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**Wilber Winterbottom** · #1 (**permalink**) 12-25-2022, 11:27 PM

If you follow a winding path from the Training Grounds, eventually you will arrive at the Quidditch pitch. The oval structure itself is a rather remarkable sight to see as it stands at five hundred feet long and a hundred and eighty feed wide. Because of the popularity of the sport, the pitch is used quite regularly. Here tryouts are held, in addition to scheduled team practices and a number of inter-House matches throughout the term. When the pitch isn't booked, it is available for general use from anyone who wants to casually fly around or play various broom games.

The maintenance on the pitch is of utmost importance. The three silver goalposts at each end of the pitch are regularly polished so they shine brightly in the sunlight, and the white markings outlining the exterior of the pitch as well as the middle are regularly painted. During the fall, spring, and summer months, a lawn mower has been charmed to cut the grass of the pitch mid-morning every three days just after the dew has dried. When it is winter, the mower is set aside and a magical snow blower is used to clear up as much of the pitch as possible. To keep the pitch in prime condition, all are asked to do their part as well by not littering or vandalizing it in any way; otherwise there will be consequences to face.

Anyone who wishes to use the Quidditch pitch is allowed do so, but it is expected that all rules regarding it are adhered to at all times and the curfew listed is followed. These rules can be found posted on the noticeboard at the entrance of the pitch.

ooc: please do not play for the flying professor: PhoenixRising

*PhoenixRising* · 09-21-2025, 04:25 PM

Quidditch Tryouts Term 71

Dedicating her passions to the skies was a worthy endeavor. It seemed there was waning interest in quidditch, perhaps maybe just athleticism and sports all around, which Jasmine was determined to find out where people's interests were lying this term. There were of course the "die-hards" such as Calliope and Jansher and Emma and Bryony, but perhaps there was something else holding people back from sports. Video games in the muggle studies corridor? Snogging? Who knew what antics teenagers preferred to exercise these days.

The afternoon of the first day of quidditch tryouts should be one full of energy. The weather was still ideal with the brisk Scottish Autumn air. The freezing temperatures had not quite settled in yet. Which is why Jasmine found herself doing a couple laps around the quidditch pitch in preparations, making sure the practice hoops were spaced just right.

A quick glance at her watch told her the prospective house players would be arriving soon and she flew down to greet them. "Hello, hello, Good afternoon, for those unaware, I'm Professor Springer, your flying instructor and quidditch official for this coming year. I expect to see a good show of sportsmanship, your unique flying styles shining bright. Whether you want to attempt an official quidditch tactic such as Hawkshead Attacking Formation or Sloth Grip roll, a tactic of your own family's invention," She was thinking of Ariel with her turns last year.

"I've released the snitch into the air, so seeker hopefuls, have at it. There will be bludgers and a quaffle. On the count of three, One. Two. Three." With that and a whistle, she bunted the quaffle upwards into the skies, as one might with a muggle volleyball.

Depending on where people's interests lay this term, she could fill in on defending the hoops from quaffles or act as beater. She would give it a few minutes for prospectives to take their positions.

OOC: Quidditch tryouts are still taking place IC September, even though on the IC timeline it's probably closer to October/November now. For more information, see this thread, or ask a staffer or WWRPG Admin who would be able to provide further clarity.

One post in tryouts plus completion of the questionnaire is required for the house team. See here for more information. As long as its completed by September 30th

Charely Potter · 09-21-2025, 05:58 PM

Jan was back on the pitch, his final season, assuming that he keeps on the team. His long hair was tied up per usual when he walked with his broom. He looked at the stands, nearly forgetting that Hermy wouldn't be watching him this time, but he was sure his little brother, sister, and Paul were together up there with Ary and Thena.

"Hello, Professor." He greeted. Professor Springer was pretty chill, encouraging them to learn their styles last year. So Jan had a drive to make-up for his U17's troubled summer season. He expected to see his teammates join in shortly before it was time for the tryouts begin.

After mounting his broom, Jan took off soaring for the Quaffle first.

Here we go.

Zoe · 09-21-2025, 06:42 PM

Ariel had spent the past week going back and forth on this decision. Did she really want to commit herself to another year of endless practices, drills, and bruises? Not really. Quidditch was fun, sure, but it was also work, and she wasn't exactly the type to spend her entire free time chasing after sports balls.

But then she remembered the rush of wind against her face, the sharp intake of breath from the stands whenever she pulled one of her outrageous spins (successful or not), and—if she was being honest—the attention that came with being on the team. And that? That was hard to walk away from.

