Hufflepuff v Ravenclaw 3rd Game Finished

Once the quaffle was released for the players, Emma quickly scanned the field for the nearest bludger, the bat withstanding her grip that only continued to tighten. There was usually nothing that broke her focus, but she couldn't help but glance down at the commentator often. That was not Lear's voice, accent, nor personality. Even simple comments like the beginning of the game shouldn't have been that promoted, nevertheless, she still cheered Cecily on. 

Finally, her eyes made contact with the bludger and later following by her bat. Idly watching it zoom down to Serena gave her some kind of sick pride, but it was simply apart of the game. Contact had been made, but the seeker remained on her broom. 

Taking a deep breath, she began moving again, ready to keep playing. Unfortunately, getting hit with bludgers was a part of the game. It was her turn. She moved forward a bit, just enough to leave the broom and herself unscathed. Waiting for another bludger to come her way, the brunette looked back and forth between the goalposts and the iron game piece and quickly made up her mind.

Action » Doing as Strategized!

And there it was. The first time she had the pleasure of hitting someone with the iron ball. Her heart was racing with adrenaline. There was a thrill in being able to hit her target, especially after all the times she had either failed to bludger her opponent or failed to defend her opponent properly. This time, she was doing her job right. Not only as the captain of her team, but as a beater. She could actually be proud of herself rather than idly wait around when a bludger never came her way. Of course, there was still the matter of terribly injuring someone else, but it wasn't something to worry about in Quidditch. Those things were expected and there wasn't any time to think about distractions.

Her team was doing great so far. Willow had successfully defended the goalpost, and no one was out just yet. But this was no time to rest on her laurels. They all had a job to do, and if they could keep this up, then they could have the chance to secure their victory for this game too.

Actions: Doing as strategized

Action: Doing as strategised!

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──────────────────
────♛ Round II ♛────
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The game only seemed to be intensifying in suspense as the moments wore on, what with children falling out of the sky, sounds of pain filling the air, and the sweaty British kids of the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw teams flying around on their faithful brooms, weaving in and out of the ever-changing labyrinth one tended to call a Quidditch Game. It was a perfect portrait of cacophony, disharmony, pain and discord – but, strangely enough, Lazarus found it intriguing in the most strange sort of way, his eyes widening as each new play was made, cheering on with the successes of each team, and wincing as players suffered their own hulking blows. It was one of the more ambitious games of the season, surely, everyone on the edge of their seats in anticipation as eyes followed the Quaffle’s progression down the field, and ears caught the whistling of the oncoming bludgers. It was anyone’s game, surely, as it only took one crack of the bat, one ill move, one golden snitch, to end such chaos.

Well, most people were on the edge of their seats. Lazarus, on the other hand, was sprawled across the expanses of his own grand spectator’s seat, his eyes wide and attentive as he watched the game go on. “Don’t you just love British kids?” he asked aloud, to no one in particular, the tip of his wand playing with the folds of his cape. “So angry, so destructive! I mean, I haven’t seen a good match like this in years! The little rage monsters are excellent for entertainment, yeah?” A bright, flamboyant grin struck the man’s features in that moment, his lip bitten between his teeth in thought. “Personally, I think I’m going for the birds. I just love birds. And the color blue. It may be my favorite color, I don’t know.” He leaned forward for a moment, his eyes catching one of the more ambitious plays with a wince. Well, he supposed, he couldn’t have expected any less from ‘British kids’. “Wow, the rage…”

The man absently noticed his lack of commentary – straightening his posture and dismissing further inquiries from his head, he refined himself slightly, steeling his gaze in a way that was less than serious. There wasn’t any rest for a commentator. They needed him. Setting the tip of his wand on his throat, he continued his lovely spectating, a grand note to his voice, his chest puffed out as if he were Superman himself. “THE GAME’S GOTTEN OFF TO A SPECTACULAR START, FOLKS! BUT THE QUESTION STILL REMAINS – WILL THE BIRDS BE VICTORIOUS, OR THE BADGERS?”

