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OOC: June 12, the day before the End of Year Feast.
Please read this thread before posting!

It is a hot afternoon in June and the pitch is empty, waiting for the two final Quidditch teams to emerge. The sky is clear and bright and the stands buzz with anticipation. Slytherin and Ravenclaw house flags fly high above the arena, flashing silver, green, blue, and bronze.

(Teams, make your entrances!)

(Slytherin - Beater)

Standing at the entrance to the field, Malynda tried to time the hammering of her heart to the stamping of the crowd overhead. They were excited, she could tell by the shaking of the wooden stands as their footfalls sent dust sprinkling down on the teams below. Stretching her neck and rolling her shoulder, Malynda fixed the closures on her gloves so they were tighter. Taking a deep cleansing breath, she turned to her team.

"Alright guys... You have practiced hard and have played harder for a whole year now. We deserve to be here and we deserve to win this. This is my final game and I look forward to winning... So..." She started pointing at various players, issuing, or barking rather, their orders "Ava... Vienna... Jasper, stick together and pass often.... Evie, keep sharp and DONT let them intimidate you... Alex, protect the goal and take out the chasers.... Laney knows what to do and I will protect her and take out the other seeker... Got it?"

Without waiting for an answer, she turned and pointed to the doors as it opened, shouting "Good, then GET YOUR ASSES OUT THERE AND MAKE ME PROUD!" Before jumping on her own broom and ascending to the sky, the sun warm on her face and the cheers of the crowd filling every crevice of her mind.

(Ravenclaw - Beater)

This was it. This is what the team had worked for all year, what Dagan had worked for, for two years. It all came down to one game. His positional goal was simple: injure players, and knock them off their brooms. Or that's the way he saw it. But he had a greater responsibility as captain.

"We've practiced ALL YEAR FOR THIS!" Dagan roared to the other six of his team. "Our drills have been relentless, and they will serve you well. I believe in EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! You're on the team for a reason. You can do it. Dark, watch what I do and I'll do the same. We need to work together and see if we can knock that Irving girl out. Maybe the younger Pascal as well. Chasers, use evasive formations and MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE LANES OPEN! Padmore... you know what to do." He said, looking at each player individually before grabbing his broom.

 "We can do this. Now let's give 'em HELL! RIP OUT THEIR THROATS! EVISCERATE THEIR EGOS! CRUSH THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS! Give em HELL!" Dagan shouted, over enthusiastically and a little scarily. Quidditch was serious business.

(Ravenclaw - Chaser

How he'd managed to swallow a bucketful of cocoons, he wasn't quite sure, but the whole mess of them had hatched out and filled his middle with a mass of quivering moths.  They fluttered in the bottom of his gut, threatening to erupt forward and seek their freedom in the sky above the quidditch pitch. 

His knuckles shone white from his strong grip on the handle of his Cleansweep Aero as he followed Dagan out onto the pitch.  There may be some that found the motivational speeches unnecessary but Sasha tried to extrude all the confidence and encouragement he could from his captain's words.  But, there was something always somewhat intimidating about the Slytherin team.  More than likely, it had something to do with their ruthless willingness to do anything they could to win. 

But, he forced that thought from his mind.  This was it!  Their chance to win!  In a few hours time, the Quidditch House Cup would be there's.  What a wonderful feeling that would be to carry into the summer break.  He nodded in acknowledgment of Dagan's last minute recommendations before mounting his broom.

(Slytherin - Seeker)

With Malynda’s demand to make her proud still echoing, Laney took to the sky, reveling in the familiar rush of wind that swept her hair into her eyes and swallowed her in coolness otherwise absent from the July air. The game, she knew, depended largely on her, and if they lost, it would likely be because she allowed the other seeker to catch the snitch. That outcome was unacceptable. Period.

Rocketing high above the goal posts, so that she could see the Keepers taking their positions, Laney narrowed her eyes and inspected the skyline for glitters of gold. They would come and go in a flash, and at the most unexpected times, as three years on the team had taught her. But this was the moment, her final Quidditch game and the final chance for Slytherin seventh years to exit Hogwarts with a bit of well-earned glory. Slytherin deserved the cup.

“Where are you, Padmore?” Laney murmured to herself, waiting for the other Seeker to mount her broom. The Snitch wasn’t the only thing she was watching for. Nor was Laney the only Slytherin of prey trying to catch Ravenclaw’s mouse.

(Slytherin - Keeper)

Evie nodded at her captain’s instructions. “Just like any other game... just another game.” She hoped that telling that to herself would help calm her nerves.  This was the finals, and Evie was incredibly excited and nervous about it. She looked out onto the field as the team made their way out of their lockers.  She heard the sounds of the fans rush over her like a warm breeze.  Evie couldn’t help but smile as she swung her leg over her broom.

"Good, then GET YOUR ASSES OUT THERE AND MAKE ME PROUD!"