So here she was again, broom in hand, striding onto the pitch like she owned it. Her fiery red hair was already a wild mess in the autumn breeze, and the Drooble's she was chomping on gave a loud, unapologetic POP! every so often. Intimidation tactic, obviously.

"Afternoon, Professor," she said brightly, adding a finger wiggle for good measure before tightening her grip on her broom. Her eyes were already locked on the Quaffle like a hawk.

With a quick swing of her leg, Ariel mounted her broom and kicked off. The second she was airborne, it was like flipping a switch. Ariel swooped upward, pulling into a reckless spin that had absolutely no tactical purpose. She flashed a grin that dared anyone to say she wasn't here to make an impression.

"Good luck keeping up this year!" she called cheekily toward Jan as she raced past him.

AlwaysSnapesGirl · 09-23-2025, 01:13 AM

Zephyr walked eagerly onto the pitch, broom in hand. The cloud nine he'd been floating on since Ravenclaw's victory last term had, of course, faded in the months of summer since, and he had settled determinedly into his usual practice and training to prepare for the team this term. As his mom had reminded him, it wasn't productive to be overconfident because of past game results - because those weren't a guarantee that it would happen every time. Every match was different, so it was important to keep improving, rather than trust that you would win every game.

Still, he felt both confident and comfortable out here on the pitch with everyone else who was trying out. Nerves were reserved for actual match time; that was when he was buzzing with energy and adrenaline and determination to make his team proud.

He rested his broom on his shoulder as he listened to Professor Springer, casting his gaze around the pitch and taking note of other students who were there, like the older Slytherin Chaser Jansher Grunt and Gryffindor Chaser Ariel Scamander. Zephyr scanned for other Seeker hopefuls, whether new or familiar, but then he heard the professor mention the snitch had been released - and they were given the go ahead to begin tryouts.

He wasted no time in mounting his broom and kicking himself into the air, already on the hunt for the snitch.

SilverTiger · 09-23-2025, 06:26 AM

Had she questioned the thought of trying out for yet another termon the Slytherin team? Honestly, not really. Teagan felt like it was inevitable at this point. Term started, and she’d try her hand at continuing on the house team. She accepted the fact that she wasn’t half as invested in the sport as some of her fellow players, but she enjoyed it as another outlet for her energy.

She had just finished plaiting her hair into a coronet as she arrived at the pitch, her broom under one arm as her hands had been otherwise occupied. She knew better than to leave it loose, especially when she was going to be focused on bludgers. “Good afternoon, Professor Springer”, she said as she passed the woman on the way to joining Jan in the air, passing Ariel and Zephyr as she adjusted her grip on her beater’s bat.

Focus was going to be her goal for this tryout. Although she spared a bit for her teammate. “Ready for another year defending Slytherin house?” She grinned, before swiveling to await the expected bludgers, keeping control of her broom with mostly her legs.

*PhoenixRising* · 09-23-2025, 06:57 PM

It didn't take long before prospective quidditch players began arriving to the pitch - Jansher first. While she took summers off, she still kept up on the news with the U-17 teams, so she was well aware that Jan's team hadn't performed as well as he likely hoped and Jasmine could only hope he wouldn't let that filter into his performance for his last year at Hogwarts. "Hello, hello, always good to see you," she beamed widely at the seventh year as he went off after the quaffle.

While yes quidditch could be considered a commitment, Jasmine preferred to also think of it as an investment. She was always going to pro-exercise as she'd seen first hand how well it could improve her own mood with the endorphins and hormone regulation. So while sometimes early morning practices were a struggle, she could count on one hand the number of times she regretted exercising. And she only hoped those who were uncertain on continuing would persevere. She gasped at the bubble gum pop. Sure it was only a tryout, but she'd have to keep an eye for potential choking hazards. "Afternoon, Ariel. Good to see you again. Do use caution with that gum, please and make sure it doesn't end up on the pitch." Because cleaning sticky residue from the blades of grass was not on her bingo card for this year.

She had to admit Zephyr had a ton of promise, but considering his grandmother, she wasn't surprised. While she had played in a different league, that didn't mean she wasn't well aware of this league's players. She gave a wave over to him as she spotted him already on the hunt for that little golden ball. Surely Bryony or Emma or other hopefuls would be along shortly. Kayla or Elena, too, perhaps.

"Good afternoon, Teagan! Always a pleasure to see you." She had to admit seeing the girl grow into her role as beater was admirable.

