The first thing I did when I returned to Hogwarts grounds was to hunt down McGonagall and set a date for tryouts for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

"I didn't expect anything less," she replied when I brought it up. She looked behind me at the almost bare Great Hall, smiling and shaking her head. I think she knew that I barreled through the crowds to get the first carriage here then ran towards the Castle in a sprint.

"I also expect a trophy this year," McGonagall said, smiling down at me.

"As long as we have the first tryout spot. Also, here is a list of training dates until December so if you could make sure the Quidditch pitch is booked for these dates as well," I said, handing her a parchment.

"Ms. Gold, I received an owl from you with these dates in early August," McGonagall said.

"Right but I didn't get a response so I wasn't sure if you did receive it," I replied, looking at her expectantly.

"Ms. Gold, it was Summer holiday," she said sternly.

"Yeah maybe for the people who didn't have their Quidditch careers on the line, but not for me," I replied. McGonagall smiled although her tone was firm.

"I already booked the pitch for you. Do not worry about that. Please go and sit down and try to enjoy the feast. Oh, and Ms. Gold," she said, stopping me as I made my way towards the Gryffindor table. "If you put half the amount of effort into your studies as you do with Quidditch, you would easily have the highest marks in the school."

"Well that trophy won't win itself," I said winking and heading back towards the table. I heard her 'tsk' and her robes move as she went out to meet the first years.

Students were piling into the Hall now. It was there, in the middle of the Great Hall that it happened- the thing I was avoiding and hoping wouldn't happen so soon.

"Daria?" David Carson said. He was about to sit next to Cassidy when he spotted me and did a double take.

"How can I help you, David?" I responded, controlling my face from contorting into rage as Cassidy glanced over and laughed. I wonder what she found funny.

"You just...you look different. Was your Summer good?" He came closer to me, closing the distance to speak more privately. His eyes roamed over my face and smiled lightly. Cassidy looked up and kept her eyes trained on me. I smiled and waved slowly at her, earning an eye roll in return.

"Oh yes, Summer was magnificent. How was yours?" I asked, exchanging the absurd pleasantries that I tried to avoid.

"It was good, really good. So you got the captain spot! I know-"

"Golden Girl! Hey Golden Girl!" Sirius Black shouted across the hall. I turned slowly, almost in subdued astonishment, to face him and rose my eyebrows. "Get your ass over here before James suffocates without your presence." I rose my eyebrows even higher. He was grinning as James elbowed him and tried to sit him down. Down the bench, Lily was taking her seat and looked up at me when Sirius said that but quickly glanced elsewhere.

"Oh, I see," David said.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Nothing. Go sit with Potter and his gang. The feast is about to start," David said curtly, spinning to take his seat next to Cassidy.

I didn't acknowledge his weirdness or get fired up from the morning's gossip. I simply turned and went to sit next to James and shot Sirius a look.

"Could you have, I don't know, been just a little more louder?" I asked Sirius.

"Well, I was going to say that James was dying because he wasn't sharing your oxygen," Sirius said, winking.

I sighed and looked at James.

"I admire the fact that you have made it this long in a friendship with him without murdering him," I said. James looked at me and smiled wide.

"Hey, he's not that bad," he said, whispering and patting my back.

I noticed that this was the second time that James initiated contact with me today. And during Dumbledore's welcome speech and the first year's being sorted, I also noticed that a couple pairs of eyes were on us.

Sirius was looking at us with a puzzling look.

Lily was trying her hardest to be discreet but I knew she was looking in this direction.

Cassidy Burns was also looking at us, squinting her eyes at me. David was next to her and kept glancing over at us every few moments.

I tried not be as obvious as everyone looking at James and myself. I also wondered why we were attracting so much attention. James and I have always been friendly. While normally I would sit with Lily during meals, this time was different. As the Quidditch Captain, I was able to take full control of the team I've given nothing less than my blood, sweat, tears, and sanity to the last five years since I've joined.

Then I had a thought so I turned to look at Sirius.

"How hard do you think it would be to have you seduce Cassidy?" I asked. James tilted his head and Sirius barked out a laugh.

"Her? Please. Give me three days and she's mine," he said, taking a sip of pumpkin juice.

