Really, who cares how they kept score 200 years ago? Was that answer going to change anything for them today? No. Was it going to make a difference how they kept score today? No. Seriously, if she wanted a history lesson she would be in History of Magic class right now, not Flying.

"One point to each of you for your answers," replied Vindictus and he looked around at some of the students' faces. "Baskets were used until 1883. Also, the ancient Quaffle was a patched leather ball with a strap and finger holes - it wasn't enchanted. and made it difficult for the Catchers to score. Beaters hit the blooders with bats, and the Hunters had to catch the Golden Snidget."

He stopped and looked again at some students who appeared to be bored. "Some of you need to wipe those bored expressions from your faces or else I'll have you tidying up the dungeons."

Stare.

"Now, let's get back to discussing the way Quidditch used to be played. If you're unfamiliar with the origins of the sport, I highly suggest that you listen."

Long pause.

"Let's see if you can put the pieces together and answer this final question - who can explain how Quidditch used to be played?"

Wow!!! Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed. It wasnt that she was bored... she wa actually interested in the subject. Its just she had no feedback to give hence her blank face. But if it made the professor feel better she changed her facial expression to what she hope looked like a look of interest. That still wasnt going to makeher know th answerto the question he was asking though

Er, what? He failed when questions had numbers in them. That's why he didn't take Arithmancy.

Not yet, anyway. He runs away from numbers.

But, he didn't get this one, yet he raised his hand, "Professor, when the hexing took place, before the baskets were added, or after the Snitch was added?" because there were like three ways Quidditch used to be played, the concept was still the same, though.

"You're thinking of Stitchstock," Vindictus replied. "Let me rephrase the question - how was Quidditch played long ago when the Bludgers were highly dangerous, the Quaffle was difficult to throw, and the Snitch was actually a live bird?"

Quidditch used to be played..

And Cam's mind was at a blank. Nommmmm. What was for dinner? WHOAH. Conentrate!

"They used a bird and the Hunters would catch the bird. It was really mean, actually.." And that's all that came to mind. It didn't differ from modern day quidditch, THAT much did it?

Bored expression? Did he mean the one she had on right now? Because she was pretty sure her expression was aimed more towards the annoying coldness outside instead of the history lesson they were having at the moment. At least in this history lesson though, she knew what she was talking about.

But wait, didn't he just pretty much tell them how they played the game? Wait, now his answer was confusing her, and made her forget her original answer…and history. Ugh, she hated when that happened. Making her second guess herself! "Umm…did they not play it like how we play it nowadays? Just...a lot more difficult right?"

Err, It seemed like someone was in an unpleasant mood. Em really hoped she didn't look bored. She was just so confused. Up until like four months ago, Em hadn't really ever know what quiddich was, and knowing that it was a sport on brooms didn't help at all. At least she was learning all new stuff she thought as she listened to the professor.

Hehe. Now we're talking.

Mmmmhmmm. Hand raised again, "Oh, then I guess it was quite a bloody game, but the concept was the same, whilst more difficult, the main object was to catch the Snidget..." poor bird, "...while the Catchers tried to avoid flying rocks, and also had to try and keep a hold on the Quaffle, throwing it to those baskets-things as much as they could" it was pretty much the same, no?

Miles' fingers were tapping restlessly on his pants. He wanted to flyyyyyy, he wanted to be up in the skyyyyyyyyy, oh so hiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. Giggle. A giggle slipped out and his eyes widened as he looked around. Oh goodie no one was paying attention. Hearing Professor V his eyes widened. "They caught the birdie and the birdie DIED! IT DIIIIIIIIIIIIIED!!!!!" It was horrible. Poor birdie. Poor poor birdie. The Bludgers were dangerous sure but THE BIRDIE!!!

"Well, I've read bludgers were once actually huge rocks charmed to chase players which sounds rather scry and hazardous. And yes like others have said the golden snitch used to be the golden snidget which is an actual bird often killed to end the game when caught. It sounds like a plain horrible time if you ask me", Chloe responded raising her hand.

"It was cruel and why Golden Snidget hunting is illegal today," Vindictus answered. "Two points for your answer."
"Good, Treyen. There are more rules and better equipment today but the scoring never changed. Three points for your answer."

"Can you elaborate on what you mean?" he asked but then a giggle made him turn.

Ah, Miles!

"Yes, poor little birdie. It got squished when caught," verified Vindictus. "Three points for pointing out the unnecessary death of a walnut-sized bird."

