Headliner
Did James Potter's life ever go right? Did it ever! A professional career in Quidditch was his dream. But was being captain of an under average team really the best he could do? It seemed that way, which is until she walked in and showed him you can do what ever you put your mind to.
Chapter one- As the hole grows deeper
"… And Keane passes to Dunright and he puts it past the keeper, and it's a goal! That's 90- 20 to the Wonderers! And look! Persley Towntan has taken a sudden dive, he's seen the snitch, and he's caught it! The other side really had no chance. What a game 240 to 20. A great comeback for the Waltham wonderers, it takes them from bottom of their division up to second. I really thought they would be the next out, but I guess that leaves James Potters, Plymouth pulverises ready for the cut. That is unless they have some sort of miraculous come back! I doubt it. From the way they've been playing they're out of the league come their next match…"
James slammed his head against the bar as his best mate Sirius turned the wizarding wireless off.
"I used to be so good in school, what happened?" James groaned.
"Hey mate this isn't Hogwarts anymore. You're still bloody brilliant; you're just not going to be able to win with one star player and the rest average Joe's."
"So you're saying my team is shit?" James asked. Sirius grinned at his mate.
"I believe I am!" He laughed.
James Potter was Infamous for his pranks at Hogwarts School for witch craft and wizardry, but he was famous for his Quidditch. As star chaser, he led the best Quidditch side Gryffindor had seen for years. Not since the days of Archie Potter, James' own father, had they supported such a side.
Now James was leading the life his father had always wanted to. He was starting as captain of his own team. James Potters Plymouth Pulverises. Unfortunately James had never bargained being scouted for an under average team. None of the top clubs wanted an inexperienced player straight from school, so James was stuck with a team, however local, which didn't even usually qualify for a place in the league, let alone the finals.
"Give us another drink Padfoot." James said, pushing his empty pint glass towards his mate behind the bar.
Sirius Black had been James' best mate since their first day of school. At the tender age of 16 he had left home after having been abused by his own family for years. He had run to the only place he could. James' house. The Potter being the Potters had taken him in no questions asked and treated him like one of their own. Sirius had gotten his own apartment a year later after the death of his grandfather, one of the only members of his family to like him. And Sirius had received everything from his grand fathers will. Now Sirius had opened up his own swanky little bar- "Black Magic". It attracted a fair amount of wizarding folk in the humble town of Plymouth.
"Hey Prongs," The door had opened and James' other two best mates came in. "Bad luck with the wonderers. Heard on the way over. That old hag with the massive wart told us. She heard it on the wireless." Peter said.
Peter Pettigrew was a small young man, sometimes had more mouth then brain. But his heart was in the right place. At school he had never been the brightest, never the hottest, always lacking the x factor which his three surrounding mates oozed. But Peter was Peter, never letting life get to him, never asking life for more. He did as his daddy told him, which was why he currently had a job as Assistant to the head of the care of magical creatures department at the ministry. Apparently Peter would be able to move up the ministry and wouldn't have to get people cups of tea for a living for ever.
James groaned at his mate once more. "You guys haven't heard of a talent potion have you? I think I need to feed my team one!"
"Harsh." Sirius commented. "So Moony, how's the job hunt going?" He looked at his mate imploringly, who cowered under his gaze.
"Not great." Remus admitted. "Got three more rejection letters in the post this morning."
"So come and work for me, I need another member of staff. We've been getting so busy recently…" Sirius trailed off. The look on his mates face was not good.
"If I've told you once I've told you a million times, I'm not working for you Sirius. It would be far too much hassle, I don't want us to get into some sort of fight and most of all- I don't accept sympathy!"
"Ok ok, I'm just trying to help." Sirius grinned holding up his hands. He knew that his mate appreciated the gesture really.
Remus Lupin, last of the group, was very placid and timid. From an early age he had cowered at getting close to anyone and them finding out his secret. Then when he started school- it was beyond his control and it happened. James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew befriended him and together they formed "The Marauders" As School hellions they caused the professors nightmares. Only a few short months later Remus' secret was revealed. Teaming up with the two smartest boys in Hogwarts since the times of Voldemort was a dangerous feat and soon enough they had guessed that Remus' symptoms could only mean one thing- he was a cross dresser! Only joking he was a werewolf. This was why he was having a hard time in getting a job. By law Remus had to state any aliments when applying for a job. The problem was there was never a werewolf box to tick. Instead he had to write it in the other box, and then the employer would run a mile.
In school these boys had been the idea of perfection, no one had known what had happened behind closed doors only the happy go lucky facades everyone had known and loved. Now a year and a half after they had left reality was making its mark.
"I suppose I had better be getting to practise then." James sighed. "Not that it will help any."
"That's not the spirit." Peter smiled. "You have a game on Friday and by gosh you have to win it."
"If you say so Pete." James replied, leaving with a brief "Laterz."
It was an effort these days to even go to practise. James knew it wasn't always about the winning, but just knowing the team you are playing on is crap is kind of disheartening. The only thing which kept James on the team was the love he had for the game.
And there his team were; Clive Henderson and Heathcliff Jobe, James' fellow chasers, clumsily passing the Quaffle to one another. Abigail Archer- up and coming seeker looking everywhere for her glasses. Junior Peebe rushing over to Oliver Thomas, tossing his beaters club to the side, to see if his fellow beater is ok from the practise ball they were using hitting him on the head. Finally Geoffrey Adams trying to save the hoops from the magically enchanted Quaffle, and failing miserably.
"Oi Potter, you're late!" Henderson cried.
James grinned- this team may have been hopeless, but they were his team and he loved every single one of them.
"Did I miss something then?" He joked. Henderson grinned back at him.
"Just these two dunderheads attempting to brain damage each other with that bloody ball! Honestly and they call themselves beaters!"
James had been recruited by Christopher Charming, the team's manager. That was the first and last time they had met. James had complete control over training the team up and winning their matches. And in fact the team had come a long, long way since James had started. However their skills were less then desirable.
To warm up James had them run five laps of the pitch (they hadn't even been able to do one a year ago), he then had them doing a few simple exercises and some stretches. After that it was Chaser practise. James wanted all the players to be able to play any position- just in case he needed them to. The Pulverises just about had a team- let alone reserves.
With a lot of effort James had it so at least every member of the team had scored a goal against him. And when I say a lot of effort I mean a lot of effort.
James would need a miracle for his team to win on Friday. And if they didn't win then the future of the Pulverises looked bleak.