The words still rung in Evie’s mind as she kicked off from the ground.  She flew around a bit first, getting the feeling of her broom before taking her position.  Feeling the warm air around her, she made her way up to her rings. Yes, now that the game was being played, those rings were hers.  Her possessions to keep from being violated. 

(Slytherin - Chaser)

Call it female intuition, or even arrogance, if one will, but Vienna was certain the Ravenclaws are done for today. The Slytherins were faster. They were smarter. They were better. Dagan and his pathetic cronies stood no chance against the house of mighty Salazar. With Malynda’s words still ringing in her ears, Vienna mounted her broom and kicked off into the air.

She surveyed the Ravenclaw goalposts with a predatory smile. Her pale complexion flushed red with excitement. She flew a few laps around the pitch to warm up before taking position in the center field. The thought of losing never even once crossed over her mind. She tightened the laces on her gloves and flexed her fingers.

It was now or never.

(Slytherin - Chaser)

Well, this would be rather interesting, wouldn't it? Jasper gritted his teeth as Mal barked out orders, focused on getting himself in the game. For the first time in what seemed like ages, Vienna wasn't on the forefront of his mind, no, Quidditch was. Bloody, bloody wonderful Quidditch. He cracked a grin, mounted his broom and was off. The Ravenclaws were going down.

Jasper's grip on his Comet 490 - which was a decent, fast broom from 2005, even if it wasn't the latest model or top on the market - was tight but slackened as he got higher and higher. Jasper had a sort of ritual for this, and he circled the stadium four times before coming to a stop to observe. He cracked his knuckles, watching idly as the Keepers got to their posts, and as his own team got set up. They were going to win this. They were going to win this. They had to win this or Jasper would have to join the Wizard Protection Program just to stay away from Mal. Doubtlessly, she'd have no problem destroying him if he missed a single goal. No, today they had to be top of the game and Jasper especially.

(Slytherin - Chaser)

Malynda's pep talk did little to calm everyone's nerves. Though she was giving the impression of having her head totally in the game, and being the inspiring leader everyone knew she was, it was obvious nerves were getting to her too. Afterall, this was her last game, and she - they all - wanted to make this one matter.

Malynda spoke to Ava, Vienna and Jasper, barking orders at them. Ava nodded, swung her leg over her broom and pushed off from the ground with Vienna and Jasper. Ava tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear and grinned as Vienna went to do a warm-up lap of the pitch.

"Keep it tight, Jasper." Ava called out to her teammate. "We all need to keep it tight." She looked at the opponent goal posts and narrowed her eyes, focussing on the task at hand.

(Slytherin - Beater)

As the team flew out into the field, Malynda made her way back to Laney, who was already scanning the opposing team for the other seeker. Floating next to her, her broom in the opposite direction so that her back was to the Ravenclaws, Malynda murmured so only Laney could hear "... Remember, your arms are longer and you are a better flyer... Stick to Padmore like glue. If she sees the snitch first, it shouldn't be too hard to overreach her and steal it...." Grinning as she thought of something funny, she added "And don't be afraid to scare her a little. I hear she is a bundle of nerves."

Patting her friend on the shoulder, Malynda executed a neat barrel roll and reclaimed her position at the front. Staring down each member of the team, particularly the younger ones, with a predatory stare, Malynda smacked her bat into her gloved hand threateningly. When her eyes fell on Dagan, who was looking fired up as usual, she couldn't help but taunt him loudly "Hey Maddox, I hope you drilled your team in how to get their asses kicked!" As far as Malynda was concerned, her confidence was not unfounded. Her team had more experienced players and absolutely no mercy or qualms. It would be a short game.

(Ravenclaw - Beater)

Beatrix Dark's heart was thumping against her chest like she was about to brutally murder someone... Because she probably was. She knew that at one point in this game, she was going to viciously attack one of the other teammates using merely her club. It was against the rules, yes, but Beatrix was the most competitive person one could probably meet on the Quidditch field... Well, almost. For once, Beatrix had cheered along with Dagan's speech rather than roll her eyes and wonder when it would be over. She gripped her newly-bought broom (that she didn't even know the name of, it just flew fast and that's all Bea needed to know) and shook with excitement. Beatrix may be little... But her beater's arm was probably Dagan's best friend. Bea nodded at her directions, knowing that she was going to do that anyways and readied herself to fly out.

"We can do this. Now let's give 'em HELL! RIP OUT THEIR THROATS! EVISCERATE THEIR EGOS! CRUSH THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS! Give em HELL!"

"YEAH!" Beatrix roared, an enthusiastic smile plastered onto her face. If anyone were to actually get in Bea's way, she'd tear them limb from limb. Yes, even her beloved Alexander Snark who had no feelings for her whatsoever. She tightened the rubber bands around her pink pigtails and mounted her broom. This was what she had joined the team for in the first place. This was what she always dreamed of doing. Of course, she would picture herself as a Keeper... But she was much better at being a Beater. Bea wouldn't have even joined the team because of Dagan, really. He was best friends with Mr. Devlin Matthews. But why would she miss this opportunity?

