[Q. Pitch] Ravenclaw Practice

[Helia Ollivander]

Helia walked ont the pitch. It was early, the light was still grey as the sun began to rise over the horizen. As she breathed her breath froze and clung to the air like a misty cloud.
She knew it was early to be practicing, but this was one of the few times she could get free to have a team practice, and she took every chance she got.
Besides, getting the players used to the cold weather would be helpful in the long run.

She also hoped that anyone that wanted to join the team would have seen the bulletin she posted in the common room the night before, and come down and play also. The team was shaping up to be sure, but there were still a few key pieces of the puzzle missing.

She leaned against her broom with one arm, a yawn escaping her lips as she clung gently to a black binder in the other hand. She wondered just how many players would actually show up... would she be the only one here? She wouldn't be surprised, nor could she blame them. She wasn't much of a morning person either, but sacrifices had to be made on occasion.
And so she waited...

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell spotted Halo walking onto the pitch. He was already on his broom. He had struggled to sleep and so had taken to flying around the castle and the lake. He had just reached the quidditch pitch when Halo stopped walking and leaned on her broom. She hadn't seen him. He circled over her head for a few minutes before deciding to be flashy once again.

Rus streamlined on his broom and sped off towards Halo. He flew past her very quickly the first time then circled back around and flew around her (close to the ground) slowly. "Good morning, oh, fearless leader. So kind of you to brave the coldness at this ungodly hour. Got something interesting planned, I hope."

[Loren Hayes]

Loren tucked her scarf more snuggly into the front of her coat and rubbed her hands together energetically so as to generate some heat. A small notice in the Ravenclaw common room last night had told Loren the team would be meeting this morning for their first practise of the season, and she had quickly jumped to the chance to come and watch them. The Ravenclaw captain - who, Loren realised, was also Head Girl - had strode out onto the pitch first. The older girl was obviously a very experienced Quidditch player, her broomstick hovering obediently at her side without any encouragement.

The wind stirred swiftly and Loren looked up to see someone fly over head at impressive speed, curving in his decent as he spiraled down to the captain. Loren stood up, moving along the stands so as to get closer to them, unable to hear what the boy was saying...

[Helia Ollivander]

'What's that sound...' thought Halo, thinking there was an unusual briskness to the sound of the wind. She looked up, but saw nothing. Just at that moment something flew quickly past her on the right. She turned her head just in time to see the the tail of a broom pull around behind her. She turned around and found herself face-to-face with the ever popular Russell Parkhurst. At his mention of her leadership she saluted him, "Here's to hoping," she laughed, little puffs of air freezing and disolving as she did so.

She looked around the pitch curiously, "I wonder where everyone is. We had a practically full roster just the other day and now we've only got to players showing up for practice," she shook her head, at the same moment catching sight of a shadow in the stands. She turned to get a better look and saw a girl, not much younger than herself, donned in a Ravenclaw scarf. She smiled, "Perhaps a late sign-up?" she though hopefully. She mounted her broom and flew over to the bleachers, a few feet away from where the girl was sitting, "You here to try out, or are you jsut watching today?" she asked with a cheery smile.

[Loren Hayes]

Loren smiled appreciatively as the girl mounted her broom and flew up to the stands to greet her. Remembering, she reached down under the seats and pulled out her Comet Two Sixty, its worn handle light and familiar in her hand. 'Well I'm not entirely sure.' she admitted, looking off into the pitch thoughtfully. 'Who do you need exactly? I'm a dab hand at chasing and seeking, but not too good with the muscle stuff,' she added, nodding her head toward where the girl had left the beater's bats.

Swinging a leg over her broomstick, Loren kicked off gently and rose to hover at the same height as the other Ravenclaw. 'What d'you think? Want to give me a go?' she suggested brightly.

[rileybabe]

Andie rushed onto the Quidditch Pitch her Firebolt in hand. "Hey guys, sorry I'm late." she apoligized breathlessly. Then stopped short, there was a new girl on the field. "Hi, I'm Andie Riley. Ravenclaw Seeker."

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell smiled his crooked smile as Halo flew towards someone in the stands. Rus slowly followed and reached the stands just as the other raven mounted her broom. "Hey Loren," he said, remembering her from their meeting at breakfast a few days before.

Rus looked at Halo, "want us to throw the quaffle around a bit? Good way to test us both." As he spoke he flew around both of the beautiful girls that were in front of him, including Andie who had just joined them. He eyed Halo pleadingly because all he wanted to do was handle the quaffle and throw it at people.

