Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff!

[rex]

Have you ever had an itch that you know you shouldn't scratch in public but it keeps bugging and bugging you? Rex had one of these. The inside of his left nostril itched like crazy. He tried wiggling his nose hoping that the itch would resolve itself but it was not. He didn't want to scratch it. First of all, he would look like he was picking his nose. Which he didn't do. In public. Secondly, he didn't want to be distracted from the game even for a few seconds. Although it wouldn't take him long to scratch his head should be in the game. Not on silly matters like bodily functions. He couldn't help it though. It itched. Without moving his head he looked around him. His eyes searching for anyone near him. He slowly lifted his right arm to casually bring it to his face. The plan was simple: get in and get out. But as soon as he had raised his arm a little he found the Quaffle landing very nicely in his right hand. Bullocks.

((Avoiding Chasers, Focus Defending, Scoring))

((Focus goes with Defending))

[Xavier Smith H7]

It was beginning to get real tiresome. Defending Finn from Zoey's attacks. The young vice captain had a lot of spirit, that's for sure. Xavier had no idea had the rest of the game was going. He wasn't even sure which side was in possession of the Quaffle at the moment. It had been Hufflepuff but Xavier had been so worried about Finn that he had lost track.

((Defending Finn from Zoey's Bludger and Deflecting to Danny))

[Danny McKay G5]

Danny kept searching but made sure he had a clear sight of the Bludgers coming for him but thanks to Melody again he was safe to keep searching. “Safe once again.” He said with a slight laugh as he looked for the Hufflepuff Seeker who he found above him high up looking for the Snitch. Danny didn't feel like copying him but getting higher up would have been better for finding the snitch. He pulled up on his broom slightly and starting going a little bit higher all the while looking for the Snitch and for any random Bludgers that seem to love hitting Seekers. Just as he thought of that, he could see yet another Bludger coming for him and got ready to dodge if he needed to.

(Searching for Snitch and dodging any Bludgers.)

[zoeyshay]

Zoey's smiled widened as she defended Oscar. She let out a silent laugh out of pride as she flew away, and watched at Rex caught the Quaffle, despite the young blonde girl's attempts to mark him. Gryffindor was definitely doing well this game. That'd be a huge ego boost and confidence boost in hers and Oscars captaining. Beginning to think a bit as she sped off to Danny's rescue. Her first thoughts were on how Seekers were Bludger magnets, and of she let a Bludger hit Danny, she'd probably be apologizing to him for weeks on end, and then mentally punish herself. And if it was a bad hit...She cringed. Zoey couldn't bear to see Danny get knocked cold in air. Yeah, one of the professors would make sure he didn't hit the ground hard, but Bludgers hurt.

Her second thoughts were toward her happiness. She couldn't remember smiling this much for a while, probably since last year or over the summer when she saw Danny. Zoey giggled a bit as she remembered Danny's fascination and discovery of the muggle television. Danny....Danny! "Watch it Danny!" she yelled to him, hoping he heard after seeing Xavier looked toward Danny and raise his bat. She lingered near Danny just in case, but not to close in case he set it else where....And she didn't wanther Seeker to get distracted.

((Warning Danny of Xavier attempting to defend and deflect...))

[Finn Miles H7]

The few seconds of Bludger-free searching was soon interrupted by not just one but both of the lead balls flying toward Finn. "Damnit," he cursed under his breath, falling into a downward spiral to try to evade the nasty Bludgers. In the middle of his loop, he saw that the Quaffle action was dangerously close to the Hufflepuff goals now, and rather than watching, he listened to Miss Lovegood's voice to find out whether or not Gryffindor had scored. Multi-tasking was not easy, he decided as he tried desperately to focus on everything he was doing, in addition to searching for the winged ball of gold.

((Dodging Bludgers and searching...))

[Sita Mehadi H7]

Wot no Quaffle? Why no Quaffle? Why did Rex Carter get to have it instead? It just wasn't fair, surely everyone knew that the Quaffle belonged to Hufflepuff this game? Well, perhaps she'd been asking for this by throwing the darned thing straight at Oscar Flynn. She'd do better next time. Or do her bit to help one of the other two Chasers be more successful than she herself had been. But first of all she had to get that Quaffle back from the spoilsport king...

((Attempting to steal the Quaffle from Rex.))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Xavier attempts to defend Finn from Zoey’s Bludger and to deflect it towards Danny.
Zoey = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Xavier = Defend (D8 + Str) = 1 + 5 = 6
Xavier fails to deflect the Bludger; it continues towards Finn.

