Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was created in 987 by the top witches and wizards of that age; Godric Gryfffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw & Salazar Slytherin. sc_online_t(608988,"Student(s) Roaming the Halls","#37c0bb"); Users Online Counter
{Admin Note: I'll make a graphic and do a post about what happened in the match tomorrow, as I've been busy moving into University today. Sincerely~ Gold}
Name: Hyacinthe Durant
Nickname(s): Cinthe
FC: Clemence Poesy
Year: 7th
Birthday: January 6th
House: Hufflepuff
Blood Status: Pure-blood
Family:
Mother: Marie Abbey (St. Martin)
Step-Mother: Josephine Durant
Father: Francis Durant
Twin Brother: Narcisse Durant
Step-Brother (Older): Sebastian Leandre
Half-Brother: Thierry Durant
Half-Brother: Antonin Durant
Wand: 14 inches, veela hair, oak
Boggart: Losing her twin brother
Patronus: Greyhound
Birthplace/Residency: Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Pets: Booted Eagle ‘Maximilian’
Student Position: Prefect
Quidditch Position: Beater
Character’s History:
Marie St Martin, attended Beuxbations and it was there that she met the older Francis Durant. It was while she was in her fifth year, and he in his seventh that they started dating and even once he had completed Beuxbatons the relationship continued. A few years after she graduated from the school the relationship developed and soon they were engaged and then married.
And so Narcisse and Hyacinthe were born. The relationship between Marie and Francis soured because of his long hours at the Ministry meaning that he couldn’t spend time with his newborn children, and eventually they seperated. When the twins were four the split became permanent as Marie and Francis divorced. They made an agreement to get one child each and allowed the children to contact each other as they pleased, making it quite an amicable split.
While Marie and Narcisse went to England, Hyacinthe and her father stayed in Paris. And within a year, Francis Durant had married again. His new wife, Josephine, had been in his year at Beuxbatons and was a widow, her husband having died of Dragon Pox. Josephine had a son, Sebastian from her first marriage, who is three years older than Hyacinthe. Within two years of Francis’ remarriage, she had a younger brother.
Not having that amicable a relationship with her step-mother, and having a father who was still so very busy at the ministry and her twin brother being far away Hyacinthe grew up very isolated. Hyacinthe didn’t get along with her half-siblings and her step brother simply because as the only girl she was different and so couldn’t join in their fun. Sebastian also enjoyed making fun of Hyacinthe.
When she was 11, she decided that she wanted to go to Hogwarts with Narcisse, desiring to be with her twin brother again, and not to Beuxbatons where she knew she would get bullied by her step-brother and his friends.
Character’s Personality:
Hyacinthe is extremely extroverted and could be considered vain. She is aware of her beauty and doesn’t try to hide it. She’s not very modest, as she knows her virtues and is quite happy to flaunt them.
Despite the vain, and some what arrogant attitude she is also very kind and nurturing. She looks after her fellow housemates and the younger students. She likes singing and music, but she hopes to become a healer after leaving Hogwarts. She is very skilled at Transfiguration, Charms and surprisingly to many; Divination.
The only person with whom she drops her fake personality, the loud arrogant one that she shows to the outside world, is to her brother Narcisse. When with her brother, she is less brash and more quiet and content.
Name: Narcisse Durant
Nickname(s): Cisse
FC: Daniel Sharman
Year: 7th
Birthday: January 6th
House: Ravenclaw
Blood Status: Pure-blood
Family:
Mother: Marie Abbey (St. Martin)
Step-Father: Michael Abbey
Father: Francis Durant
Twin Brother: Hyacinthe Durant
Half-Sister: Charlotte Abbey
Half-Brother: Reynold Abbey
Wand: 14 inches, veela hair, oak
Boggart: Losing his twin sister
Patronus: Chatreux Cat
Birthplace/Residency: Sark, Balliwick of Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK
Pets: Booted Eagle ‘Arabella’
Student Position: Prefect
Quidditch Position: Beater & Captain
Character’s History:
Marie St Martin, attended Beuxbations and it was there that she met the older Francis Durant. It was while she was in her fifth year, and he in his seventh that they started dating and even once he had completed Beuxbatons the relationship continued. A few years after she graduated from the school the relationship developed and soon they were engaged and then married.