And, with that, the man let his wand wander once more, twirling a piece of gray hair on the tip in a thoughtful manner as a slightly smug expression fell over his face. “I’m so good at this,” he muttered to himself, before his eyes caught the play once more, and he mentally strapped himself in, watching the turn of events unfold before his very eyes –

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──────────────────
────♛ Beaters || Blatchers ♛────
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───────────── Results ─────────────

Destruction and disharmony, it would seem, had waited for no man, instead unleashing its fury upon the unsuspecting Quidditch Players of the lovely game by storm. Strangely enough, the Quaffle had been left utterly forgotten, its soft maroon leather making contact with the lively green grass of the Pitch grounds as chasers and beaters alike soared across the blue skies, each preparing themselves for the imminent attacks. They certainly wouldn’t have long to wait.

Ravenclaw Captain Emma had been scanning the field – her field – like a hawk, her bat readily clutched in-hand as she searched for a prey worthy of her powerful bludger. It wasn’t long before her eyes had brushed past the same unsuspecting Hufflepuff as before – how was it that Serena Towers had been the recurring victim of the Eagle House’s wrath? Not a single member of the crowd would have a moment to ponder such an inquiry, as Emma had responded only a moment later, swinging her bat behind her back in a smooth, well-practiced maneuver – the bludger rocketed through the air, the third year’s aim true as it cut through the winds like a knife, arching towards the unfortunate Hufflepuff Seeker in question. It was surely going to hit the girl, it was –

“TEAM CAPTAIN SASKIA TAKES A HIT FOR HER SEEKER? WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS!”

Much to Emma’s chagrin, it seemed as if Saskia had purposely flown into the path of the unruly bludger, taking the hit instead of her seeker. Such a sight made Lazarus feel powerful, compelled – was there more to mastermind Saskia than met the eye? Was there a hint of compassion beneath that tough Captain’s interior? Or was Saskia plotting yet again, setting her team up for another win? Lazarus certainly hadn’t solved that inquiry as of yet – but he knew the answer was close, within reach. Perhaps waiting would serve him well in his investigations.

Unbeknownst to Emma, Hufflepuff Chaser Donnovan had been scheming nearby, an oddly suspicious air about him as he surveyed the third year from a short distance. The boy, as it seemed, was flying uncomfortably close to the beater in question, his legs bent slightly in anticipation, as if he were – blatching? With growing horror, Lazarus watches as Donnovan swooped up from behind Emma, the boy’s intents ever clear as he jutted his foot out, aiming for the small of the back. However, the captain had thankfully caught on to the Hufflepuff’s mischief, and had quickly ducked, leaving the second-year kicking air.

Such an action had taken the American man by surprise, his eyes widening to the size of golf balls. “What the-“ he stuttered, looking around for equally confused faces. “Did anyone see – HEY, YOU! PENALTY LAP!”

Interestingly enough, it seemed as if David and Jorah had different plans for poor Donnovan. Before the Hufflepuff could ever hope to register the American’s words, Jorah had vengefully cracked his bat, sending a deadly bludger rocketing towards the badger boy, perhaps in revenge for the opposing team previously having knocked him off his broom. For a moment, it looked as if the bludger were to make its mark – premature cheers had erupted from the Ravenclaw stands in that moment. However, due to uneven weight distribution, or perhaps the awkwardness of sharing a broom, Jorah’s aim had been off-kilter, the bludger slowly drifting away from its intended target at the very last second. Donnovan had been lucky to see the bludger rocket past his face – a half-foot closer, and the boy would have been knocked off his broom.

“OH, WOW!” Lazarus jeered. “A SWING AND A MISS! A SHAME FOR THE RAVENCLAW TEAM!”

──────────────────
────♛ Parkins Pincer ♛────
──────────────────

───────────── Results ─────────────

However, it was becoming increasingly obvious that the bloodying was far from over. It seemed as if a trio of determined Ravenclaws girls had banded together, gracefully descending on a predetermined unlucky target. No, the unlucky target – Serena had found herself in yet another jam, this time between Ruthie Greer and Lark Flaer, with Cecily Quinn slowly descending on her like a bird would stalk its prey. It would only grow more painful to watch, as there seemed to be no way out for the seeker…. was it the end of the game for Serena Towers? Would the third year leave the pitch on a stretcher?

No.

It was a miracle. It was an angel. It was Saskia Nicholson, once again defending her unlucky seeker from imminent doom. The Captain, upon realization of the terrible Eagles ganging up on her teammate, had swiftly jumped into action – quicker than a bolt of lightning, the girl had swooped in between Serena and Cecily, taking the full blow of the chaser’s attack before the perpetrator could even identify her new target. Once again, Saskia had taken the beating for her seeker, suffering in her stead. A truly noble girl, it seemed. Or, were her efforts less than humanitarian?

