Hufflepuff v Ravenclaw 3rd Game Finished

Cecily took a deep breath, feeling the oxygen course through her veins and calm her mind. She was nervous. There was no denying it. The normal surge of adrenaline seemed to have skipped out on her today, and she didn't appreciate it. It was the last game of the year-- damned if Cecily was going to be the one to bring her team down. She needed to be on her game today.

Closing her eyes and inhaling another breath of clean air, she let the roar of the crowd wash over her, the excitement and nerves build up. She worked best under pressure, she knew, and that was exactly what today would bring-- a truck-load of pressure. But as the crowd grew quieter and the blood rushing in her ears drowned them out, she knew that this was where she needed to be. The perfect balance between calm and nervous brought peak performance; she remembered reading that somewhere.

And so, with the bright number 4 emblazoned on her back, she gripped her broom and kicked into he air. Her team was ready. She was ready. Time to kick some badger butt.

ACTION: Getting in position

This was it. Today would be the final game of the year. This time, the Hufflepuffs would be facing off against the Ravenclaws. Just like with the other teams, Ravenclaw was not to be underestimated. They had a powerful set of players, the captain of the team being especially scary with her track record of successfully bludgering people. But that wasn't an excuse for Saskia to be scared. If she could handle the other two teams, she could survive this one, and perhaps her team could take the victory for this game too.

She didn't spend too much time delaying. Once she got everything she needed from the locker room, she was already mounted on her broom and in position. There was no time for worries anymore. Nerves may have overpowered her in the first few games, but this time, she was ready. It was already instinctual for her to know where she would go and what she would be doing by now anyhow.

Then she heard her name from the stands. Upon noticing that it was Thora, she flashed a grin and a thumbs up her way before facing the field once again. Keeping the smile on her face, she turned towards her teammates, trying to speak as enthusiastically as she possibly could. The more morale, the better. "We got this, guys. Let's give it our best shot!"

Saskia took a deep breath. She could do this. They all could do this.

Actions: Getting into position

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──────────────────
────♛ Round I ♛────
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It was a rather cordial day on the pitch, as any student could clearly tell, the sun shining down on the spectators of the Quidditch game in warm, golden rays, fluffy white clouds specking the air, the weather absolutely delightful to anyone who wished to watch such a match. There was a slight nip in the breeze, the remnants of winter subtle in the biting winds that blew past the onlookers, Jack Frost’s desperate attempt to remain in the Scottish air. To no avail. The weather was positively perfect for playing, the energy of the pitch lively and bouncing with excitement as students and teachers alike all anticipated the beginning of the game. It was to be one of the more anticipated games of the year, as the game would likely decide the fate of the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup.

Anyone near Lazarus Plott could tell that the man was rather excited – after all, it wasn’t every day that one saw a Quidditch Game at a foreign school. His greying brown hair ruffled askew, hazel-blue eyes darting around the stadium ambitiously, the man tried almost greedily to take in all the sights, wonders, and experiences of such a setting, storing it away in his mind for safekeeping. Hogwarts, he had grown to learn, had a certain energy to it, as every new place surely did. It was a pleasant sort of energy, much like his own school, one he quite enjoyed the likes of. Therefore, it put him in a rather jovial mood, a bright, goofy smile plastered across his features, a childlike wonder to his eyes as he allowed himself to enjoy the game in question.

He absently realized, in that moment, that he was to give an opening speech. Ah, well. He allowed himself to stand up, muttering a quick charm as he shortly put his wand to his throat once more, demanded the attention of the billowing masses. "Welcome, everyone, to the Hogwarts Game between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw!” he declared cheerfully. “This will surely prove to be an exciting game. Please, let me hear it for your favorite team!"

Cheers and cries immediately erupted around the small stadium [NPCs], a perfect harmony of chaos and disorder sounding about the roaring crowd in a moment’s notice. Music to the man’s ears. He allowed the noise to go on for a moment more, basking in the sounds of cacophony, until finally, he could listen no longer – it was then that he called the noise to a cease. “That’s enough, now,” he laughed, a bit flambuoyantly to any onlooker. “Now, who do we have playing today…. Ah! Hufflepuffs!” his announcement came loudly, a billowing noise of excitement. “They look cute and cuddly, yes, but don’t let their looks fool you – these are ruthless creatures, DOMINATING their competition and SQUANDERING their foes underneath the heels of victory! What’s their secret?”