And so Narcisse and Hyacinthe were born. The relationship between Marie and Francis soured because of his long hours at the Ministry meaning that he couldn’t spend time with his newborn children, and eventually they seperated. When the twins were four the split became permanent as Marie and Francis divorced. They made an agreement to get one child each and allowed the children to contact each other as they pleased, making it quite an amicable split.
Moving to England with Narcisse, Marie got a job as a secretary and it was there that she met Michael Abbey. They eventually married, and set up home on Sark, Michael’s birth place. When Marie became pregnant she retired from the Ministry and became a full time mother, but by this time Narcisse was nearing 9 years old and didn’t want his mother around all the time.
Narcisse gets along alright with his step-father, and treats his step-siblings with care but disinterest because of them being so much younger than him. He wrote to his father once a month throughout his childhood ensuring that they have a civil, but not particularly close, relationship, and to his sister Hyacinthe he wrote everyday. Not even distance and a new family could keep him away from his twin.
He entered into Hogwarts, it being his step-father’s school when he was 11 and was pleased to note that Hyacinthe followed him there. He however was placed into Ravenclaw, while she was not.
Character’s Personality:
Narcisse is very introverted, prefering to be left alone to study. He doesn’t like flattery or compliments and believes them to be a waste of time, and in most situations a fake courtesy. He is very aware of his short-comings and tries to fix them.
Despite his sometimes quite short manner, he is actually quite shy at times, preferring to hide behind his sisters exuberance. He likes music, but only plays when his sister is accompanying him. Narcisse is very good at Quidditch and while he knows that he has the potential to go professional, his intention is to enter the Ministry as an Unspeakable.
The only person he isn’t short with is his sister, mostly because she ignores it. He is fiercely dedicated to protecting his slightly younger sister, both physically and emotionally. When he is around Hyacinthe he is actually, what some people would call kind.
November 1st, 2013. Hogwarts. Today the weather turned wintry as a surprise gale from the north brought snow and sleet onto the grounds of Hogwarts, but the cold weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of the players and the quidditch fans out to support them. In addition to the legions of students in the crowds, all donning their house scarves in both pride, and in an attempt to keep warm, the stands also held member of the Board of Governors, the esteemed Staff of Hogwarts and famous alumni of our great school. Including the guest announcer for today's match; Hufflepuff Alumni and star player of the current World Cup winning team, Miss Catherine Jeann.
Before the match started I, Miranda Lee; 5th Year and Hufflepuff myself was able to ask the star chaser a few questions. Here is a snippet of that interview:
ML: Will this sudden cold snap of weather pose any challenges for the players today?
CJ: Almost certainty, the wind on its own would mean that they'd have to spend more energy and focus on staying on their brooms, focus they'd normally want to have for actually playing the game. Added to that there's this snow, which doesn't look like it will be stopping any time soon. So the visibility conditions aren't going to be the best in the world, to say the least, and on top of that you've got to remember that by the end of the game they're all going to be soaked and freezing.
ML: So a difficult game then?
CJ: Most definitely, but with the skills both teams have, and the fact that it is the most famous rivalry in Hogwarts, it should be an enjoyable one.
If you want to read more of that interview, including what it's like to graduate from our noble school, tips on studying for N.E.W.T.'s and what it's like to play in, and win a Quidditch World Cup, look out for the first edition of this years 'The Parapet' coming out November 10th. But now onto the match commentary itself.
On this blustery early winters day, we will be watching these two teams battle it out for glory and pride. Both of these teams are historically great at the game, with Slytherin having won the Quidditch cup a total of 289 times, and Gryffindor just beating that number with 302. Added to that incredible record of success, there is the added fact that Gryffindor has won the world cup the last four years in a row; meaning that they are most desperate to win again this year, while Slytherin are determined to wrench victory from their red counterparts.
And here is the moment that we've all been waiting for; Professor Waters is on the field with the Quaffle, and from a few words to the amassed teams around him, detailing the rules to them, the team captains; Slytherin's Joanna Amasetta, and Gryffindor's Valentine King are shaking hands and now both teams are in the air.
