Spectator HUFFLEPUFF vs. GRYFFINDOR - SPRING 2024

banner by angelfyre mccubbin, thank you!

may 6th 2024; open to interactions

Guess who's back, back in the spectator stands again? The last time Alyssea was here was the fall races, accompanied by her fellow badgers Helena and Landon. She also watched the Gryffindor race against Slytherin with Raizel to support Zach's first race. Alyssea opted out of the stands for the winter races, both the chill and the anxiety of her first race making her too nervous to sit still for more than five minutes. It went well in the end, missing out on hearing Hufflepuff win in the moment but definitely did not miss it in the dorms that evening. Who knew majority of the Hufflepuff broom racers were in the Plant Palace?

The winter chill finally began to melt away and she was able to wear a sweater to ward off the cold. No need for a bulky puffer jacket. Yet, Alyssea was shaking with nervousness. It was Serena's final race until graduation and Alyssea could only hope the finale would work out in their favour. But Gryffindor also had a Seventh Year on their team about to graduate. It was simply a matter of who could outpace the other, outsmart the other, outdo the other.

So with the final call, Alyssea leaned forward and started praying. They had worked hard for this and she could only hope it would pay off.

Ruby walked towards the spectator stands, enjoying the warmth of this nice spring day. She looked up at the sun, shining brightly on her face and arms. She decided to only wear a T-shirt, as it was such a beautiful day. But she did bring her Hufflepuff scarf with her, to cheer for her team.

It was her first time to ever watch a game of broom racing. She isn’t such a jock girl, and didn’t want to go out in the cold before just to watch some kids on brooms. But she heard the stories afterwards in the common room, and decided it was time to see the game first handed to see what all the fuss was about. It would also be nice to be able to join in with the chat about the race.

She made her way down to the spectator stands, and searched for a good spot to watch the game, not in the middle of the crowd but a little on the side as she didn’t know what to expect. She listened to the words of welcome, a little shocked at some points it could get so messy. Was he serious? But nevertheless, she cheered along with the crowd as they set off, hoping for a win for Hufflepuff!

Justin nonchalantly strolled outside. He had just woken up from a nap under a tree. The boy felt the heat of the hot sun burning on his skin. He made an annoyed face.

"Too damn, hot," Justin grumbled, as he yawned and stretched his arms, high up in the air.

Oh? What's this? Seems like people were gathering around to watch something. That's right! It was the Spring Broom Racing event. Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff.

"Well I woke up on time," the first-year Ravenclaw muttered to himself, as he joined the spectators. He took out a pouch of peanuts and began casually eating them in the crowd.

While the racers were preparing and getting in their positions, Justin noticed a Hufflepuff girl leaning forward in the stands, praying desperately.

She 100% bet money on the game. Justin thought to himself.

Were any of his friends here yet? Justin glanced around the crowd. So far... Nada. Oh, well. Time to make new friends.

He walked up to the praying girl.

"Who you rooting for?"

Stupid question. Justin glanced at the girl up and down. She was clearly a Hufflepuff.

"Dumb question. Ignore that one. Who, are you rooting for? Gotta be a friend in there somewhere, right?" Justin said, completely relaxed, and putting another handful of peanuts in his mouth.

WC: 217

Mentions: @Serena Towers @Xailah Alptraum @Piérre Marchonné @Della Barfield

The half-giant let out a low grumble as he smiled towards the sky. Of course, the weather decided to be nice the moment he gave up racing. Perhaps it was nature letting him know enough trees had been rooted out, and he had finally grown too big to fly. The thumping beat of his thick leather boots introduced his presence to the stands. No doubt, his height alone turned some heads. Some things never changed, after all.

Hugh wondered if he would feel conflicted coming to this race. His former team on one side, his best friend and loyal comrade on the other. It was the latter's last race, as well as Xailah's he guessed. In a way, this race almost made him feel sorry for missing it. Though, he was also glad to be able to observe it all from afar this time around. He would make sure to take it all in. Every spell and swear word cast in each person's direction. Sadly, the meteor shower he usually provided would not be on display today. He could not help but grin at the mental pictures of shocked faces he had saved through the years, the inbound boulders reflected in their foggy eyes.