It is assumed that Xavier would warn Finn to dodge the Bludger.
Zoey = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Finn = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 5 + 6 = 11
Finn dodges Zoey’s Bludger!

Finn attempts to dodge Melody’s Bludger.
Melody = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 6 = 9
Finn = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 4 + 6 = 10
Finn dodges Melody’s Bludger!

Rhoswen attempts to mark Grace. Grace won’t get her stat points for avoiding because she hasn’t posted.
Rhoswen = Mark (D4 + Dex) = 4 + 2 = 6
Grace = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 8 + 0 = 8
Rhoswen fails to mark Grace.

Sita attempts to steal the Quaffle; Rex focuses on defending it.
Sita = Steal (D4 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Rex = Focus Defend (D8 + Str + 2) = 3 + 3 + 2 = 8
Rex retains the Quaffle.

Rex shoots and Clarissa defends the goals.
Rex = Score (D6 + Str) = 1 + 3 = 4
Clarissa = Save (D6 + Dex) = 2 + 5 = 7
Clarissa saves the goal! Clarissa has the Quaffle.

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

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

[Gavin Armstrong H6]

Gavin gave a quizzical look to the girl, Melody, as she defended her seeker and with extra vigour sent it back towards Finn, almost like she was doing it to bother him. Of course that was a silly vain thought but still... she had given him quite the look upon seeing his glare. But then, everyone wanted their house to win, Gavin didn't want to say "winning is the most important thing" or anything like that but... he imagined it would be nice to do well and be appreciated for it. Just then Gavin heard Finn instructing the chasers on how to play and Sita calling back to him to find the snitch. Gavin snickered a little, it was really nice being on a team, no matter how vain or possibly malicious it turned him; he gave his friend Sita a grin that she couldn't have noticed. She was busy at that moment, trying to get at the quaffle.

Suddenly something dawned on Gavin, something he had been distracted from by these girls worthy of grins and glares; Finn. Just as Gavin turned he saw Finn dodging not one but two bludgers and looked away guiltily. How could he let his team down like that? If Finn had gotten hurt it would have been his fault, he would have let all of Hufflepuff down, it was his job to protect their team members. He thought about apologising to Finn but realised that would just distract them all more and settled for a guilty look in the seeker's direction as he set off to collect one of those bludgers.


((Sending a bludger at Danny))

[zoeyshay]

Zoey smiled at Xavier failed to defend, but the frowned as the Bludgers (the one both she and Melody hit toward Finn) were dodged. She looked to see what was going on with the Chasers and saw the Gryffndor had failed to score. She shrugged and looked back to the Bludgers. There was a free one, she saw and she sped toward it and tried to his Finn again.

((Attack on none other than Mr.Miles!!))

[Danny McKay G5]

Danny smiled as he flew around the field, he couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun. He saw a few of the players as he went by them then flew past Zoey. "Your doing great, okay bye." Danny let out as he flew right up into the sky and above the field. “Finally some peace and quiet.” Danny muttered as he flew higher into the air and kept searching for the snitch. He was happy to finally see he was Bludger free for a couple minutes then saw yet another one coming for him. “Aw come on!” Danny let out before he started to fly off again searching for the snitch and all the while trying to keep away from the Bludger which was getting closer and closer. If Danny had too he was going to have to dodge it but while he flew around with a Bludger closing in he might as well keep looking for the Snitch.

(Searching for Snitch and dodging Bludger if I need too.)

[Oscar Flynn G7]

Finn had clearly learnt from his first mistake, as he avoided both attacking Bludgers without too much difficulty. Although Oscar didn't exactly want his friend to come to any serious harm, he scowled as Finn dodged the attacks. The expression deepened when he saw the Quaffle fly from Rex's fingertips - only to land directly into those of the Hufflepuff Keeper's, Clarissa. "Intercept!" Oscar hissed under his breath, leaning further forwards on his Dragoneye, as if being a few inches closer to the activity would help his team. Used to reacting quickly and on impulse, Oscar really didn't like waiting for other people to make decisions in Quidditch. He was pleased that Zoey seemed to be the same; she had rushed towards one of the free Bludgers fairly swiftly.

Taking advantage of the momentary pause on his end of the pitch Oscar cast a glance to the stands to where he knew Theo would be watching intently. Though it was a little difficult to catch his boyfriend's eye he did his best before returning his attentions to the Quidditch match before him. He felt like a bit of an idiot admitting it to himself, but even just that quick glance gave him a little boost of energy. He now felt enthused and energised, ready to pounce on any Quaffle that tried to get through his hoops.

