It’s Quidditch Time! – By Lumos and Nox
Hufflepuff V Ravenclaw – 520 – 390
And there we have it! Another day, another game!
It really feels like now the Hogwarts Quidditch season is live, and if you’re still wondering: how do I get into this? What do I know about this? When is Quidditch? How do I bet? Where am I? And most importantly… Who is that person across the mirror?
Well… Fine, since you’re pulling our legs, Lumos and Nox will actually answer these questions before we get into the important stuff.
How do I get into this?
Well, that one is easy, just go to the Quidditch Pitch and don’t be a Demiguise. Grab a broom -a magic one-, learn to fly and… Well, you can learn later if you prefer quaffles, bludgers or snitches.
What do I know about this?
This one is quite personal, mind. What do you know about this? Perhaps stand in front of the mirror and ask the question? You’ve got this, love!
When is Quidditch?
With two games down -Gryffindor vs Slytherin was on the 8th of November with a Snake Victory as a result, and Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw on the 22nd-, only four more are left to go.
Ravenclaw vs Slytherin on the 21st of February, Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff on the 14th of March, Hufflepuff vs Slytherin on the 9th of May, and finally Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw on the 30th of the same month. Who will win the Cup? Well, that’s another question for another time.
How do I bet?
Rumour has it a certain ex-Hufflepuff bookie is still coming to the pitch -and not only to comment on the games. However, said rumour indicates that this year, you will only be able to place your bets until the 21st February of next year.
Where am I?
Oh, darling. Where are you, indeed?
Who is that person across the mirror?
Ah, tricky one. Is it you? Is it… What would you wish the future would look like? Or perhaps your hands? Your face…? Or… Paper? Snow? A ghost!!!
Now that’s sorted, let’s get some insight about the teams!
HUFFLEPUFF TEAM PROFILES:
Some would say Hufflepuffs are the background characters of Hogwarts, steady, smiling, and suspiciously good at minding their own business. But anyone who’s actually stalked watched them operate knows better. These are the students who treat chores like sacred rituals and think moral integrity is a personality trait -allegedly. Approach with caution: they will absolutely 100% guilt-trip you without saying a single word -???
And oh, Merlin, if you try to argue with them, Hufflepuffs don’t fight back -once more, allegedly-; they just stand there disappointed in you, which honestly is surprisingly worse. This secret trump card has been used even on the pitch as well. Will it work again, or will the Ravenclaws just throw their books at them instead? Although let’s be honest, a Ravenclaw would fall on their sword before harming one of their precious books.
1 – Leilani ‘Alley-Oop’ Tamriel: The first Chaser position and the role of captain is for Leilani Tamriel this season. She’s fierce inside and outside of the pitch, and everybody knows to stay away from her very well trained wand. Will she bring the Cup to the Badgers this year? And how will the relationship between her and her Vice-Captain affect the team? Rumour has it they used to date, although that should not be a problem, as she seems more interested in Lions these days.
2 – James “Twinkle-Toes” Matthews: Second Chaser of the Hufflepuff team, as well as the Vice-Captain. With a quiet personality -at least most of the time-, James seems to be a player who truly enjoys simply playing Quidditch. However, said quietness can be easily agitated when the game is not entirely clean, as we’ve seen through the past years. A veteran on the pitch, this Badger does not seem to be afraid to switch his wand for a fist when the situation requires it. Although he didn’t seem to punch anyone last year. And this year, so far.
3 – Lachlan Stewart: Although a reserve for many years, this fifth year chaser is finally ready to play his first game officially. Usually portraying a chill and calm -even shy- demeanour, Stewart seems to radically switch his personality when he’s on the pitch. A cocky side that speaks volumes backed up by his results. Definitely one of the new players to keep an eye on.
4 – Lilith “Vixen” Ashworth: The first Ashworth to officially play a quidditch game this year. Veteran to the game, but new to the position this year, Lilith Ashworth used to be Captain last season. Bringing competitiveness, ambition and determination -yes, she’s a Hufflepuff-, this Beater is ready to prove she can be the best at everything. Rumour has it she’s at least good at keeping the lads interested.
5 – Muriel “The Sweet” Maple: With a shared passion between cooking and quidditch, this fourth year Hufflepuff is the second beater of this roster. Will she be cooking with bludgers too? One thing is for certain, she’ll probably cook trying. Or try cooking? Is the pitch a kitchen? This is getting confusing. But she has a bat, beats and cooks. And also did some experimental chasing. Hopefully beating is her true calling.
6 – Coltrane “Steel Wall” Kerr: The Hufflepuff Keeper for this game is fifth year Coltrane Kerr. New to the team, rumour has it this badger is scared of even his own shadow -and yet, he’s dating a Slytherin, or is he being kidnapped? Does he need help? At least he’s not scared of heights! Or at least his passion for Quidditch is stronger. A fair player that always seems to be trying to make others laugh. And a fun fact about him? He loves the colour pink. Wonder what we get mixing pink and yellow… Pastel orange?
7 – Rei Harker: Probably the tallest Hufflepuff around, Rei Harker is the latest addition to this year’s roster. Taking onto the position of seeker, Harker seems to have a calm and yet impulsive style of playing. Will he make it into the Books of Quidditch History? And most importantly, how will his relationship with the Slytherin Sweetest Penguin Noelle O’Brien be affected, when they play against each other on their last game of the season? The tension! The drama! May can’t come soon enough!