As far as her, looked like there needed to be someone defending the hoops, so Jasmine flew off towards the hoops to give her best defense against the chasers. Keeper was a good role for her to officiate in as she could observe the hopefuls easily from her position at the end of the pitch. Of course if a keeper hopeful (returning keeper) were to step in, she would move to the middle.

"Keep up those flying styles, looking good so far!! Ohhh look out!" she directed her broom downward to avoid a bludger hit.

ooc: make sure you've made at least one post, but you're welcome to continue just for fun! Still time to get a post in if you haven't yet though! See above for more details!

sweetpinkpixie · 09-24-2025, 05:46 AM

Calliope tied her hair back into a quick braid - one that she may or may not have redone five times already before arriving on the pitch - and gave her shoulders a roll. Naturally, because she still could not help herself, she was grumbling under her breath about something or another as she stretched out her arms and performed a couple squats as everyone filtered in. Greetings? Yeah, she had them ISH ... just don't blink or you might miss her subtle inclination of the head. Nothing personal, just pure game face.

Just... up you go and show off your moves? That seemed so lackluster compared to her very first tryout in the middle of an enchanted snowstorm (AND the WORST endurance test EVER) and last term's obstacle course. Just broom, sky, TA-DA almost felt too easy. Still, if this was the game, she'd play it.

Calliope laced her fingers together, cracked her knuckles - quidditch and drumming both required excellent dexterity, obviously - and then dropped into a few quick lunges and additional squats to make sure her muscles were properly primed before swinging her leg over her broom and kicking off the ground hard to follow THAT red haired Gryffindor into the sky. Ariel Scamander - her ~~can't-look-away-from-her~~ rival. Sure, she could be flying in formation with her housemates but that felt too expected in light of everything else.

Once in the air, she wasn't content to simply coast politely into position. Obviously, if Professor Springer wanted flourish than that's what she'd get it. Calliope pulled into a sharp dive, yanking up at the last second so her broom skimmed the grass before shooting back skyward in a steep climb. She zigzagged across the pitch with unnecessary spins, braid whipping across her face and coming completely loose due to her haphazard tying, then tucked into a showy barrel roll that had little to nothing to do with chasing a quaffle but everything to do with proving she could before catching up to her flame-crowned competitor.

Samia · 09-25-2025, 10:11 AM

This was NUTS.

Utterly N U T S.

But Marina was going to do it anyway. Because she liked flying and even more so she wanted to be a part of ~things~. Thats what the cool kids did, and she was definitely a cool kid.

As she arrived at the pitch, her head up in awe of allll the players in the air, instead of nerves getting the best of her - adrenaline rushed through and she mounted the broom. "Hiyaaa Professor," she called at the flying instructor nearby and kicked off into the air.

She really didn't have a position in mind, so watching the girls nearby - she dived and spun as one does to show off their skills. It didn't matter that she almost fell off at one point because she STEADIED herself eventually ---- and that all that mattered.

And then SHE SAW IT. Out of the corner of her eye, she felt a buzzing little golden thing pass her by -- without even assessing the situation, she was offff and after it.

*PhoenixRising* · 09-26-2025, 01:40 AM

It felt quite surreal if Emma was being honest. Three years as Hufflepuff Seeker, presuming she made the team again this term. She probably should have been more nervous than she was as one of the now senior members trying out for their house team. Blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, she spared a glance over at the stands to see Justus out there and blew a kiss, before turning to mount her broom and kick off into the skies.

There was a young gryffindor first year also in competition to find the snitch. And of course there was Zephyr, who had proven to be an exceptional seeker. But even if she didn't catch all the snitches, she was determined above all else. Which also meant an adaptation of the 'wronski feint', in attempt to confuse her opposing seekers.

*~*~*~*

Jasmine was no mind-reader, however she could definitely feel energies and could sense that Calliope was maybe disappointed with tryouts. Alas, while watching the young Slytherin aspiring chaser zig-zagging across the pitch in impressive spins and turns, she decided after some seemingly mild practice she would spice things up. Perhaps convince the old ghost to make an appearance, who seemed to like hiding lately - which made persuasions rather challenging.

She'd heard on what some of her predecessors had done to spice up tryouts and make things a challenge. The obstacle courses are always fun, perhaps on the last day. But for now, just a quick altering of the weather might be enough. Or perhaps adding some "extras" flying about.

