Her mind scolded her as her lips had begun to stretch into a scowl. Luckily for her easily provoked sense of guilt, a girl was willing to distract her long enough to keep her from insulting her selfish qualities. Letting her honey colored eyes fall on the unknown girl, Daphne was well aware the girl had stolen a few chuckles from her and she quickly turned her amusement into coughing fit. Done feigning illness, she tugged slightly at her scarf, aware that her lips were partially hidden behind the scarlet and golden article of clothing. It wouldn't do to speak from behind it. It would be rude and with her luck the girl would most likely not hear her correctly and then Hopton would have to repeat herself, causing herself in the end, more trouble than it was necessary.

"I don't know about you, but it was either this," she spoke gesturing briefly with a gloved hand at the pitch. "Or to lead the rest of my school life as a socially inadequate girl, shunned by her own housemates."

It also wouldn't do that her Mother thought her darling daughter to be very popular, as she was when she attended Hogwarts. Strongly, she fought against her gag reflex. Her Mother could be so perfect it was nauseating. However, the match had started just as she finished speaking and she turned quickly to gaze at the pitch. Smiling genuinely she pointed at one of the Gryffindor Chasers. "She's the reason I'm here." Miss Jillian also happened to be the reason she had been knee deep in the lake hunting for that bloody frog.

Penny walked out to the stands. The first match of the term. Not knowing who she was going to cheer for she found a seat in the third row. She looked around, seeing if there was someone there that she knew. She saw Lima and waved and smiled at her.

Tears forming in her eyes yet again, she nodded and said, "I'm afraid that he might dump me. I dunno yet, but I have a feeling..." She couldn't believe it. This time last week they were so happy and in love.

Kayla watched the girl with slight amusement as she tried to cover up her laugh with a coughing fit. Somehow she got the impression the younger girl really did not want to be here and was not partcularly into small talk either, which begged the question 'why was she here at all?' After a moment she answered that question and Kayla smiled ruefully.

"Unfortunately I have to agree with you, as sad as that may sound. To think we have to come to a Quidditch match of all places so as to not succumb to living like a hermit for the rest of the school year" not that she had been shunned by her housemates, no not at all. But to be able to get away from her closest friends for a little while at least was a blessing.

Kayla looked over to where the younger girl had pointed and smiled. "So I'm guessing she is a friend of yours? Must be a very good friend to have you come out here on a cold winter's day, when you clearly don't want to be here at all?"

Miranda's smile faded when she saw her fellow Hufflepuff looking sad. She hoped she was ok, Miranda wasnt good at consoling other people, so she looked away again and saw that the Ravenclaw team were in the lead.

Rapunzel now patted Miranda on the back as she spotted the first year looking a bit nervous, suddenly. "Oh, no worries. We've beaten them before." She winked. "And besides, this was before I you were on the team, my SECRET WEAPON!"

Mwahahaha! *insert evil theme music here*

But back to dear, sad Lima - no cackling here. "Why would he do such a thing, hun?" She said concernedly. "If it's that bad, YOU should break up with him. Makes things easier." Cough cough, suuuuure it does. It hurts all the same.

Dominic tried to relax when he heard Kayla chuckling behind him; most likely at him. Trying not to let her get to him, he attempted to tune out her giggling. It was working for the most part until she offered him food; well that was right strange, since she didn't seem like the type.

Turning around, his eyes narrowed momentarily at her. "Sorry, but I better not. Gotta watch what I eat so my performance can be up to par for the quidditch game I have approaching fast." Letting a small smirk spread on his lips, he turned back to face the pitch . . .


... and ultimately, Rapunzel. Oh is that all captains care about? Some shiny gold cup? Honestly, it was probably more trouble than it was worth anyway. Though he wasn't about to argue with her, for fear he might not get to play if he did. Must seem like he cared ...

"Of course... And who says Hufflepuff won't be getting it?" With a slight mischievous glint in his eyes, he smirked at her as well. Honestly; he was a possessive seeker, but really wizard as a whole; that snitch was going to be his. Whether Snakes liked it or not.