"Okay, well how long do you think you can hold onto her?" I asked, grabbing potatoes.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I mean, let's say someone needed you to distract her. Make her less focused. But that needed to be done over a long period of time. Let's say a few months," I said.

"Oh Merlin, Gold. You're not really going to go there, are you?" James asked. I turned my head sharply.

"I told you that I would do anything and that I needed you to have my back," I said.

"Okay and I do but I get to at least question your damn sanity," James said frowning. He was putting steak onto his and my plate. Sirius rose his eyebrows.

"Do you like have a twitch or a pulled muscle or something, Sirius?" I asked. I was pretty much over his facial expressions at this point.

"What ever do you mean, Golden Girl?" He asked.

"I mean I noticed how your eyebrows cannot seem to stop moving all damn day," I said.

"You know, I am very self conscious about my twitch so thanks Gold. Really, thanks. And to think that I was going to help you out with Burns," Sirius said as he made a faux sad face.

I rolled my eyes and finished my meal. James talked through most of it to his friend Remus Lupin, the sixth year Gryffindor prefect. Sirius was chatting with Peter and flirting with Lily's friend, Marlene.

But I was deep in thought, discreetly watching Cassidy and David flirt, watching David put his arm around Cassidy, and laughing boisterously with all his friends.

As dinner wound down and everyone was leaving to go back towards their respective common rooms, I caught up to Sirius and pulled him aside.

"Well this is another surprise," Sirius said, leaning against the wall.

"Focus," I said snapping my fingers in front of his face. He smiled and my traitorous biological reactions did a flip.

"So Burns. Can you do it?" I asked.

"Can I do Burns? Uh yeah. She's like one of the hottest girls in school," Sirius said, rolling his eyes.

"But I mean, can you commit?" I sighed.

"What's in it for me?" Sirius asked, stepping closer.

"Uh basking in the glory of a good Gryffindor Quidditch reign your last two years of Hogwarts?" I said.

"I don't know if that's enough," he said, smirking.

"How wouldn't that be enough?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Is there anything you think about besides Quidditch?"

"Yes. I also think about the importance of a good carb to protein ratio as well as a steady workout routine," I replied.

"A workout routine that makes you fit for Quidditch?" Sirius asked chuckling.

"Well I mean..."

"Oh Golden Girl-"

"That's really only a nickname reserved for James and the Gryffindor Quidditch team," I said.

"Mhm sure," Sirius said.

"So can you do it?" I asked again.

"I already told you that I hypothetically could. But whether I will is another story," he said.

"What is this? This helps James too, you know. Why are you being difficult?" I asked, exasperated.

"I don't think I'm being difficult. You asked for a favor and you never mentioned what's in it for me," he said, running a hand through his hair.

"So you're telling me that hooking up with one of the hottest girls in school and helping your house win the Quidditch Cup isn't enough?" I asked, puzzled.

"I get bored easily," he said.

"So I've noticed," I replied slowly and through gritted teeth.

"What's going on with you and James?" Sirius asked abruptly, looking at his nails instead of me.

"What?" I choked out.

"You heard me," he responded.

"Hearing and comprehending hold no correlation," I responded.

"I don't know. You are pissed at Carson for some reason. You hold James' attention in a way only Lily used to and you both just seem engrossed in each other," he said, peering at me.

"I don't believe this," I said, throwing my hands up and shaking my head. "You know, it's literally impossible for a guy and a girl to be friends- which by the way, that's what James and I are. We haven't seen each other since June and we had a lot to catch up on, especially Quidditch which- in case you hadn't noticed- is numero uno in my life. And all this came from what, the TWO interactions from TODAY?"

Sirius absorbed this and nodded his head.

"Those are fair points. Except I know James way better than you. We are best friends, brothers, partners in crime. So if it isn't you, it's him," he said.

"Look," I said sharply, grabbing his chin to bring his attention to me. "I'm going to be a Quidditch star. There is nothing I want more, there is nothing I see besides that. And I just need to practice and WIN these next two years for that dream to come true."

"You're so intense," he said playfully. I dropped my hand from his face and ignored all the butterflies in my stomach from being this close to him.

"Help me. Please," I said. Sirius looked at me and nodded slowly.

"Okay. But you owe me. BIG time," Sirius said.