Fia leaned back looking calm and cool. Every once in a while her green eyes would look to her fingers and smile, then her eyes would catch a glimpse of him. It would make her giggle inside with happiness and though she was in class with one of her favorite professors, she just wasn't paying enough attention to work. Who needed to work at this point? Her head was in the clouds and she was just....happy.

"That's correct, Chloe. Three points for your answer," replied Vindictus.

Realizing that no one else seemed willing to answer his question for desirable House Points, he sighed rather loudly and walked over to the purple tarp.

"Today, we're going to play Quidditch."

Long, dramatic pause.

"Old school."

The tarp was pulled off to reveal a pile of school brooms and a pile of protective padding (including padded helmets).

"I want each person to grab a broom and the protective gear. Don't forget to grab a helmet! If you choose NOT to wear the protective gear, keep in mind that I have a special 'gift' for you."

Mischevious smile.

"Once you're ready, stand by your broom and wait for me to give further instructions."

Elaborate on her answer? Pfft, that Huffie kid pretty much did that. AFTER she spoke. Did he still want her to elaborate on her answer? Would it annoy him if she did?

...

Alright, she would totally elaborate then. "Well, like you said, and that yellow guy said..." she started, pointing out the small dude over there. Yea, over there, somewhere. "The quaffle didn't have that sticking charm on it, so it was insanely difficult to hold, keep a grip on it, and shoot. There were probably more air shots then actual goals during a game, which would probably tire out the chasers a lot more. And then the rocks that were being enchanted to fly at players, they'd normally break when one of the beaters hit them. Which, i'm sort of confused on...would there just be an endless supply of 'rocks' that they'd bring with them to the games?"

Hehe, or did they just go around and try to find a rock on the ground to use when the game was actually going. "And yea, the bird that was being used, it died when it was caught." A ridiculous and stupid death. It should have LIVED! What would Professor whatshername say about it if she knew what they were talking about? "If the seekers were like...animal lovers and such, they'd have some sort of internal battle with themselves trying to catch this bird before the other seeker does. It'd be hard for them!"

Yup. Who cared about the keeper. He just needed to block the quaffle. No biggy.

He was really going to let them play quidditch?!...

Pfft. Right. Old school. Because he was old.

Raising a brow at all the protective gear, a small chuckle escaped her when she noticed the helmets as well. Wow, the game was really that difficult in the old days? When Vinny was younger?

Whatever though. She'd wear the stuff. She didn't want bruises on her perfect skin. PSSH!

Standing up, Evelyn shivered slightly from the cold wind and went over to all the gear and brooms, first picking out the first broom that looked better then all the others. Had to have a good broom!

Old school Quiddtich, huh? This should be...interesting. So she stood up from her spot on the grass and headed over to claim a broom and a set of protective gear for her.

Then she put the gear on, held her broom to her side and waited for instructions.

Miles' eyes widened even further and he shook his head rapidly, "Nononononononoooooooo, What about the birdie?! You can't kill the birdie!" He wouldn't have it, no sir, not happening, nu uh. He jumped up and crossed his arms, "Can't let this happen, nope, nope nope. Birdie must be saved!!!!!!" Yup he'll save the birdie! He'll release it before they play. That'll fix everything.

Heading toward the table he ignored everyone else in search of the birdie in it's little birdie cage with it's little birdie wings, all while his fingers drummed rapidly on his pants leg. Not finding a bird there though he gasped. NO! What happened to the birdie?! Where was it?! What the evil man done?! Looking at Vindictus he frowned, "Where's the bird?! What have you done with it?! It must be FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell me where it is!" Birdie freedom force UNITE!

Quidditch? They were playing quidditch?

YAYYYY!!!!

Oh wait... old school quidditch. But quidditch was still quidditch and Carter would take whatever he could get.

Carter walked over and grabbed some a set of protective gear and a broom. Then he walked back over to his spot in the grass and began putting on the gear. Soon all that was left was the helmet. He secured it to his head and stood next to the school broom.

Eck. He hated those things. His broom was so much better.

As he listened to the answers given by his classmates, Simon began wondering what the practical part of this lesson would be. Surely not a simple game of quidditch. But when Vindictus confirmed his thoughts and then paused, he had a feeling they were in for a dousy.

WHat?! Old school as in enchanted boulders...?he thought to himself glancing at the protective gear that was revealed when the tarp was removed. Merlin help us!

