A Fresh Start

[Loren Hayes]

Loren placed her Comet on the muddy grass next to the trembling trunk that contained the four quidditch balls, the lock on the heavy lid strained as usual as the bludgers thrashed about in their shackles, desperate to break out into the cold November sunshine. The sky was cloudless and a pale blue - the perfect conditions for quidditch.

Of course, today Ravenclaw would be more than just playing. Several weeks ago Professor Starsmore had approached Loren in the common room to tell her that, upon Helia finishing school, Loren had become the new Ravenclaw quidditch team captain. At first she had been reluctant - head of the team and Quadwizard champion for Ravenclaw? - but now the prospect had become ever more exciting. Today had made her particularly giddy as she had posted a notice up in the common room last night informing Ravenclaws to come and try out for the new team, including all the old players.

Ravenclaw are going to win it this year, she thought determinedly as she tied her long dark hair back into a pony tail. A dark blue shape suddenly shot over the higher stands - obviously the first Ravenclaw to come and try out. And not the last I hope.


Chasers: Russell Parkhurst, Charlie Ackers, Loren Hayes (Captain)
Beaters: Parker Chittenden , Alenna Isador Winters (Inactive?), Mildred Stone
Keeper: Adriana Kent
Seeker: Andrea Riley

[rileybabe]

Andie waved to Loren as she flew out on her Firebolt. "Hey Captain!" she greeted with a cheery wave. "You ready to flatten the other teams?" she asked as she approached.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell had been up late again the night before, so stumbled onto the pitch. He looked and saw only Loren, their new captain, and Andrea. He walked towards them, trying his hardest to keep his heavy feet underneath his as much as possible. When he reached where Loren was standing, Rus flopped onto the grass and closed his eyes.

"Morning Captain!" he said, trying his hardest to sound enthusiastic, "congratulations on that, by the way, and Quadwizard Champ, you really are going up in the world." Russell still had his eyes closed but smiled at Loren none the less. Feeling himself falling asleep, he jumped to his feet, dropping his broom with Lorens.

He grabbed her hand and waist and began to dance around energetically, humming a strange tune. He smiled at Loren after spinning around a few times, stopped. He bowed low and breathed, "thanks for the dance, my lady. Much obliged." He stood up again and winked at Andrea, "great!" he added, "now I'm more awake."

[Loren Hayes]

'I hope so,' Loren chimed excitedly as Andie flew onto the pitch. 'We definitely need to sort this team out though - it's such a mess. We've got replacements this way and that, subs are playing more than some of the actual players, and I've really had enough of those cold showers. I'm complaining to O'Donnell. We need hot water or we'll all get colds right before our most important match knowing my luck...'

Just as she finished ranting, Russell came onto the pitch looking pleased with himself as usual. She smiled sheepishly as he went over her new achievements. He was not the first one to do that today and it was feeling better with each new person. 'Haha, yes, I suppose I am!' Loren said without modesty, grinning. 'Ill do us all proud, I think. I've been gathering my nerves... and good, another chaser!' she said, quickly changing to topic. 'I take it you want to stay, Rus -' Loren was cut short as Russell pulled her into a little dance, and she shook her head, laughing in embarrassment as they twirled around for a moment. 'Yes, thank you, Mr Parkhurst!' She giggled as they finished up.

Still smiling, Loren turned to Andie. 'You still up for the role of Seeker, girlie?'

[rileybabe]

Andie laughed "Do you honestly have to ask?" she inquired, "Of course I'm still up for Seeker! You won't get rid of me that easily!"

[Loren Hayes]

'Good, good,' Loren nodded at Andie, smiling. Putting a hand to her eyes to block the sun, Loren scanned the sky and stands to see if any other Ravenclaws were loitering, perhaps nervous about trying out or meeting the older members of the team. Come on. Since when did Ravenclaw become so hateful of athletics?

Turning back to Andie and Russell, Loren approached the trunk and unlocked the two heavy chains. As she lifted the lid the bludgers immediately leaped to life inside. 'Whoa, steady on!' Loren laughed at them. 'It's not your turn yet...'

Gripping the snitch tightly in her fist, Loren took it out and handed it to Andie. 'Want to do a few laps to warm up, Andie? I don't think it's had a good fly all summer.' She plucked the quaffle from it's hole. 'You and me, Rus?' she requested.

[Adriana Kent]

Adriana walked hesitantly out onto the pitch, her broom in hand. She had overheard people talking in the common room about a try out for the house quidditch and, although not the greatest player out there, she thought she would at least try her hand at the sport. There were already a few people out there and though she didn't know who they were exactly, she couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the lot.

