[Quid.Prac] Up and Running. [Hufflepuff Team]

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie had her day packed. It had started off with three classes back to back, all of which she was pounded with homework. Then off to lunch, in which Ellie had managed to spill her apple juice all over her yellow tie. Annoyed, she was late to her last class of the day because she had gone up to the common room to change her tie, only to find that her ink well had split all over the homework she had finished last night in anticipation of the quidditch practice she was holding tonight. Now that time that would have been used to go over plays and such before prefect duties and the practice were used to recopy all the ruined homwork. Not to mention her prefect duties were just plain annoying, seeing as Ellie had to deal with stupid little problems. She actually had to tear a frozen boy out of the arms of the statue of the humpback witch. Ellie was tired.

Now, as she walked down to the pitch, her broom in hand, and her wand in the other pointed backwards at the create full of quidditch supplies, Ellie was actually enjoying the peace and quiet of the moment. She was sure that once the practice started, the stress would again fall on her shoulders. But Ellie was sure she could handle it.

After all, they were playing against Slytherin. Hufflepuff had previously played Slytherin, and they had lost because Ellie, once a seeker, had failed to catch the snitch. Maybe because she realized it was better, or maybe because Ellie never wanted to be that humiliated again, but she had switched positions to chaser.

Ellie reached the pitch and placed the trunk on the ground and layed her broom on top of it. She looked at the pitch, untouched. She smiled. The sun was just going down and the heat of the day was fading. Ellie had made sure to wear sweatpants and a sweat shirt under her flying robes, and though they would slow her a bit in practice, she was sure once the weight was lifted in the game she would fly better. She reached up and redid the messy bun her hair was in tighter so that it wouldn't fall out in the wind of flying.

She looked at the sky, it must be close to six. Ellie glanced at the entrance to the pitch, wondering where her team was. Had they all seen the sign? She hoped so, with a sigh, just picked a stray twig from her broom and waited.

[Nancy Wolfe]

The castle was full of white ponies galloping on thin air, leprechauns giving impish grins and chuckling as they offered Nancy a huge black cauldron full of Galleons and Knuts and as she turned to look around, she saw all the students of the castle reuniting, happy once again. How could she know they were happy before though? She had transferred to Hogwarts mid-war. It was a dream, an obvious dream, but the little appearing black spot of reality seemed to be rolling into her delightful dream and she scrambled to try and keep the last remaining rainbows in her line of vision if just for a few more seconds. She was in vain, as soon she found herself back in reality, a reality where there shouldn't be dragons and crazy things going on.
As she lazily opened her eyes, Nancy rolled her head on the pillow to look at either side of her to see the dorm room with empty beds and nobody in sight. Perfect. Stretching, so her arms grabbed onto the headboard as she looked oddly like a cat, she yawned before sitting up in bed and scratching the back of her messy dull red hair. It had gradually begun to go back to her usual preferred colour since the thing with the paper child and the paper dragon but it still had to brighten up.

Pushing off her blanket, she saw the opportunity and seized it. The music in her head began to play and she stood on the bed, her tiny frame nowhere near the ceiling and she jumped and danced about to the tune playing in her head, even singing rather obnoxiously.
"Everybody sing like it’s the last song you will ever sing! Tell me, tell me, do you feel the pressure now? Everybody live like it’s the last day you will ever see! Tell me, tell me, do you feel the pressure now?"
It was by the end of this chorus that she had enough and had decided it was time to get ready for her class. Sighing at her own monotonous forseen future she went to potions class. It had been a rather class lacking day, usually her days were packed with classes and then homework but there was just one day off a week where she had just one class just before lunch, which in her mind was great for having a lie in and for having a chilled afternoon.
She couldn't wait to get out of class and it was as she was dashing past she noticed a sign. Stopping and stepping backwards a few paces, she read the sign, grinned and sped off again before skidding into the common room and squealing.

Tonight was her first ever Quidditch practice.

She jumped in the shower and then got changed into a pair of three quarter black leggings and a short denim skirt along with a wizard band t-shirt and a pair of flat shoes with skulls on. Flinging on her jacket she decided she had a couple of hours to spare so she would go and bug Via and ask her about a Herbology thing she needed to know about Mimbulus Mimbletonia or something like that. Via would know.
"So, if I was to poke it, it would squirt green crap at me?" Nancy said, inching a finger towards the plant that Via was currently pruning over before Via pushed her hand away more in protection of the plant.
"Trust me, it stains for weeks, no magic can get it off and i've tried" she spoke softly as Nancy's face scrunched up as she eyed the plant.
"Okay, I trust you. So, I mean why does it do it?" she asked, pretty much getting her homework question answered. Why not?
"It's a defence mechanism. In truth, its small spikes are not actually their defence, they just give a visual warning to predators to back off. If you touched their spikes they would bend with ease and probably even snap off. DON'T try it, it hurts them... but if something is nasty enough to still attack it, this green gloop squirts out and they have a pretty good aim even when they don't try"

"Oh. How interesting[/i]" Nancy replied, inwardly rolling her eyes. She didn't understand how Via could enjoy Herbology, she found it extremely boring and un-necessary, but someone had to do it.
"Oh shoot, gotta run. Thanks for the info Via, catch ya later!" Nancy shouted as she sped off out of the first greenhouse and up towards the quidditch pitch. Gasping she stopped just before the entrance to the quidditch pitch and doubled over, placing her hands on her knees and coughing slightly at the speed she had gone. She could see Ellie in her peripheral vision and she smiled and jogged up to her before giving her a hug.
"Hey up Captain! Remind me not to run all the way here just before a practice next time, will you?"

