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(2/2/04 5:11 pm) Reply
~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~It's a new year at Hogwarts, and time to fill up the empty positions on the Quidditch teams!
TO TRY OUT:
Write a post (NO LESS than three paragraphs!!!) describing your character's tryout (in front of Madam Hooch and the captain of their House team*). Describe their strengths and their weaknesses in flying as well as in the tasks set to them (explained below). Tryouts will be close Sunday, February 8th; results will be announced Monday, February 9th. If you are for some reason unable to tryout before this thread closes, please send me an email at lady_guenever@hotmail.com and I will try to extend the tryouts or make other arrangements. We want to give everyone a chance at the team!
Please include the following information BEFORE your in-character tryout:
Character name
Character age/year
Character House
Preferred position on the team
Second-choice position
(You do not have to try out for your second-choice position - this is so that if you don't get accepted into your first-choice and there are still openings in the second-choice, we can try and fit you onto the team.)
[/b]
Also, please specifiy whether or not your character would like to be a team captain (must be a fifth year or above). If there are more than one applicant, team captains will be selected after the positions are all filled by a completely random selection.
THE POSITIONS:
Chaser
There are three of these on a Quidditch team. The Chasers are responsible for handling the Quaffle and scoring the goals. Chasers must be skilled fliers, able to avoid bludgers and get the Quaffle to the goalposts; they must have good team spirit and the ability to work together, and they must be able to score (by throwing the Quaffle through the goalpost).
THE CHASER TRYOUT (you roleplay this):
Student and Madam Hooch both take off. Madam Hooch tests the student's skill in ball-handling by executing passes, tosses, and other maneuvers often found in a game. ALSO: Student must demonstrate their ability to score a goal with Madam Hooch guarding the goalposts.
Beater
There are two of these on a Quidditch team. The Beaters are responsible for two things: guarding their own players from the Bludgers and trying to send the Bludgers toward members of the opposing team. Beaters must have quick reflexes and great skill in flying with one or - sometimes - no hands. Because their job is very physically demanding, Beaters are generally larger and stronger as opposed to light, quick players.
BEATER TRYOUT (you roleplay this):
Bludgers are released; student and Madam Hooch must both take off. As if they are members of opposing teams, they must practice defending themselves from Bludgers and directing them toward their opponents.
Keeper
There is one of these on a Quidditch team. The equivalent of a "goalie" in soccer, the Keeper's job is the defend the three goalposts and keep the opposing team from scoring. Keepers must be quick flyers (in order to get around the goalposts quickly enough), and able to catch or block a Quaffle while in flight.
KEEPER TRYOUT (you roleplay this):
Student and Madam Hooch must both take off. Student must practice defending one set of goalposts while Madam Hooch attempts to score a goal. Student must also practice making accurate passes to Madam Hooch (as if she were another member of his/her team).
Seeker (Note: There is NOT an opening for Seeker on the Gryffindor team - James Potter is the Seeker)
There is one of these on a Quidditch team. The Seeker is a crucial position on the team. The Seeker is responsible for ending the game by catching the golden Snitch. Seekers must have faultless reflexes, agility and skill in flying one- or no-handed. They must also have complete control over their broom in order to follow the amazingly quick Snitch in its haphazard flight. Seekers are generally slight of build - though it isn't a requirement, it's believed to lend agility and speed to their flight.
SEEKER TRYOUT (you roleplay this):
Snitch is released. Student must first practice catching it on the ground (letting it fly a foot or so ahead and then catching it) to demonstrate quick reflexes. Snitch is then released into the stadium; student must catch the Snitch at least once. Snitch is put away; student must execute some precision-turning maneuvers for Madam Hooch.
NOTE: You may make NO comments from the point of Madam Hooch or the team captain like "That was terrific, you'll probably get a place" or any other comments indicative of a possible place on the team. Players will be chosen based on the skill of the writer and the skill of the character.
Also: Although everyone trying out for Quidditch is probably a terrific player, s/he is BOUND to have some weaknesses. Be sure to mention AT LEAST ONE mistake, slipup or error on behalf of the student during his/her tryout.