He took a seat towards the back, preventing himself from blocking anyone's view with his larger-than-most frame. The race was off just as he sat down, making him turn his head rapidly to see what each racer's first move would be. His face grimaced as he noticed both Della and one of the new kids go down. Della would be fine, she had survived worse. But he knew that new kid from somewhere. It was Friday (Piérre)! The little upstart that had been his second in the days he still played quidditch. It seemed he had followed him up in this sport as well. Though, judging by that nasty spell he flung towards one of the badgers, he had switched out that annoying grin of his for a nasty bite.

Serena got hit by the same spell, it seemed, by none other than Xailah. Those two were expected to fight this one out with all they got. Both their last races, both seeking glory. Hugh bit his lip and scratched his sideburns as he worried about either outcome. "C'mon, you two... Show the lil' ones how it's done."

banner by angelfyre mccubbin, thank you!

may 6th 2024; interacting with @Justin Shin

And they were off. Alyssea watched with a keen eye as spells flew here and there. She grinned as Piérre hit the ground with not even a moment to spare as she hoped. While Alyssea had no vendettas against Piérre, having worked with him in some unofficial race and him being her last duel moderator, she knew he was a threat. That was something to establish with her team before they flew. Not just Xailah, Piérre Marchonné was going to be a thorn in their side.

The next attacks were rough and the environment was unforgiving. Fail after fail, Alyssea could only hope they would be able to recover well enough to make a point.

At first, she ignored the question of who she was rooting for, unsure of whether it was aimed for her to begin with. Then, another followed and she realised it was definitely for her. Alyssea turned around to greet her company, a bit surprised by the lax uniform and Jordans. She cleared her throat. "Hufflepuff. No one specific, just the whole team. They've never won against Gryffindor if I remember correctly, so I really hope today's the day."

She quickly looked at to the track and turned back. "Anyone you rooting for? Ravenclaw's race was this morning, no?"

Justin watched Piérre hit the floor. He chuckled. "Guess the race just started rolling,"

The Korean boy then turned to the Hufflepuff girl. "You telling me, in this old ass school, that Hufflepuff never beat Gryffindor once? Yikes..."

The first-year Ravenclaw cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck. "Took a nap under a tree after the Ravenclaw game and when I woke up, this game started," Justin yawned, as he answered the Hufflepuff's question. He took another handful of peanuts and tossed it in his mouth.

"Oh, well. Best of luck to you. You were praying like your life depended on it just now," Justin chuckled.

The boy then began cheering for Gryffindor nonchalantly.

"Get em red!" Justin yelled out to the racers. The boy's mind was simple. He had no friends in Hufflepuff but he did have a friend in Gryffindor. By default he would cheer for his friend's house.

"Knock those badgers off their brooms!" Justin yelled out. "What's a badger gonna do to a lion?" Justin quipped competitively.

Justin then turned again to the Hufflepuff girl as if nothing happened. "Who's the best racer here, today?" Justin asked casually. "Didn't really keep up with broom racing much this year."

WC: 206
@Alyssea Brown

banner by angelfyre mccubbin, thank you!

may 6th 2024; interacting with @Justin Shin

Alyssea shrugged. "I don't think broom racing became a competitive sport until a few years ago, but I'll let the teachers who've been here longer answer that." Perhaps Hufflepuff had won against Gryffindor in some race in the centuries the school had stood, but Alyssea isn't old enough to prove that. She could only be certain on what had happened the last two years she'd been here.

Praying like her life depended on it? Absolutely, it did. Well, maybe not in a literal sense. For Serena's last race, she hoped they would go out with a win, and if not a win then a bang. Make it worth remembering. Then the guy started shouting cheers for Gryffindor. Was he doing it out of spite at her? The Hufflepuff co-captain shook her head. Alyssea was too nervous to be mad at the Ravenclaw boy.

There were too many injuries to count, but at least Vale's commentary assured her no racers had been lost to the track yet. Everyone was still alive, still fighting. Seeing George, Simon, and Serena at the front, Alyssea grinned. They were the original trio, or as close to original as Hufflepuff would get. The other three had joined sometime in the last year. But with graduation closing in on everyone, Alyssea would remember this moment with a bitter smile.

Alyssea hummed. "Everyone's good in their own way. But if I did have to say, I reckon Serena Towers and Xailah Alptraum. They've been racing the longest out of everyone on the track."