The Professor was quite lucky that people weren't constantly flocking to him. Ah the price of good looks being a Quidditch Player. "Learn something new every day," he smiled at the professor. "Playing is more than just pretty fun, but rather it is absolutely AMAZING! Speaking of which, you'll also be coming to the next game to see Hufflepuff take on the Slytherins?"

Dominic didn't really doubt that Mr Myers would, but had to ask anyway.

His topaz eyes flitted back to the pitch in time to see the Gryffindor Prefect score. Oh this was going to be a tight match, he could tell.

She sighed loudly again and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I don't know... I know that he's jealous of Kyler, but I can't see it as all being related to it. It doesn't make sense." She couldn't help laughing at that bit of advice. "I can't dump him. I love him more than anyone." And she blushed at that confession.

Then she noticed Penny waving at her. She returned the wave weakly. Penny reminded her of Mads and she didn't need that right now he was on her mind enough as it was.

Penny waited for Lima to wave back. When she did it was a small wave. Penny shrugged it off. Maybe Lima was still mad at her for what happened at the lake. 'Oh well' she sighed.

It wasn't that she wasn't paying attention to the girl but as violent and disgusting as it was, Quidditch was, if anything, interesting. Mister Newell in particular who didn't seem to allow his ridiculous sideburns to hinder his agility at all. Smiling to herself, she sank deeper into her scarf, sweeping her eyes sideways once more, as the Gryffindor Prefect scored, tying up the game. "Not that living as a hermit is all that bad," corrected Daphne quickly, a pink hue invading her cheeks suddenly, not caused by the biting wind winter procured. "It's just unacceptable at the moment."

Or ever, according to Mrs Hopton. Hogwarts was an opportunity to show off the proud Hopton name, leader in luxury cauldrons and magical stealth devices. Unaware, Daphne's eyes had rolled heavenward just as her mother's voice started chiming irrate in her head about her daughter being a recluse and having to live alone the rest of her life because no one wanted to marry a pudgy, anti-social young lady. Chuckling sadly, Daphne smiled crookedly from behind her scarf, only half of the gesture visible. "I guess you can say she's my only friend so she has no other choice but to be a good friend." Everyone else was just an acquaintance in Daphne's mind but again, Mrs Hopton didn't need to know that. "By the way," continued Miss Hopton, well aware that she was speaking more than it was normal for her. "I think I've forgotten my manners." Mom would claim to suffering from high blood pressure. "My name's Daphne Hopton. It's really nice to meet you," concluded the blond and extended a small gloved hand. Just as she introduced herself, an uproar swept the stand and the second year frowned at the Ravenclaw supporters. "It looks like it's going to be a tough game to predict."

Daphne, thankfully, was unaware of the girl's nearby love problems. She didn't quite believe in boys--yet anyways and rued the day puberty would turn her life topsy-turvy.

Speak of evil and it shall manifest itself before your eyes in the form of a boy with shiny hair and ever irritating attitude. Her little conversation had been interrupted and instinctively she let herself slowly sink back into her scarf, not willing to make eye contact with the male specimen. Besides, he was speaking to the girl she had just introduced herself to. It was all fine and dandy, except her hand was still extended towards the girl and it all made for a rather awkward situation.

Besides, did boys worry about weight? Did he fear his thighs were too big and it would weigh down his broom therefore slowing down his speed in the pitch. Inconspicuously, she let her amber eyes fall down to his robes just in case his ginormous thighs could be seen through the winter getup.

Miranda had to laugh. Rapunzel was one lively Hufflepuff, she really liked her new captain. As Rapunzel turned back to Lima, Miranda heard Dom talking with someone behind her. Turning around she saw that it was the DADA teacher.
She blushed and quickly turned to watch the game again.

