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Chapter 14 – Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff

The morning of Ravenclaw's first Quidditch match came just as any other, but as Steven made his way to the common room, he knew that this day would be full of excitement. The house colors were sparkling everywhere from newly cast spells and everyone from first years to seventh years were talking about the match. Steven saw Kim and Amanda sitting in a corner with some other Ravenclaws, but they were dressed differently; he decided to investigate.

"Hey Kim, Amanda. What are ya'll wearing?" he asked as he sat in a chair across from them.

"We're on the Quidditch team, remember? These are our robes for the match," Amanda said.

Steven nodded, "So, is anyone gonna fill me in on how this works?"

Kim looked at the others around them, "I think you'll figure it out quick enough. Besides, we're due on the pitch in ten minutes. Let's go, Amanda." The two of them hustled out the door with their brooms and Steven and the rest of Ravenclaw house went to breakfast.

He kept asking about Quidditch and kept getting the same answer about being able to pick it up easily. Megan finally gave him some new information, "Quidditch is played on brooms over a field called the pitch. There are three goals in which teams must try to put a ball, called the quaffle, into. There are seven players, one seeker, one keeper, two beaters, and three chasers. You'll figure out what they all do at the match."

As breakfast was drawing to a close, Dumbledore stood and called for the student's attention. "Today, Ravenclaw will play Hufflepuff. Might I remind you that magic is strictly forbidden in the Quidditch arena. More importantly, have fun and enjoy you day free of classes."

Steven and the other seven first years joined in with the rest of Ravenclaw and chanted all the way down to the massive arena. As they found their seats, Steven could hardly take it all in. The oval arena centered around a large field and, as Megan said, three goals at each end. Steven's flying instructor came out to the center of the field and then the announcer's voice filled the arena.

"Welcome to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff's first match of the season, we look forward to seeing their teams in action. Speak of the devil, here comes Ravenclaw onto the field. Their lineup this year consists of captain and chaser Trent Brown, chaser Alicia Vinderbrot, chaser Tyrome Carn, beater Brian Carson, beater Amanda Kelsoe, keeper Kimberly Free, and seeker Carl Dent."

As their names were announced, the players would fly out from the side of the arena. Steven cheered when Amanda and Kim came out, as well as when the other players joined them.

"Now, here comes Hufflepuff. Their team this year is led by captain and beater Mark Brown and his team of fellow beater Jennifer Fawn, keeper Bart Zilt, chaser Ted Dreab, chaser Harlan Yurd, chaser Briana Stevens, and seeker Margaret Pots."

The Ravenclaws remained silent during the Hufflepuff introductions. They wanted to win, but they didn't boo their fellow classmates. However, it seemed Hufflepuff was louder than Ravenclaw at cheering.

The announcer continued, "Madam Hooch gives the players their last minute instructions … and their goes the quaffle, Ravenclaw has it, who is it? Trent Brown's got the quaffle moving down the pitch to Hufflepuff's goals. Kelsoe gives that bludger a good beating towards the keeper. AND RAVENCLAW SCORES! Ten points to Ravenclaw as Harlan Yurd takes the quaffle and leads down the pitch."

All around Steven, his fellow classmates were erupting in cheers as he struggled to see what was going on and to listen to the announcer, "Harlan passes to Ted, protected by captain Brown from a bludger, passes to Bart. INTERCEPTED BY RAVENCLAW! Who is that? Man these brooms are fast this year. It's Alicia with the interception as she dodges a bludger and passes to Tyrome. Brian and Amanda are keeping the lanes free as Tyrome throws the quaffle AND keeper Bart Zilt catches it this time."

Steven's head was spinning with excitement. This was awesome! He could almost dislike his grandmother for keeping this part secret from him. But all of a sudden, a glint of gold flew past Steven and he saw Carl take off. "What's going on?"

Fred was standing beside him, "Just listen to Jordan commentate."

"WE HAVE A SIGHTING ON THE SNITCH as Carl Dent takes off and Margaret is close on his tail. A bludger fired by Jennifer throws Carl off and Margie takes the lead." The crowd gave out a large oh as Amanda showed them why she was beater. "Amanda Kelsoe is hot on the tail of Margaret, there comes a bludger straight at the two and OUCH! Margaret's broom goes sailing off course after she gets it from the side from Amanda. Isn't that a foul? Nope, Madam Hooch rules it legal."

"There are fouls, too?" asked Steven. But Fred didn't hear him.

"It appears the snitch is lost again as Ravenclaw scores their fourth goal," said Jordan. "That puts the score forty to twenty, Ravenclaw. Here goes Ted down the field, passes to Harlan, he shoots, and Kim Free takes away another goal from Hufflepuff. BUT NO! She's not passing it, she's taking off down the field! Can she do that? My goodness! This is brand new! Kim flies down the field as Amanda clears her path, she passes to … AMANDA!? What's going on? Did Trent even assign positions on his team? She passes back to Kim, she throws, and SHE SCORES! The keeper scores. This has to damage poor Hufflepuff. Oh, the pandemonium."

"We might have a chance at the cup this year!" yelled a fourth year behind Steven.

"Kim returns to her post as … Carl takes off again, he's seen the snitch. There goes Margaret with the follow-up. They're neck-to-neck. And OH! Brian takes Margaret out. CARL HAS THE SNITCH, HE'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH, IT'S OVER! RAVENCLAW WINS TWO HUNDRED TEN TO FORTY!"

The Ravenclaw team dropped to the ground on their brooms and ran together into a huge hug. Seventh years in the stands were running around hugging first years. Steven didn't know what to think. He ran back to the common room with the rest of his house and there was a huge party until three the next morning.