Finally, if you have any questions regarding the tryouts please e-mail me or Sara (her email is LDSPrincess924@hotmail.com). Happy flying!
*As team captains are not yet chosen, please refrain from naming the team captain that will witness your tryout.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THERE IS NO OPENING FOR A GRYFFINDOR TEAM SEEKER. THANK YOU.
You-Know-Emma The Next Dark Lady
~Board Administrator~
Edited by: YouKnowEmma at: 3/2/04 10:56 am
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(3/2/04 10:56 am) Reply
~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~
Character name Thomas Farrington Character age/year Sixteen, sixth year Character House Gryffindor Preferred position on the team Chaser Second-choice position Beater
~*~
"Oy, Tom, you're next," the captain called, and winked. Thomas grinned back and grabbed his broom before jogging to the pitch to where the captain and Madam Hooch, the flying instructor and Quidditch referee, waited.
"Mount you broomstick," Madam Hooch ordered, her eyes glinting with pleasure. She was holding a Quaffle easily in one hand, the other hand on her broomstick. Thomas obeyed.
He followed Madam Hooch until he was even with the goalposts, where she instructed him to go a certain distance off so that she could throw him the Quaffle. When he had done so, the flight instructor smiled and launched the ball at him with surprising speed - Thomas was forced to skip backwards a foot or two in order to catch the Quaffle without being injured.
"Good," Madam Hooch called, her voice diluted by the wind. "Throw it back."
Thomas threw once, not far enough - Madam Hooch dived quickly and caught the ball before it hit the ground, and tossed it back to him, her face impassive. Inwardly berating himself Thomas threw again, this time dead-on, and was rewarded with another curt "Good".
He took a deep breath to steady his nerves. Madam Hooch was coming closer, still carrying the Quaffle, shouting instructions as she came.
"Follow me to the goalposts! You must score five goals from five different distances! Each time you must get the Quaffle past me! Right, begin, twenty feet away!"
Thomas groaned inwardly - between the breeze and the distance, he wasn't entirely sure he could make the goal, especially not with Madam Hooch acting the position of Keeper. Carefully he balanced the Quaffle in one hand, took a deep breath, and - threw.
The ball went through the hoop, though barely. Madam Hooch caught it quickly and threw it back to him, instructing him to come a few feet forward and throw again. This time it was easier, although the flying instructor was harder to get past. Feeling more confident, Thomas threw a third time - and missed.
"Try again," Madam Hooch called. "This time, bring it here and throw it at close range."
Feeling confident that he could do this one, Thomas flew in a burst of speed to the goalpost, dodging Madam Hooch's blocks, and put the ball through the goalpost. "One more," she called. He did it, and Madam Hooch descended to the ground after she had caught the Quaffle. He followed.
The team captain was grinning. "Good work," he said. "See you around."
Re: ~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~
OOC: Emma says that since Aaron is a first year, he doesn't have to have a fault, because the only way for him to get on the team would be for him to be an excellent Quidditch player (and don't worry if your wondering how Harry Potter was the only 1st year in a hundred years, I'm already planing on a Death Eater killing his parents and then him).
IC:
Character name: Aaron Peter Callahan
Character age/year: 11, 1st year
Character House: Ravenclaw
Preferred position on the team: Seeker
Second-choice position: Chaser
Aaron walked onto the Quidditch pitch and watched as Thomas flew around and caught the Quaffle a couple of times, and then turned around and scored some goals with Madam Hooch as Keeper.
He's good, Aaron thought. He hadn't known that Thomas played Quidditch when he was partners with him in Herbology. Too bad he's not a Ravenclaw. He waited untill Thomas landed and started back to the the castel.
Aaron walked over to where Madam Hooch was and said, "Could I try out for the team?"
[To Be Continued]
Edited by: YouKnowEmma at: 6/2/04 10:13 am
Re: ~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~Character name: Kenneth Gillenwater Character age/year: 17, 7th year Character House: Gryffindor Preferred position on the team: Keeper Second-choice position: Chaser
"Your turn, Ken," the captain shouted over the wind. Kenneth grabbed his broom and ran across the grass to the pitch. He met Tom on the edge of the field, giving him a high five as he passed.
