must be very momentous for the players who were leaving, but she just wanted to get out there and start looking for the Snitch... the sooner to catch it! The yellow Quidditch robes weren't all that flattering, after all, and she was a bit hot in them. It would be nice to have a shower after the game. Ah, good, they got to go outside and do their warm-up laps now. Sita bounced up and down exuberantly as the Hufflepuff team made their way out onto the pitch. She wasn't nervous, not really... just very excited. Perhaps a few jitters of anticipation.

Whistle! That meant that the game had started. Sita mounted her broom, only a little bit late, and rose into the air significantly behind the other players, her face hot. She carried on going until she was a little bit higher than the other players; she didn't want to get bashed around by normal gameplay. Now then. Snitch. Yes, Snitch. Where to look first? The sky seemed a good starting point.

((Searching for the Snitch.))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Please note… unfortunately this is actually a very late time for me so the next round will be about 12 hours longer than usual to get it to a reasonable time again. I will post early on Saturday morning.

Sydney hits a Bludger at Wynd. There is a Bludger flying at Wynd.

Wynd and Ivy try to catch the Quaffle. Ivy Focuses.
Wynd = Catch (D6 + Dex) = 6 + 6 = 12
Ivy = Focus Catch (D6 + Dex + Con) = 1 + 6 + 6 = 13
Ivy has the Quaffle.

Josephine searches for the Snitch. Due to her high concentration statistic, her search rolls will always be greater than 5 and therefore I won’t bother rolling them for her.

Josephine = Search = 16
16 is not the Snitch number. Josephine does not see the Snitch.

Sita searches for the Snitch. She must get a search roll of 5 or more in order to search successfully.

Sita = Search (D6 + Con) = 2 + 3 = 5
Sita is able to search.

Sita = Search = 20
20 is not the Snitch number. Sita does not see the Snitch.))

[Drake Manning]

Despite the recent events in his life, Drake was in a rather cheerful mood. Ok, perhaps it's wasn't cheerful, but it was notably different than the normal brooding Drake that everyone was used to seeing. Maybe it was the sun, or maybe it was the fact that this was the last Quidditch game of his career. It was blatantly obvious that there was no future in Quidditch for Drake. He was decent at it, perhaps even a bit above average, but his heart was definitely not in it. Granted, he wasn't quite sure where his heart was, if he even had a heart. And that's what Drake was so uncertain about what he'd do once he graduated. Today, however, he wasn't letting that thought affect him. He was ready to expel some energy, and hopefully prevent the Hufflepuff team from sneaking any goals past him.

At Madam Hooch's whistle, Drake looped back and forth between the three goal posts. He muttered a curse under his breath when he saw Ivy take possession of the Quaffle for Hufflepuff. He hoped this wasn't any indication of how the rest of the game would go. And, soon enough, he found the action right in front of his area to defend. Drake's eyes followed the small red ball like an eagle watching its prey. He knew that if Ivy attempted to score, he'd be ready to pounce.

((Defending hoops + focus.))

[Sydney Rawson H6]

As she felt the impact for the bludger on her bat, she watched as it soared toward Wynd. "That bludger is done for." She said as she looked around for the other iron ball- seeing if any of the other beaters picked it as their weapon of choice yet. It caught her eye as it descended back onto the grass. "Geeze, is every beater asleep!?" Syd shouted. She wanted a fair game. She wanted to be challenged. Granted the balls were just released, but she loved seeing action.

Soaring down to the second free bludger, she volleyed the ball with her bat, hitting it from side to side to keep it active. Looking up, she didn't see any other chasers busy on the Slytherin team, so she decided it was time for them to wake up. Bashing into the side of the ball, she sent the second bludger toward the Slytherin Keeper, Drake "Maybe if the team sees that the match is well underway, they will make their moves!"

(( Attack Drake ))

[Josephine Bowman S7]

Cool blue orbs flipped around the field, searching to see if the snitch was already in view. She knew what the game plan was and so her main concern was to keep Hufflepuff from getting the snitch until Slytherin scored and then Jo would be fighting for the snitch. She had no doubt that she'd be able to get to it much faster than the Hufflepuff seeker. Josephine knew she was fast...but it was difficult keeping her eyes on the sky as the sun was bright. She raised a hand to block out the rays, shadowing her eyes enough for her to see around trying to find anything that could possibly be the snitch.