"Whatever you want- within reason- and I will try to make it happen," I smiled. I also impulsively jumped and hugged him. He was stiff for a moment before he relaxed and patted my back. I didn't even think about how muscular his back felt or how fresh he smelled.

"Just try not to lead James on. And are you ever going to tell me about Carson?"

"No and no. James and I are friends. Carson can go fuck himself," I said, laughing and began walking away.

"Wait. This is only about Quidditch right? You want me to do this to just make her less focused, right?" Sirius asked.

"What other reason would there be?" I replied.

"To break her and Carson up so he will be single?" He asked, smiling tightly. I waited a beat to reply because I knew that even if Carson was single, I wasn't sure I'd be able to ever accept him back into my life.

"Quidditch, Sirius. That's all I see," I said, exhaling loudly and walking away for good this time.

I walked to the common room and checked the sign up sheet before heading towards the dormitory. I was happy to see that it was mostly filled with names. I was nervous thinking that my intensity might ward people off. This wasn't the case as the sign up sheet had names on the front and back.

I nodded to James who smiled and waved as I went up the stairs.

Lily was in our dormitory going through her luggage.

"Oh, hey Daria," Lily said.

"Hey. Did you enjoy the feast?" I asked, pulling my robes off. I put my Quidditch captain badge carefully on my nightstand and pulled on a sweater.

"Yeah, it was uneventful. Most of the news was covered during the ride in," she said smiling.

I nodded and pulled out my very worn and annotated copy of Quidditch Throughout the Ages. I was underlining the Swoop for the third time before I noticed Lily looking at me.

"What's up?" I asked. Lily chuckled softly.

"I can only imagine that that's what love looks like," she said. "Which means that you're not really interested in James," she continues slyly, folding her socks.

I knew- almost since year one- that Lily had feelings for James. Those feelings were mainly befuddled by teenage hormones, Severus Sanpe's (Lily's ex best friend) nonstop rantings about how insufferable he was, and James' ability to be insufferable.

Yet, she spoke about him often, usually that he annoys her but she always noticed when he excelled in Charms or Potions. She always noted his Quidditch skill. And she noticed when his hair changed- shorter, longer, more disheveled, etc. While these tidbits were done from afar and quietly, she usually said them to me in an abashed voice.

I snorted and flipped a page.

"Only interested in his Quidditch opinions," I replied.

"It's just...you're not the only one who had changed their look," she replied, shuffling her books aggressively.

Lily's hair seemed different- it was cut differently with layers and subtle sun highlights were peeking through, almost as if she spent a lot of time on the beach.

"Well James has plenty of time to tease you about your new haircut. We just had a lot of gossip to go through," I said.

"I mean, I don't need him to comment on my hair. I just- he didn't even send me an owl this summer. Usually he sends some nonsense owl letting me know about his summer or whatever but not this summer," Lily looked up at me, clearly desperate for something.

"I think it was a busy summer with Sirius, to be honest," I replied.

"Can you...i don't know...ask..." Lily trailed off.

"You want me to ask James why he didn't write you? Or why he didn't notice your hair?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well no not- it's just. Dammit. Yes, can you? Like in a way that makes it seem like I'm not interested at all?" She asked flushing. I chuckled lightly, shaking my head.

"I will definitely try for you," I said.

"Unless you like him or something-"

"I would like if people would stop insisting that James and I are interested in each other because we breathe in each other's direction," I said.

"Who else thinks that?" She asked.

"Sirius brought it up when I spoke to him earlier. I told him that it's insane that a guy and girl can't be friends without people jumping to that conclusion," I said.

"True. You know, David Carson thought the same last year as well," she said, folding a shirt and putting it away.

"Wait what? When?" I asked.

"It actually came up a few times to be honest in Fall right before winter break. Then nothing after that," she said.

When David said, 'I see' earlier, I now know what he meant by that. But did David really think that James and I were like that at all?

"James is actually a really good friend. I mean, we don't share war stories but to me, all I see is Quidditch so by him sharing in my passion, that makes him a good friend. It's just not there. The sizzle, the passion, the biological reaction, you know what I'm saying?" I replied.

I mean, I've only been getting some off putting reactions to Black lately. But that needn't be discussed.