Madam Hooch and the captain were waiting for him in the middle of the playing field. The former mounted her broom, the Quaffle under her arm, and nodded at Ken to do the same. He mounted easily, kicking off the ground into the air after Madam Hooch. The wet sand made a slight sucking sound as he lifted off.
It felt great to be in the air again. Even though he was able to practice at home a little, Kenneth felt like he hadn't flown in months. Remembering he was in a tryout, he gripped his broom tighter and caught up with Madam Hooch at the goal posts.
At her command Kenneth positioned himself in front of the three hoops, eager to begin.
"Ready?" Madam Hooch asked.
Kenneth nodded.
She shot for the hoop on Ken's left, and he made a dive - and missed.
Madam Hooch caught the ball and returned to where she'd been. "Try again."
I'll get it this time. The Quaffle came for the center hoop, and Kenneth shot toward it and stopped it from going through.
"Good."
Kenneth stopped the next three well. His hands were sweaty despite the chilly air.
Madam Hooch flew a little distance from him and called over the wind: "We're going to do some passing. Throw as swiftly and accurately as possible. Ready?" Ken nodded. "Let's go."
She tossed the Quaffle to him, and he threw it back hard. She dived neatly sideways and caught it deftly. Passing him back the Quaffle, she called, "Let's see that again--I shouldn't have to dive to catch the ball."
He tried again, and did better this time. They did a few more of those, then Ken followed the instructor back down to the ground.
"Keep up the good work," the captain said, "See you later."
Kenneth smiled, and jogged off the field.
OOC: I was in a rush...I could have done better. *sheepish grin*
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(3/2/04 6:20 pm) Reply
Re: ~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~
OOC: Arwen, it's ok about Aratarion posting.
Also, a tip: don't apologize about your work, it'll make the judges automatically not expect much of it. You should NEVER apologize for something you do, because then the people judging you are going to take your word for it and your results could suffer!
MariCharacter name- Marigold Eizabeth Whyles Character age/year- 16 (?) sixth year Character House- Ravenclaw Preferred position on the team- Chaser Second-choice position- Keeper
When the person before her had finished their tryout, Madam Hooch signaled for Mari to come onto the field. Mari walked swiftly over to her arrying her broom with an air of confidence.
"Mount your broom and we'll begin," Madam Hooh instructed as she climed onto her broom and kicked off the ground in the same motion.
Mari flew up to Madam Hooch's level and waited for further instructions.
"We'll see how good you're passing skills are first," Hooch said. She tossed the quaffle to Mari, who caught it and threw it back. "Good," She said. "For standing still, for game purposes that pass won't do you much good though. Fly the length of the field with me, and pass it back when I throw it you."
Mari nodded and flew along side Madam Hooch. She caught the quaffle easily when it was thrown to her, but fumbled with it trying to throw it back. She only managed to throw the quaffle half of the distance back.
Madam Hooch dove for it, swiftly scooped it up, and came back to level with Mari. "Lets give it one more go, shall we?" Madam Hooch said turning and flying off the other direction.
Mari executed recieving and returning all of the rest of Madam Hooch's passes fairly easily.
"Ok, the next part of the tryout is scoring," Madam Hooch said. She flew over in front of the three hoops. "Throw it past me now. Start where you are, and move back about 5 feet or so for your next shot," She instructed.
Mari knew she'd do well on this part. She threw the quaffle hard and it flew through the hoop on the right, as Madam Hooch missed it just by an inch.
"Good, now go back a bit."
Mari flew back a few feet and then thew the quaffle again. She successfully got it through the hoop again.
"That should do us," Madam Hooch said kindly flying over to Mari. "Thank you Miss Whyles," she said as she and Mari dismounted their brooms.
"Thank you," Mari said, and with that she quickly walked off the quidditch field. She thought she'd done ok.
Re: ~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~
Character name Aralyn Lansford
Character age/year 15, Fifth year
Character House Gryffindor
Preferred position on the team Keeper
Second-choice position Chaser
Aralyn arrived for the Quidditch tryouts with her top of the art broom, the new Comet Two-Sixty. Unusually nervous, she gripped her broom tighter as she approached Madame Hooch. “I’m here to try-out for Keeper for Gryffindor’s.”