Nonetheless, Lazarus allowed his voice to carry over the crowd, the excitement evident in his voice as he spoke. “ANOTHER HIT TOWARDS TEAM CAPTAIN SASKIA! WAIT – IS SHE FALLING?!”

Yes – it seemed as if Cecily’s blow had been the final straw for the beaten Saskia. The Hufflepuff Captain had been seized by a sudden unconsciousness, her grip slowly loosening on her broom as the ground consumed her. And thus, a guardian angel fell from the stars.

At that, a righteous anger had seized the Ilvermorny Headmaster – his gaze quickly flitted to the perpetrators in question, a glare laden on his features. “PENALTY LAPS, ALL OF YOU!” he yelled, his voice less that cordial. Then, lowering the Sonorus, “I would have expected more from prefects. Prefects, of all things!”

Much to the man’s relief, however, before the poor Hufflepuff Captain could hit the ground, another yellow-clad figure had swooped through the air, snatching the beater from the skies. Saskia would have Willow Anderson to thank – the first year had made quite the debut, as it seemed, what with one spectacular play after the other. A great first game.

──────────────────
────♛ Seekers ♛────
──────────────────

───────────── Results ─────────────

Though painful and costly, Saskia’s sacrifice had paid off immensely. In the midst of the chaos of the game, and after multiple attempts on her health, the Hufflepuff Seeker was dutifully chasing the glint of gold, just beyond her reach. However, it seemed as if the snitch had been one step ahead the whole game, a fact that surely discouraged any onlooking Hufflepuff viewer. Thankfully, there was a contingency plan in place, one that would surely get Serena to the snitch –

“WHAT’S THIS? IS SERENA GETTING HELP?”

Yes – Quinn Healy, Hufflepuff Co-Captain and beater, had descended to the girl’s side, dutifully taking the bushy end of her broom with a firm grasp and looking in the direction that Serena had once been traveling. Using all his strength, the third year threw Serena forward, sending her broom booking, giving a temporary boost towards the snitch. Her hand outstretched, the glint of gold just within her grasp –

“HUFFLEPUFF CATCHES THE SNITCH! WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS!”

──────── Scoreboard ────────

Ravenclaw 0

Hufflepuff 150

Serena leaned forward, diving and turning around various other players to try and head towards the snitch that she saw. She was trying to get there before the other team's seeker saw she knew where it was whilst also trying to be subtle enough to not lead him directly to the snitch. Unfortunately it seemed that Ravenclaw either had it out for her or they knew she could see it. They came for her. She did not see the bludger coming towards her but apparently, her captain did. Serena gasped as she swerved a little, slowing down to see Saskia tanking the bludger for her.

She could do this. She had the support of her captain, she had to do this. Serena zipped off to try and get to the snitch whilst Emma was distracted. But alas, the chasers came for her. Her eyes scoured the gaps, trying to see where she could go as she spotted three chasers rushing her. Was she blocked? Could she nose dive? Would they expect that? Maybe she could turn out of the way if she was quick?

Questions flooded her mind as she tried to think of the best most unpredictable move she could make to get out of this.  But she did not need to. Her captain reappeared in front of her. It was as though Saskia knew that the other team would be coming for her. Serena's eyes widened as she witnessed the beater take another attack. "Sas-" She started to call out worried about the falling team mate. 

No. She did this for me... I have to... I can't disappoint her. I won't disappoint her. I won't let her actions go in vain.

The third year shook her head to herself. Saskia was doing her job - as a captain and as a beater. Serena could not waste this opportunity that the captain gave her. Winning the game would be the only way to honour Saskia's sacrifice. The Hufflepuff gripped her broom tighter as she flew forward, dodging out of the whole fiasco happening around her. She had to get to that snitch... But... it was so high up... and there was no way the eagles would let her get there, at this rate.

She spotted the co-captain not too far from her. He was far taller and stronger than she was. He probably spent most of the day giving everyone piggyback rides. Nodding to herself, she flew close by, "Quinn! It's up there, towards that tower. Can you help me get there?" No sooner after she asked, the co-captain had taken hold off her broom and flung her.