"You know that I believe in you, right? Like, I may not like the sport too much but you're going do it- you're going to be a Quidditch star. I'm surprised you aren't already one yet," Lily said smiling. I guess I put her mind at ease in regards to James.

"Well next summer, I fully intend to tryout for Britain's National team- if I get an invite- but even if I make the team, I still have to come back to complete my final year here," I mentioned.

"Oh, you'll make the team. Imagine sharing a Quidditch field with six other versions of you," she said.

I actually paused for a really long time. Six people that were highly dedicated, passionate, and intelligent?

"Holy shit," I whispered. Lily laughed loudly.

"I think I just amazed you," she said smiling.

I simply nodded, deep in day dream of this fantasy.

A team of seven Daria's that knew every move and trick?

Hello Quidditch World Cup.

But baby steps first- assemble a good team, win every match this year, and snag the Hogwarts Quidditch cup.

The dormitory filled with the sixth year girls and we all got ready for bed. It wasn't until the dormitory was dark and silent that I suddenly thought of something. I sat up abruptly and leaned back against the headboard.

What if Cassidy did to me with Carson what I planned to do to her with Sirius?

Because I swerved left last year, I was distracted. And yes the team wasn't as into it but I still had to own up for my faults. I didn't fly good in the final matches. I was distracted.

I wasn't focused.

I was 'in love' with David Carson.

And Ravenclaw won. Cassidy and David were sitting smugly and sweetly, hand in hand during the end of the year feast.

What if that was her plan all along?


The thought haunted me well into the early am hours until I dozed off in that same position and it stayed with me through my morning run around the lake- eight laps in total.

I was drenched with sweat as I jogged back up to the castle and through the corridors to the Gryffindor common room. At this time of day, very few students were awake.

I had dibs on the shower first since my entire floor was still asleep. By the time I emerged from the bathroom fully showered, dressed, and ready for breakfast, the dormitory was still asleep. It was 7 am which meant it was time to get up.

I walked over to Lily's bed, threw the curtains open, and jostled her awake.

"Come on, it's time for breakfast," I said. She sighed and rolled over.

"Fine," she said. She seemed to have as little sleep as I did.

"Use plenty of concealer to hide those bags," I said as I swept out of the dormitory. I distinctly heard a soft 'hey!' followed by the sound of a pillow hit the door.

I waited down in the common room for Lily so we could eat breakfast together. Students began to trickle down slowly. A few stopped to speak to me about the tryouts happening on Thursday or to ask how my Summer was.

Finally Lily came down the stairs and sighed woefully.

"I'm excited to be back but I'm not excited to be up this early," she said. Quite unusually, Lily was without her gaggle of friends. She came down by herself and waited as I put my notes away to walk down to breakfast together.

"What classes are you taking this year?" Lily asked as we made our way towards the Great Hall.

"Well I passed all the basics- Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Herbology. And by passed, I mean scraped by," I said, rolling my eyes. "What about you?"

"Same except I passed Arithmancy, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy, and Ancient Runes," she said shrugging.

"Seems like if you kept that load up, you'd have just enough time for school, meals, and a 3 hour nap," I said snorting.

"I don't think I'm going to keep all my classes. I already spoke to Professor McGonagall to tell her that besides the basic classes, I want to keep Arthmancy and Ancient Runes. I'm not really interested in the other classes," she said. "I want to join the Ministry when I leave so I need to narrow down my point of view to lawyer or Auror."

At this point we had arrived in the Great Hall. It was more full than earlier this morning but just as quiet. Everyone was mumbling and seemed tired from the feast prior.

We sat down at the table and piled eggs, bacon, and toast into our plates. I was so hungry from my workout that I practically scarfed down my food. I almost didn't notice James sitting down next to me had it not been for Lily suddenly becoming stiff, more alert, and less talkative.

"Look over towards the Ravenclaw table. Quickly and for three seconds," James whispered. He grabbed some food and piled it onto two plates.

I raised my eyebrows but did what he said. I had to suppress a smile as I saw Sirius saunter over- attracting every female gaze- and strike up a conversation with Cassidy Burns. I noticed that David wasn't around before I shifted my gaze to James.

"He moves fast," I giggled. James smiled at me and put a hand on my back.

