An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Post by Thorne Perry on May 21, 2023 11:35:12 GMT 10
One of the very few things his dad and grandad alike had urged him to do this year was to try Gobstones. Thorne wasn't, by nature, very competitive - but if they both enjoyed it, he would at least try it out! After all, he'd gotten into Frog Choir for his mum, he kind of owed it to his dad!
When he reached the alcove, there were already plenty of other students hanging around with boards - but at Thorne's first anxious glance they all seemed occupied. Instead of bothering anyone, he picked a quiet spot and set up there, looking around himself for an opponent. He wouldn't say exactly eagerly, but he definitely wasn't reluctant either.
Post by Kody Ashworth on May 22, 2023 16:41:20 GMT 10
Kody felt tired but still wanted to have fun -- so Gobstones seemed like a good compromise. He felt if he went looking for ingredients now, he'd make a silly mistake with how much his arms ached. Gobstones wouldn't require much attention or effort, right?
He plonked himself down in front of a Hufflepuff with a grin, "Hope you weren't waiting on someone else? My name’s Kody! I'd love to play against you!"
Digging into his school bag, Kody brought out his brand new set of Gobstones. He gave each one a pat as he lined them up and then nodded at his opponent, "You'll go first, of course."
And then he studied the other boy. He certainly wasn't in Kody's year and didn't look older so he had to be a first or second or third year... He had a friendly looking face and a Hufflepuff to boot! Kody didn't have many people he knew in that house so meeting someone new was always welcomed.
Leaning back in his seat, he waited for the Hufflepuff to take his turn.
Last Edit: May 22, 2023 16:45:01 GMT 10 by Kody Ashworth
Player One (top) goes first by flicking a Gobstone onto the board. Each square is allocated points based on proximity to the center.
Player Two (bottom) then does the same. Players take turns until each have used 5 Gobstones.
If your Gobstone lands on an occupied square, the first is knocked off the board. If it was your opponent's that got knocked, you gain a point.
Winning is based on accumulation of points. Winner gains 2 house points, 20 exp to all skills, and a random X ingredient (powdered or jar ingredients excluded). Losing costs your game piece.
Note: Mods determine where your Gobstone lands, based on die rolls. Each player must wait for a mod post to determine their square before the next player can go.
Post by Thorne Perry on May 22, 2023 21:32:15 GMT 10
There was a minute or two where Thorne wondered if maybe stepping out of his comfort zone had been a mistake, if he would be the only player left without an opponent. That would be disheartening. He'd survive, of course, but no one likes to be disappointed. Soon enough, however, a cheerful boy who looked a year or so older than him sat down across the small table. He had a big friendly smile that put Thorne's fluttering heart at ease almost immediately.
"I wasn't! I was waiting for anyone who wanted to play~!" He mirrored Kody's smile - and then his movements, setting his pieces out on his side of the board neatly. They each made a satisfying click when he set them down, and when he was done he looked back up at his opponent.
"I'm Thorne. I saw you during Quidditch tryouts, right?" He'd really only been there for MJ and Orla, but he'd paid attention at least.
That said, he flicked his first piece onto the board, aiming for that coveted middle.
Last Edit: May 22, 2023 21:32:43 GMT 10 by Thorne Perry
Post by Kody Ashworth on May 22, 2023 22:36:59 GMT 10
First roll!
Kody watched the stone move into place and let out a sigh. The first few moves were always intense, for some reason. He nodded at Thorne and smiled, "Yeah! Are you a Quidditch fan? Did you try out as well?"
Now it was his turn to flick a stone.
"I tried out for my house team and luckily I was accepted. I was a bit nervous since my first try-out didn't go so well..." Technically the second one didn't either but he was happy to have a role.
Looking at the table, Kody figured there was no need for him to worry too much about where his first stone would go. As long as it landed on a spot on the board, he would be happy. Still, he took a second to line it up before he flicked.
Hie eyes followed the stone as he watched to see where it would land.
Post by Thorne Perry on May 23, 2023 9:28:06 GMT 10
"I didn't-I actually don't really like Quidditch." Sometimes it felt like blasphemy or treason to admit that, with some of the other students' reactions. He looked at the board as he spoke.
"I went to support my friend MJ! She made the Ravenclaw team!" And he was very proud of her, too! Even if he didn't care too much for the game itself.
"Good luck this season!" Just not more good luck than Ravenclaw. He reached out and flicked his next Gobstone into place, watching as it rolled onto the board.
Post by Kody Ashworth on May 23, 2023 14:27:14 GMT 10
Kody laughed at Thorne's answer, but not unkindly. More, he was slightly surprised and yet not at the same time.
"It's okay! My siblings aren't very fond of Quidditch either. They came along to try-outs to support more though which was awesome." He remembered their banner with a fond smile. Kody hadn't had a chance to thank them for it yet.
But it was thanks to them, he thinks, that he had the luck to get a spot on his team.
"Ohhh? Ravenclaw, huh? I'll have to keep an eye out for them then." Kody didn't know if MJ was a boy or girl but knew they were now his Quidditch rival.
He smiled as Thorne said good luck and rolled his next stone, nodding, "And good luck to you too. This game is just getting started!"
Not that he was trying to be mean but Kody could be competitive too.
After all, who enjoyed losing?
Lining up his next Gobstone, he looked over the board. Most of the stones had landed on the outside spots so far... It would be nice to get closer to the middle and score some serious points. He frowned in concentration, his tongue sticking out a little (which made him look silly but it wasn't like he would notice) and flicked.
Post by Thorne Perry on May 23, 2023 21:30:20 GMT 10
"That was really nice of them!" Thorne offered earnestly, without looking up from the board. He watched Kody's gobstone roll to a stop, trying to remember all the things his papa and grandad had ever said about trajectory and angle, pressure and....something even about wind resistance, but Papa always did take things like that maybe a smidge too seriously at times.
"Do you play gobstones with your brothers and sisters a lot?" He asked as he flicked out his next stone, aiming once again for the middle of the board. He was honestly having more fun having a normal conversation than he was with the game itself!
To each their own, after all!
"I know it's supposed to be a kids game, but my grandad and papa still play each other a lot. Mummy makes them play outside on account of the smell, though."
Post by Kody Ashworth on May 23, 2023 22:14:05 GMT 10
"Yeah! They're really awesome, I'm really lucky to have them as my siblings." Kody said, watching Thorne line up his next shot. It seemed they were both favouring one side of the board right now, which was kind of amusing.
"No, not really. I don't think we've even talked about it before but the tournament sounded like a lot of fun so I wanted to try it out." Kody smiled and shrugged. Gobstones wasn't exactly a popular sport (not like Quidditch) but he felt it had its own merits.
For one, no risk of real injury -- except to someone's pride when they lose. The stinky liquid inside the Gobstones was legendary, after all.
"Your family sounds awesome. Does your grandpa live with you? My grandparents don't but they visit a lot. We were supposed to go to the Quidditch World Cup together during the summer but then it got cancelled..." Kody grumbled the end of his sentence, clearly still annoyed about that.
With a slight pout, it was his turn again. Kody hoped he could help fill the other side of the board... Or maybe even the middle? Anything but a one pointer would be awesome!
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