Hufflepuff vs Slytherin!

[april]

April watched the Bludger fly past her, and narrowed her eyes. She wasn't on form today; she could feel it, and it annoyed her. She had always been rather pessimistic, but she knew what her teammates were capable of, even if she rarely spoke to them, such as Wynd; he was an alarmingly talented player, April had to grudgingly admit. Noting that he had the Quaffle and that her fellow Beater Tiernan had Wynd covered, April turned her attention on Adalia again. It seemed like she would be protecting their Seeker today.

((Defending Adalia, deflecting to Sophia.))

[Harmony Chan H6]

Wynd had the Quaffle. Harmony switched her sights to him and left Mordred hanging in mid-air, determined to block Wynd as much as possible. Everyone acknowledged that he was the one to watch out for in the Chasers section, and Harmony was determined to do her best to help her Team re-possess the Quaffle. Wynd would certainly score if the Hufflepuff Chasers slacked at all. Harmony simply hoped she wouldn't get hurt, or there would be a very worried and furious Ariane parading around Hogwarts again.

((Focus on marking Wynd.))

[Tiernan McCoy S7]

((Defending Wynd from Vincente's Bludger and Redirecting to Sita))

[Finn Miles H7]

Finn took a brief second to steal a glance at the traffic surrounding the quaffle. He didn't like what he saw, but he couldn't let the fact that Slytherin seemed to have first control distract him from his task at hand. While he was the captain, he had to allow some trust in his team, relying on them to do their jobs so that he could more effectively do his without the hassle of watching their every move. Part of him wished that Ivy were still around. It wasn't the current chasers were any less skilled or determined. He simply knew that, with Ivy in the mix, things were surely under control. That was a year ago though, and this was now. He wondered if she had heard that Hufflepuff was tied for last in the Quidditch cup race. Surely that would put a damper on her spirits.

Pushing all that out of his mind, Finn did a couple of laps around the top corner of the pitch. The game was still just getting started, but he could never be too cautious when trying to get a glimpse of that golden trail that only the winged snitch could leave behind. Adalia was busy steering clear of bludgers which meant a few seconds that he could be searching while she was slightly distracted.

((Searching!))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((There has been a change in the Hufflepuff line-up.
Grace Hunter H6 has been substituted into the game as Chaser!
Harmony has been substituted out of the game.

NB. Slytherin, you must substitute one of your temporary players out in the next round, please - Dylan's come back and permanent characters take precedence.

---------------------------------------------------

Billy hits a Bludger at Adalia; April attempts to deflect it towards Sophia.
Billy = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 6 + 6 = 12
April = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 3 = 7
April fails to deflect the Bludger; it continues towards Adalia!

It is assumed that April would warn Adalia to dodge Billy’s Bludger.
Billy = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 6 + 6 = 12
Adalia = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 4 + 6 = 10
Billy’s Bludger hits Adalia! Adalia suffers a Minor Hit and loses 1HP!

Adalia must concentrate in order to maintain her action for this round.
Billy = Bludger (D8 + Str) = 6 + 6 = 12
Adalia = Concentrate (D4 + Con) = 1 + 6 = 7
Adalia is unable to concentrate and will not be able to search for the Snitch this round.

Vincente hits a Bludger at Wynd; Tiernan attempts to deflect it towards Sita.
Vincente = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 3 + 2 = 5
Tiernan = Defend (D8 + Str) = 8 + 4 = 12
Tiernan deflects the Bludger successfully. There is a Bludger flying at Sita!

Marla attempts to mark Harmony.
Marla = Mark (D4 + Dex) = 1 + 2 = 3
Harmony = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 7 + 5 = 12
Marla fails to mark Harmony.

Harmony focuses on marking Wynd.
Harmony = Focus Mark (D4 + Dex + 2) = 4 + 5 + 2 = 11
Wynd = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 6 + 6 = 12
Harmony fails to mark Wynd.

Sita focuses on stealing the Quaffle from Wynd.
Sita = Focus Steal (D4 + Str + 2) = 1 + 6 + 2 = 9
Wynd = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 5 = 9
Tie! Re-roll.

Sita = Focus Steal (D4 + Str + 2) = 2 + 6 + 2 = 10
Wynd = Defend (D8 + Str) = 4 + 5 = 9
Sita steals the Quaffle from Wynd! Sita has the Quaffle.

Finn searches for the Snitch.
Finn = Search = 9
9 is not the Snitch number. Finn does not see the Snitch.))

[Adalia St John S5]

Oh that hurt! That really really hurt, that kid was going to get it. Despite her own and April's best efforts Adalia had been hit by a bludger. Imagine it! Adalia being attacked. That little Hufflepuff had better now show his face anywhere around her for the next month, doesn't he know who he's dealing with? Sure bludgers are part of the game, a great part in fact, but really Adalia is a St John and to send something hard like that flying at her!