With a flourish of her wand, she added some flying keys to the pitch - probably thousands - buzzing about each of the players in annoyance and definitely an added challenge to aspiring chasers and seekers.

ooc: just an adding an extra fun challenge in here

Keep it up. Five days to go before tryouts have a wrap for term 71!!!

Charely Potter · 09-26-2025, 04:31 PM

Jan smirked at Ariel's challenge when he kicked off. They will see pretty soon. He glanced at the stands to also see their Head of House there. What an extra boost of confidence for him just as he scooped the Quaffle into his possession.

Now this was more like it

Jan shifted his broom's direction upward before following a slow clockwise direction, giving the effect of a spiral as he headed towards the hoops.

Was that buzzing? Jan hoped a hive of bees weren't heading his way. But the buzzing kept getting louder and louder. Glancing, he could see Calliope within his vision. "Opie!" He pulled his broom to fly upward again before tossing the Quaffle at her direction.

*PhoenixRising* · 09-27-2025, 10:27 AM

It was quite impressive the duplication charm she'd utilized, however what Jasmine hadn't anticipated with her plan was that the thousands of flying keys created as a distraction for the players would also be an irritant for herself. She did watch impressively though as Jansher tossed his housemate the quaffle.

Swatting at the key, the flying professor directed her own broom upwards as a cluster of keys was obstructing her vision in that moment.

"Nice one!" she called encouragingly, hoping the snitch wasn't too mixed up with these keys. Although she did have faith that at least one of these seeker hopefuls would have that eagle eye.

ooc: make sure you've posted at least once, but you're welcome to keep posting in the fun chaos. Three more days to complete your tryouts for your house team for this term!

sweetpinkpixie · 09-27-2025, 11:14 PM

The noise was unbearable.

Literally the absolute WORST.

No, not just the absolute worst but UNHOLY.

It was like someone had taken a whole orchestra, locked them in a broom closet, and told them to play everything off-key while stomping on a bag of angry wasps. She'd rather listen to a hundred badly tuned bagpipes. She'd rather listen to Peeves attempting opera. She'd rather listen to dad's band's early albums on repeat for hours and days on end. She'd rather be in a stadium filled with people playing those tacky noisemakers. Almost anything was better than dealing with this metallic swarm scratching and screeching in her ears and grated against her eardrums.

The brunette nearly screamed when a key zipped too close to her cheek and left a thin stinging line in its wake and really hammered in her understanding of 'be careful what you wish for'. She swung her broom in a jagged zig-zag to dodge a particularly vicious cluster... only to fly straight into another, smaller, cluster that jab her shoulder.

Somewhere in the madness came the sound of her name... or at least a butchered version of it. Her head snapped toward the voice. Grunt. Ugh. She was ready to snap back, but the award for Most Annoying Thing on the Pitch had already been claimed by the swarm of tiny metal and brass buzzards. The keys won. Grunt was forgiven this time.

She caught the glimpse of the Quaffle heading her way and leaned forward on her broom to move into a better position... only for a furious clump of keys to cut off her path and obstruct her vision immediately. Calliope yanked her broom around with a growl and swung the tail in wide. Again, and again, and again... vicious and aggravated sweeps smacked at the air as if she had a Beater’s bat in hand. "OI! Beaters! You going to sit there looking pretty or are you going to start WHACKING?!" she barked.

She carved another vicious sweep through the buzzing, almost making herself dizzy from the sharp consecutive spins that came as a result, until she realized the Quaffle had sailed just past her reach. Cursing under her breath, Calliope threw herself forward into a nosedive - wind screaming in her ears, keys buzzing like mad hornets as she zipped by - her hand stretched out, armed strained, and fingers twitching...

WhittyBitty · 09-28-2025, 07:47 AM

Aurora hadn't been planning to play Quidditch this term. She had been planning to switch to Gobstones. But Emma had been disappointed when she had heard about it, and Aurora had felt bad. It was her friend's last term at Hogwarts, and she was going to play on the team with her for this last term. She liked Quidditch and had played it for multiple years, so it wasn't a problem at all. She would just have to work all the practices and matches into her schedule. She could manage that even with all her OWL studying, classes, and time with plants.

"Hello, Professor!" she said as she reached the pitch, giving her a smile before mounting her broom. She was ready to join the others in the air and try her best to make the team once again.

Almost immediately after she had taken off she heard a buzzing noise, and countless flying keys appeared out of nowhere. Aurora was definitely up for a challenge, but she wasn't sure about this one.