"You should have seen him. He mapped the whole relationship out last night and even made notes in case it went off course at different moments. He apparently doesn't plan on kissing her until the first Hogsmeade trip in October," he said chuckling. Internally and involuntarily, I burned with what I suspect was jealous. I quickly drank some orange juice to quiet that feeling.

"Well this is a lot better than his quip to tryout as a Beater," I said, rolling my eyes. James chuckled softly. He looked past me to Lily and waved.

"Good morning, Lily," He said as he took a bite of his eggs. He barely made eye contact with her.

"Oh, hello James. Did you have a good Summer?" She asked. She flipped her hair subtly and smiled but didn't make much eye contact either.

"It was productive, thank you. You?" He asked, stilling giving his eggs his complete attention.

"Same. Productive," she said, nodding.

I thank my stars that Sirius came over at that moment, grinning widely.

"Good morning everyone," He said. He distinctly winked at me and I rolled my eyes.

"It definitely seems like you are having a pleasant morning," I said. I looked down the table and saw Professor McGonagall passing out the schedules. "Oh thank god. Hopefully I will have some afternoon's off to practice on the field."

Everyone laughed softly.

"What?" I said.

"Is there ever a moment when you do not think about Quidditch?" Sirius asked. I felt a pang of deja vu from the night prior.

"Actually, yes. This morning I...well...I went for a run...and...you know what, is there ever a moment when you aren't thinking about your next conquest, Black?" I asked defensively. Sirius snickered.

"Not at all and I can own up to that," he said.

McGonagall came up to us at this point to hand us our schedules.

I looked down at mine and smiled.

"Oh sweet, I get done everyday at 2:30!" I exclaimed.

"Had you done better in your OWLs-" McGonagall started.

"My schedule would be more full and detract my valuable time from captaining the Gryffindor Quidditch team to the Cup?" I finished, smiling brightly. McGonagall pursed her lips but I saw the edges go up a little.

"I have no doubt that if there was an OWL for the History of Quidditch or practical Quidditch that you would outscore the entire school. Make sure you use your time wisely and no," she said, stopping me before I said it, "I will not regulate the Quidditch team to mandatory Friday afternoon practice. I think the schedule you have now is more rigid than Britain's schedule before the World Cup."

"Fine," I said, slouching. As she passed, I thought I saw a wink.

"What schedule is she talking about?" James asked. I quickly produced the training schedule and James' eyes widened.

"Dear Merlin..." he said. Sirius glanced over and laughed loudly.

"Uh hello, we have to train practically an entire team before our first match in October. We could lose one match and that will throw off morale and make us weak. We train hard, we play harder, and we relax when that trophy is in our hands," I said slapping the table. Lily jumped briefly and laughed.

"If I was playing under you, I wouldn't know whether to fear or revere you," she said.

"I'm aiming for both," I said laughing.

"So am I expected to come to the training grounds after classes today? I don't get done until three," James said, scratching his head.

"I am going to be on the field to get some flying in. I haven't flown since June which is shit. I contemplated going this morning but my run took a little extra time after that feast last night," I said.

"You went for a run this morning?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah, she goes for a run every morning. Since fourth year," Lily said abruptly. I hadn't noticed that my suite mates knew my habits. But she was correct- I only started in fourth year because it was more difficult to stay fit without exercise as I grew.

Sirius looked lost in thought as I stood up.

"I am heading towards Charms- I want to get there first so I can have the seat in the back and make an easy escape for lunch," I said. Lily shook her head and packed her bags.

"You mean so you can map out yet another Quidditch play," Lily said rolling her eyes.

"Cool, I'll follow. We can sit together and come up with plays," James said. James kept moving but Sirius looked up with raised brows. Lily paused for a beat but pretended like she didn't think this was abnormal.

"James, we usually sit together mate," Sirius said, frowning.

"It's just one class..." James said, shrugging it off.

I heard Sirius mumble 'and one train ride and one feast and one breakfast and so on...'

It almost grew tiresome that everyone kept jumping to the conclusion that we were interested in each other. But I have to admit- It felt pretty good to walk out of the Great Hall, huddled close speaking to James and seeing David Carson frown as he came in, spotting us in cahoots.

Redemption and Quidditch- this plan was off to a great start.