Whatever, all revenge schemes aside it was time to focus, that snitch had to be around somewhere, the pitch was only so big. Lucky really they didn't still use the snidget, imagine trying to trust this crowd to keep the bird in, it would be gone in 5 minutes and the game would have to go on and on because the snidget would never be caught. Of course that could keep Finn from getting the snitch, but Adalia could handle that on her own, no way he can catch it when it's already in her hand. Not that it's in her hand this very moment but... soon.

Oh! A signal from the players on the bench, Dylan was showing he was ready to be put in. Dylan had been on the team as a beater longer than Adalia had been on the team herself, he was strong and good what he did. A lot of experience had taught him exactly where he and his bludger were needed most. Adalia signalled to Hooch, time to get Dylan in and put April as a chaser instead of Marla.


((Adalia is searching again this round.

As well, I am substituting out Marla and putting April as chaser and Dylan as beater.))

[Finn Miles H7]

Finn couldn't help but struggle hide his slight pleasure in seeing St John get pummeled by one of the Bludgers. He knew she'd be fine as it was a minor hit in comparison to ones he'd seen before. Either way, it kept her slightly preoccupied, and hopefully a little bruised both physically and mentally when it came to searching. His eyes were still darting from side to side, hopeful to see the snitch.

((Searching))

[Wynd Lehane]

((Stealing the Quaffle))

[Tiernan McCoy S7]

((Hitting a Bludger at Finn))

[Malcolm Light S3]

Malcolm woke up sweating at about 5.30 in the morning, it wasn't usually for it to get so warm down in the dungeons... but then today was a different sort of day... today was his very first ever quidditch match. He had been watching the matches for all of his years at school, of course, had always been interested... but they had always had way more players than any other team. Malcolm never really felt the need to play before, sure he wanted to, but honestly he was worried they would laugh him off the field saying they had enough experienced players. This game, however, they needed him, and he would not let them down.

Breakfast was a quick affair, he couldn't eat anyways, then he went out to check the weather conditions. As his sweating in bed had warned him of... it was hot. Hot and sunny, visibility would be a real problem. That didn't bode well as Malcolm was a keeper, he needed to be able to see or else the quaffle could fly right through his fingers and then where would he be? Just another chump being beaten by the Hufflepuffs; then he would really be the laughing stock of the school... Hufflepuffs... really...

Sooner than he wished they were on the pitch with Adalia having already singled him out in the dressing room, that's what comes for being the only keeper apparently. C'est la vie, now it was time to play, and play Slytherin did. Malcolm had never realised how exciting the game was from this side of the crowd! It was always neat to watch but to really be there, and have your team doing great... however... unless Malcolm was mistaken, there was a player in yellow with the red ball headed his way...

((Defending the hoops.))

[Sita Mehadi H7]

Lehane certainly seemed determined to hang on to the Quaffle, but somehow, Sita managed to prise it out of his grasp, feeling extremely triumphant as she pulled away from the Slytherin Chaser clasping the bright red trophy. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed an ominous dark object approaching at speed - it could only be a Bludger, but she didn't have any time to worry about it at the moment, Lehane would be wanting that Quaffle back and she had to try to evade him. She'd just have to hope that Billy still valued their friendship enough to want to keep her alive! Now it was a race against time... could she get to the Slytherin goals before Lehane overpowered her and took the Quaffle back for Slytherin?

((Dodging Bludger, Defending Quaffle & Focusing on Shooting!))

[Billy Brady H6]

Yes! The bludger hit Adalia this time, which distracted her from the Snittch, at least momentarily. Billy felt perhaps slightly guilty for possibly hurting her but hey, she was the enemy in this match, and a Slytherin anyway! Nevermind, he'd still continue aiming for her, but for now there were slightly more pressing matters - the other bludger was heading straight towards Sita and he knew that if he didn't defend her he'd never hear the last of it. He flew straight over to his friend and hit the bludger away from her, aiming once again for the Slytherin Seeker.

((Defending Sita, deflecting towards Adalia))

[Sophia Hallington H7]

Yes! Sophia cheered as Sita managed to steal the quaffle from Wynd, and luckily Billy was defending her from the bludger heading in that direction - they couldn't afford to lose the quaffle now! Luckily Billy had already successfully managed to hit Adalia, so all-in-all it was looking fairly good for Hufflepuff as it stood! However, she noticed Wynd heading in Sita's direction too, probably aiming to steal the quaffle back from her, so Sophia attempted to stop him in his tracks by marking him.

((Marking Wynd))

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

((Adalia, there was no mistake - you got hit by a Bludger and lost your action for the last round! - see beginning of previous post

There has been a change in the Slytherin line-up!
Marla has been substituted out of the game.
April Stewart S7 replaces Marla as Slytherin Chaser.
Dylan Caiomhe S6 replaces April as Slytherin Beater.