“Alright, mount your broom.” She did so, and kicked off with Madam Hooch and soared into the air. Aralyn flew to the goal post, and stationed herself in front of the goal posts. Madame Hooch approached the goal post and threw the Quaffle towards the left goal post. As she was the coach, she was exceptionally good. Aralyn dived for the Quaffle, nearly falling off her broom to keep it out.
They flew to the center of the pitch, and Madam Hooch threw the Quaffle hard and fast to her. She managed to catch it. Aralyn flew up high and pelted low to pass the Quaffle to Madame Hooch. After a few passes like these, and her try-out was over.
“We’ll post the results in the Common Room.” The team captain said as Aralyn walked away.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
DIE KATE BOSWORTH DIE!!! KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF ORLANDO!!! I HATE YOU!!!
Re: ~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~
[Continued from before]
"I'm sorry, but it's against the rules for first years to be on the Quidditch team," she replied.
"Why is that?" Aaron asked.
"You could get hurt with all of those bludgers and such flying around," Madam Hooch said, "and I'm sure a week in the hospital wing is insufficient payment for being on the team."
"Professor Yup saw me while I was practicing and said I should ask you if I could be on the team," Aaron said defensively. "And I can fly a lot better than most people my age, I can probably fly as well as some of the second or third years here."
"Well you don't have to get all snappy - I just meant that those were the rules. I didn't say they were unchangeable. You can try out, since there's no one else around. Well, lets get going - here's a broom." She handed Aaron a broom.
"Thanks!" Aaron said excitedly. "I want to try out for Seeker."
"Thats fine with me, but I'll warn you. I'm not so sure the other people on the Ravenclaw team will like having a first year in one of the most coveted positions, but I'll let you try," she warned him. They started to the Quidditch pitch and hopped onto their brooms. "Let out the Snitch," Madam Hooch shouted over her shoulder to the captain.
Aaron caught sight of a little golden glimmer to the right, and then it was gone.
"Your task -- catch the golden snitch. It comes in two parts. First part is, catch the Snitch as it is flying a foot or so above the ground."
Aaron sighted the Snitch hovering close to the ground near his end of the field, and darted after it. He swerved as the Snitch swerved, and finaly coming within catching distance, he reached for it and missed. Tried again - missed again. He tried about five times, and then pulled up next to Madam Hooch. "I just thought... it would be better if I tried out for Chaser - I can really fly a lot better than that."
"OK, I was begining to wonder about what you said." She flew around for a minute, and then darted to a spot at the opposite side of the pitch and made a grasping motion. She then flew back to the box and secured the Snitch, and then pulled out the Quaffle. "Here you go," she said and tossed the Quaffle to Aaron. "Pass it to me while flying, and then while I'm flying, and then when we're both flying, and then just pass it back to me."
Aaron caught the Quaffle and started flying. he excecuted a sharp turn and started back to Madam Hooch, and then threw it just at the right second. It soared right into Madam Hooch's arms.
"Good job. Now lets hit two birds with one stone and do catching, too."
She started flyind and passed it to Aaron. He caght it, and passed it back to her, this time with her flying. She caght it again and Aaron started flying, and Madam Hooch passed it to him. He caught it, and they finished the last throw and catch, and then started towards the goal hoops.
"What you have to do now is get it passed me three times," she said.
Aaron threw the ball and it zoomed straight through the left hoop. Madam Hooch caught it, and threw it back to him. He did the other two shots and they both went straight through.
"Good job, but I can't say that you'l make the team. I can't say that to anyone," she added sternly.
Aaron landed and handed the broom back to the captain, then started walking back to the castle.
bookworm Head Girl/Boy
Posts: 148
(5/2/04 5:53 pm) Reply
Rose's Tryout
Character name Rosalee LuAnn Diamonte
Character age/year 15 5th
Character House Gryffindor
Preferred position on the team Keeper
Second-choice position Beater
Rose walked onto the Quidditch Pitch with her Comet two-sixty, and early birthday present. Her hair was in a long braid down her back, which was unusual for her, she usually wore her waist-length hair loose, but if she had not plaited it it would be terribly tangled by the end of the tryout. There was a slight breeze, it pulled on her Robes. She hoped that the practicing she had done over the summer would pay off. She watched a younger boy, he looked small enough to be a first year, finish his tryout. She wondered why a firstyear was being allowed to tryout at all.