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[Paige Matthews]

Paige Matthews barely knew the first thing about Quidditch. So when someone told her she should try out for the team, she laughed. That was the last thing she wanted to do, but then the idea of her getting on a broom stick and screwing up spectacularly made her thing twice. She could do worse than anyone in the history of Quidditch. Paige had never really known anything about flying could barely work a broom, or at least that's what happened when she took flying lessons at school.

So the day of try-outs she made her way to the pitch, though it took her a few minutes to find it never having been there. Eventually she got there and when it came time for her turn on the broom she prepared herself for a miserable failure. That's now what happened though somehow she actually managed to fly like an expert, swerving in and out in the air, dodging other players. Paige it seemed was a natural on a broomstick.

That's how she managed to make the team as a beater. Which was why at this time she could be found in her room changing into her robes. This was to be her first practice session with the rest of the team. Her family had already heard about the good news thanks to her sister Rosalind. There were lots of congratulations even from her but Paige thought there was a tiny bit of jealousy mixed in.

Finishing up she made her way out to the field and found that so far she was the first one there besides Ellie the captain and Nancy another player. "Hey cap, where's everyone else?" even though she figured Ellie probably wouldn't have that answer.

[Caleb Holden]

Caleb finished lacing his trainers in his room. He made sure to double-knot them, planning on jogging over to the Pitch for practice. Beside him, his owl played with a piece of parchment in which he had scribbled his excuse for not meeting his sister at their designated time like usual. He didn't have the guts to send it while he was still within the castle walls, however.

He had had only one class that day, before lunch even, so the excitement for the one and only Hufflepuff team practice had begun building since lunch. He hadn't had much of an appetite, just pushing his food round in circles on his plate. Finally, he decided that his daily workout would help him calm down, which it did. Being outside and running numbed Caleb's mind in ways that homework could not, even though he needed to say on top of that. He had returned indoors and showered, though finding it utterly pointless because he was going to practice soon anyway.

"Fiona," he spoke to the owl in a sharper tone than normal, "Bring this to Cassie. Then, stay out of her reach. She'll most likely turn on you." He was weary of his sister's angry, and sometimes violent, bouts when things did not go her way. Well, she was just going to have to live with it, he reasoned.

Flying robes went on over the track pants and white t-shirt that Caleb was wearing. Practical clothing, nothing to get in the way and was either warm enough or cool enough. Grabbing his broom off of his bed, he proceeded out of the castle to the grounds, jogging to warm up his muscles, though they felt rather stretched from his afternoon run already. He kept the nervous excitement at bay, just concentrating on where he was going and contemplating some of the offensive plays he knew and the team might be using. Although it was his first time on the Hufflepuff team, Caleb thought that he was up for the task.

Reaching the door to the Pitch, he saw some of the members standing there. Slowing down from his jog, he walked over to his teammates. "Captain," he said, nodding in acknowledgment to Ellie, giving her a cheek grin after. He figured that they were waiting for the rest of the team. Caleb was itching to get started already, but he would have to be patient.

[Ellie Rook]

The sun had just started to set. Ellie was glad that the days became longer as spring came. Ellie watched as she saw the first figures of her team enter the pitch. The first was Nancy Wolfe. Ellie had been glad to add her to the team. She was spunky and quick witted, just what Ellie needed for a seeker. Greeted with a hug, Ellie smiled, noticing the girl was out of breath. Ellie laughed. "Don't run here before practice." She reminded the girl. "You're going to be kind of on your own tonight Nancy. I got a lot to go over with the team." Ellie said, bending down to open the chest. She took out the golden snitch and placed it in Nancy's hand. "But I want to say something, I didn't do so hot last season as Seeker. Do better then me, huh?" Ellie asked, more hopeful then anything. Ellie was still kicking herself for losing that game. She was going to get her team back to the top and win some House points!!!

The next player to come up was a last minute add on. Paige Matthews was another Hufflepuff that had a lot of spunk that Ellie needed on her team. She was a natural on the broom, and Ellie couldn't believe that she hadn't played before. Looking for a little more experience, Ellie had chosen another beater. However, in a moment of need when Ellie lost the guy she had originally chose, Paige had happily stepped in to filling the open beater spot after a last minute over look. Ellie had been so grateful to the girl, and she couldn't express it more. "They're coming, I hope." Ellie said with a smile. She wished she had remembered her watch. She didn't know the exact time. "Make sure you stretch out girls, I don't need you sore for the game." Ellie said, thinking of avoiding all the trouble she needed.