----------------------------------------

Billy attempts to defend Sita from Tieman's Bludger and to deflect it towards Adalia.
Tieman = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 4 + 4 = 8
Billy = Defend (D8 + Str) = 7 + 6 = 13
Billy successfully deflects the Bludger. There is a Bludger flying at Adalia!

Tieman hits a Bludger at Finn.
Tieman = Bludger (D6 + Str) = 4 + 4 = 8
Finn = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 2 + 6 = 8
Tie! re-roll!

Tieman = Bludger(D6 + Str) = 5 + 4 = 9
Finn = Avoid (D8 + Dec) 6 + 6 = 12
Finn dodges Tieman's Bludger!

Sophia attempts to mark Wynd.
Sophia = Mark (D4 + Dex) = 2 + 6 = 8
Wynd = Avoid (D8 + Dex) = 7 + 6 = 13
Sophia fails to mark Wynd.

Wynd attempts to steal the Quaffle from Sita.
Wynd = steal = (D4 + Str) = 2 + 5 = 7
Sita = Defend = (D8 + Str) = 6 + 6 = 12
Sita retains the Quaffle.

Sita focuses on scoring; Malcolm defends the Slytherin goals.
Sita = Focus Score (D6 + Str + 2) = 1 + 6 + 2 = 9
Malcolm = Save (D6 + Dex) = 6 + 5 = 11
Malcolm saves the goal! Malcolm has the Quaffle.

Adalia searches for the Snitch.
Adalia = Search = 10
10 is not the Snitch number. Adalia does not see the Snitch.

Finn searches for the Snitch.
Finn = Search = 1
1 is not the Snitch number. Finn does not see the Snitch.

[Malcolm Light S3]

Yes... yes... she was definitely headed towards the hoops and subsequently towards him. Malcolm sent a fleeting look towards Adalia, since she was acting captain it was her he needed to report to if he failed... but he wouldn't fail, he couldn't fail. He didn't fail! Malcolm felt the quaffle securely between his gloved hands. He did it! He really did it! Now was the time to get rid of it, with a hope that the ball flew straight he chucked it towards Wynd...

((Pass to Wynd))

[Adalia St John S5]

With all the players where they belong the play continued and Adalia's big guess, some little third year named Malcolm showed his worth by defending their goal posts. Thank goodness, she did not want to have to hear about it in the common room after, she had heard enough before about letting someone so inexperienced play in their final game of the year. But really, there was nothing she could have done, a huge chunk of their team was out sick! Scheming by the Gryffindors, had to be, sure they aren't playing in this game but they would do anything to see Slytherin lose.

The sun was beating down and Adalia was steaming in her dark robes, hopefully the snitch would show up soon. Adalia nursed her sore elbow, from the earlier bludger, as she looked around the Slytherin goal posts for the snitch.

((Snitch searching.))

[Sita Mehadi H7]

It was always a disappointment when you failed to score, and Sita felt very culpable on this occasion. It had been a good save by the Slytherin Keeper, yes, but it had been a really rather ordinary attempt on goal from Sita and she knew that she was capable of more. She was disappointed with herself, and the fact that she'd managed to fend off Lehane as he tried to grab the Quaffle off her on the way just made it seem like even more of a wasted opportunity.

But a Quidditch game didn't allow any time for dwelling on past errors - at least not if you wanted to stand a chance of winning. No one had scored yet, she reminded herself, so it wasn't that bad. She watched the Slytherin Keeper carefully as he looked for someone to pass to - but really it was pretty obvious that he was going to pass to their star player, Lehane. She moved in to try to intercept the Quaffle in its few airborne moments.

((Attempting to intercept Malcolm's pass.))

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Dylan wasted no time jumping into the action. There were so many things that he wanted to do.....so many people that he wanted to hit. But, he had to protect his Seeker from the Bludger that Billy sent flying at her. He flew toward Adalia, all the while scanning to see who would be the best target. He could go for their Seeker, or he could go for Sita, who was in posession of the Quaffle. He made up his mind...

((Defending Adalia and deflecting to Finn))

[Grace Hunter H5]

She was back, her competitive edge pulsating through her entire body, trembling with excitement as she was called into the game. Sita, a fellow chaser, had just missed a shot on goal. It was brutal - the way the Hufflepuff fans cheered before meeting an unfortunate anti-climax as the Slytherin keeper made a save.

Sita was already attempting to intercept the pass, so Grace made her way towards the quaffles probable target; Lehane.

((Marking Lehane.))

[Vincente Faire H7]

Vince cursed as he saw Tiernan's bludger come oh so close to his Seeker. Hurtling through the air, he decided that his target would be none other than Wynd once more. He cheered as he saw Billy protect Sita, but groaned when he saw the Slytherin keeper save the goal. Catching up to the free bludger, he swung at it forcefully, aiming at Wynd once more.

((Hitting a bludger at Wynd))