Done with the previous tryout, Madam Hooch came over to where Rose stood. Roses stomach lurched. Why did she ever think that she could do this? She forced herself to calm down. she would do fine.
"Now" said Madam Hooch. "What position are you trying otu for?"
"Keeper" answered Roes. "And Beater." she added quietly.
"Beater?" said Madam Hooch incredulously.
"Yes" said Rose, quieter still. She didn't look at all the build for a beater. But she had grown up with horses, and she was stronger than she looked, by far.
"Alright." said Madam Hooch uncertainly. "Well do the keeper tryout first."
Roses stomach lurched when she took of; whether from nerves or the takeoff she wasn't sure. Madam Hooch Flew down the field to on of the sets of goal hoops.
"I am going to try and make a goal through the goal hoops. I want you to stop the quaffle, then pass it back to me, as if I were one of your team mates."
Rose nodded uncertainly and flew in front of the center hoop. Madam Hooch flew towards her quickly. too quickly. Madam Hooch threw the ball toward the left goal hoop. Rose accelerated, and caught it, but just barely, and she grasped at her broom to keep her balance.
"Not too bad." said Madam Hooch. "But definate room for improvement. Madam hooch threw the quaffle towards the hoops a few more times, twice Rose let it through and had to Retrieve it, blushiung more furiously each time. Mdam Hooch motioned her to where the bow that held the balls sat on the ground.
"For the beater tryout, we will both have a bat. You will try to direct a blubger to hit me, and I will hit the bludgers toward you." Rose silently took the short bat Madam Hooch held out to her.
Rose felt she did better on this tryout, perhaps because her younger siblings had been only too wiulling to help her practice over the summer.......they had thrown balls at her fast and hard. She missed the bludger a coupler times, but felt she had done rather well.
After the tryout, Madam Hooch told Rose to land.
"That wasn't bad" she said. "I will notify you if you make the team."
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(5/2/04 9:53 pm) Reply
Great Job!!!
Nice going everyone, so far.
The one comment I have to make is that you do not need to go through two tryouts - ONLY roleplay one tryout (your first choice). The second choice is in case we give someone else your first choice and the second one is open - you will automatically be given your second choice if it is available. We do want everyone to have the opportunity to be involved in Quidditch who wants to be.
Great job, everyone! Keep up the good work.
You-Know-Emma The Next Dark Lady
~Board Administrator~
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(6/2/04 7:46 pm) Reply
Skilmer Tries Out
NOTE: THIS MESSAGE WAS BY LACOLE, ONLY POSTED WRONG.
Emma
~*~
Character name Skilmer Kimles
Character age/year 13, 3rd
Character House Hufflepuff
Preferred position on the team Keeper
Second-choice position Chaser
Skilmer picked up one of Madam Hooch's old brooms that she used to teach the first years. He didn't have one of his own, and he doubted he'd make the team. He just thought it was fun to fly, and thought he might be good enough to be beneficial to his team. If not, well, he didn't have anything to lose.
Madam Hooch waved him over and so Skilmer went. "Okay, what are you trying out for?" asked Madam Hooch.
"Keeper, I hope. I'm usually best at defense."
"Okay then, I'm going to try to score a goal, and you have to block it. Ready?"
"I think so."
"All right then, fly up there and be prepared, 'cause I won't be easy on you."
Skilmer kicked off. His stomach lurched a little--it had been a long time since he'd last flown, and the broom wasn't that good either. But it was fun to be flying.
