Fiction Contest > October 2005 "A Day at the Games"

The smell of the grass. The swish of the brooms. The screams of the participants. Today is not just any ordinary day. Today, dreams will be broken, wishes will be granted, tears will be spilled. When all is said and done, this day…

Mister Tuttle, would you please get on with it?

Sorry, Professor, I’m just setting up the mood here. Some people have no appreciation for a dramatic introduction. Welcome and hello, I am your announcer Tad Tuttle, and this is the third day of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s one hundred and fifteenth Wizarding Olympics. The first two days were full of thrills and chills as the Quidditch preliminaries got underway, and we saw round one of the house-elf toss and the cross-country thestral-cart marathon, as well as the first leg of the dueling triathlon. But today we have a special treat for you. Not only do we have more Quidditch later on tonight, but we are about to go out to the track, where the four houses are preparing for the two meter toad derby. Then, later, an event we have all been looking forward to, the fifty-meter involuntary high dive. But now, we need to go down to Phoebe Twilliger, who will call the race.

Thanks, Tad! Well, we do have an exciting race today. The toads are being checked for performance enhancing charms as we speak. This is an important event, for after two days Slytherin has taken an impressive lead, due to their amazing performance at the house-elf toss. If the other houses wish to overtake the snake, now is the time to do it. As you can see, there is an air of excitement among the spectators. Here’s one now, Gryffindor’s own Sirius Black. Sirius, why, with Gryffindor thirteen points behind Slytherin and three points behind Ravenclaw, with your own event coming up later this afternoon, are you completely purple?

“Well, Phoebe, I was actually supposed to be Gryffindor red, but somebody needs to brush up on his Latin.”

Do you think this will be a distraction at the high-dive?

“No, no, not at all. It’s supposed to wear off by then. As long as somebody got his roman numerals right.”

What are your thoughts on the race today?

“I’ve never been a toad racer, really, but the track looks good and I know for a fact our own toad has been training daily. He’s a good toad, and I think he’s got as good a chance as any. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s somebody I have to go jinx.”

There you have it, a Gryffindor with the utmost confidence in his team’s toad. And here they come, ladies and gentlemen! First out is Hufflepuff’s own Eyes on the Flies, an excellent racer who placed in the Hogsmeade Open six months ago. And here’s Gryffindor’s toad, Gryffindor’s Verdant Flash, looking spry and ready to go. He’s been doing very well in the practice runs. And behind him is the Slytherin entry, Leaping Lucifer. A large, powerful toad that took the Hogsmeade Open by nearly three hops. And finally, the Ravenclaw toad, Ryoshuku, a newcomer to the racing scene. The trainers are lowering the toads into their chutes; they have to be behind the line when the wand flares.

And they’re off! Leaping Lucifer leaves the gate and takes the early lead, followed by Gryffindor’s Verdant Flash, then Eyes on the Flies. Ryoshuku is in the rear. Leaping Lucifer is going strong. Eyes on the Flies is trying to move up on Gryffindor’s Verdant Flash. Leaping Lucifer falls back as they come around the turn. Here comes Verdant Flash to take the lead. And down the stretch they come! It’s Gryffindor’s Verdant Flash taking the inside lead, followed by Leaping Lucifer and then Eyes on the Flies. But what’s this? Ryoshuku has leaped into action on the outside, overtaking Eyes on the Flies! He’s coming up fast! The crowd is going wild! Leaping Lucifer falls to third! It’s Gryffindor’s Verdant Flash and Ryoshuku on the backstretch! They’re nose and nose as they come to the line! It’s too close to call! The flag is up! It’s Ryoshuku by a wart! Ravenclaw wins the event! This is truly the story of the little toad that could. A magnificent performance from Ravenclaw and Ryoshuku! How did it look from up there, Tad?