((snitch searching))

[Wynd Lehane]

Inches. Wynd missed the Quaffle by inches. Instead it was scooped up by the leader of the yellow badgers. Wynd furrowed his brow and gave the captain chase. She would no doubt try to score and that would not do. Leaning forward on his broom he urged the inanimate object to gain speed. He could hear the familiar whistle of the wind rushing past his ears but he also heard another sound. There was a Bludger headed toward him. Where were his Beaters? If Mary was in the game she would have never let a Bludger get this close to him. She would have hit it at the other team first. The stray Bludger was placed at the back of his mind. He had to trust his own abilities and his teammates.

((Avoiding Bludgers and Chasers, Stealing + Focusing))

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ha! The Quaffle was hers. She hugged it close to her body, knowing that Wynd Lehane would no doubt be giving chase. She had no intention of giving it away to him after working so hard to get it in the first place, and for as long as she could she held him off, twisting her body so that she always had her back to his prying hands, and trying to accelerate away from him altogether as she zoomed off towards the Slytherin goalposts. But, annoyingly enough, he had more acceleration in his broom than she had in hers. The Nimbus 2001 was quite an old model by now.

She was still determined that Lehane wouldn't be getting the Quaffle off her, but she knew that she wasn't going to be able to fend him off all the way to the Slytherin hoops. So instead she looked around her, hoping that the other Chasers on her team would be somewhere nearby. She glimpsed Sophia's long blonde ponytail to her right and yelled over at her friend to make sure she was paying attention: "Coming your way, Sophia!"

((Focusing on defending the Quaffle from Wynd, and passing to Sophia.))

[Sita Mehadi H7]

Right, sky checked. No Snitch there. Sita wondered where to try next, already finding it difficult to organise her thoughts. She swept her gaze round the crowds, noting the brightly coloured patches of yellow and green, clusters of house supporters dressed for the occasion and waving banners of support. Other students sat more sedately, probably quite content sucking Honeydukes sweets and waiting for the match to become exciting. But no sign of the Snitch anywhere near the stands.

Eventually she decided that she might have been a bit quick to rule out the sky. There was a lot of it. Sita twirled round on her broom and tried staring in the other direction. She hoped she didn't look silly, just sitting here astride her broom, hovering on the spot. There were a lot of spectators around to witness any wrong moves she might make.

((Searching for the Snitch.))

[Sophia Hallington H7]

The final game of the year had started, and Sophia was once again playing as a chaser for her beloved Hufflepuff team. She really hoped to do well this game, as it would make the difference between winning the cup or not...and they couldn't let the Slytherins win BOTH the House Cup AND Quidditch, could they? The answer, NO! And it was also Ivy's last game ever, so she wanted to do her proud! She flew onto the pitch, into the July sun, and got into position ready for the game to begin.

Which it soon did, after the usual formalities and the whistle blowing. Ivy and Wynd went after the quaffle, and thankfully the Hufflepuff captain got there first, getting the game off to a good start so far. Wynd was trying to steal the quaffle from her, but she hoped Chace would help out there, while Sophia marked Pyro. Just as she got there, she heard Ivy say something to her, though couldn't quite catch what above the din of the crowd...but it was soon made obvious when she saw the quaffle heading her way.

((receiving quaffle and marking Pyro))

[chace]

Lara clicked her tongue at Chace across the Hufflepuff dining table. "Don't make such a sour face." Chace focused his eyes on his girlfriend and then took them off her to concentrate on his porridge once again. By now, Lara had learned that Chace wasn't one for words and it didn't bother her. At least, she didn't let it affect her. Chace kept going over and over how they were going to beat Slytherin today. They had a formidable team and the reserves to spare. Ivy had to beg and plead her team to try out and yet there never seemed to be enough spots on the Slytherin team for all the people trying out. Could Slytherin have more school spirit than Hufflepuff? That was impossible. No house had more spirit than Hufflepuff. Lara continued scrutinizing Chace as he lost himself in thought. Surely they would win.

