Gryffindor House Quidditch Team Practice #1
Who: Cora, Richard, bunch of NPCs
Where: Hogwart's Quidditch Pitch
When: 18 October 2007
Synopsis: A seeker begins work with his new broom
Logger: Cora "Captain" Petit
Note: Quidditch Practice Points for Gryffindor!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Hogwarts Grounds - Quidditch Pitch(#278RJMa)

Like the arena of an ancient coliseum, this expanse of grass is a huge,
open air field that stretches across the meadow, with stands built up and
running along the oval shaped perimeter. At the very top of the stands a flag
pole stretches up to the sky at the opposite end of each section, draped with
the banner colors of the current competing teams. The quartered sections are
divided by House, with a fifth, central section for the teachers and the
score-keeper.
Built into the walls at central opposite ends of the field are the respective
team boxes, where players wait anxiously to take to the field at the beginning
of each game. At each long end of the oval is a trio of rings set upon tall
poles of varying heights, the very tallest of them standing higher even than the
top of the arena seating.

Contents:
William
Obvious Exits:
Meadow Locker Room One Locker Room Two

Thursday, after classes, and just barely. The pitch has some activity, as Cora's
dragging out a set of gear for the first formal Practice for the House's team.
She's dressed in a pair of somewhat familiar scarlett sweatpants, and a regular
sweatshirt this time, with black trainers on her feet.

William comes walking out onto the pitch, admiring his broom and not paying a
whole lot of attention to the others before he finally spots Cora and he waves
and shifts around a bit nervously.

The others also trickle out, Andrew Cleghern, Liam McDonald, Gavin Sherwood and
Aly Stanfield. The Keeper's not around yet though. People begin to stretch out
and limber up for the practice ahead.

William looks around a bit, "Um, am I the only first year? This is going to be
an interesting year. Here's to having good beaters that can keep me from getting
creamed." with a nod to Cora. "Just in case I should get myself some bruise
balm or something"

Cora smiles to Cheaver, "Yeah Cleghern and I will watch out for you. This is his
... third year with the team, though only his second as beater, I think. And
it's my ... third year too actually," she sounds surprised by her mental
mathematics. "I thought for warmups we'd do a few laps," she tells everyone,
"Then
hit the air for some broom runs and dodgeball type work," she nods towards
William, "It might help you. We will try not to hit you." She smirks. Riiiiight.

William looks up at Cora with a bit of a smirk, "You know, I don't know you that
well, but somehow I doubt you'd pass up a chance to at least take a couple shots
at me."

Cora chuckles, "Well, maybe," she admits with a fast grin. Cleghern makes some
remark about hating laps, but he is the first to jog off in a direction
indicating he'll do as requested by the new Captain. O'Hara sprints out onto the
pitch, a little tardy, and falls right into the jogging warmup without needing
to be scolded.

William snorts a bit as he takes off with the group, jogging along though his
smirk gives way to a bit of a smile, "When is our first game going to be? I need
to get enough time to get the feel for my broom."

Cleghern calls over, "Probably in November. That was usually when the season
started. Until last year anyway when we had to wait until June." The veterans on
the team give a bit of chuckled amusement, "Not this year," Cora promises, "If I
have to run the matches myself, I will. There /will/ be Quidditch, as per a
normal academic schedule." O'Hara needles Cora with, "Run them and the brackets
with them then, Petit?" This brings a round of much more hearty laughter.

William looks between the others, rather confused, "Didn't start until June last
year? Anyway, I want to give the new broom time to learn my moves so to speak.
I've only had it up once since I got it. It flies really nice."

Cora nods, "You can come and practice whenever you want Cheaver, since you are
on a house team. You can even kick the First Year Squad teams off the pitch. It
was part of the agreement with Hooch. Those squads can't interfere with
house-cup earning quidditch."

William nods to Cora, "Say, speaking of which, should I continue going to the
first year squad stuff since I made the house team? I wouldn't mind helping out
and all provided I can get my homework done and all."

Cora chuckles a bit as the team nears finishing the first lap, "If you want.
It's not required though. And the other First Years might resent you being
there. Everyone that's there, couldn't play JQ ... know what I mean?" She pauses
a bit, "But I won't stop you. You decide on that front."

William nods a bit, "Yeah, not sure how some of them would feel having a House
team member still playing with he 1st year squad and all. Do any over the other
house teams have first years on them that you know of?"

Cora shakes her head, "Dunno," she says, "I could ask, but honestly, I don't
care. Just because your a First Year, doesn't mean you will automatically suck."

William shrugs and nods at the same time, "True enough. I know Harry was really
great as a first year and all, though I'd be utterly shocked if I turned out to
do that well myself."

After about a half dozen laps, the "warm up" is over. Students now head to their
brooms to run a set of drills that focus on primarily, pivoting ability.

William nods as he mounts his broom and takes off for the drills, frowning
slightly, "Hmmm, this new broom is going to take a little bit of getting used
to. Quite different than the school brooms like I was saying earlier."

The drills are pretty straight forward, lots of short stopping and quick turning
or twisting. Hoots and hollers either jeering, or something cheering, meet each
student as they take their turn, or sometimes, pair off against each other.

William goes through the drills though he frowns slightly, "I don't suppose you
might be able to find some extra time to help me work out as seeker? I could use
some extra workouts chasing the snitch with some light bludger work in there to
prep me for games."

Cora nods, "Sure, we'll find some time," she says, as she goes over to release
the related Quidditch balls after a while. She picks up the snitch, but her
fingers didn't quite get it right and she looses her grip on it after a moment,
"You have to put it away Cheaver," she calls to him as the darn thing gets away
from her a little unexpectedly.

William chuckles and nods, "Of course. That's what I'm here for after all. First
time since junior quidditch I've had to go after one!"



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