*Nordic Witch* · 09-28-2025, 11:24 AM

"Afternoon Professor Springer!" JT greeted with a sunny smile as he kicked off the ground on his broom, and up into the air. He always loved tryouts. He saw that Jan and Calliope were already up in the air battling swarms of something he couldn't identify from this distance before he too was surronded by hundreds of scrathing, and buzzing winged keys. Maybe they should have gotten earplugs or better have soundproofed their ears prior to tryouts?

Spotting the quaffle that Calliope had missed by just mere inches JT zoomed forwards lying low on his broom to avoid the winged keys, executing a nice sloth grip on his way across the pitch to avoid the biggest winged key clusters. Grabbing the quaffle with an outstretched hand JT raised his gaze, and looked around attentively, and yelled out to his housemate that was closer to the goal posts. "Jan here, catch!" Tossing the quaffle JT got nibbed on his nose by a key since his focus was elsewhere which made him blurt out. "Hey, what was that for?" Rubbing his nose with one hand, he held on to his broom, and excuted a steep dive with the other. JT was from now on not a fan of winged keys.

sweetpinkpixie · 09-29-2025, 12:02 AM

Almost there...almost there...just a little more...

Calliope was in the middle of the most glorious high-speed nose dive of her young career when something big and solid and completely oblivious swooped straight across her path without warning. Somehow she hadn't even caught a flicker of him in her peripheral vision...and while it would have been so easy, so satisfying, to blame the stupid flapping keys for the blindspot… that wasn't the truth. Hyperfixation and the sweet reckless promise of glory had swallowed her whole. ~~Again~~.

The crash was spectacular, some might say. A yelp, a sound that may have been a crunch, her elbow bent jolted into an angle it probably should not be, and white-hot pain shot up her arm for a flicker of a second before it absolved into numbness. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME, JT?!" she barked while clinging to the broom with her other arm as she tried to stabilize its spin. "You SAW me coming in...WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING?!"

Ultimately, gravity forced her hand and soon her grip could hold no longer and she slipped off her broom, tumbling through a 'cloud' of buzzing keys towards the pitch.

Ugh.

Samia · 09-29-2025, 11:23 AM

Remember when Marina said it was all just nuts? -- well that was clearly an understatement. Because there were flying keys, rogue quaffles, and snitches that she… could not see anymore. Honestly, it was a miracle she was still upright on her broom. It was also ... very different to how she played back home. Yes, there was also as much shouting involved but .... not necessarily as much frustration? at least ... not as much as being expressed by the older Slytherin she could see nearby.

REGARDLESS, she wasn’t about to just flail around uselessly herself. Not when the older students were watching. So when a quaffle came barreling straight toward the goalposts, Marina acted without thinking. She ducked low, yanked her broom into a sharp tilt, and using her own shoe, kicked one of the keys right into its path. The poor key went spinning, but it was just enough to knock the quaffle off-course, sending it bouncing away instead of sailing clean through the hoop.

Marina blinked at what she’d just done, heart racing, then shot a glance around to see if anyone had noticed. “Totally on purpose!” she shouted over the chaos, flashing a grin --- before tightening her grip and wobbling her broom back into position like she’d meant to do it all along.

Before she could really celebrate though, something else happened.

Calliope was falling??

Wide eyes and little stupid, Marina leaned forward, urging her broom into a desperate dive, hand stretched out like she could actually catch her. But nope, too late.

Kolyander · 09-29-2025, 08:56 PM

Bryony had been running late and this time she couldn't say she had been helping her mum since the woman was no longer their Professor and was actually at home right now. As if that wasn't strange enough for her, the seventh year had originally decided that she wasn't going to attend tryouts this year. For her final year she had wanted to focus on other things like getting the best grades she could manage.

However, she had run into Emma earlier today. A fellow seeker and seventh year. And after a chat with her, Bry had a change of heart. Some friendly rivalry was a good thing sometimes. Plus, Quidditch didn't last all term so she's had plenty of time to focus on all the important things.

Broom in hand, the blonde reached the pitch just as Professor Springer had begun speaking, a wave in greeting was given so as not to interrupt things. Instructions filled her ears and her immediate thought was, "This would be easy". All she needed to do was catch the snitch. This is what she did best. Time to show what she was made of, again.

Mounting her broom, a quick but bright smile was sent Ary's way over in the stands. Hoovering several feet off the ground googles and a pair of flying gloves were pulled from her pocket. Only when each was snuggling in place, did she soar higher and higher. Blue eyes located each Slytherin that was trying out. None were going for Seeker... That she was aware of. Perfect.