On the pitch Ivy seemed to lose herself over to emotion and for a brief moment Chace thought that he would have to take over and finish the speech. Luckily she pulled it together and was able to continue. Good. He wasn't in the mood to speak. Even Seth could not get him in a good mood. He wasn't necessarily in a bad mood but Chace did not feel like smiling. Soon the two teams were in the air and the Quaffle was loose. Wynd and Ivy both dived for the Quaffle with Ivy being the victor. The Slytherin Chaser was not happy and gave chase. There would be none of that. If you couldn't play nice Mr Lehane, you can't play at all.

((Marking Wynd))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Drake, your focus didn't need to be used so I haven't counted that towards your total of five.

Wynd attempts to dodge Sydney’s Bludger.
Sydney = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 5 + 6 = 11
Wynd = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 7 + 6 = 13
Wynd manages to dodge the Bludger.

Sydney hits a Bludger at Drake. There is a Bludger flying at Drake.

Chace attempts to mark Wynd.
Chace = Mark (D4 + Dex) = 2 + 6 = 8
Wynd = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 4 + 6 = 10
Chace does not mark Wynd successfully.

Wynd attempts to steal the Quaffle from Ivy, who attempts to defend it. Both focus.
Wynd = Focus Steal (D4 + Str + Con) = 4 + 6 + 5 = 15
Ivy = Focus Defend (D8 + Str + Con) = 2 + 6 + 6 = 14
Wynd steals the Quaffle from Ivy! Wynd has the Quaffle.

Josephine searches for the Snitch.
Josephine = Search = 20
20 is not the Snitch number. Josephine does not see the Snitch.

Sita searches for the Snitch. She must get a search roll of 5 or more in order to search successfully.

Sita = Search (D6 + Con) = 2 + 3 = 5
Sita is able to search successfully!

Sita = Search = 13
13 is not the Snitch number. Sita does not see the Snitch.))

[Sophia Hallington H7]

Ahh no, Wynd stole the quaffle from Ivy! Right, Sophia had to get the quaffle back, whatever it took, so she focused on the quaffle as hard as she could and put all her strength into stealing it back. The Slytherins couldn't get an advantage so soon in the game, they just couldn't!

((Focusing and stealing quaffle))

[Ivy Tunstall]

Too late as she brought the Quaffle out of its safety cradled in her arms, to pass it to Sophia, Ivy realised that Lehane had crossed over to her other side, when she'd thought he'd been behind her. She attempted to hold onto the red leather just as hard as he tried to wrest it from her, but in the end it slipped from her slightly sweaty palms and Lehane pulled away the victor of the encounter, probably feeling just as triumphant as Ivy would have done had she been able to hold onto it. She could hardly believe it.

Fortunately, while Ivy had lost concentration for a moment in her despondency, Sophia hadn't and Ivy smiled as she saw her friend attempting to repeat Lehane's feat straight back at him. The Hufflepuff team had never been lacking in spirit. Sophia's example spurred Ivy into action and she gave chase, hoping that Sophia and Chace would slow Lehane down sufficiently that her Nimbus could get her ahead of him. He had a long way to go to the Hufflepuff goalposts, since she'd taken the Quaffle quite some way in the opposite direction. She waited, flying just a little bit ahead of Lehane, focused and ready to fly in and pounce on the Quaffle should he attempt to pass it to another Slytherin Chaser.

((Focusing on intercepting Wynd's pass, should he make one.))

[Trinity Bleu]

Trinity fell into the commentator's seat in a smooth, fluid motion, as though her robes knew this wood. In truth, she had never commentated a Quidditch match before, as she had only auditioned the week before. She smiled quirkily at the familiar pitch before her, the antsy crowds buzzing like impatient flies for blood and sweat. When she was not playing for Gryffindor she was cheering for Hufflepuff, and that was who she would be supporting today. Trinity made no move to hide her hatred for Slytherin and their universal arrogance, and she knew this would echo during her commentating. She eyed Professor Hardy, the Muggles Studies teacher and, unfortunately, her Head of House, who sat behind her to her left. A light scowl tugged at Trinity's smirking lips. She had no doubt her current Head of House, like her predecessor who sat only a few rows back and who was now Headmistress, would intervene lest she become heatedly anti-Slytherin. Trinity snorted under her breath. They were Gryffindors too, Hardy and McGonagall, they were destined to hate Slytherin. It seemed a sin not to.