Kayla almost snorted at Dominic's comment. "Oh...and here I thought pumpkins were your favourite" she said slyly, wondering if he remembered the incident in the flying lesson. But really how could he forget that he had crashed and ended up with a pumpkin on his head. "Well I guess you won't be eating much then" she nodded her head towards his stomach. "Seems not all those confectionaries you threw at Camira, were wasted" she gave him a small wink before leaning back again.



For someone who said that she didn't like Quidditch, the young girl seemed very keen to watch it. And Kayla drew her gaze towards the pitch and watched for several moments before speaking again. "No it definitely has its advantages but may I inquire as to why now is an unacceptable time?" The girl could decline her offer to answer if she so wished, it was a personal question and they hardly knew each other.

"Well one good friend is better than none at all" Kayla replied smiling. "It's nice to meet you also Daphne, my name is Kayla Winters" she took her hand out of her pocket and shook Daphne's hand before quickly putting back inside her pocket, it was just too cold to leave it out in the cold air. Turning back to the pitch as a roar went up. "Yeah I guess it is" she responded watching the game before her. "I hope Ravenclaw win" she announced after a moment, any team but the one with the Anna Greingoth in it.

What was this? The boy could smile? He just gets weirder and weirder the more I get to know him, Punz thought, raising a brow at the fourth year.

"No one." She replied simply, smirking at him in return. "Unless...of course...your slippery hands cause you to fall off your broom...or a flying book bludger attacks you....'twould be such a tragedy." Punz sighed melodramatically and turned back around.

Okay, the truth was that he was a great player and Hufflepuff really needed him, but for some reason Punz couldn't admit that right now....well, not in front of a crowd of people!

Oh dear, she's crying.... Rapunzel was starting to feel extremely awkward, since she was here to root on Ravenclaw but she hadn't gotten to cheer once - it would be rude to dear Lima.

"There there now," she said softly, patting her friend on the back. "Here, have a tissue," Punz added, offering the girl a handy little travel pack of purple Puffs.

"Maybe things will just work out! Have you explained your friendship to Maddox?" Rapunzel couldn't help wiggling in her seat a little - after all, she used to be the jealous type....

Sophie made her way towards the stands and took a seat near the top. She was thinking of the days she used to play...and how much she missed it. Sophie sighed to herself, not in the best of moods. She was missing someone. Maybe the fresh air would do her some good.

Eavesdropping into others conversations was considered bad manners but it was hard not to when the individuals involved were sitting nearby so Daphne settled for watching the game bemusedly, half-annoyed with Gryffindor's lack of bodacious defense. She was also one quarter annoyed at the fact she didn't know who in the magical world this Camira was. Daphne tapped her own nose, chiding herself internally. Nosy.

"I have to keep up appearances," she remarked off-offhandedly, a gloved hand makings it's way from out of her robes pockets to wave carelessly in the air as if to flick away the topic of conversation that she did not care to divulge in at the moment but couldn't bring herself to be impolite enough to tell her that she shouldn't be asking such questions in their first meeting. Next thing she knew, the girl might invite herself over for tea and crumpets. "I'm sure you can identify with that, Kayla Winters."

Daphne didn't mean to sound stuffy and use the girl's full name to address her, but it was her way of actually memorizing it and being able to piece it to a face in the future. Miss Hopton had a nasty habit of forgetting people which led to embarrassing situations. She said nothing about the brief handshake and could only sympathize with her. It was cold after all, but the warm bodies around them seemed to be causing some sort of greenhouse effect. Perhaps it was the adrenaline rushing into their bodies from watching the game. Again, honey eyes rolled heavenwards.

"Ravenclaw?" Choked Daphne and bit her tongue as she nodded decisively. Yes, it was best not to make enemies. That could wait until at least her sixth year, where she could properly hex someone. "May I ask why?" Questioned Hopton incredulously, delicate face contorting with displeasure. "It's not like they're the most liked house." In her opinion--although, to Daphne Hopton, to find someone that she approved were rare little miracles granted by the Gnome Gods.

She sniffled and grabbed the Kleenex from her gratefully. "Thank you," she said before wiping the tears from her eyes.