Or so she thought.

All was calm and well, eyes scanning the entire area for any signs of gold when she saw it. Or well... Heard it first. The loud buzzing and bunches of bunches up on gold fluttering things filling the sky. Were those...

Keys?!

What was going on?! Keys were everywhere. Literally everywhere. Buzzing around here and making it near possible to locate the snitch. Making it impossible to fly in a straight line for that matter. Just doing a lap around the pitch meant dives, sweeping up, deep sweeps to the left and barrel rolls needed to happen. Sometimes one after another with no chance to think beforehand. This was purely relaying on instinct, luck and a little bit of skill. Her left hand swatting at not one, not two but a handful of keys one somehow managing to tangle itself into her hair.

Not even bothering to try to free it, she flattened herself down on her broom to gain more speed. Where. Was. That. Snitch?!

*PhoenixRising* · 09-30-2025, 05:44 AM

A couple more seasoned players (JT and Aurora) making their way out to tryouts, which was increasingly difficult to see due to the keys. Jasmine had to rely on their familiar voices. Note to self: Maybe just a hundred keys would do next time, rather than a thousand. She clearly hadn't thought the activity through, as a couple keys nipped at her.

What she was able to see though despite the keys was something that no flying instructor wanted to ever see. Falling green robes. Unsure quite which Slytherin student it was, it didn't exactly matter and there wasn't time to contemplate either, as Jasmine flicked her wand in the direction of Calliope casting the impediement charm to slow her fall. Followed by the cushioning charm so she would be falling into softness.

After her own quick wand movements, she had smiled at the blur of red as well. If she didn't know better, the Gryffindor prospective quidditch player, Marina, was trying to catch her opponent which was exactly the kind of sportsmanship that she was always trying to preach.

And there was Bryony. Jasmine had been wondering if the Slytherin seventh year was going to give it a go one last time. While of course academics did come first, she was always going to preach the importance of regular exercise to helping achieve academic success. It was all about balance. The snitch would be along - somewhere within those keys.

"Okay, new task, let's try to freeze as many of these keys as you can! Immobulus should do. Seekers, keep searching for that snitch, but you're welcome to help freeze some of these keys. Beaters, while we need you on alert for bludgers, also help freeze some keys," because this distraction had proven to be a huge, mistake and one she would not be repeating in future tryout sessions. Although quidditch could be dangerous and this was a good way to test flying skills. She would prefer to keep the danger to players during matches, rather than before they even made the team.

OOC: Last calllll for anyone wishing to make their house team for this term (~23-24 hours left) There's at least one post required, but doesn't mean you're limited to that. and of course the completion of the questionnaire. See here for more information.

sweetpinkpixie · 09-30-2025, 10:22 AM

UGH.

The heat of humiliation was already stinging her cheeks well before she hit the Cushioning Charm and was seemingly prolonged thanks to what she assumed was Impedimenta cast upon her. Glorious green robes tumbling out of the sky like some half–plucked pigeon who flew backwards. She didn't quite catch the first year blonde who made a brief effort to come to her rescue, but much better not to pile on to the already mountain of mortification. The enchanted blizzard had bruised her pride plenty when it had knocked her off that stupid school broom her first term, but this? This was worse. WAY worse. Being undone by enchanted elements was one thing, but by a teammate who caught her completely off guard? That stung worse

Very promising for the upcoming term. Very promising indeed.

"WHAT WAND?!" she shouted before she'd even fully dusted herself off, angry defensive peacocking mod activated, glaring up at the pitch with arms flailing wide. Did they want her to impale herself mid–nosedive? She had tripped running with a pencil once, fell right on it and the lead stabbed her in the stomach. Of course, she had been too embarrassed and never told her parents about it. In fact...she was pretty sure it was still in there and if you squinted you could see its shadow. Maybe. In any event, there was nooooooo waaaaaaaay she would risk that but with her wand. Her arms, blessedly, ceased their flapping so she could hug her broom tightly while looking every bit like someone seconds away from writing to the Ministry about Quidditch Safety Standards.

Only she wouldn't do that. Waaaaaaaaaaay too much effort and she couldn't risk the sport being canceled at Hogwarts.