With the Snitch released and flying around the snowy stadium, the bludgers soaring into the air and the Quaffle thrown, the game has begun!
And Slytherin take an early lead as chaser, number 17, Miss Morgan Day; who incidentally is celebrating her birthday today, has the quaffle and is heading towards the goals. No doubt she is hoping to cap her birthday celebrations with a victory, and she is one step closer to that goal with an expertly thrown quaffle into the left goal, securing 10 points for Slytherin.
The Quaffle is then picked up by Gryffindor Chaser, Estrella Solvan, who while dodging the bludgers flying towards her, is heading towards the Slytherin goal. The Gryffindor beaters should really be paying more attention to defending their team mates then jeering at the opposing team. And 10 points to Gryffindor, evening the score quickly. Ducking another bludger, Estrella quickly grabs the Quaffle almost out of the hands of Slytherin; Johanna Amasetta and then quickly passes it onto team mate Ilaria Capitani.
The blonde haired seeker, Italian by heritage but Scottish by birth, is quick to evade the clutches of the three Slytherin chasers, all of whom are desperate to get the Quaffle out of her hands, but no luck, another 10 points for Gryffindor, making the score 20, 10 to Gryffindor. An exciting match and we've only just started.
Gryffindor no 11, has caught the quaffle, but drops it quickly after being hit in the side by a bludger aimed by thelytherin beaters. Where are Gryffindors beaters? No matter how good a team is, they can't do anything if they're two players down and constantly being bombarded by bludgers. Joanna Amasetta, has the quaffle and she has scored, bringing the score to 20 apiece.
No 11 has the quaffle again, and this time it seems like the Gryffindor beaters are finally getting into motion to protect their team after Gryffindor captain Valentine King had swooped down from her high position to give them what seems to be a very severe tongue lashing. And Gryffindor scores!
Miss King having returned to the seeker heights is circling the pitch, along with Mister Duke Tojours, both of whom looking earnestly for the Golden snitch. Funny that, how we've got both a King and a Duke in this game, if I were more inclined to joking, I'd make a joke out of that, but I'll carry on to say, that both of these seekers are seventh years, and so desperately trying to win the season for their respective teams in their last year of Hogwarts. Of course being a seeker, is a very demanding position, that tiny gold snitch is worth 150 points, and signifies the end of a match. But it's damned hard to catch, meaning that some games have lasted weeks, and even months.
Moving away from the seekers in their never ending search and spiral around the stadium, the score now stands at 110 - 30, after Gryffindor has scored an impressive seven goal in a row. It would have been eight had Miss Day not stolen the Quaffle right out of no. 11's hands and scored Slytherin's third goal.
Miss Amasetta is looking angry now as she directs her two fellow chasers to form flanks beside her as they charge across the stadium in a V formation, pushing the Gryffindor chasers to the side, but before she can score the Slytherin captain is hit by a bludger, hit by Mr. Noah Nightingale, of Gryffindor house, sending both the quaffle and herself falling to the ground. The quaffle is snatched up by Estrella Solven who quickly and neatly sends it into the Slytherin goal.
Miss Amasetta's fall is slowed by Professor Waters, who having ensured that the Slytherin captain has attained no permanent injury allows her to climb back into position and play. Now we must turn our attention to the Slytherin goals where Miss Capitani has scored her tenth goal of the competition, sending the score to Gryffindor 190, Slytherin 80. Slytherin is clawing back points, but slowly and now it must be asked whether Slytherin keeper, a Miss Astrid Merrygold, has been prepared for this match. It's no secret that both teams tend to be over confident before this match, I remember during my school days when this particular match could go on for two days at least because both sides were so confident that neither had a true advantage. And that is what it seems like today, with Slytherin's Chasers not being quick enough and their Keeper not, in fact keeping that much at all, and Gryffindor not working as an effective team should; with that incident earlier when Miss King had to yell at her beaters to actually get them to play, it seems like neither team were prepared for the challenges they would face.