There was no way she could have done it without the team. But somehow, despite all the odds against them, they had done it. Her fingers laced around the snitch as she swooped up and grabbed it. Serena clutched the golden snitch as tight as possible, almost afraid of dropping it.

Staring at her gripped hand, she clutched it tightly. Her broom slowed down and her body crouched a little, as the tension left. There was nothing but pure relief flooding through her for a few moments. The edges of her eyes started to water as she intensely stared at it. Then she turned back around and looked over to Quinn with a grin on her face and tears of happiness streaming down her face. She raised her fist towards him, to show the golden snitch within her grasp. "We did it..." She muttered, so relieved. It was probably too quiet for anyone to hear but she did not need to. Plott's voice was already echoing across the stadium as he announced that they had caught the snitch. "WE DID IT!" Serena screamed suddenly, the excitement evident in her voice.

The girl flailed around happily, almost knocking herself off her broom from sheer excitement. She lowered herself carefully and ran towards her team mates to hug them all.

If you told her a year ago that Serena would be on the Quidditch team, helping to secure their victory, she would have laughed at you. After the camp out, the hufflepuff lacked any confidence in her own abilities whatsoever. The word 'failure' had been etched onto her heart. The past year changed everything. She did not know it had, but it had.

ACTION: Cries out of happiness [Leaves thread]

Donnovan was hovering low to the ground, trying not to be too suspicious. He had an eye out for a special someone. A Ravenclaw. The captain was just sitting there, unaware of Donny as he hovered closer to her. He wasn't about to loose the cup for a couple of Ravenclaws. This was his field. And he was ready to do whatever it took. He moved in even closer, and closer...and-DAMMIT! He missed by an inch. His foot aimed at the air, no longer the Ravenclaws lower back. He punched the air. He knew he would have to scram by now, his cover was blown. 

But it seemed the Ravenclaw beaters already had it out for him. The black ball flew towards his head, and did a double take, and flipped out of place to be struck. He had avoided the bludger, and he was on the-well...fly. He was afraid that Hufflepuff might loose this one, but he still had hope.

Then he saw it. Quinn had seen the Golden Snitch. But so did the Ravenclaw seeker, and it was ON! Quinn flew like a rocket, his long, giant arm reaching out to the snitch. But it seemed the tiny Ravenclaw seeker (compared to Quinn) was catching cup to Quinn. He looked back, and with all his might, and grabbed the end of her broom, stopping and throwing her, spinning out of place. He sped up faster, the Ravenclaw no longer on his back. And then....GOLD! 

“HUFFLEPUFF CATCHES THE SNITCH! WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS!”

Hufflepuff had won! The cup was theirs! Donny punched the air happily, spinning into a loop, and screaming-

"GO HUFFLES! WE WON!!!"

All the way down to the field. Students were flooding the field as the Hufflepuff team flew down like heroes. Donny would have liked to pick up Quinn and cheer him, but-he was giant. Donny was happy. Hufflepuff had finally won something! Hopefully they would have a fun after-party!

Action: Doing as strategized! Flooding the field and cheering, "GO QUINN!" 

Once the quaffle had been returned to the center, she quickly realized that no one was exactly interested in scoring right now. Her eyes tracked the field, trying to stay on her toes for anywhere that she could help out but not exactly wanting to leave her post in case the quaffle came back into play. Serena seemed to be on the hunt for the snitch, and the Ravenclaws weren't making it easy for her. Her heart was racing as she watching everything happen in quick succession, almost too fast to where she couldn't keep up. Her captain was hit not once, but twice trying to save Serena from any blows that would knock her off course.

As Saskia slowly fell off of her broom, Willow sprung into action. She dove down from her position, her eyes keeping on her captain quickly falling from the skies. Luckily, Willow made it in time and caught her on the back of her broom before she could hit the ground. It wasn't too long after that she heard a victorious roar from the crowd and she looked up to realize that Serena had did it, she caught the snitch. Willow pumped her fist in the air as they seized their victory. Excitedly she turned to Saskia as she recovered from the blows. "Captain! Serena caught the snitch, we won the cup!" Since the game was over she slowly lowered them back down to the field, where people were already rushing to congratulate them.

ACTION: Doing as strategized, celebrating the win!

Edit: Whoops Annie left the thread I swear

ACTION: cheering and screaming from the benches!