There was a dramatic edge to the man’s voice as he continued on. “But, what’s this?” Wait… what where they again? They were birds, yes, but he could do little to remember the actual breed. Perhaps hawks? Crows? He would opt to keep his mouth shut, instead going for a more broad term. “None other than the birds of prey, themselves!” His teeth shining, eyes wide, his voice rang out for the audience to hear, clear and pristine, if not climactic. “These birds are out for revenge! Will anything stop them from a win?”

As if his previous theatrics hadn’t been enough, he continued on with his speech, waving his hands in the air as he proudly delivered the message. “Who will triumph?” he billowed. “Will it be the Badgers… or the Birds? Only one will take the victory, rising high above their adversaries –“ and tilting his head down, he raised an eyebrow, “and one will leave the field in utter defeat, DROWNING in the pits of their own DESPAIR.”

He chose that moment to recline in his chair, his eyes surveying the players on the field quickly once more. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let the game begin!”

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──────────────────
────♛ Chasers ♛────
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───────────── Results ─────────────

It wasn’t long after Plott’s rambunctious reply that the Quaffle had been tossed into the air, the sun glinting off of its corners, reflecting off the red leather in the most beautiful, if not daunting, way. Not even a mere moment had passed before the players of both teams had swooped in for a chance at the Holy Grail itself, one step closer to their own House’s victory. One swipe, then two, a mess of brooms and chasers, until –

“CECILY QUINN HAS THE BALL!” Plott announced excitedly, sitting up in his chair as he watched the game with lively eyes. How had he known her name? He supposed the crowd would never know. However, his observations were true – the ball was, in fact, in the possession of one Cecily Quinn, Prefect and tenured player, and readily so, clutched securely in her grasp as she zipped across the field with the grace of surely many practices. Her path was a sure one, as any spectator in the stands could surely trace with unmistakable certainty – the girl was heading straight for the goalposts. She was going for the score.

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──────────────────
────♛ Keeper ♛────
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───────────── Results ─────────────

However, little did Cecily know, a score would not be as easy as she had originally intended, for it wasn’t just any player guarding the goalposts. No, it was the new Hufflepuff Keeper, dark-horse player Willow Anderson. There was little information on the first year, as she had yet to be in an actual game setting. However, that wasn’t to say she wasn’t prepared – on the contrary, Willow looked focused, attentive, even, as she watched the procession of Cecily, ready to defend the goalposts, and in turn her house.

“SHE SHOOTS – “

The ball left Cecily’s hand in that moment. What happened next, only the two players in question could likely sort out, as the action had happened so fast, Lazarus could do little to interpret the turn of events. However, there were some things that the ordinary eye could see –

"WILLOW ANDERSON BLOCKS THE GOAL! WHAT A SURPRISE!”

Yes, it seemed that Willow had gotten possession of the ball, the leather Quaffle laden in her Keeper’s mitts as she grasped it tightly, readying herself for the next play. A sign that the Hufflepuff Keeper was not to be messed with.

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──────────────────
────♛ Beaters ♛────
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───────────── Results ─────────────

Serena, most likely occupied with finding that glint of gold, could do little to stop the threatening projectile as it hurled in her direction much like a missile. The blunt force of the ball nearly sent the third-year off her broom – however, she managed to hold on, regaining her balance on her broom. “SERENA TOWERS STAYS ON HER BROOM! THE BADGER LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY!” Plott announced to the crowd, the crude excitement strong in his voice as he watched the game with a childlike wonder. Which left the masses to wonder yet again, how did he know their names? It was oddly unusual, creepy even - were the teams being stalked? Should they worry for their safety?

However, their attention would soon turn once more to the game, as the gore was far from over. Saskia Nicholson, Hufflepuff Beater and Team Captain, brandished her own bat, her eyes tracing the trajectory of her target. One Jorah Moussah. Her aim was true as she swung the club, the bludger making a satisfying crack as it made contact, soaring through the air in a perfect arc. The cursed ball hit the poor boy square in the chest, hard enough to knock him off. His grip waned as he slipped into unconsciousness, and he shortly slipped off his broom – thankfully, he was quickly saved by one of his fellow Chasers, David Young. A real hero.