She laughed bitterly. "I wish. What's the point?" She cast a look at her friend. "He's not going to listen. He didn't want to listen in DA either." She sighed.

Miranda turned to Lima again and saw that she really was pretty upset. Reaching down her pocket, she took out a couple of chocolate frogs. They were a bit melted, but still delicious!
She reached out her hand with the chocolate, and offered some to Lima. "Here, you want some chocolate?" she asked smiling kindly.

Ludo made his way excitedly into the stands. He'd been so consumed by his work that he'd hardly remembered there was a match today. Let alone a Ravenclaw match!

He took a seat scanning the proceedings above. Ludo had painted his face half royal blue, the other half bronze. Although he didn't play, he always found time to watch a match.
His excitement grew, causing him to stand up and shout, "Rah Rah RAVENCLAW!"

Suddenly someone was offering her chocolate. Turning her attention to the girl offering it, she saw that it was one of the girls from the practice. Sniffling, she took the chocolate. "Thank you, Miranda," she said gratefully. Taking a bite from it, she felt a little bit better.

Miranda smiled as Lima took a frog. Chocolate was the best thing ever! She turned to Rapunzel. "Want one?" she asked as she took a chocolate frog that had stuck to her hand. Miranda was wondering how to clean that...

Kayla raised an eyebrow slightly at Daphne's confession. Keeping up appearances? Oh yes Kayla could identify with that, spending the past three years with her grandmother she knew all about keeping up appearances. But of course that was when her grandmother was around, now she couldn't care less what anyone thought of her...except for maybe one. "I understand perfectly Ms. Hopton" she inclined her head ever so slightly.

"True...they are not" Kayla responded managing to keep the scowl from her face as she continued. "Let's just say that I do not like the Gryffindor Prefect, for reasons I will keep to myself. So I will allow myself this little bit of immaturity for the duration of the game and cheer on Ravenclaw" which of course she would not! Getting up and yelling across the pitch was definitely not her.

Punzel felt a bit better now that Whit had some Puffs. Puffs for a Puff...heheh.

And what could she say to that? Rapunzel just shrugged and threw up her hands. "Do you think maybe, uh, Kyler would back you up? I don't know!" Ay yi yi, she'd only ever had one boyfriend...although she'd kissed other boys and flirted with too many to count, Rapunzel really wasn't a relationship expert.

"Oh yeah, that sounds great!" Rapunzel beamed and accepted the chocolate. She noticed that Lima had one too, so now was a good time to cheer on the Claws.

"WHOOOO! Go RAVENCLAW!" Punz stood up and waved her blue scarf around in the air, completely disregarding the fact that she might be blocking someone's view.

Ravenclaw scored! Ludo cheered and clapped wildly. These matches always brought his more outgoing side. His eyes darted from player to player. A mass of scarlet and blue streaked across the sky.

A blonde Ravenclaw player caught his attention. He grinned as his mind made recognition. He cupped his hands to his mouth and called to the skies, "GO LIZ! GO!"

She snorted, "why would I tell Kyler? He's like family to me. I never could do that. He'd feel so bad." She sighed. She wished that she didn't have such jealous boyfriend.

Cringing in her seat at a particularly loud Claw, Daphne could only tilt her head and hope that her eardrums could somehow evade the sound waves he was emitting from this angle. Intrigued, Daphne smiled from the comfortable warmth of her house scarf. "Which one?" Inquired the 12 year old but had a feeling it had to be the female Prefect. Girls were petty by nature. Of course, she would know, seeing as she was a girl after all. Undeveloped and young, but still a girl. "Skinny, tanned, one or the curly, long sideburns wearing one?" Concluded the girl as she pointed at the pitch, pale brows furrowing with disappointment. Gryffindor had failed to score and Hopton crossed her toes in her shoes for good luck, lest she jynx them. The first half still hadn't ended. There was still hope.

If you were optimistic, which Daphne wasn't.