[Sita Mehadi H7]

Sita's determined snatch at the Quaffle in Rex's arms failed, and she was left empty-handed as he sped off towards the Hufflepuff goals. She felt a brief moment of despair - she'd failed, let her team down by letting him get away - but she needn't have worried because Clarissa caught it comfortably, making it look like Rex's shot had never been much of a threat in the first place. But Sita knew better than to assume that: she doubted that she could have done nearly so well in Clarissa's place. It was just Clarissa making it look easy.
"Nice save!" she shouted out appreciatively, clapping her hands. Her fingers were going numb with cold already, and she grimaced as the momentary lull in gameplay gave her time to notice this. There was a long way to go in the game and the cold was already becoming painful.

Sita attempted to stay open for Clarissa to pass to her, but, warily, she also tried to stay in front of Rex; she wouldn't put it past him to dart in when Clarissa passed and snatch the Quaffle out of the air. Plus he was the only member of the Gryffindor team who she had any particular issue with, which made her a lot more competitive. Given, in her opinion Billy had overreacted, but Sita cared more about Billy than she did about Rex so she couldn't help having picked up a bit of Billy's animosity.

Actually, now that she thought about it, it was probably the fact that Billy and Rex were being friendly to each other again that annoyed her even more than how upset Billy had been in the first place. She'd got used to being able to monopolise Billy, and after all the trouble she'd had getting him to cheer up, it had been a bit annoying on the occasions when he stayed behind after class chatting with Rex rather than sticking with her. Though now, she'd say she was at least Rex's equal in Billy's eyes. He'd got used to Sita and Rex had lost his shine, perhaps. She guessed that was how things were, at least. Anyway... with any luck, Sita would outshine Rex in this Quidditch match...

((Marking Rex, and open for a pass.))

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

The plan to give Gavin Armstrong a proper reason to be irritated with her was going well so far - he hadn't got anything past her yet. It didn't matter so much anyway if the Hufflepuff Captain was just going to dodge any Bludgers that his Beaters missed... he was annoyingly good. Melody reminded herself that one of Zoey's Bludgers had got him within the first minute of the game - the Hufflepuff defence was not impenetrable and Finn Miles was not invincible. All she had to do was keep deflecting the Bludgers away from Danny and doggedly redirecting them towards the Hufflepuff Captain... she was sure to get him eventually.

((Defending Danny from Gavin's Bludger and deflecting it towards Finn!))

[lyli]

Lyli gritted her teeth as the older Gryffindor Chaser threw the Quaffle at the hoops. "Save it.....Save it....Saved!" she beamed as Clarissa saved the goal. Gryffindor was already doing well; they didn't need a further advantage. "Grace, take Rose!" she shouted to her fellow Chaser sfter she was Sita mark Rex. She looked around for the other Gryffindor Chaser but couldn't find her. She figured maybe she'd take the Quaffle if the older and bigger of the three kept the other Chasers at bay.

((Is open for a pass!))

[Xavier Smith H7]

Xavier looked down at his bat and inspected it. Surely, there must be a huge hole in it and that is why Xavier's attempt to help his teammate had been futile. Or maybe somebody in the audience was jinxing him. His eyes scanned the crowd but couldn't think of anyone who would have a personal vendetta against him. Except for Slytherins. They hated Hufflepuffs. But then again, that would be helping out the Gryffindors which they hated even more. All he could do was once again try and help his Seeker out.

((Defending Finn and Deflecting to Danny))

[rex]

Making his way to the other side of the pitch had been easy enough. He had had a little worry with Sita but she had not been successful. Rex could feel the animosity that Sita held for him. It wasn't clear to him if Sita was just jealous of Billy relationship with him or whether she wanted him completely out of the picture. Like she had any say in who Billy could spend his time with. Whatever. Quidditch was a game. If you lost you lost. If you won you won. At least, that was Rex's take on the matter.

((Intercepting Pass))

[Finn Miles H7]

It was close, but Finn managed to evade both Bludgers without even a scrape. He couldn't afford to have to keep both eyes on the Bludgers though, and he was glad to see Gavin zoom in and send one at Danny. Zoey had gotten to the other Bludger though, beating it right back at Finn. "A little help, Xavier!" Finn shouted, smiling as he saw that Xavier was already flying over to help him. If there was one thing he could count on, it was the reliability of his team.