He flew around in circles a few times to adjust himself, then positioned himself in front of the middle hoop. Madam Hooch flew up, flew towards him, he concentrated on her hands...she shot. It flew like a bullet towards one of the unguarded hoops. Unprepared, Skilmer could only watch as it soared perfectly through the hoop, then curved, heading down to the ground. He swooped down and caught it pretty well considering his bad broom and inexperiance: he almost missed. He tossed it back to Madam Hooch: "Sorry Professor...It's been a long time, can we take that as a warm-up, please?" She smiled, and Skilmer positioned himself again. Her hands flew out towards one goal; Skilmer sped towards it; her hands changed direction and threw it toward the unguarded goal on the other side. Making such a sharp turn that the broom almost slid him right off, he did manage to touch the ball with one finger, almost making it change direction enough to miss, but not quite. He dove again, caught it again, and tossed it to Madam Hooch again. He was feeling better, was warming up, he'd not done so badly, had he? The next two throws Skilmer blocked, and the very last one he actually managed to catch, though it knocked the wind out of him temporarily, and he spun slightly out of control. Madam Hooch motioned him to go back to the ground. Skilmer was slightly reluctant. "Results will be posted in your common room." Skilmer set the broom back down. He felt he had done pretty well. He wasn't sure if he'd made it, but it was only for fun, and he wouldn't really be losing anything, really. But...It would be really fun...
Character name- Carina Aloisi
Character age- 16, in sixth year
House - Ravenclaw
Preferred position- Seeker
Second preferred- Keeper
~
Carina rubbed the sweat off her palms on the hem of her robe, and held her hand above the broom laying to her side. "Up!" she said,and it flew into her waiting fingers. Well, she thought to herself sarcastically, that went well! I'll get a spot on the team for sure! She rolled her eyes at herself, and prepared to fly for Madame Hooch.
"Alright Miss Aloisi, I would like you to demonstrate some basic reflex skills. A seeker must be quick and alert at all times." said Madame Hooch as she opened the box and removed the golden snitch. Carina bent her knee's, ready to push off of the ground when the snitch was released. "Hang on, lets just do without the broom at first." remarked Hooch, noticing her out-of-place enthusiasm. Carina fumed at herself silently, and laid her broom on the ground. PAY ATTENTION she screamed at herself.
Hooch held the snitch about two feet out of Carina's reach, and let it go. She took a few quick steps forward, and the snitch flew a few inches to the right. Lunging, she grazed it's wings with her right hand, and quickly swung at it with the left, anticipating its reaction. Whoa...that was too easy.... she thought, looking at the gleaming snitch in her palm. She let it go again, and let it go a few feet before snatching it back. Looks like my James-watching time has paid of after all! she grinned to herself, remembering her crush on him in the fourth year.....snapping back into reality, she realized she had let the snitch go and it was now several feet away from her. She ran forward, and missed by several inches. Madame Hooch recovered the snitch, and motioned for Carina to return to her side.
"I'd like you to perform some basic flying maneuvers. A seeker must be a strong, fast flier. After a few moments, I'll release the snitch. You must catch it at least once. Ready?" Too upset with her carelessness from before to speak, Carina mounted her broom and kissed her necklace charm for luck. As soon as the wind was flying through her hair again, Carina felt utterly at ease, and all anger washed from her mind as if magically, by some cheering charm or love potion. She did three loop-de-loops followed by an about-face. She swung her broom left and right in 's'-shaped patterns, and then did some quick halts and tail drags. She went into a dive as steep as her broom could handle, and then shot up vertically, twisting in place to avoid imaginary bludgers.
She swung into a horizontal position sharply, and scanned the pitch to see if Madame Hooch had let the snitch into the air. Seeing a glint in the distance, she spurred her broom forward at top speed, and gained on the little snitch with lust in her eyes. She brushed her hair away from her face, and pulled left as the snitch swerved away. Her gaze never fell upon anything but the glittering prize in front of her, and she couldn't help but smile as she neared within three feet of it. Reaching out with her right hand, she extended her fingers to their maximum length, and gave one last lunge of physical strength and mental drive. Her fingers clamped with all their strength around the fluttering prey, and she slowed to a stop and returned to the ground.
She was too exhausted to do another run, and thanked Madame Hooch before skipping off to the showers. I put on a pretty good show... she thought. She picked up her pace, and tripped (gracefully) over the only thing that could bring her down from the clouds - a very large rock.