Of course I must add, that the weather has been a problem for the players today. With such low visibility it's no wonder that Miss Merrygold has been having problems deciphering into which goals the chasers were aiming. And of course it must be added that all that snow and sleet will most likely be chilling the players to the bone, all of them must surely now be hoping that their seekers would quickly get the snitch rather than waiting for a larger margin for points.
The current score is now 230, 150 as Slytherin scores with that wonderful shot from Miss Day. Miss Amasetta has quickly snapped the quaffle and gets into position to score. She throws but it is blocked by the Gryffindor Keeper; Mr. Orion Nova, who passes it smoothly to chaser Capitani, who speeds towards the Slytherin goals.
She throws it to no 11, who catches and continues the relentless effort forward just as Capitani is hit by a bludger in the arm. She sways dangerously on her broom but stays upright, and despite the fact that her arm has to really hurt right now she carries on instead of taking a time out to have her arm checked and getting a reserve to play, so surely it musn't be that bad of an injury.
Miss Merrygold stops the quaffle, and throws it to her team members, only for it to be intercepted by Miss Solven who neatly scores, making the score 240 to 150. Giving Gryffindor a lead of 90 points. Slytherin had best hope that they either get hold of the snitch quickly or get posession of the quaffle for a significant period of time, otherwise it looks like it will be a Gryffindor victory.
Capitani has the quaffle again, and oh no! she's been hit again by a bludger. It looks to be in the same arm also, now that is certain to hurt, such a big impact like that one, added to the existing injury to her left arm would surely have broken it, and she descends to the floor of the stadium, allowing a reserve to play in her place. Of course while this was going on Slytherin chaser, no 6, had caught the quaffle and scored a goal, making it now 300, 200. It's still very close but not close enough for Slytherin to start becoming lax.
Mister Tujours, who is surely facing some horrendous weather up at the heights he is flying at, must also be feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders in attempt to get the snitch before Gryffindor has reached a margin of over 150, meaning that even if Slytherin were to catch the snitch, Gryffindor would still win. And though that does sound unlikely, it has happened before, both here at Hogwarts and in Professional Quidditch. I am of course referring to the famous World Cup Final where Bulgarian Seeker, Victor Krum caught the snitch, but Ireland won the match.
Oh, and it looks like Mr. Tujours has indeed seen the snitch, as he speeds unnervingly towards the Ravenclaw stands. From this position I can't see it, but Tujours looks confident that it's the snitch, enough to send Miss King hurtling towards the same area. Tujours has his hand out now, ready to catch the snitch, and ooh! Instead of catching the snitch, and securing victory for Slytherin, he is checked by Miss King, sending them both scrambling to get back into control of themselves before they crash into the stands. It seems the snitch has gone, and Mr Tujours is angry about that, judging by his hand movement he looks to be contesting the legality of that move, but even from here I could see that it was a legal move. Which Professor Waters, agrees with sending both seekers back into the heights above the stadium to continue the game.
For it to have been an illegal move, Miss King would have either needed to have lost complete control of the broom; which it was evident she did not from the way she was able to stop herself flying into the Ravenclaw stands, or for her to have purposefully have extended any of her limbs as she connected with Mr Tujours, thus meaning she had intent to cause damage, but the Gryffindor didn't even have an elbow out of place as she checked the Slytherin. It was a dangerous move, one only a very confident and skilled seeker would even think of performing because of the potential risk to both parties, but it's clear from the fact that she was expertly able to pull off such a check, first created by Hogwarts Alumni; Marcus Blayard in 1789 by the way, that Miss King is indeed a skilled seeker.
Away from the drama of the seekers, in their chase of the snitch, and that expert check, the score is now 360, 220 to Gryffindor, and the gap between the two teams is widening. And Miss Amasetta, Captain of Slytherin's team has called for a time out calling her team in for what looks to be a well needed pep-talk. Taking the opportunity King does the same with her own team. In this break, Miss Capitani returns to her team and the reserve Chaser leaves. It seems that Capitani was lucky to only have a minor sprain that was treated by the mediwitch on duty. But she'll be hoping not to be hit in the arm again.
