[#7] Match 2 - Ravenclaw vs Hufflepuff

Amber had slept soundly last night, probably due to the exhausting day she had yesterday. And she guessed the Founder’s Frivolity actually had worked wonders, leaving her so relaxed afterwards that she fell to sleep as soon as she snuggled under the duvet in her cosy bed, with no time to dwell on any concerning thoughts on Quidditch – and despite her dormmates talking late into the night about the dance lesson and boys.

However, her action-packed day led to her having a strange dream involving trees on fire, sheep flying and her dancing around it, while Joshua tried to extinguish the fire, dousing everything and everyone in the process. Oddly enough, this dream left Amber feeling rather exhilarated, brimming with excitement for her upcoming match.

Never had she been so fast and early down for breakfast as she was today. She wolfing down some toast and tea before quickly making her way to the Quidditch pitch, sometimes even skipping a few steps.

Amber entered the change room with her broom in hand and took a quick look around before deciding to change into her Quidditch robes.

As she realised last night that her her tucked-up hair hadn’t been in the way during the dance, she decided to put her two pigtails up into two cute buns on the back of her head. The fewer distractions while riding a broom, the better, right?

Amber pulled on her gloves, making some grabbing movements with them as warm up. However, with them settled in their rightful place, Amber was prepared for the match – at least physically, as now the nervousness started to settle in.

An empty feeling in the pit of her stomach began to form, despite her having had breakfast earlier. Her heart pounded faster as she looked at the entrance.

It was her first match, of course she would be nervous. Right now, though, she had no idea how to calm down. Perhaps a few deep breaths? Damn, she wished her friends were here. The two Hufflepuff boys knew how to lighten up her mood. Although, she would soon see them – on the pitch.

Amber couldn’t help herself but grin at the thought, however, her nervousness still clung to her.

Sophia hurried from the castle, but stopped at the top of the slope of the Expansive Lawns. She dropped her broomstick (sorry, my precious!) and shoved hands into her wet, violet hair to try and control it. With a huff, she gave up on that and retrieved her broomstick.

Pausing, with a smirk tugging at her lips, Sophia peered around. No one was watching, right? Did she dare? There wasn't time to have regrets, so she quickly mounted her broomstick and flew up -- then towards the Pitch, and down. Ignoring some shouts of surprise, she ran the rest of the way to the Hufflepuff area.

Bursting inside, a bit out of breath more from the fact she was freshly-woken rather than an insult to her fitness, Sophia could finally count herself as luck.

For you see... Sophia had, in her rather dramatic opinions, made the biggest mistake of her life this morning.

She'd overslept.

Apparently, Martha woke up rather suddenly from a Quidditch-induced bad dream -- and fell out of bed. The noise of it, even startling poor Bartlebee, still wasn't enough to stir Sophia. It was still too early for most of the castle to be up, but even half-asleep Martha knew Sophia should have been down at the Pitch already.

So naturally, what came next was the worst. And resulted in lots of complains / yelling from their dorm-mates too -- as Martha did her duty as a bestie, and got Sophia's tired butt out of bed. Yanking the duvet was harsh enough, but then came threats of the Water-Making Charm when Sophia protested; her brain too sleepy to register it was a QUIDDITCH day.

By the time she did realise her profound mistake, a drenched Sophia was grumpily locating her Quidditch robes in the dim dormitory. She grabbed her broomstick, gave Martha a squishing hug and kiss on the cheek in gratitude (and a bit of payback since she was still soaked) and fled the Basement.

Now she could shower properly, and get changed. But most of her time was spent in front of her locker mirror, glaring at her hair. She gripped the edges of the locker and focused intently on her appearance. Bit by bit, her hair began to shrink. The result was the same colour, but now a pixie cut. Hairstyles weren't something she was as practiced with though, so it was a bit of a wild pixie cut but she rather liked its spikiness. 

That should keep her hair out of her face, and couldn't be grabbed. Slytherins were the worst, but Ravenclaws were not to be underestimated. Yawning widely, she moved to sit on a bench and hoped her hair thing hadn't sapped some of her valuable energy. She'd completely forgotten to grab Breakfast, but that was okay. Sophia brought a stash with her that she always prepared before a Quidditch day in case of emergency.