"Couldn't you just vanish them? Just as easily as you conjured them?!" Whether her voice carried above the maddening buzz of the keys was a mystery in itself, but Calliope was certain of one thing: she would not be mounting her broom again until those wretched things were gone. She was a Chaser, not a duellist, and the thought of wasting her talents swatting at pests with Immobulus instead of dazzling with Quaffle play was downright insulting. After all, no one was allowed to cast spells in the middle of a match anyway!

The third year plopped herself on the ground, broom settled across her lap and the tiiiiiiiniest hint of tears welling as the ache in her arm crept back in now that the rush of adrenaline had fizzled. It was all very tragic. The sort of scene that deserved a sorrowful ballad sung by some overdramatic troubadour ~~played by her dad~~ with a lute.

Charely Potter · 09-30-2025, 01:02 PM

Jan's focus was mostly on the annoying buzzing sound that left him as soon as he had tossed the Quaffle. He spun the broom back to see that it was in fact flying keys.... where did they come from? It was at this moment he got to see his... fans, which felt weird for him to think that. Feeling a bit warm at all the gestures meant for him as appreciative as he was.

Opie and JT's collision got him to fly in their direction, before he could attempt to help Calliope, JT sent the Quaffle back in his direction. It was a little higher than his reach, but Jan made quick work. Steading his hand on the broom he stood up and made a quick hop in an attempt to reach, he ended up punching the Quaffle in the direction of the hoops. It looked like Jan performed the Dionysus Dive.

Ouch

Landing back on the broom, Jan immediately held that knuckle of his to rub out the sore. He didn't look to see if that Quaffle made it through the hoops, since the buzzing came back in between Calliope's screeching about wands. Oh yeah, he had his wand.... tucked away in the locker room with his robes. Not expecting to need it during a tryout, it would've helped his sore knuckle and maybe those keys. But first, his teammate who was likely dejected from the incident, "Don't give up, Opie! Get back on your broom and let's score some more!" Perhaps he should fly down real quick and help boost her up. So he steered his broom in their direction with swiftness, smacking some keys along the way.

*PhoenixRising* · 09-30-2025, 08:15 PM

Creative moves or not, this was becoming more challenging to find any semblance of a golden snitch once there was flying keys released and attacking her and her peers. And they weren't immune to attacking the Professor either judging from how Professor Springer was redirecting the focus of this tryout. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry at these antics; the snowstorm was actually kind of fun even if also dangerous to fly in inclement weather. But at least snowflakes weren't sharp. She had to be amused though at Calliope suggesting the Professor vanish them, the same way she conjured them - that would actually be smart, but perhaps this was meant to be a learning experience? An extra obstacle challenge?

"Do you not keep your wand with you?" She frowned at Calliope's question. Maybe it was just force of habit. Force of being born and then within her first five years of life, a war broke out that had shaped her formative years. She was a couple years older than Calliope, so perhaps the younger girl didn't quite have the memory of the third wizarding war that she had. But she always made sure to secure her wand in her quidditch robes before flight; there was something about that security. Holsters specifically made for flying were a thing, after all.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Backlash from Calliope was not what she had expected from the young Slytherin. But Jasmine was determined to not let it get her down though. She might have been unorthodox in her training methods, but she liked to say there was a method ~~to her madness~~. And the flying keys while an annoyance, were also a good learning tool to make them all better quidditch players. Which while some were novices and some more experienced, she supposed it might have been better suited for something like this during a practice rather than a tryout. Alas, live and learn.

She had not anticipated too that not all students would have their wands with them. Judging from Emma's reaction, even Jan, she guessed those two flew with wands. But perhaps not everyone did - it wasn't really a needed item. But some people it was like a second skin, having that with them. Without their wands, they maybe felt exposed. She knew that of herself, but of course she was twenty years their senior and more experienced in flight and magic abilities.

Except not quite because.... "I could, but freezing them is usually quicker to freeze many at a time, whereas vanishing this many moving objects takes longer. Not to mention the learning experience of this obstacle challenge." This wasn't merely dueling and sure they would not be using spells during an actual match, BUT there might be unexpected twists and turns that are difficult to recreate, because no one really knew what a match could hold. Hopefully not flying keys they'd be encountering. She wasn't going to force the third year back onto a broom though, even if her teammate was encouraging her to do so. She'd seen Calliope's broom and chasing talents.

ooc: about 8.5 hours remain... on Term 71 tryouts. Post now, submit your forms now, or the chance for this term will vanish as quickly as a flying snitch!

WhittyBitty · 09-30-2025, 09:34 PM

Aurora winced as a number of flying keys hit her, some of them scratching against her face. It was going to be a lot harder to get the Quaffle into the goalposts now, which she knew was the whole point, but that didn’t mean she had to be happy about it.

