Chapter 2: Who Says Winning Isn't Everything?

May 1973

Second year students don't play on the house Quidditch teams. What captain would pick a second year? Unless, of course, the second year in question is James Potter.

As he scored his tenth goal of the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup Final, despite the strongest Hufflepuff team in years, James smirked, remembering people's reactions to him being on the team. James didn't listen when people said negative things about him, and no one had anything negative to say after the first match. Give it a year, everyone said, and he'll be the best chaser at Hogwarts. Even as a second year, everyone knew that James Potter could become a professional Chaser.

The match was in its fourth hour, but James didn't mind. There was nothing like a good game of Quidditch, in James' opinion. From the moment the whistle blew to when the Snitch was caught, it was a battle between the two teams. Even at thirteen, James Potter was a consummate fighter.

Gryffindor was now 150 points up. If they led by 160, the Snitch wouldn't matter. He wouldn't enjoy it if they won while Hufflepuff caught the snitch, but a win's a win. One of the Hufflepuff chasers attempted to score, but Fabian Prewett, the Gryffindor Keeper, deftly caught the Quaffle and tossed it to his older brother and captain, Gideon, who made it halfway down the pitch before being blocked by one of Hufflepuff's Beaters. He dropped the ball, but James was ready to catch it, swerving to avoid a Bludger and focusing on the Hufflepuff goals.

He ducked to avoid colliding with the Hufflepuff Seeker, and then there was nothing left but between him and the goal except the Hufflepuff keeper. James swerved to the left, but the Hufflepuff Keeper assumed it was a feint and didn't take the bait. After all, she had fallen for a couple of his feints earlier in the game and was expecting another. But James had expected this, too. The Hufflepuff Keeper realized her mistake just as James pitched the Quaffle into the left hoop.

"GRYFFINDOR! GRYFFINDOR! GRYFFINDOR!"

Fifteen minutes after James scored the final goal of the game, the Gryffindor Seeker finally caught the Snitch after a spectacular dive. The chanting was deafening as James landed after their victory lap. All of Gryffindor House stormed the field, cheering and laughing. James found himself hoisted onto the shoulders of two sixth years, like a hero. He'd never been happier.

The crowd of Gryffindors enthusiastically tried to carry the team into the castle, but Gideon pointed out that the team needed to shower and change. Most of the house continued up to Gryffindor Tower, while the team went to the locker rooms and a few industrious Gryffindors headed down to the kitchens to get food for the party. James hoped Sirius would be among the latter, since Sirius would make sure James' favorite dessert, treacle tart, would be brought up.

The locker room atmosphere was jubilant, complete with Gideon and Fabian singing a victory song of their own making. James would've lingered longer, but he was the first dressed and was sent to tell everyone that the team would be there soon and there should be butterbeer waiting. But when he left the changing room, his parents were waiting.

"You played excellently today, James!" his mum said, giving him a one-armed hug.

"I didn't know you guys were coming! Did you see the game?" James said.

"No, we came all the way here just to stand outside the locker room. Yes, we saw the game! We had to come when we heard that our son was playing in the final as a second-year. Besides, we needed to see for ourselves that our investment in that broom of yours was paying off," his dad said with a teasing grin. "I'm sure there's a victory party to go to, but we could walk you up to the castle."

"Yeah, alright," James said, shouldering his broom and setting off towards the castle.

"You're lucky, James," his mum said, looking up at the setting sun. "If your seeker had taken any longer to find the snitch, you would have been flying in the dark! I'm glad it was just a three hour game. If it had gone until dark, we would've left," his mum said, ruffling his already untidy hair.

"I would invite you up," said James as they reached the front doors, "but I think it would ruin my reputation if I brought my parents up to the victory party."

"Don't worry, James. We don't want to embarrass you. We're coming in, though, to chat with Dumbledore," his dad said.

"A chat with Dumbledore?" James was instantly curious. "Why?"

"Well, you know there's been a lot going on," said Mrs. Potter.

"You mean all the disappearances and the killings?" James asked bluntly.

"Yes, those things. We just want to talk with Dumbledore about it." James nodded and they continued up the marble staircase to the second floor, where James turned right and his parents turned left. He told them good-bye and began to walk away, but then turned. "Are we safe?"

"Don't worry, James. You're safe at Hogwarts."

"Are you safe?"

"Don't worry about us, James. Enjoy your party. You've earned it."

The party went on all night, or at least, what second years consider to be all night. Everyone came up to congratulate James, even Lily Evans. Sirius and James went upstairs around three, Peter tagging along and yawning widely.

"James, mate, you have to win the Quidditch cup every year. That party was awesome! I even had a sip of firewhiskey!" Sirius proclaimed, pulling on a pair of pajama pants and a Gryffindor t-shirt.

"Really?" Peter asked, in awe. "What was it like?"

"It was good," said Sirius nonchalantly. "Too bad Remus wasn't here for the party."

"Where is Remus, anyway?" asked James.

"He's visiting his mum," replied Sirius. "I guess she's sick again."

"Is it just me, or does Remus leave a lot? I know his mum's sick, but he's gone all the time. He left last month, and the month before, and the month before…" James trailed off, thinking hard.

"Well, ask him when he gets back. Until then, savor the spoils of victory. Peter, shut the curtains. That moon is insanely bright."

"I'm in bed!" Peter protested. "Why do I have to? The moon's not bothering me."

"Because you're closer and because I don't feel like walking all the way over there."

Peter tried to retort, but James cut him off, saying, "The moon! The bloody moon!"

"What're you on about, mate? It's just th- oh! No way! Remus Lupin? That's insane! And awesome!" Sirius sat up excitedly, a grin spreading across his face that mirrored James's.

"What?" asked Peter, looking from Sirius to James. "What's going on?"

"Remus disappears every month. Remus is gone right now. That's a full moon."

"R-Remus is a w-werewolf? Are you sure? But he always acts nice. Are we safe?" Peter squeaked, biting his lip.

James rounded on him. "Remus is our friend! Being a werewolf doesn't change that."

Peter looked down at his bedspread, a bit abashed. "But… werewolves aren't nice."

"This is Remus Lupin we're talking about. I've met flobberworms more frightening than him. Besides, he's only a werewolf once a month. The rest of the time, he's just Remus," James said firmly.

"This is awesome!" Sirius grinned. "Our friend is a werewolf!"