Amazing, Phoebe! Simply amazing. I’ve never seen a toad come from so far behind. Another magnificent event here at the Wizarding Olympics. Looking at the stats, we now see that Ravenclaw has tied with Slytherin for first. Gryffindor comes up to second place, and Hufflepuff is in third. But this next event is one that could make or break the houses. A sport that requires both strength and grace, the fifty meter involuntary high-dive. Phoebe?

Right, Tad. This is a sport with a long and controversial history. For over a hundred years, this event was known as the muggle-drop, and was responsible for a great many muggle maimings. But the ministry outlawed muggle-dropping at the turn of the century, and since then, wizards have had to drop each other from extraordinary heights for the fun of it. It became an official sport back in 1943, when the famous wizard Durkon Muttz threw his best friend off a sixty-seven meter platform into a puddle of rainwater. It only became an event here at Hogwarts in the past two Olympiads, and as you can expect, the excitement is building on the shore, where a fifty-meter platform has been erected over the deepest part of the lake, connected to the shore by a rambling and narrow set of steps. Each house has a team of three. Two will throw the third off the platform and into the lake. Points are awarded for the difficulty in getting the thrower off the board, the effort the thrower makes to not be thrown, and the amount of screaming, flailing and splashing that results from the toss. And here we have the Ravenclaw team, coming up the stairs.

Ah, see, Phoebe, Ravenclaw has gone with a classic combination of two guys throwing a girl. There are advantages to this; mainly, she is smaller and easier to throw, and her screams are usually more piercing. But the difficulty level goes down, because obviously, she simply doesn’t have a chance of getting away. Yes, see. She’s actually been lifted over their heads now, though the screaming is excellent.

Is there a technique to the scream?

Well, it’s simply a matter of expressing your true terror of being dropped fifty meters from a platform into a cold, giant squid-infested lake. It isn’t that difficult, once you’ve grasped the situation. They have her by the arms and legs now, going for a traditional swing-throw. The screaming has risen to piercing levels now. And, she’s off the board! Wow, that just goes right through you, doesn’t it? And a beautiful splash for Ravenclaw!

It really was excellent, Tad. She screamed consistently all the way down, no stopping for breath. We had some nice flailing, and the splash was quite violent.

And the judges have given them pretty decent scores. But listen to the crowd. That can only mean one thing, Phoebe.

Right you are! James Potter has entered the field. Gryffindor team is up, with everyone’s favorite seeker in the captain’s chair. The other thrower is Sirius Black, who has now faded to a rather attractive pastel violet. And I see they’re going for a higher level of difficulty, Tad, by throwing Remus Lupin. And look at that. They aren’t even at the steps, and he’s trying to escape.

Indeed he is, Phoebe. Just look at the way he’s clawing at the ground. Oh, I don’t think that dandelion is going to hold. Whoops! There it goes! And there they go, up the steps. They’re going to have to drag him differently if they don’t want him catching the edge of the step…ah, that’s exactly what happened. Now Sirius is prying his fingers loose, while James is going for a half-nelson hold.

I’m not sure that’s going to be enough, Tad. Remus is really struggling now…oh, he’s going for a kick. Oh! He almost got Sirius across the face!

But Sirius has him now! He’s gotten a hold of his legs and is now helping James drag him backwards up the steps. An impressive move.

I notice he’s starting to cry. Do the teams get points for that?

That’s up to the judges, Phoebe. If they find that the blubbering is pathetic enough, it could earn him a point or two, but it won’t win them the event. Ooh! That was a close one! Sirius was nearly kicked down the stairs! A lucky save for him! And they’re at the top. I see Remus is now begging them not to throw him off.

Clearly having no effect, Tad. What is James yelling?

“Sorry Remus! The fishies, they are my master now! Bwahahaha!”

He’s going for the drama points, Phoebe: evil and possibly insane. Again, it is up to the judges whether that will give them any points or not. And they have Remus by the arms! They’re dragging him to the edge! It’s a valiant struggle there on the platform! They got him on the edge! They’re pushing him off! Oooh! He’s caught the edge of the platform! How is he clinging to the underside of the platform like that? It’s unbelievable! They’re trying to pry him off! There’s not much time left! James has changed tactics and is attempting a tickle maneuver. What an amazing level of difficulty! He’s coming loose! Sirius is prying his fingers. He’s slipping! Yes, he’s off! And what a scream as he plummets to the lake below!