It was a relief when Professor Springer told them to start freezing the keys. That was what she had been wanting to do ever since they came, but wasn’t sure if that was allowed or not. Since the entire point of them in the first place was to make things more difficult.

Aurora pulled out her wand wincing again as even more keys were crashing into her. She was going to be covered in cuts all over her face and hands at this rate. Whatever. She got down to business freezing the keys as they came towards her. Though she was quite surprised to hear a girl state she didn’t have her wand on her. Hopefully her teammates would help her out because otherwise she was going to have an impossible time.

Continuing to freeze the keys as she went, Aurora was finally able to focus on doing her job as Chaser and going after the Quaffle.

sweetpinkpixie · 09-30-2025, 11:29 PM

"Uuuuuuuh no," Calliope shot back, quick and clipped, at Emma. The other truth was that the thought of strapping a wand to her arm or leg or wherever during quidditch had never crossed her mind. She had started off playing without a wand since she literally hadn't received one yet since she wasn't of that age yet. Wands and brooms had never really linked up in her mind and muscle memory. Maybe it was because she hadn’t grown up with that wartime reflex. Calliope was born after the Third Wizarding War had already ended, in December 2104, and by the time she could form memories the world had settled into peacetime. Not to mention her parents were the sunshine, rainbows, and lollipops type...annoying most of the time and certainly not ones to warn her to keep her wand glued to her side at all times. "It's in my bag where it always is when I play quidditch. Figured we weren't supposed to have them on us. Didn't want anyone accusing me of cheating."

And then there was THAT name again...

...if he called her Opie one more time…

...but her arm throbbed a little too much to fling a proper retort back. Had Grunt drank Liquid Luck before this tryout because luck sure was on his side today when it came to her bite. Calliope sat there, teeth clenched, every twitch of her elbow a jab of reminder that broom handles were not made to be gripped with fresh bruises... but then the implication that she was giving up struck. Giving up? How dare. Hooow dare?! She wasn’t about to let a flock of glorified keychains write her off the pitch.

"Focus your Knight on Shining Broom energy elsewhere, Grunt," she grumbled as she carefully pulled herself to her feet as her broom clattered back upright as a sort of pole to help her up. "The keys are ready to duel, or whatever." With a grunt, Calliope was back on her feet and her arm barely extended. Flexing her fingers didn't hurt at least...but when she tried to rotate her arm to get the broom in mounting position...well...it was very clearly a no go. "I'm not giving up," she muttered through grit teeth, more to herself than anyone else, even as her arm screamed otherwise.

Calliope grit her teeth and refused to her stupid elbow be the reason she sat out or those cursed keys the satisfaction. With a defiant toss of her braid, she swung her leg over her broom, every movement sending a jagged bolt through her elbow. She could hardly keep a grip on her broom as it was, forced to lean into some ridiculously lopsided angle just to find the one spot that didn't feel like a cruppy chewing straight through her arm. No chance was she about to waste energy retrieving her wand and trying to juggle that too. So she kicked off the ground in one sharp motion and hovered with just enough lift so her feet dangled with room to spare above the pitch, eyes cast skyward looking for her window of opportunity to zoom into position and 'score some more'.

*PhoenixRising* · 10-02-2025, 04:08 AM

It was nearing the end of this tryout session and Jasmine had to appreciate the encouragement from Jansher in getting his younger teammate back on the broom. Perseverance. Sure she maybe would rather not be there and yet she was and that was everything and enough that with a quick flourish, Jasmine froze the rest of the keys herself. Yes they were still there in the skies but at least they weren't bobbing around haphazardly which would make things much easier for flight path.

Aurora was doing quite well, Jasmine noted.

Unfortunately though all good things must come to an end, including the wrap on this hour of tryouts. "Nice work out there today. If you're in need of some basic healing salves, please see me on the grounds. Or you're welcome to seek Professor Feirgrund out in the Hospital Wing, but I don't believe there are any serious injuries." No one was gushing blood and the salves she had in her first aid kit would handle the cuts and bruises.

ooc: ~~Meant to post this last night, but I feel asleep~~ That's a wrap for quidditch/gobstones tryouts for Term 71. Rosters will be posted within the week in their respective threads. No need for departure posts, feel free to HC that Professor Springer provided your character with the appropriate salve. Once rosters are posted, you're free to use this thread as a general RP area

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