Jogging into the pitch was Caleb Holden. A year younger then Ellie, Ellie couldn't help but think he was rather good looking. Ellie didn't usually like the sports types, but Caleb had the light complexion Ellie liked. She smiled as her jogged up to her. "Evening Caleb." Ellie nodded in return. Caleb was one of Ellie's long shots. He had tried out well, but it was his first time on the team. Ellie was sure he would do well.

Ellie stood around waiting for more of the team. They better have good excuses if they were going to be late, or not come at all. Ellie picked up her broom and waved her hand to gather the three teammates she had together. "Ok, well, we can't waste the light. If the Slytherins hadn't spent so much time out here today, we might have had a good time." Ellie muttered under her breath. "So, why don't you get up in the air and take a few laps to get used to the pitch. Nancy, when you want you can let the snitch go, and well...catch it... Ok, lets go." Ellie said, waiting for her teammates to kick off, hoping she was going to catch a few more players coming in to the pitch before she kicked off herself.

[Alice Simmons]

For someone so small Alice was a very determined person and as her elder step-brother Dax had always said ‘When it comes to Quidditch Alice you need to have a strong will and determination’ and that was something that the small Hufflepuff had in fistfuls. When she had attended the try out it was not if she got the position as keeper but when! Admittedly she was not all that skilled on a broom when it came to weaving in and out of the other players (which would be the reason she was not a chaser) but when it came to protecting those three tall hoops she was willing to fling her self any way to defend the Hufflepuff pride.

This determination to play Quidditch and protect the goal hoops was clearly not enough to get her down to the Quidditch pitch on time as by the time she had collected all her stuff together Marcus was kindly pointing out to her that practise started ten minutes ago. But Alice being Alice she tried to prove her best friend wrong with some ludicrous statement and calmly walking out of the common room, a though as soon as she was on the other side of the threshold she was running full pelt towards the Quidditch pitch where most of the team had already assembled.

“Evenin all!” Alice grinned with a wave as she approached her captain. “Were do you want me skippa? I ain’t done anythin like this before.”

[Paige Matthews]

Paige was just so pleased to be on the team. The sad part was she wasn't first choice, Paige knew why even if no one would tell her. Lack of experience did count for some things. That wasn't something that could be helped but the girl was a quick learner if it was something she was interested in. Once she got a taste of life on a broomstick she wanted more and more. So she knew if given the chance mastering this game and making her team proud would be easy work. Rosa had tried to help her by getting books about the game. Beaters needed to keep an eye out at all time, the bludgers were tricky devils and they enjoyed trying to knock people off their brooms. Beaters had to be strong, and willing to inflict damage if necessary. Despite feeling thankful for the books Paige thought the best way to learn was by doing so that's what she was out here for.

Ellie was super cool and Paige felt glad that she was her captain. Especially after Ellie let her on the team. She told them that they needed to stretch, so she did just that and watched as another team member appeared. That was good there were only a few more people they were waiting for then then could get up in the air.

Caleb walked onto the field and Paige simply smiled and waved finishing up her stretches. Unfortunately the rest of the team still hadn't shown yet and it was getting later. Paige just wanted to get up there and and start flying. Turning this way and that she tried to see if anyone else was walking toward the pitch. In the distance she did eye someone a girl but she couldn't make out a face just yet.

In the meantime Ellie realized the lateness of the hour and told them to get to flying taking laps around the pitch. This was definitely what she wanted so she grabbed her broom and threw one leg over the handle. Taking off up into the air Paige felt the wind whip through her hair as she rose higher and higher up inti the air. Following the Pitch she started to do her laps. It was the most exhilarating thing ever to be up there. If someone didn't experience this first hand no kind if explanation could do it justice. Paige was so at ease up there it was obvious she was born to do this.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie was worried that her first practice was going down the drain. Not many people had shown up. Apparently her team wasn't as dedicated as she thought. She watched the few players she had in the air. She wished she could just get up and join them, but she figured she should wait and see who else was going to show up.

Ellie smiled when she saw their keeper coming over the hill. Ellie was taking yet another chance on the smallest person on their team. Usually the seeker was the tiny one, however, Ellie had to admit that Alice's hand eye coordination was brilliant. No one else could stand up to her at try outs. As Alice reached the captain, Ellie pointed toward the goal hoops. "Better get your feel for that quaffle. Since we don't have enough for a scrimmage we'll be just shooting tonight. Good practice for you, so go get warmed up." Ellie said, patting the girl on the back.

Ellie tapped her foot on the grass of the pitch. She would wait two more minutes. If no one else showed, she was going to finish up her practice and then reek hell on their lives back in the common room so they would never again miss a practice on her watch.