Edited by: YouKnowEmma at: 6/2/04 9:14 pm
Alvin
Character name: Alvin Dinkleburg
Character age/year: 13, 3rd year
Character House: Hufflepuff
Preferred position on the team: Keeper
Second-choice position: Chaser
Alvin clutched the handle of his broomstick so tightly his knuckles were white. WHAT was he doing here? The only thing he was going to accomplish was a broken neck. Or worse.
“Dinkleburg, Alvin!” called Madam Hooch, looking up from her clipboard, “You’re up!”
Alvin took in a deep breath—perhaps a bit too deep, he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. He didn’t have to do this. Why was he doing this? Why? He knew why. It was because of his parents. It was because of his brothers. Or was it…? They never pressured him into trying out—strongly hinted—but not pressured. Sighing heavily, Alvin tried desperately to find his nerve as he followed Madam Hooch out onto the Quidditch field.
“Now,” started Madam Hooch promptly, “I’m going to take a couple of shots at the goal, and you’re going to do your best to block them. After you’ve caught the ball, pass it back to me as though you are passing it to a teammate during a real match. Understand?”
Alvin nodded his head and gulped. He felt his palms get sweaty, and nervously whipped them off on his robes.
“Good. Up we go!”
Straddling the broomstick clumsily, Alvin took of in the air, followed closely behind by Madam Hooch. He took his place in front of the three, large goalposts and turned to face his doom.
SWOOSH!
“That’s ball number one!” shouted Madam Hooch. Alvin’s jaw dropped. They were starting already? NOW? He’d missed the very first ball??
SWOOSH!
“Ball two!” Oh no. Not another one. PAY ATTENTION, ALVIN.
The next ball was different. Alvin suddenly felt the entire world slow down to his own speed. It was as if he couldn’t see anything except Madam Hooch, and the quaffle. The orange blur shot out from her arms and came pelting towards the left goalpost. Sharply turning his broom, he swung out in front of it. SMACK. The next the he knew, he grasped the quaffle between his two arms.
He passed it quickly to Hooch, whom caught it, but just barely. They repeated this process a few more times, each time Alvin gaining more and more self confidence. It was like magic, yet he’d left his wand in the common room.
Fifteen minutes later, Alvin’s feet were planted safely on the ground. He could feel his nerves doing summersaults. It had been quite a rush. Leaving the rest up to fate, and not caring whether he’d made the team or not, he skipped all the way back to the castle feeling exceedingly proud of himself. He knew he had it in him. It was simply genetics.
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
Of My Own
Little World
Posts: 252
(16/2/04 7:57 pm) Reply
Aiden for Chaser
Character name - Aiden Jeffreys
Character age/year - 17 / 7th year
Character House - HUFFLEPUFF
Preferred position on the team - Chaser
Second-choice position - Keeper
"You're up, Aiden!"
Aiden, feeling jumpy, bounced onto his broom, which he promptly flew to where Madam Hooch was waiting. She started to tell him what do to - "I know the drill, Madam Hooch." He looked at her half-pleadingly, "Can we just get this over with?" Madam Hooch looked rather taken aback, but shrugged and threw Aiden the ball as she zipped through the air. Aiden caught it easily, but it would be harder getting it back to Madam Hooch while they were both moving. His throw veered to the left and she had to turn sharply to catch it, casting him a sideways glance but saying nothing. Grinding his teeth he caught the ball and threw it again - better this time. A few more throws and Aiden heaved a sigh; this wasn't so bad. But the sigh caught in his throat and made him nearly choke as he missed a throw and had to dive after it. He threw it back scowling at himself. Madam Hooch caught it and tucked it under her arm for a moment, "Let's see you try and score a few goals."
Aiden's scowling cleared - he knew he was much better at flying than passing. This mostly held true throughout the next several minutes, but Madam Hooch did not make it easy on him - she caught the ball once and it bounced off the circle of the post another time. When they were through, they returned to the ground and the Hufflepuff Quidditch captain clapped him on the shoulder.
"How'd I do?" Aiden asked eagerly. For a seventh year, he was really being rather anxious. But it was his first tryout ever.