However, this was not before he could execute his own, painstaking revenge to the Hufflepuff Team. The Ravenclaw’s bat had swung with practiced ease right before he had been struck – and, in turn, had hit a Huffle, chaser Dawn Riley. His blow had been powerful enough, it seemed, that the poor girl was knocked unconscious, another player slipping off their broom. However, another valiant player had quickly come to her aid, a chaser by the name of Annie Morgan. Jorah’s bludger continued to ricochet, flying in the direction of Serena a second time. However, this time the girl had been ready, as she had shortly dodged the projectile.

In the midst of all the haywire, Quinn had been watching, waiting for his moment to pounce. He reared his bat back, his eyes locking onto his target – and swung out full force, the bludger flying towards Ravenclaw Captain, Emma Hill. However, amidst the chaos, the third year had yet to lose her attention – she shortly dodged it, a precise and well-practiced move, as one could clearly see.

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────♛ Seekers ♛────
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───────────── Results ─────────────

Meanwhile, the seekers were dutifully looking for the snitch. Neculai had been traversing the length of the field, his gaze shifting from place to place in search of the the cursed ball – but to no avail, could he find the snitch. However, Serena, having quickly recovered from a surely traumatizing ordeal, had spotted a glint of gold in the distance – her eyes quickly followed it, locking on to the very object she had been searching for. Yes, Serena had found the Snitch. However, the game was far from over. For, if Hufflepuff wanted to snatch the Quidditch title for the season, Serena would need to catch the snitch first.

──────── Scoreboard ────────

Ravenclaw 0

Hufflepuff 0

As the Hufflepuffs waited for the Ravenclaws to make their rounds, Willow spent the time to scan the crowd and see if she could find her friends. In the stands she saw Mildred with one of her classic banners, as well as Lydia, Aaron, and Sean with another. Her heart leapt with joy seeing her friends in the crowd and she blew a kiss their way to show that she saw them.

She refocused, feeling more invigorated than before knowing she had some lovely people rooting for her. It was showtime. Willow's eyes stayed on Cecily as she beelined towards Willow, now was her time to show what she was made of. Her eyes narrowed, looking for predictors in Cecily of where she she would aim to shoot. As soon as the ball left Cecily's hand Willow was on the move predicting it's trajectory to one of rings. Willow shot up with her broom as it headed to the higher of the rings. Her arm reached out and made contact with the Quaffle pulling it under her arm as she rolled upside down a single time riding the velocity of the Quaffle throw.

She was amazed that she grabbed it in the first place, a proud grin spreading over her face as she waited for the next move to be made. A quick glance was made over to her friends as she saw them proudly cheering for her save.

Action: Doing as Strategized.

Action: Doing as Strategized

Donny flew high up on his broom as the match began, and as soon as he heard the whistle, he was up, his crazy curly hair billowing in the wind behind him. The quaffle seemed to go up, and fall in slow motion, just enough time however, for him to squeeze his way into the pack of chasers from opposite teams. He was the second to last one reach the quaffle. He elbowed, and tossed, holding tightly on his broom for any possible way he could wrench his way to the quaffle. But he was too late. A brilliantly blonde Ravenclaw, with long flowing hair, seemed to swiftly grab the quaffle, leading the rest of the chasers to failure. 

He punched the air. He could've had that one! It was his chance! But at least he was still in the game after all. He stayed focused, as stressing at the beginning of the match wasn't going to win Hufflepuff the Quidditch cup. He flew up high, taking in his surroundings. There were players on brooms in every inch of the air. And many of them were already being struck down with bludgers flying left and right. He flew down, looking for the Quaffle. The Ravenclaw girl, tried shooting her shot at goals, but...SHE MISSED! Anderson shoved right in front of the goal like a swooping owl. "LET'S GO WILLOW!" Donny howled, now happily punching the air. It seemed "snappy" Ravenclaws were not quite so swift after all. Donny stayed alert though, because bludgers were surely no joke at the moment. A quick one just hit Serena, one of Hufflepuff's most prized players, but luckily she avoided getting knocked unconscious, and swooped right back onto her broom. The game was going pretty well for Hufflepuff, but could they keep it up...

Action: Doing as Strategized. GO HUFFLES!