Well if they had to, Simon certainly wasn't going to play unprotected. He'd rather not end up with a concussion from class thank you very much. Getting up to his feet, he slowly made his way over to the pile to retrieve the gear and broom he would need. Of course he was stopped from putting it on just yet as he watched the Ravenclaw prefect seemingly go berserk over a bird.

Were they actually gonna risk an endangered animal for a class.

Salander listened to the back and forth discussion with glazed eyes. He knew very little about technicalities of Quidditch other than how he saw them played at his previous schools, so its little wonder how there wasnt a peep from him when it was all about discussing Quidditch in the old days. He wasnt bored, but then again, there was hardly any difference between his appearing dumb and being bored witless. Couldnt exactly blame the Professor for confusing his look.

Some movement was finally detected from the lad when the Professor pulled away the purple tarp. "Old skool Quidditch eh?"he mumbled as he took a broom, the helmet and other protective gear. So if they're playing Quidditch.... what does that mean for lousy modest broom fliers like himself? "So.... we're gonna be up in the air, flying like the Pros playin' this old skool Quidditch arent we Professor?" He just had to ask, because Quidditch is also about strategy aint it? And right now Salander has to form a strategy himself. Survival strategy.

Wooohooooooo! JD loved flying, and playing quidditch. Though he did snort when the professor said something about gear. He was a seeker, and needed to be fast. No Gear! No way hehe.

Grabbing a broomstick JD looks over and sees Miles searching around and demanding where the bird was. Birdie? Kill the birdie? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO Diving at the table, he helps Miles search for that birdie. No birdies are gonna die, birdies are nice.

Narrowing his eyes, he turns to look at Vindi, "Yeah, where's the birdie?" he demands. "Sir?" His hands now on his hips with the broomstick leaning against his shoulder, he stands his ground. No birdies, he will hide them, and keep them and make sure they're safe...

Chloe's smiled having earned points but her joy quickly faded as her mouth dropped open hearing they were gonna play old style quiddich. Even with protective gear the game was highly dangerous. Is this GUY CRAZY Chloe bit her lip as she walked over to the protective gear and put it on. It did not make her feel much safer. Even so she grabbed a school broom and waited to see how on Earth this was gonna work. This is something the professor has put together, it can't be all that dangerous regardless what it may seem like, RIGHT?

Oh boy...maybe Kurumi should have stayed in the library today. Fumbling around as she put her gear on and tripping over her own feet several times, Kurumi bega to wish they were playing some harmless sport like American football - at least it didn't involve live birds. Once her gear was on - hopefully properly - she stood by her broom and looked at the teacher with scared violet eyes.

Kurumi felt tears in her eyes hearing people talking about killing a birdie. it made things even worse that she had first heard that from the scary cookie hating Slytherin girl.

"P-p-professor...we aren't really going to kill a bird today...are we?"

She adjusted her gear that was clearly a little too big for her, but it was the smallest size there. It wasn't her fault that she was so short and thin.

Right. Marie should have known Vinny was going to have them play an ancient game. A game that was probably as ancient as he was. Seriously this class should be called History of Flying because that was all the man taught. OLD stuff.

Well might as well go get some of that garb and put it on, before he decided to take points from her for sitting there.

Speaking of taking points...

Someone obviously needed to lose some points here. Talk about a disruption to the class. But who was she to say anything? Only the girl who lost points because she called the professor by the nickname that everyone knows him by. Oh and because she didn't tell him she was sorry.

Whatever.

At least now she would get to fly. Just as soon as she got all this garb on. Including the funny looking helmet, which she did get on.

She was standing there next to the broom when...

Someone else was questioning the way the game was going to be played. Bet he didn't get any points taken away either.

Well, this certainly was an interesting lesson so far. Having sat down after only a few minutes, next to Sandra of course and returning her smile with one of his own, his eyes bounced from one person to the other as they answered questions about the history of Quidditch. Did he miss something? Was this just a class on the history of the sport?

That would have been a great shame if it was, but his ears perked up when the Professor said they would be playing Quidditch. Old quidditch at that. Fantastique!

Standing up, he took a quick glance at Jermaine before moving over to the safety gear and brooms. Did he really need to wear this? He supposed he did though. He didn't want a cracked skull or broken rib right before the second task. It would do him no good. Picking up the gear, he placed them on one by one before ending with the padded helmet. Maybe he can forced on extra stuff. Just to make sure he was safe.