The girl who seemed to be in charge of the group was saying something to the others, but just what was being said, Adriana couldn't quite hear. She continued her way over to the group hoping to get close enough to actually know what was being said.

[rileybabe]

Andie was just about to release the snitch when she noticed a girl enter the Quidditch Pitch. "Hey Loren, look." she pointed with her finger, "Maybe it's someone coming to try out?" she flew down to the girl and stopped in front of her. "Hi. You here to try out?" she asked the girl, then pointed around to everyone to introduce them. "That's" -Andie pointed to Loren- "Loren Hayes, she's our Captain and one of our Chasers, "Russel Parkhurst" - she pointed to Russell- "He's also a Chaser." And finally, she pointed to herself. "And I am, Andie Riley, Ravenclaw Seeker, at your service." she gave a mock bow, and grinned at the newcomer.

[Adriana Kent]

Adriana was a little unnerved by the girl flying down in front of her, however she pretended not to be by simply smiling slightly. When asked whether she was there to try out, Adriana began to say that 'yes, she was in fact coming to try out' but the girl continued so quickly that she didn't get the chance. Adriana wasn't the least bit concerned, however, because she was then introduced to everyone there. The girl who had flown over to greet her was named Andie, she learned, and as ostentatious as that bow had been, the girl seemed nice.

Adriana smiled more broadly and she waved shyly to everyone. She shuffled her feet a little, but finally said, "I'm Adriana Kent. It's nice to meet you all".

[rileybabe]

Andie nodded slightly. "Adriana... That's a lovely name. Well Adriana. What position are you hoping for?" She gave the girl a smile.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell had sat down next to the trunk and leaned against it. Shutting his eyes, he had folded his arms and fallen asleep. When a particularly violent shudder erupted from the trunk, Russell was awake and on his feet in time to hear Loren's suggestion.

Bending down, he picked up his own broom and Loren's, offering it to her as he said, "sure! Let's get a bit of exercised in before I fall asleep again." This last bit was said softly, and to himself. Then he heard Andie's voice floating towards him from his back. He turned and saw Andie on the ground and another younger Ravenclaw. "And maybe she can join use," he said, looking back at Loren and nodding towards the two girls a little distance off.

[Adriana Kent]

"Well, I guess I hope to be keeper," Adriana said in reply to Andie's questioning. "Or maybe chaser or beater or whatever you need most. I'm equally... "skilled", I guess you'd say, in all three being as I've barely played any of those positions." Her smile turned quite bashful as she continued. "But please, I'd love to join and I know I can definitely do well once I've gotten a little practice under my belt."

Her cheeks flushed at the realisation that perhaps she'd given out a little too much information as to her skills or lack thereof. She would have to remember not to say so much next time she got nervous.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Brianna walked up a narrow stair case in the stands that took her to the very back. Walking along the back row, Bree watched the students that had already arrived. She had made a list of all Loren complaints and had promised to get on them as soon as she could.

But for now, she would content herself by watching the rising star, Ms Hayes, try wangle her first quidditch team practice. And this was no ordinary practice either, for it was a try out to boot. She happily seated herself in the shade of one of the towers that encircled the pitch. From there, she could quite happily watch how they go along.

[rileybabe]

Andie was about to answer Adriana when she saw Professor O'Donnell seated in the shade of one of the towers that housed the spectators. "Hey guys, look. It's Professor O'Donnell!" she called to the rest of the team, then, snitch still in hand, flew over to the professor. "Good morning professor. How are you?"

[Loren Hayes]

'Cheers, Russell...' Loren said as she took her broom from him. She was about to mount it when she saw Andie talking to a new girl who had obviously just arrived on the pitch, and Loren got off, walking over to the two of them just in time to hear Adriana's suggestions. Loren took hold of the girls hand, shaking it firmly. She was in the common room that time, she girl thought, remembering the weird memory with the book. 'Nice to meet you properly, Adriana,' she smiled welcomingly.

Loren could see the girl was slightly nervous now. 'Well if you're not sure yet then why don't you play keeper for now? You can usually watch from the sidelines in a position like that, but it'll show you enough.' Loren turned to Russell. 'Me and you'll do a few passes up the pitch toward Adriana in goal, alright? Don't worry, we won't be too brutal...' Loren smiled at her reassuringly.

Andie had flown up to Professor O'Donnell who had just appeared in the stands. The Ravenclaw captain gave the woman a heart waves before mounting her broom and signaling for Russell and Adriana to get into position.