We recieved several entries to this issue's poetry contest. All were amazing and beautifully written making it difficult to chose the top three. The challenge entailed writting a poem about Quidditch.

First Place - Gregory Potter

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Hufflepuf seven that day;
The score stood around tied, with less and less time to play,
Gryff would score, then Hufflepuff would do the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "She can do it- shes a great witch!
We'd put up even money now, with Missa looking for the Snitch."

But up aganist her was the Hufflepuff seeker Evylyn Desiree,
Who was as good of an opponent as anyone could be;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
Who wold win? Its anyones game when it comes to that.

But Gryff pulled ahead, to the wonderment of all,
And it seemed that Hufflepuff coulnd keep the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what the school had became,
Gryff had pulled head- 150-110, taking a lead of the game.

Then from tons of throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and sounded like a strafe,
For Gryffindor, mighty gryffindor, was about to become "Snitch Safe".

There was ease in Gryffindor's manner as it flew to its places;
There was pride in the team's bearing and a smile lit on their faces.
And when, responding to the cheers, they waved to all,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Seven with the ball.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the other team stayed tense, ready for anything,
Defiance flashed in Gryffindors' eyes, a sneer curled on their lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And the Gryffindors stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
So close to the goal, so close to scoring, but not quit close enough,
"Almost there," said Seven. But the Hufflepuffs remained tough.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
"Go Seven! Go Gryffinor" shouted some one on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have screamed louder if the ref hadn't raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Gryff's visage shone;
And the ref stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the team, and once more the questions flew;
But Gryffindor still couldn't get any closer, and Hufflepuff remained true.

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"
But one scornful look from the Gryffs' and the audience was awed.
They saw their face grow stern and cold, they saw their muscles strain,
And they knew that Gryffindor wouldn't give up that ball again.

The sneer has fled from Gryffindor's lips, teeth clenched in determination;
The question came with the Quaffle in a scoring position.
And now Seven holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
But before the ball got to far, the Huffs got a present that was apropos.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere wizards are laughing, a smile on every witch;
But there is no joy in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff caught the Snitch.

Second Place - Heather Kinney

Quidditch

Wind flying through my hair
Students cheering
What a thrill

The snitch is released and
The game begins
It is time to hunt

Questions, answers
Fast as can be
Logic, clues
Who'll be the winner?
I do hope it's me

Mind is a whirring
Inside me
Something is stirring

Faster
Closer
Almost There

The Snitch!
I see it!
It's mine fair and square!

We've won!
We've won!

Another memory
Happy
Content
Exhausted

That's Quidditch.

Third Place - Alanna Pierce

Hear the lion’s roar in the wind.
It is time again to take you broomstick.
Hear the sounds form the field.
Hear the sound of the students.

Now it is time for us to see a new game.
Quidditch hear the word for it is the name.
Feel the wind high above ground.
And hear the sound of the students.

Honorable Mention - Hermione Pena

The Seeker goes high
Searching for the Golden Snitch
That one glint of gold

He sees it and dives
The Snitch is inches away
Here comes the bludger

He's knocked off his broom
The Golden Snitch- where is it?
He has it! We won!

Congratulations to our winners! Keep sending in these spectacular entries!