Game play starts again, with Gryffindor in possession of the quaffle, as the weather gets even worse. Solven scores quickly, but Slytherin gets possession of the quaffle in a quick move performed by Day. Day passes it to Amasetta, who returns the quaffle back to Day who then scores. Whatever it was that Amasetta said to her team, it has spurned them into playing like this, if it continues and they can keep Gryffindor from getting possession of the Quaffle, Slytherin might be able to claw their way to victory.
Slytherin beater, no 9, has fouled, grabbing onto the tail of chaser Estrella Solven's broom as she went past, and is sent to the ground for the next ten minutes of game-play, leaving Solven to take the penalty shot, which she scores! Amasetta will be furious at her team mate for such a blatant foul, which has let Gryffindor to regain their momentum as they continue to keep possession of the Quaffle.
Gryffindor's Valentine King has seemed to have spotted the snitch, and dives towards it. The increased sleet has meant that I can't see it but Tujours is trusting his Gryffindor opponent and chases after her, both of them heading for the ground at a very hard angle, and King pulls up sharply! Tujours doesn't have time to and crashes into the ground hard, King hovers for a moment above her counterpart, seemingly saying something to him but I can't hear it because of the gale and she has returned to the seeker heights. Valenting King has just performed an excellent Wronski feint, and Duke Tujours must be smarting over both having fallen for it and his injuries. As Tujours returns to his position the score is now at 460 to 320 with Gryffindor in the lead.
Slytherin however are in position of the quaffle, and are performing an excellent Woollongong Shimmy; a high speed zig-zagging maneouver that is designed to stop any opposing chasers from coming up behind or on the side and taking the quaffle. Seeing this the Gryffindor team goes under the Slytherin and turns, heading towards them in a fast Hawkshead Formation, breaking apart the maneouver and gaining posession of the quaffle.
After that time out, in which both captains appreared to be grilling their respective teams, both sides are playing much better. The difficulties of the first part of this game are mostly gone now, with both teams working coherently but despite this new found determination. Slytherin still trails behind Gryffindor at 350, while Gryffindor now has 500 points. And this is the delicate part of the game, if Slytherin catches the snitch now it wll be a tie, but if they let Gryffindor get even one more goal it looks like the red team will win.
And so it begins a game of almost cat and mouse, as Gryffindor scores, and the Slytherin team tries to get possession of the quaffle off of their counterpart over and over again. Capitani is hit in the arm again, soon after Slytherin's no. 9 is returned to play, and she is forced down. She might have escaped earlier from breaking her arm, but a third hit to her right arm has surely broken it and the reserve chaser takes up position again.
The score is now 370 to 540, and Tojours must be desperately seeking out the snitch in order to prevent losing to too great a margin. And it seems he has found it, as the Slytherin chaser goes speeding through the main layer of playing after the snitch. And even the crowd can see it! King is shortly behind him but Tojours catches the snitch, leaving the score at 550 to 520, after Solven scored the last goal of the match mere seconds before Tujours caught the snitch.
But despite Slytherin catching the snitch, Gryffindor has won the match! And now all the players are surely relieved to be able to go inside and out of this pitiful and frankly disgusting weather.
The Board of Governors and the collective Staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would like to wish Miss Morgan Day, of Slytherin House, many happy returns on this the 1st day of November, 2013, the 14th anniversary of her birth.
Do you have a story? Or even just an opinion you want to share? Then The Parapet is the place for you. As Hogwarts’ only student run newspaper we only print in full 5 times a year, just like it was when the newspaper started 232 years ago, though we do now have a Christmas and Valentines’ Special.
The First issue of the 2013/14 year is due to be published on the 10th of November, so if you want to submit an article on anything from your return to Hogwarts, the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin quidditch match to Professor Trinkets children or the uselessness of Herbology, please submit it before the 9th of November.
Our only stipulation is that it is over 800 words. That’s it! That’s at least 800 words of whatever you want to write about. We look forward to including your stories and articles in our next publication
Hogwarts' only student run newspaper. In continuous print since 1781, it has been a lifeblood of the school for 232 years. Articles on any subject are welcome.
The Parapet is printed, as per tradition, only five times a year in full.
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[The Admin's would appreciate it if the players would tag any para's or convo's with 'hween' as this will make it easier to search for posts on the subject]
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