(Ravenclaw - Chaser)

The day of the Qudditch Cup was finally over Hogwarts, as the Ravenclaw and Slytherin team would fight for that golden trophy that the winners would receive. Meg was certainly excited, and a bit apprehensive about the game. She knew that if Ravenclaw won, there would be joyful parties. Yet, if Slytherin won, then their lives would clearly be in hell. Winning was not an option, it was the only solution. She understood this clearly, and thus she really wanted to win.

With the rest of the team, Meg walked onto the pitch, and looked around at the stands which was quickly filling up with people. She smiled at the presence of so many people. She looked back over to Dagan, who yelled encouragement to all of them. "We must win!" she contributed to their growing chorus of yelling. The Ravenclaw team needed to win, since they were practicing brutally for this moment.

(Ravenclaw - Seeker)

It was true. Saffron was renowned for her many fears (of her parents, of her friends, of school, of people, of her kitten, of guys, of just about everything imaginable) and anxieties. Quidditch was no exception. She'd already vomited once from nerves earlier that morning and the shrimpy Seeker was not expecting it to be the last time she vomited today. Later, whether they'd won or lost, she would likely vomit again. It was just one of Saffron's many quirks and strangeness. And by no means was it the worst.

She chewed her bottom lip nervously as she went about her pre-game ritual; adjusting her gloves and wriggling her fingers, stretching her legs and arms. Finally, Saffron cracked her knuckles and licked her left thumb. It was a strange ritual, to be sure, but Saffron had done it ever since her first game and she liked it. Sameness was comforting. "Padmore... you know what to do." Dagan ordered and Saffron nodded solemnly.

One thing that people never expected when they saw her skinny, short, trembling frame was that Saffron was actually good at Quidditch. It was one of the few things that she loved obsessively. Quidditch wasn't Saffron's world, but it came pretty damn close. She looked at her team members. There was Megan, one of her best friends, and Beatrix who - to be perfectly honest - made Saffron's hair stand up on end, there was sweet, romantic Sasha who Saffron was certain had a secret romance with Neely, there was Delilah who she'd never clicked with, and there was Dagan - Dagan, who's eyes she avoided whenever possible. And then there was her, mousy little her. Yes, they were a force to be reckoned with.

At Dagan's words, she mounted her broom with the rest of the team, screaming a loud and high-pitched wordless scream for a few seconds as she raced to the top. Saffron always started at the top. You could see everything. And that was the most important thing to a Seeker and she was excited. Saffron ignored the people - she couldn't focus on them or her stomach would start to get queasy.

She swallowed hard, watching the Slytherin team. They, as per usual, scared the hell out of her. Especially Laney, the other Seeker. Laney, Saffron was convinced, had it out for her. Saffron tightened her grip on her broom. She was going to do this. She was going to catch the snitch before Laney even if it killed her. Even if Laney killed her. Because with faced with Dagan and Laney, Saffron knew she was dead either way. Laney if they won, Dagan if they didn't.

(Ravenclaw - Keeper)

It was the day of the quidditch cup; the final game of the year and it was against Slytherin. Her nerves were running in over drive as she gripped her broom, her hands twisting over the frame of the broom. She was nervous but it always built up like this before she pushed off and was into the air. She never lacked the confidence she needed once she was in front of those hoops. She just needed to let her stomach settle and keep her mind on the game and not the screams of the crowd. The crowd that was rooting for her and the crowd that was rooting for her failure, it all had to be tuned out otherwise her focus would be completely lost.

Delilah wondered if Atticus would be in the stands, but it was a brief thought and not one she let linger because she didn’t need to get any more distracted than she potentially already could. She needed to focus on the game because if she didn’t perform to a standard acceptable by Dagan she might as well expect an angry and annoyed Dagan at her for the majority of the summer.

She took one last moment to adjust her hair, as was ritual for fear of it flying into her face. Delilah mounted her broom and kicked off up into the sky moving quickly to her spot in front of the hoops making sure not to focus on the cheers and the jeers. She felt her heart race but her stomach began to settle as she felt herself settle into her position in front of the hoops. She mentally chanted to herself to focus and remain calm. She drummed her fingers on her broom counting each tap to calm herself, it was ritual. Delilah closed her eyes took a deep breath and opened them once more; she was read.

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As the teams took their position, the referee unlatched the box holding the 4 balls. Immediately the bludgers shot off towards the east and west of the field, circling maliciously as they waited for their prey to move. The small golden snitch shot off like a bullet, quickly disappearing from sight. Picking up the quaffle, the Referee held it in the air and shouted "I want a clean game! GO!" before launching it high in air between the two awaiting teams.

OOC Notes:

From this point on, please post your location on the field alongside your team and position. Use the map below to keep track. Keepers should specify which of the three goals they are closest to (Right, Middle or Left). Be realistic on your abilities to get from one point to another in a single post. Keep posts short and neat, and to the point.