And a tremendous splash, Tad! And what great flapping. You almost think he believed it would work! What an involuntary high-dive! Amazing! The judges’ scores are high, Tad.

And rightfully so, Phoebe. What a magnificent performance from team Gryffindor! Absolutely amazing! Remus Lupin truly earned every point! And now the tone of the crowd has changed as the Slytherin team comes out. Ah, I see the captain is Hugh Goyle, who will have the advantage of his height and girth. The other thrower is Nadia Vladimir, who will also have an advantage of height and girth.

A female thrower. Interesting choice, and is that who I think it is, Tad?

It is! Slytherin’s own Severus Snape is being dragged towards the platform. And just listen to that crowd! I think this is the first time I have ever heard the Gryffindors cheering for a Slytherin team! Amazing!

I don’t think it’s mere sportsmanship, Tad.

I think you’re right, Phoebe. Severus is trying the same tactic as Remus, but he should know that isn’t going to work. Those dandelions aren’t any sturdier for him. Ah, but he’s trying something different on the stairs. He’s going for the railings. A good tactic but ooh! Nadia has him in a fireman’s carry! Have you ever seen anything like it?

I can honestly say I haven’t, Tad. And I don’t think poor Severus has either. He had better figure out a way to fight back, or else Slytherin will start losing points. Wait! He has the railing!

And right at the top of the platform! Severus has managed to catch hold of the railing! He’s caught it with his elbow and locked his arms around it. He isn’t going anywhere, no matter how hard Nadia pulls! Now Hugh has joined her! They’re pulling but he isn’t letting go! Amazing! He’s half their size and yet he‘s holding tight!

I think he’s starting to slip!

I think you’re right! He’s weakening! He’s letting go! Oh! Nadia’s falling backwards! She’s grabbing Hugh! They’re falling back towards the edge! But Hugh still has Severus! They’re off the edge, all three of them! The crowd is going nuts! Hugh has the edge, and Nadia is clinging to his leg! Severus is trying to climb back up, but no! Hugh has released the edge to grab him! There’s no way they can hold on now! There they go, all three of them! Oh, the splash!

This doesn’t look good for Slytherin, Tad.

Not at all, Phoebe. The throwers must stay dry. I mean, there will be points for Severus’ brave attempt to keep from being tossed, but the lack of grace and skill on the throwers’ part will probably put Slytherin in last place.

Even with Hufflepuff still to go?

Absolutely. Hufflepuff would really have to foul up to lose to Slytherin. And here are the Hufflepuffs now! Another tried and true tactic, two boys throwing another boy half their size. The throwers are smiling; they know that they can’t come in last. Wayne Smitty is doing a good job at struggling, but like with the Ravenclaw team, it’s obvious he doesn’t have a chance. And here’s the toss! An excellent scream!

And an excellent attempt to grab hold of a passing bird! That may just put them ahead of Ravenclaw!

I think it might! A nice clean splash, let’s see what the judges have to say, and it’s official! The finishing order is Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin! Wow! There will be celebration in Hufflepuff House tonight! So after three days, Gryffindor has come into the lead! Ravenclaw is still in second place, and Slytherin has fallen all the way to third. Hufflepuff is still in last place, but thanks to this impressive performance, has closed on Slytherin by a considerable amount.

What a great day, Tad! These have been some of the best games in recent memory.

You are so right, Phoebe, and we still have four exciting days to go! And join us later tonight, for the Quidditch quarterfinals! I’m Tad Tuttle.

And I’m Phoebe Twilliger, live at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s one hundred and fifteenth…

“Ahhh! Come on, Remus! Where’s your sense of teamwork!”

“I’ll show you teamwork, Potter! Get back here!”

…Wizarding Olympics. So long!