Quidditch 101 with Greg Lestrade!!

[di_intraining]

WHO: Greg Lestrade, Arthur and Victoria Kirkland on Saturday, and Hufflepuffs interested in trying out for the team and who might want some tips for it before the real tryouts. Saturday is locked to Arthur and Victoria, while Sunday is open to Hufflepuffs and other people who might be at the field on that day.
TONE: PG-13
RATING: PG-13
WHEN: 9/8/2012 (Saturday) and 9/9/2012 (Sunday)
WHERE: Quidditch field
WHAT: Saturday: Greg promised to help out Arthur and Victoria on their Quidditch skills. Sunday: Greg offers to take a look at what the skills of interested Hufflepuff Quidditch players and provide suggestions to improve their game before tryouts.
STATUS: Ongoing.

[Thankfully, the good weather from Friday has stretched over the weekend. If your name is Arthur or Victoria Kirkland, than Greg will be waiting for you on Saturday for your respective slots. Hufflepuff team prospects, come by on Sunday instead. Whatever it is, Greg's here to give pointers on improving your game. Gatecrashers are welcome on Sunday, but the whole field was booked for the private lessons on Saturday.]

Comments

Saturday morning: Locked to Arthur

[di_intraining]

[Paging for Arthur Kirkland, your Quidditch bro is here to help!]

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur is not the best of morning people but he's not going to turn down a chance to fine-tune his skills before the try-outs. The more he's thought about it, the more he's been getting himself psyched up and he's actually growing excited about the idea of possibly being on the team]

Doesn't this go against your position as an opposing team's captain, Greg?

[He speaks up as he comes within earshot, broom held over his shoulder]

[di_intraining]

I'd like to keep my team on their toes. Don't want them to grow too complacent, after all. The best way to do that is to have good opponents.

More importantly, you're my friend, and I just want to help. No harm in that. Anyone's got a problem with that, they can take it up with me.

Right, so shall we get started then?

[rule_britannia]

Mate, come on, you know it's no fun to tease you when you start making sense like that.

[He sets the brush end of his broomstick down against the ground and nods]

I'm ready when you are.

[di_intraining]

God you sound just like Victoria. Do you both get together to think of ways to tease me?

[For all he rolls his eyes, his own tone is pretty light as well; he's just joking, as evident by the slight smirk on his face. And without warning, he's just going to throw the Quaffle at Arthur's way.]

[rule_britannia]

Oh no, our plan has been foiled, whatever shall we do.

[He keeps his voice utterly deadpan, though his amusement is rather clear. It's as if on reflex that Arthur snatches the Quaffle out of the air and tucks it under his arm]

So, what are we going to do first?

[di_intraining]

Well, first off I've got to see where you stand exactly in terms of Quidditch. So we'll do some basic exercises in the air: catching, intercepting, maybe a few flying tricks later on. I won't bring out the Bludgers just yet, but we'll see how things go.

[rule_britannia]

Sounds easy enough.

[Though he's never played a Quidditch match before, he's aware enough of the rules and is rather sharp on a broom. His own is well under his command as he lets it hover beside him]

Let's begin, then.

[di_intraining]

[Greg nods. Soon enough, he'll be in the air with the Quaffle at hand. When Arthur's ready, he'll try some passes at the Slytherin. At first they'll be relatively simple, but as Arthur catches more and more Greg's going to get sneakier with his passes. They also start of stationary in the air, but eventually they will move on to flying while catching. They're still at relatively normal speeds, but if Arthur proves himself Greg may up the level.]

Saturday afternoon: Locked to Victoria

[di_intraining]

[Dear lady, your Quidditch teacher awaits.]

Saturday afternoon: Locked to Victoria

[nobodyscrumpet]

[Victoria strides out onto the pitch in a pair of jeans and a big baggy t-shirt. Clothes she doesn't at all normally wear, her hair up in buns. Her broom resting comfortably in her hand. She gives him a polite smile as she stops infront of him.]

I'm ready for my training, Gregory.

[di_intraining]

[He's never seen her in an outfit like that, no. Somehow, it makes her seem...stronger? Not so delicate? Greg's not too sure how to define it, but it definitely makes her look as tough as he knows she is.]

Greg, Victoria.

[He's got a small box next to him that he opens to reveal the Quidditch balls. Ignoring the black struggling one and the smooth small golden one, he picks up the Quaffle and abruptly chucks it at Victoria's direction.]

Heads up!

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She harassed Arthur out of them, so none of her things would get dirty.]

I know your name. I just said it after all.

[She gives a slight cheeky grin at him. As the quaffle flies at her, on reaction she drops her broom and catches the ball with both hands, looking more like she's attempting to hug it than catch it.]

You nearly knocked my glasses off!

[Sounding more surprised than annoyed.]

[di_intraining]

[Good idea. Still, he's impressed she caught it.]

You don't want to hug the Quaffle, it's probably covered in sweat. It can also throw your balance off, so try to get a good grip on it before it's too close to your body.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[Looking down at the ball with a very unimpressed look, pulling it away from her body once Greg mentions the ball could be sweat covered.]

Please tell me they wash this after each match, then...

[None the less she gets a grip of it with one hand, letting the other hand drop her her side.]

Like this?

[di_intraining]

[He's going to walk over to her to better supervise.]

They're supposed to.

Hold it with both hands, but don't catch it like you want to hug it. Here, throw it at me and I'll show you.

[nobodyscrumpet]

I'll be on my broom. I couldn't possibly catch it with two hands then... Could I?

[She looks down at the quaffle, then throws it firmly at him. It flies straight towards him]

Sunday: Open to everyone

[di_intraining]

[Hufflepuffs and whoever who's keen, come on by!]

[moirailcompass]

[And Nepeta arrives, properly dressed in her Quidditch equipment and with her trusty broom over her shoulder]

Greg! Hey!

[di_intraining]

[Is he glad to see her!]

How's it going Nepeta? First week went alright?

[moirailcompass]

The first week has been great! It's been fun to catch up with and see everyone. How has yours been?

[di_intraining]

[He grimaces slightly.]

It could be better, but I've only got myself to blame. Glad to know that you're doing good and that you're keen on trying for the Quidditch team again.

[He gestures at the crate with the Quidditch balls, one tiny golden ball resting in its pocket.]

You want me to take a look at what you've got?

[moirailcompass]

[A look of concern crosses her face]

Sure do--but would you like to talk first?

[di_intraining]

It's fine. I don't want to bother you with my problems either.

[And he unstraps the Snitch, holding it tightly in his hand.]

You ready? Three, two, one, GO!

[And off the Snitch goes!]

[moirailcompass]

[She's about to protest to let him know she doesn't mind, but then he begins to countdown and she shuts her mouth. When he lets go of the Snitch she if off as well! Nepeta certainly doesn't have the best broomstick around but she takes care of it very well. Her small size and skill on the broom certainly help make up for it a bit, and when she is up in the open air again she feels a thrill race through her.

There is only so much she can practice back home, living in a Muggle city. There were too many risks of being seen, even out in the forest so she is limited in how much she can fly. Being back in Hogwarts and the open Quidditch field is exhilarating and she is zooming after the Snitch, darting between poles as it zips about. Her long hair is tied in a tight braid and flying behind.

As she drew closer she reached out with both hands, balancing precariously on her broom and caught it. She felt the feathery little ball flapping its wings frantically in her hands but she had a solid grip on it. She grinned and looked down at Greg, holding it up for him to see before making her way towards him]