"Alright," the captain replied uncommittally. "We'll have the results soon. See you, Aiden."
Aiden sighed, knowing he wasn't going to get a better answer out of the captain. "See you." He trudged off, crossing and uncrossing his fingers.
LDSPrincess924
Supreme ruler of my own little world...
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Posts: 352
(16/2/04 8:29 pm) Reply
Sirius Black
Character name Sirius Black
Character age/year Seventeen, seventh year
Character House Gryffindor
Preferred position on the team Chaser
Second-choice position Beater
~*~
Sirius walked jauntily onto the field, broom in hand, exuding confidence.
"Black," Madam Hooch said, hiding a small smile. "Please mount your broom and follow me."
With a wink and a nod, Sirius did as instructed. When they were level with the goalposts they stopped ascending, and Sirius called "Fire away, ma'am". Madam Hooch - taking him at his word - shot the Quaffle very suddenly and very quickly to Sirius' left.
Sirius dipped and slipped sideways to catch the Quaffle with a grace not usually associated with broomsticks. Smiling blandly, he returned the Quaffle to the flight instructor with equal force.
"Good." Madam Hooch's voice drifted to him - she was a good ways away - carried on the slight breeze. Without warning, she fired the Quaffle again, this time aiming nearly a hundred feet below him. Sirius dived steeply, catching the Quaffle with alacrity and as quickly returning to be level with the goalposts. Once more, he returned the Quaffle to Madam Hooch.
After a few more similar passes - all of which but two Sirius caught with ease and grace - Madam Hooch signaled that the tryout was over. As he returned to the ground, Sirius lessened the gap between him and the instructor.
"Good job," Madam Hooch said appreciatively as their feet touched the hard ground of the pitch, softened slightly after yesterday's drizzle.
"Thank you," Sirius responded with a charming smile, and dismounted. "And did I mention that you look lovely in black?"
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(21/2/04 9:15 am) Reply
CLOSED!
QUIDDITCH TROUTS ARE NOW CLOSED. IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE YOUR TRYOUT AND WANT TO, PLEASE E-MAIL ME THE TRYOUT BEFORE 7pm SUNDAY NIGHT AND IT WILL BE PUT INTO CONSIDERATION.
THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE A SECOND ROUND OF TRYOUTS IF NOT ALL OF THE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED. IF YOUR CHARACTER DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO TRY OUT DURING THE FIRST ROUND, FEEL FREE TO HAVE THEM GO DURING THE SECOND.
NOTICE: WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO GET EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO BE INVOLVED IN QUIDDITCH. IN SOME CASES TWO OR MORE PEOPLE HAVE TRIED OUT FOR THE SAME POSITION. IN THIS CASE WE WILL PICK ONE TO PLAY THE PREFERRED POSITION AND TRY TO GET THE OTHERS INTO THEIR SECOND CHOICE SPOTS.
TRYOUTS WILL BE JUDGED BY THE SKILL OF THE CHARACTER (although that's pretty much equal all around!) AND THE SKILL OF THE WRITER. IF THERE IS A CLOSE TIE, WE WILL DRAW OUT OF A HAT TO MAKE IT COMPLETELY FAIR.
ALSO, WE NEED 3 TEAM CAPTAINS (GRYFFINDOR HAS ONE, JAMES POTTER). IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN BEING CAPTAIN ONCE YOU MAKE THE TEAM, LET US KNOW. IF THERE'S MORE THAN ONE APPLICANT FOR CAPTAIN, WE WILL AGAIN DRAW OUT OF A HAT.
THANKS FOR PLAYING!
You-Know-Emma The Next Dark Lady
~Board Administrator~
Edited by: YouKnowEmma at: 21/2/04 9:16 am
bookworm Professor
Posts: 193
(21/2/04 1:16 pm) Reply
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(21/2/04 8:45 pm) Reply
Re: Rosalee
Either Sunday or Monday, provided we have time to judge all the entries by then. Unfortunately both Sara and I have very real lives, so we can only do our best.
~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~
You-Know-Emma 
~*~QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!!!~*~
bookworm
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