Trinity would never find out how passionate Professors Hardy and McGonagall were when Gryffindor battled on the pitch. After all, she would be out there, playing her heart out. Last time, when Gryffindor's opponents had been Ravenclaw and Trinity had won the match by catching the Snitch (though after several switching of positions), the commentators had been the Lehane twins, Slytherins in the year above Trinity. A shadow of dislike fell over Trinity's face at the mere thought of the fraternal twins. They were also prefects, and the boy - Wynd - played for Slytherin. He seemed to think his status and blood made him untouchable. Trinity couldn't wait to play Slytherin the year after, when she could 'accidentally' aim a Bludger at his perfectly shiny white teeth. That would knock his disgusting smirk off his face. He didn't do Trinity's distaste of him any favours the last match when he had commentated, and she was determined to return the gesture.

As the Sonorus charm was cast, Trinity began to speak at the impatient crowds waiting for the players to enter the pitch. "Yo, dudes and dudettes, and welcome to the last Quidditch match of the season and year! I'm Trinity Bleu, your commentator for today. All the Captains are graduating this year, so it'll be Ivy Tunstall and Mary Evan's last matches for their house teams." Trinity subtly skipped over mentioning the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Captains; she was convinced Cass was going insane and would be glad she was passing her helm to Oscar next year, and if she didn't mention Cass it seemed fair not to mention Celia either. "It's also Hufflepuff's Vice, Chace Coxen's last match. Let's make it one to remember, yeah?" Trinity perched her chin on her hand as she stared over the edge of the box to watch the players finally arrive. "And here they come! First, Hufflepuff: Chasers Tunstall, Coxen and Hallington, Beaters Miles and Rawson, Keeper Collins and Seeker Mehadi; and their reserves, Wright, McGreggor, Brady and Ross. And next, Slytherin, our universally loved team," Trinity drawled sarcastically, earning a few disapproving but not necessarily disagreeing looks from the professors behind her. "Chasers Blackfire, Fallon and Lehandle-- I mean, Lehane, Beaters Evans and Caoimhe, Keeper Manning and Seeker Bowman; and their reserves, McCoy, St John, Greene... etc., etc., etc." Trinity failed to list the rest of the Slytherins in a bored voice, earning her a stiff look from the Head of Slytherin, Snape. However, she ploughed on carelessly.

"And the match begins! The Quaffle is in the air, and Tunstall and Lehanger make the first moves! Tunstall snatches it from under Lehanger's nose - better luck next time, mate," Trinity sniffed triumphantly as Ivy raced towards the goals. "Tunstall prepares to score, Manning is ready to defend. Oh, but here's Lehandle again, being a pesky Chaser as usual, and DAMN!" Trinity's fist landed squarely on the wood of the box, rattling the stands and causing the professors to all glare at a couldn't-care-less back. "Lehanney steals the Quaffle! Miles and Rawson need to send a Bludger his way, and quick, because he's already at the goals, what a cheating scumbag-- yeah yeah, Professor, I gotcha, neutrality, neautrality my as--" Before another teacher could reprimand her, Trinity interrupted with, "And Lehandiddle avoids a nicely placed Bludger from Rawson. You go, girl! Give him another, I say. But Lehandle battles on, as Slytherins do, no doubt with a cheat or two in their pockets. But the Hufflepuff Chasers will have something to say about that, as here come Tunstall and Hallington, a double attack! I wouldn't underestimate the female gender right now. Will they recover the Quaffle - and rightly so - from Lehandey, or will Collins have to make a move? Sit tight folks, it's only just getting exciting!"

[Sita Mehadi H7]

Sita was already beginning to feel too hot in the blazing sunshine. She smiled appreciatively at Trinity Bleu's commentary, glad for the words of barely-veiled support for Hufflepuff, taking heart for her search from the fact that one of the biggest characters in her year wanted them to win. She giggled at the repeated insults of Wynd Lehane. He was well known throughout the school and disliked by most who knew him. His twin sister seemed to be a bit better, although it stood to reason that she would be about as bad really. Perhaps she just hid it better. Anyway. She was supposed to be looking for the Snitch. There wasn't an awful lot of different between one patch of bright blue sky and the next, though, Sita reflected glumly, stifling a yawn.

((Searching for the Snitch.))