[OOC: Martha mentioned with permission.]

"Your hair looks exciting today!", Joshua grinned widely as he spotted Sophia.

She had done a practical hair style today and he felt rather impressed by her ability to do so. Soph was impressive, overall.

"Alright, Soph?", he asked.

He hadn't seen her at breakfast and he hoped a little chit-chat could help calm his own nerves.
His palms were rather sweaty, any time he thought about the fact that this was his first official Quidditch match and his debut as Keeper.

MJ hopped up and did her best, "CAW! CAW! CAW!"

And she was glad to see Joe showing up! MJ went over and put an arm around his shoulder, "Giant Quaffle? I don't know much about dreams and their meanings but that has to be a good sign for us, right Amber?"

She had a lot of confidence in her team-mates and felt that this could be their year to hold aloft the Quidditch trophy.

MJ wanted so badly to be the champions... She could feel it vibrating in her bones. Releasing Joe, she faced her team-mates and smiled.

"I didn't have any prophetic dreams but I slept soooo good. I went into the Forest last night with Professor Rivera so I was ready to knock out by the time we got back." MJ laughed and went over to inspect her broom just to double-check everything was perfect for the match.

She still planned to brew some broom polish over the Christmas holidays.

Madam Graysteel checked over the lineup board, seen by staff and the Commentator, Casey, when it was time to get started. It wasn't for anyone else to view, so not even the teams playing today wouldn't know that there weren't any changes until it was time to play. 

Anticipation was high -- broken by the arrival of owls for anyone with a subscription to the Daily Prophet, or expecting mail from home. They flew into the rooms as if in the Great Hall itself. The weather didn't seem to hinder them too much, as there were no packages or urgent letters.

Once they'd done their job, the owls took flight back into the cloudy sky. The changing rooms atmosphere returned to what it was before, apart from those reading over the Daily Prophet.

Excitement was high for the second match, especially without awful weather to contend with. The stands and towers filled with the match's eager audience of students and various visitors or Hogwarts staff. There was a bit of a chill in the air, of which the height of the stands didn't help with, but many were bundled up warmly regardless.

Energy was very high; everyone anticipated a great match, even if this time it wasn't between the two rivals teams. Ravenclaw had a bit of a reputation for being exceptional at Quidditch, especially with the growing reputation of their young star player -- Jonathan King.

Madam Graysteel elevated the excitement as she carried the Quidditch box onto the grassy field. She was dressed in black and purple referee robes, with standard goggles in place, and a whistle chain around her neck.

Professor McGonagall was in the main / commentator's tower, more commonly known as the loud box, seated beside 4th year Ravenclaw, Casey -- who had commentated every match last year, and would continue to this year. They were wrapped in two house scarves, and decorated in as many Ravenclaw colours as McGonagall permitted.

They barely sat still in excitement, holding the magical microphone in one hand while admiring the points box in front of them. Matches were always fun, but it was an added bonus that each time was a different set of houses playing.


When McGonagall gave Casey the nod of approval, they jumped up in excitement.

'Hello everyone, and welcome to Hogwarts' second Quidditch game of the season,' Casey said, their voice magnified for everyone to hear -- including in the team tunnels. 'Today's game is Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff!'

Cheers erupted round the pitch, so loud it was hard to tell where it started or which team was louder. There were countless banners being waved, and many painted faces despite the approach of the cold season. Some Hufflepuff 6th year boys even painted their chests, which they would surely regret as the cold day wore on.

Three house stands were absolutely packed, though the Slytherin stands had some noticeable gaps and fewer banners or show of support. They remembered last match and how their house was boo'ed more than cheered. Still, there were avid Quidditch players among them, or relatives / friends of those playing. Or simply students who had nothing better to do anyway.

Casey's words were also the cue everyone waited for. Team players were to mount their brooms and fly out of the tunnels. Whatever their entrance or formation, Casey waited for them to then form a circle above the Quidditch box where Madam Graysteel stood -- Hufflepuff in one semi-circle, facing Ravenclaw as the other.

Each Seeker hovered above their respective team. 

Player posts aren't mandatory in response to this one. Match begins after a few posts, made by anyone who wants to do so. Betting is officially closed. Good luck, everyone!