RAVENCLAW TEAM PROFILES:
Ah, the good old Ravenclaws, you could find one of these rare beasts lurking in the library, lost in their own mind, spiraling through theories no one asked for; however, for the sake of this pristine journalism, we’ll call their behaviour “brilliantly obsessive with tendencies of borderline addiction”. Trust me, I’m pretty sure I caught one going through withdrawals last week when they couldn’t find a book insight. Beware, though, question one of their facts, and you’ll trigger a thesis so long it should count as community service. They bring the sharp edge of their house to every debate and every game they play, even if that means leaving you with a few intellectual -and physical if you face them on the pitch- scars, or that’s how the saying goes.
1 – Fraise “Sizzle” Pemberton: Hogwarts’ very own ‘Flower Girl’ is this year’s Ravenclaw Captain. Currently in her fifth year, she’s also the first Chaser of the team, and will do her best to lead the Eagles into victory. Her enemies better not let her floral sweetness fool them, as she will score without mercy, given the opportunity.
2 – Skye Fairwind: This Ravenclaw seventh year is the second chaser of the team and seems to have a lot to talk about. Not to judge, but quite unusual for a Ravenclaw. Was she a Slytherin in another life? Whatever the case, the girl is determined, confident, clever and wants to make sure the Badgers see the stars with their Head of House? Her words, allegedly.
3 – Merryweather Fairbottom: This mysterious Ravenclaw concludes the chasers’ roster. What do we know about Merryweather? She’s merry and fair -potentially. And could be the dark horse of the chasers. One never knows!
4 – Violette “Violent” Twiggs: First beater of the roster, and Vice-Captain of the team, Violette Twiggs seems the type of girl to not let anything to chance. Also in her fifth year, she had previous experience in helping to manage the team, as she held the position last season as well. Prepared for everything, she might even land a bludger before anyone can blink.
5 – Penelope “Bruiser” Bromhead: Another tiny girl that seems to be into… Violence. Her chosen nickname is even ‘Bruiser’. Is there an actual tendency about small girls with big bats? The shorter the height, the higher the violence level? Inverse proportionality at its best. Whatever the case, the second beater of this team formation is definitely someone to look for.
6 – Trin “Hawk” Paige: The Keeper of things -well, hoops, in this case- for Ravenclaw is Miss Paige -no, not the Head Girl, the ‘Other’ Miss Paige. Also a veteran of the team, Trin seems to have a special -and ruthless- sixth sense to catch quaffles. Rumour has it that sixth sense has not been working that well with boys yet. But quidditch is better, no?
7 – Alwyn ‘the Welsh Wind’ Gwynther: Yet another rookie Seeker -although a rookie Ravenclaw student, this time- takes over the pursuit of the Golden Snitch this year. The “Welsh Wind” seems to be analytical in every aspect of his life. Will this help him conquer the Snitch? Perhaps big brain moves are already in motion!
And this concludes our players’ stalking insight.
How did the actual game go?
Now that our lovely readers -I was held against my will to say that- know a little more about the Eagles and the Badgers, we can finally talk about the main event.
If anything can be said about this game, it is that it was a chasers’ game. And Hufflepuff chasers to be precise. The badgers jumped onto the pitch with everything they had, and despite Ravenclaw Keeper Trin Paige’s valiant efforts, Hufflepuff chasers -specially a certain Mr Lachlan Stewart- found a way to score. And Score. And score again. Sometimes with the aid of their violent members of the team too.
The Eagle Beaters did their work -special mention to Penelope Bromhead here-, and despite having rookie Seeker Alwyn Gwynther catching the snitch, Ravenclaw did not see the light and lost the match 520 to 390. Could this be due the loss of their previous chaser star Argyle Demoray? However, they did win in leadership with Miss Pemberton taking over the hard task of making the Eagles fly.
Better luck next time!
“”Winning felt good! Lani’s gameplan worked out quite well.” He seemed to nod thoughtfully, although he was holding a cup that potentially hid his smirk. “I don’t think Gryffindor will pose much of a problem. Their keeper Ben will be too busy chasing the girls to practice…They say his family is cursed anyway…”
-Lachlan Stewart, Hufflepuff Chaser and part-time Seer.
“Was a good match, yeah? Eagles kept it clean, and their new seeker’s fast on that snitch. Obviously, I gotta say it feels good to win by quaffles, but the Eagles didn’t let us get there easy.” He raised an eyebrow when asked about the possibility of winning the Cup. “No reason we couldn’t win the cup, right? But I just focus on the matches as they come, you know? Gryffindor’s beaters are always tough to go against, and Slytherin’s chasers are no joke but, you know, we just gotta go out there and give it everything.”
-James Matthews, Hufflepuff Chaser and Vice-Captain.
“The only thing that hits harder than a Hufflepuff bludger is the scowl on their Head of House’s face. They fought well but bugger it, that woman’s scary as all get out. Although, maybe I should learn to not blow my hot wind around so much or I really will be the Windybottom the announcer was calling me. Which was rude by the way!”
-Merryweather Fairbottom, Ravenclaw Chaser and Connoisseur of Winds.
