Spectator Broom Racing GRYFFINDOR v SLYTHERIN - WINTER 2025

Interacting with: @Emily Shephard Mentioning: @Colin McCoire Date: 01/22/25

Word Count: 312

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Avery couldn't wait. Today was the day that Gryffindor and Slytherin would go up against each other in a broom race. Avery had never been to one of these races. She didn't really know why she had never gone before. She had heard from her friends that they could be quite interesting. I guess the reason she did come today was because she actually had someone to cheer on. But, he was on the other team. Avery felt bad for not cheering on the Gryffindor team, but, she wanted to cheer on her other friend more. Colin had told her about how interesting broom racing could get while she was in the Hospital Wing. He's the one that sparked her curiosity of the sport. Avery pulled her jacket tighter. The cold wind going straight through it. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like for the racers. The cold wind biting into their skin along with the dangerous obstacles and spells being hurled their way. This was obviously not a sport Avery would do well in. She could barely stay on her broom in a simple Quidditch training session. She hoped that Mateo would teach her some better habits. It wasn't hard to find a seat. It was cold and she was a little early, so not very many people had shown up yet. Avery decided to pick a seat in the middle. She didn't want to be too close to the tracks because she didn't want to be blasted, and she didn't want to be too high up because of the wind. That's why she chose the middle. Even though it was still cold anyway. There was no avoiding that. Avery waited for the races to start. Watching intently at the track. She couldn't wait to see what would happen! She just hoped that this would be a good race!

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Wednesday
January 22nd, 2025

Claire hated the cold. That much was evident by the way she wore all three of her plain black robes and bundled all of it up neatly into her winter cloak. Counting the green jumper she'd worn under it all, that was five layers. But even that wouldn't be sufficient. She was also wearing a beautifully knitted green scarf, but the scarf was for fashion over function, because she was in this miserable, cold atmosphere to join in on cheering for Slytherin's broom racing team.

Claire approached the stands, hardly paying attention where she was going. Instead, her eyes were watching the racers. They had a confidence on their brooms that she could only hope she would be capable of. And they had to have that confidence. To fly as fast as they were about to fly - and safely at that - there was no room for doubt or timidity.

Claire's eyes trailed from racer to racer until she saw who she was looking for.

"Oi, Colin!" she called out with a laugh and a cheer, waving to @Colin McCoire. He probably didn't even see her, but she was watching him eagerly. She wanted to see how he performed on the track. Supposedly, this race would take the racers by the Whomping Willow. The thought alone was enough to make Claire tense.

Her gaze dropped from Colin as she shivered and pulled her bundle of cloaks tighter around her, as if that could shield her any more from the wind. Her eyes caught Avery in the middle of the stands, and she approached.

"Hello, Avery! Got room for one more?" Claire asked with a smile.

Interacting with: @Emily Shephard and @Claire Lewis Mentioning: @Colin McCoire Date: 01/22/25

Word Count: 205

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Avery glanced at Claire and smiled. She hadn't expected her snake friend to be out here on this cold and snowy day. From the looks of how many layers she had on, Avery guessed the girl was prepared for a blizzard. "Sure. I don't have anyone else sitting here at the moment." Avery smiled again. She was glad that she was going to have someone to talk to. Avery looked at the perfect moment to see Colin waving his arms wildly in their direction. Avery smiled and laughed as she waved back at him. Since she didn't know any of the Gryffindor Broom Racers, she decided that she was going to cheer on Slytherin today. Avery was excited to see what the race would be like. She had heard stories about how they went, but she had never actually watched one herself. That's why she was eager for the race to get going. Avery continued to watch as people began filling the stands. She was surprised to see that the winter game was quite popular. Especially with the wind and snow blowing in. It was going to be a day. There was no doubt about that. "Are you excited for the games?" Avery asked Claire.

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Wednesday
January 22nd, 2025

Claire watched Colin's excited greeting and smiled so hard that her frozen cheeks hurt. She didn't know why, but Colin was just so fascinating to her. Her muggle friends had never been quite so interesting, and there was something about his silly ignorance about all things muggle related that was so endearing. She looked away as he greeted others on the track.

Claire settled in beside Avery, her thick bundle of robes feeling more like a makeshift fat suit than actual articles of clothing. She didn't feel the wind, though, so that was a win.

"I am!" she beamed at Avery. "Are you? I've yet to attend a single broom race, but after what happened to our common room after the last one..."

Claire trailed off, shivering slightly at the memory of water flooding the common room and the utter chaos that had followed the mishap. Even now, she was unclear on whether it was the result of a plumbing issue or the common room's location beneath the lake, but she'd yet to even try wearing the socks she'd worn that night. It just felt so gross to even imagine it!

"I don't know which seems more dangerous, racing or quidditch," she added, glancing over at the Whomping Willow in the distance. "A giant tree, pummeling you to death, or a bludger attempting to do the same. Magical folk are a tough lot, eh?"