To make matters better, Finn heard the cheers from the Hufflepuff end of the stands, indicating that Clarissa must've stopped the Gryffindor attack. Now his mind was a bit freer to search for the Snitch. The game was just beginning, but Finn couldn't help but feel like his father was probably already preparing his speech for why Finn should've caught the Snitch ten minutes ago. That would have been impossible, seeing that the match had barely been going on for that long.

((Dodging, Searching!))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Gavin hits a Bludger at Danny; Melody attempts to deflect it towards Finn.
Gavin = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 6 + 6 = 12
Melody = Defend (D8 + Str) = 8 + 6 = 14
Melody deflects the Bludger successfully! There is a Bludger flying at Finn.

Zoey hits a Bludger at Finn; Xavier attempts to deflect it towards Danny.
Zoey = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 1 + 6 = 7
Xavier = Defend (D8 + Str) = 7 + 5 = 12
Xavier deflects the Bludger successfully! There is a Bludger flying at Danny.

Sita attempts to mark Rex.
Sita = Mark (D4 + Dex) = 3 + 6 = 9
Rex = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 1 + 5 = 6
Sita marks Rex successfully! Rex will suffer a –2 penalty on his moves this round.

Clarissa is in possession of the Quaffle but has not posted. Therefore it must be assumed that she is attempting to make a power play and each of the Gryffindor Chasers will get a chance to steal the Quaffle from her. Clarissa has not posted and so will not get her stat points for defending. I’ll start with Rex since he was the only Gryffindor Chaser to post this round, then go down from the top of the list of Chasers.

Rex = Steal (D4 + Str – 2) = 4 + 3 – 2 = 5
Clarissa = Defend (D8 + Str) = 7 + 0 = 7
Rex fails to steal the Quaffle.

Raina = Steal (D4 + Str) = 2 + 3 = 5
Clarissa = Defend (D8 + Str) = 2 + 0 = 2
Raina steals the Quaffle from Clarissa! Raina has the Quaffle.

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

Finn searches for the Snitch.
Finn = Search = 16
16 is the Snitch number. Finn sees the Snitch!))

[Gavin Armstrong H6]

Gavin's bludger flew true at the Gryffindor seeker but was stopped again by Melody, the Gryffindor beater he was playing catch with. Needless to say it was headed back at Finn. 'No rest for the guilty' Gavin though as he chased after it, still feeling guilty for having forgotten his job minutes ago and almost letting Finn get squashed. He heard Finn calling him, warning of the impending bludger, "I'm on it captain" he called out but he couldn't be sure Finn had heard. Finn seemed a little busy at the moment, racing towards something Gavin couldn't take the time out to discern but he hoped was really the snitch. Gavin swung his bat at the bludger, sending it back at the Gryffindor seeker hoping it would distract him from what Finn was doing...

((Defending Finn and deflecting to Danny.))

[Finn Miles H7]

No! What was she doing? Finn watched dismally as Clarissa allowed Raina to steal the Quaffle right from under her nose. Raina wasn't that talented, he decided, not quite sure what his Keeper was up to. Surely she had been distracted by something. Finn could only hear his father's voice now... Excellent steal right by the Gryffindor hoops, Rain,", and if Raina was able to score, that'd make it even worse! Finn was about to fly that way when something whizzed by his head. It was so close to his face that he nearly lost his grip on his broom as he reared back.

A Bludger? No... impossible. But there was one heading his way! No, it was the Snitch! He saw the unmistakable gold zooming in a zig-zag pattern away from him just as quickly as it had flow by. Finn regained his balance, jerking his broom back and forth as he sprung almost instantly into a full blown chase after the twittering golden orb. His face lit up with a smile that was masked by his determination, Finn flew as fast as he could, knowing that Danny would soon be on his tail.

"Gavin! Xavier!" he huffed, trying not to waste any of his energy yelling. But, he couldn't take the time to keep an eye on the appraoching Bludger, so he'd need their help. "Bludger. Behind me!" He figured they probably already were after it, but he had to make sure. This moment could be the defining moment of his career as Hufflepuff captain. And, a short career it would be, so he needed to make the most of it.

Images of his father and brother watching from the stands flashed through his mind. Then, of all things, he thought of Cass and Merrick, neither of which he was even sure would be watching. But he couldn't think about them now. He needed to focus on the Snitch, and that alone. Hufflepuff was now counting on him, and he'd be damned if he was going to let them down.

Closer. Closer. Metres away, and then just centimetres. He felt the rushing air of what surely must have been Danny from behind him as he reached his hand out in an attempt to grasp the fluttering Snitch. Almost... ALMOST....

((Focusing on catching the Snitch!))