[Loren Hayes]

Loren glanced down at the new arrival, a girl she recognised that was in the same year as her. 'Well hello there Andie Riley, Ravenclaw seeker,' she greeted with a gracious nod. She was just about to introduce herself in return when she found Russell had landed down beside her. Up until now she had completely forgot that the boy was a chaser, and felt embarrassed that she had not recognised him immediately. 'Morning, Russell,' she smiled pleasantly.

Turning back to Helia, Loren gestured toward the quaffle still locked in its trunk. 'Sounds like he's got a plan, captain. I'm raring to go myself,' she said eagerly.

Pulling on the handle of her broomstick, Loren reared up into the air and swiftly soared to the center of the pitch, hovering patiently over the Quidditch balls trunk. By the looks of it the rest of the team had arrived, and with a few chasers short Loren knew Russell would probably appreciate a fellow handler.

[Helia Ollivander]

She looked at the lot of them, "Well, we haven't got any beaters around yet, so other than our dear Andie here, the only thing left to do is toss the quaffle aorund, aye?" she asked with a grin. She flew back down to the pitch, hovering just above the ground, and kicked open the box of quidditch balls she'd brought. She gave the lid a nudge with her heel, releasing the snitch for Andie's sake, then reached down and grabbed the red rubbery quaffle and pulled a bit higher into the air.

"Everybody ready then?" she asked, tossing the ball up into the stands by Loren and Rus, then darting off to one end of the quidditch pitch, taking her place in front of the golden hoops. She breathed deeply, it was nice to be back in the air. She was a bit rusty from not having had time to play as of late, but she already felt it coming back to her. She quickly tied her hair up in a hap hazard ponytail and awaited her chaser's ascent and attack.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell watched Halo fly off and toss the quaffle. Rus nudged Loren with his elbow and winked when she looked at him. He hopped onto his broom and flew towards the quaffle with alarming accuracy. He stretched out one hand and caught the quaffle. He quickly braked and turned around looking at Loren. "Here," he said, "catch this!" He threw the quaffle up and a little to the right of Loren to see her reaction time.

[Loren Hayes]

Loren had swerved a good distance away from Russell as he had flown to receive the quaffle. She knew both Helia and the other chaser would be scrutinizing her skills, and so made sure she was entirely focused upon the speed and direction of Russell's pass as he launched it into the air.

Pressing her torso down onto her broom, Loren picked up speed and calculated where the quaffle was going to descend, swiftly maneuvering to pass underneath it and scoop it up. Russell of course had given her a very simply and easy pass, and she silently pleaded with her eyes to push a little harder. There was no need to go easy on her.

With a strong swing Loren tossed the quaffle at a steady angle to her left, moving away to a good distance once more.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell smiled as Loren caught the quaffle quite quickly. He had expected that, what with it being a purely reaction based shot. He nodded at Loren as her eyes connected with his. She threw the ball and Rus hugged his broom, speeding off towards the quaffle. He caught it and quickly flung it hard to just below Loren.

[Helia Ollivander]

She watched as Russell caught the quaffle and tossed it to Loren, who caught it with great ease and pitched it back. It seemed that her aim might need a bit of work as Russell had to tilt his broom to reach it, but that's what practice was for after all. Figuring out just where to throw a ball based on wind and wear... And back went the quaffle, with a much stronger driving force behind it this time. She watched closely, 'Come on Loren, show me what you're made of,' she thought to herself. Russell had a good bit of quidditch experience behind him from what she could tell. This new girl seemed a bit uncertain of her abilities, but Halo knew she could do it. Loren had the heart of a player. That much was for sure.

[rileybabe]

Andie watched Loren and Russell throw the Quaffle back and forth while at the same time watching for the Snitch. So far, she was having no luck. She looked up and caught Russell's eyes and her heart soared. She gave him and wink and in a sudden bout of daredevilness, stood up on her broom handle and cut a figure eight around Russell her arms held out for balance. Then jumping back down onto her broom executed a perfect Wronski Feint, pulling up sharply just before she hit the ground she pumped her fist in the air. "Whoo- hoo!" she cried.

[Loren Hayes]

The quaffle was passed fast toward Loren's feet, and quickly she remembered a move she had seen keepers use a thousand times in the past. With driving force she dipped herself upside down so that she swung underneath her broomstick, dangling where she was by one hand and foot. With her free arm she caught the quaffle, and then with her leg she kicked it strongly, giving her enough boost to swing back upright onto her perch. She knew the move to be called a "Starfish and Stick".

It had been a little sloppy to perform while flying at speed, but she had pulled it off with enough luck to send it straight back at Russell. Out of the corner of her eye she had witnessed Andie's impressive maneuvering. 'Nice one!' she called, giving the seeker a thumbs up.