January 22nd 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Mentioning: @Avery Gray - @Claire Lewis - @Colin McCoire - @Ava Winchect - @Scout Fu-Hai

Brrr!

Just how cold did it need to get?? December just past was chilly enough. This 2025 edition of January however, was absolutely baltic! Emily was starting to think she should've put on her giant marshmallow-like winter coat on over her red duffle coat before she left the Hufflepuff dorms earlier. Her pink scarf was tucked in snuggly under her collar, camouflaging under the coat and her frozen cheeks. She was at least wise enough to put two pairs of black tights on, lest her toes become icicles later on.

Hopefully the camaraderie and thrills of broom racing would help warm her up. Spectating the sports' matches at Hogwarts was slowly growing on her. She did what any buddy would do and supported Scout during the duelling season before Christmas after the dumpster fire that was colloquially called, "Emily's First Duel". She learnt a lot from Scout's performance that she felt more confident for the impending duels that were due any day now.

This time, she would give her Hufflebuddy cheer to Colin and Ava. No, it wasn't because that after their "flying lesson" together that Emily suddenly developed a craving for broom racing - she would never go near broom racing or Quidditch. Ever. She was still going to keep her feet firmly planted on the ground for the remainder of her life. Friendly support was all it would be. The three of them had become quite close as of late - something Emily wished Scout could be a part of to save her from her solitude. Her Slytherin seniors, whether they thought the same or not, were fondly thought of as older siblings by Emily. While that feeling extended to every friend Emily made, those two alongside Simon and AngelFyre were people Emily felt she could lean on.

If only Scout did more of that. Numerous times had Emily tried to break Scout out of her self-contained drama but clearly there was a lot for her to figure out for herself. Emily left a note earlier in the morning, telling Scout she'd be at the broom race today if she ever wanted to join her.

She arrived and made her way down towards the front, a row just past the middle. A few other students were already huddled and seated together as they sat battling the cold. Bless them. Emily carefully navigated past them.

"Pardon me, ladies!"

She perched on a spot on the row in front of them. Looking down at the pitch, she could see Colin had already arrived. Ava on the other hand, was still on her way. She gave a wave to him when he turned slightly and then giggled when watching his theatrics to his competitors. She could already predict the amount of eye-rolling Ava would be doing, putting up with him for the duration of this race.

"Woo! Good luck, Col!"

_{Word Count: 501}

Stats: Stamina: 7| Evasion: 6| Strength: 6| Wisdom: 8| Arcane Power: 7| Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

Interacting with: @Emily Shephard and @Claire Lewis and@Karina Eaglewood Mentioning: N/A Date: 01/22/25

Word Count: 200

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Avery smiled. This was going to be a great day! She was surrounded by her friends! "Hey, Kari! How's life been? It's been awhile!" Avery watched as an older girl that Avery didn't recognize walked in and sat down in front o them. She then began cheering for Colin too. "Hey, not sorry for bothering you, but you're here to cheer on Colin too? That's awesome!" Avery said to the older girl. Hoping that she hadn't made her mad or annoyed her. Avery glanced back at the field. The game hadn't started yet, so she decided to continue talking to her friends. "I 'm not sure which is more dangerous. Both are equally terrifying." Avery said to Claire. "Wait, Colin showed you around the school, Kari? That would be a fun tour!" Avery commented. Remembering her visit to the Hospital Wing. Avery couldn't wait to see how this game would go. Even though it was freezing and snowing, it was going to be an even better day since her friends were all there with her! She watched the field as she waited for her friends to respond. Today was going to be a good day. Avery was sure of it!

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Wednesday
January 22nd, 2025

Claire smiled at @Karina Eaglewood, recognizing her from the Common Room, even if she didn't know her very well. The liquorice wands were one of the few magical treats that resembled muggle sweets enough to not make her feel a twinge of fear, so she accepted one and began chewing on it.

"Thanks, Rina" she said to the Slytherin girl around a mouthful of liquorice. It was interesting, that between herself, @Avery Gray, @Emily Shephard and Karina, they all seemed to be there mostly to cheer Colin on. He was a very popular boy, it seemed, and Claire understood why. He was just so likable. As peculiar and, she had to admit, strange as he could be, he was very genuine. Very kind.

Claire noticed Emily and Karina's reactions to the cold, and she wasn't exactly warm herself, so she began shedding layers, removing first her winter cloak and then two of her three black robes. She pulled the winter cloak back on and offered the two extra black robes to Karina and Emily.

"It's freezing. You two should borrow these. You can return them after the race," she offered, her own teeth chattering in the cold. She adjusted her scarf around her neck to keep as warm as possible. It really wasn't so bad, when she had her black robes and winter cloak to block the biting wind.

...but it was still pretty bad, actually.

"Last time Slytherin won a race, our dorms and common room got flooded. I have no proof, but it's got to me some sort of curse. I had to leave all my socks out to dry for days. There's probably a spell for that, come to think of it..." she mused, talking to Avery.