Alan was begining to have cold feet mostly due to how anxious the young lad was feeling sitting on the bench anticipating when he'll be ready to hop on his broom and help his teammates, for now, he watched onward. As the match grew with intensity, Seeing how close things have become in such a short amount of time his attention was finally caught by a familiar face a fellow Ravenclaw he had not seen since he was in the hospital wing. Finally calming down the smile from River seemed to put at ease as he pondered if all people felt like this on their first game, his leg still tapping a little less rapidly. Alan said to River "Hey, I remember you, it's been so long, River, right? I didn't know you were on the team." Perhaps a distraction is what Alan needed to calm down as he interacted with River "You remember right? we were attacked by Owls if I remember."

Action: Benched, watching, finally calming down, interacting with @ River Dewlight

The quaffle was released and the match had begun. Unlike in previous matches, Ruthie sped up towards the quaffle eager to make her mark on the match as someone more than a saver. As she leaned forward and flew across, she could see two of the Hufflepuff chasers doing the same, but with each passing second, it was clear she was faster, nimbler. But there was someone who was faster still: Cecily, her wonderful, tenured co-chaser and good friend. It was just a matter of seconds, but Cecily swooped up the quaffle with such precision, Ruthie couldn't help but admire her.

The wind whipped through her hair as she followed Cecily down the pitch in case the older girl might need help. The opportunity for a pass could prevent itself or perhaps some badger might try to get in Cecily's way. Despite this, Cecily was able to lobe the quaffle towards the hoops, but somehow the novice Keeper was able to just knock the quaffle before it entered the hoop. "Nice try, Cec!" she called out to her teammate before wrapping her hands around her silver arrow and nodding towards the other side of the pitch. It was an unfortunate blow, but there was still time to catch up.

Meanwhile, things were moving quickly the cracks of the bludgers in the air. It looked like Emma had hit Serena, but the seeker was still standing. Unfortunately. The Hufflepuffs had probably targeted Emma too, but it was Jorah who was unlucky by the look of it. He was riding with David--saved yet again. Her friend might need to work on dodging those bludgers over the summer. But that was work for another day. For now, they had a game to play.

ACTION: Doing as strategized

It instantly dawned on Serena how serious everyone was to win this game. Every single player was doing their best to try and keep hold on the game. She was a little gutted when her team couldn't get the quaffle but instantly perked up as the Ravenclaw chasers failed to get through Hufflepuff's defense. The chasers and keepers were giving it their all it seemed. The Hufflepuff flew upwards to get a better view of the pitch. Her only real skill in this game was the ability to search for a tiny golden ball.

Wai- THERE! Serena spot the Snitch suddenly as she noticed a bludger coming straight towards her. Sh- There was no time. She tried to evade but distracted by the golden snitch, she was far too late in moving. "A-" Her voice got caught in her throat as she felt the impact of the bludger whack her painfully. It hurt. Her body ached, as she started to cough. Serena had experienced worse pains, to be fair but the blunt force of a bludger being whacked at you was never pleasant. With every ounce of strength she had left, she clung to her broom. It wobbled from the impact, almost throwing her off it but somehow - she had no idea how - she managed to cling onto it and gain control of it.

Every game so far, Serena had been bludgered and blatched to no end. She had taken a lot of beatings, like a champ. But she never lasted more than one hit. Today was different. Through all of the pain and ache, there was a glimpse of pride. The Hufflepuff was actually kind of proud of herself for not falling off her broom like a one hit wonder. Her hoarse cough was evident of the fact that the wind had just been knocked out of her tiny body. She heard the voice echo across the stadium.

“SERENA TOWERS STAYS ON HER BROOM! THE BADGER LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY!”

The voice belonged to the announcer, who was Headmaster Plott for some reason. Serena had no idea why he was still here - didn't they all go home? Why wasn't Lear with him? Had Lear been fired and replaced?! But she had no time to worry about that situation as Plott's words sunk in. She had lived to fight another day. She had another opportunity. She had to do whatever she could to help Hufflepuff win. That could be taking another beating or blatching Emma back but whatever it was, she knew she had to make the decision quickly. Time was of the essence here.

Her eyes scanned the pitch once more, witnessing Dawn falling off her broom after being hit. The eagles were being aggressive. She instantly went to move towards Dawn to save her, when she witnessed the bludger ricochatting towards her. Serena swooped out of the way of the incoming attack. This time, she had been prepared. Dawn! She thought before spotting Annie - who had rushed to her - much to Serena's relief. Dawn had saved her in the past few games from falling straight to the ground. She was glad she was not out yet.

ACTION: Whatever Captain Saskia says!

Action: Doing as Strategized, in a very calm state