To JK Rowling for crafting a world that I am motivated to write about.

Sometimes it seemed like life just went by too fast. James Potter longed for the days of sneaking out to the backyard in the middle of the night to stargaze. Back when he was little things had been so much simpler, he didn't have three best friends to constantly worry about or an obsession with a beautiful redhead. When James was little he slept, ate, and played Quidditch, anything else he just did to pass the time. Once he got to Hogwarts he lost all of that. There were no more days of lounging in bed or savouring meals, everything was such a rush. The worst change was Quidditch, no longer was it a challenge for James, he made the team second year and ever since he faced no real difficulties. Gryffindor hadn't lost a game since James joined the team, that's not to say the other teams weren't good because they put up quite the fight but it wasn't enough.

James was a bit worried this year though, two of the team's best players had graduated; Edward Naven and Jeremy Rhodes. Sure James had Marlene lined up to replace Naven as a chaser but he still needed to find a new seeker. That's how he found himself in the common room hanging up flyers when he would've much rather been hiding in his room waiting for Lily's return. The problem was he still didn't know what to say to Lily when she got back. They hadn't really addressed the subject of her parents deaths' before she left and now it all just seemed like a bomb waiting to go off.

Lily was an orphan, and it was because of the wizarding world. For all James knew she'd graduate from Hogwarts and move on to live life like a muggle. He didn't want that for her but he wasn't entirely sure where they stood, was he in the place where he could talk her out of something drastic?

With that question shoved in the back of his mind, James walked over to Marlene.

"Quidditch tryouts," he pointed back to the sign, "we need a new seeker."

It really didn't take Marlene long to form a conclusion, "what about a chaser? I mean Naven is gone now. Unless," she took a breath, "James you already promised me that spot, how could you give it to someone else?"

James sighed; sometimes girls could be so difficult. "McKinnon, you didn't let me finish."

"No James, you're the one who didn't let me finish. You'd be lucky to have me on that ridiculous team of yours and you know what? It's your loss."

It took every bit of strength James had to not laugh at her ridiculous assumption. "Actually I'm not losing anything-"

"I don't want to hear your gloating James. Can you just leave me alone?"

"Sure but tryouts are on the pitch tomorrow, be there early."

"James there's no way I'm trying out for seeker; I told you I wanted to be a chaser."

How is it that girls can't just take a hint? "I know, and no one said you were trying out."

"Then why in the world do I have to go to tryouts?"

"Think it over McKinnon, I'll see you tomorrow."

On his way out of the common room James passed Sirius. "Let her figure it out on her own mate."

James didn't wait for a response but instead kept walking. He hated prefect duties; if he was a good enough student to become head boy shouldn't the lesser students have to stay up late patrolling the halls? The first time with Remus had been alright but then James got paired with Benjy, and man, that guy never shut up.

As he approached Shaw James figured tonight would be alright. Sure Shaw wasn't the most fun person in the school but her blue green eyes screamed with just as much resentment for the activity as James' did.

"Goody," James said as he walked towards her.

"Prongs," Shaw acknowledged him with a swift nod and a smile. "Did you leave Sirius and Marlene in the tower?"

"Sirius had just arrived when I left; worried we'd walk in on them snogging?"

James was joking but Shaw vigorously nodded her head. "What?" She asked noticing his confused expression. "I caught Ezra and Nicola last week and the week before that it was Marvel and Merrick, if we catch someone tonight I'm not making any promises that I won't hex them."

Something about the way she said it just made James burst out laughing. "I got to admit Hale; I'm now half hoping we do catch someone." This resulted in James being shoved towards the wall. "Hey! Is that any way to treat your head boy?"

"Head boy huh? Ain't that something? You know I always figured that I was more likely to become head boy than you. You used to have quite the life James; you seem so lame now, what happened?"

A smirk appeared on his face, "I met you."

This time James was ready and braced himself as her tiny hands tried to push him farther away from her. As she gave up and rolled her eyes James got serious.

"Have you spoken to Remus?"

Shaw's face went even paler than it already was. "He doesn't want to talk James. Every time I go near him he walks away."

"He loves you Shaw, he was just worried, and he has to get over it at some point."

"I can't undo it James, Remus just needs to realize that."

"Shaw, look at me," as she stopped James grabbed her shoulders shaking her slightly. "I don't know what it is you did but it can't be any worse than anything I've done. Remus can be a complete prat when he wants to be, you have to be patient and eventually he'll come to his senses."

"What if he doesn't?"

James smiled, "then we'll make him."

"James," Shaw began as she started walking again, "do you remember when we became friends?"

He nodded, "Christmas of 1968 when your parents brought you over to my house."

"No," Shaw sighed smiling slightly, "that's when we met but we didn't become friends for another three years."

"The room of requirement," the memory caused James to smile. "Out of everyone you could've told about it you chose to tell me."

"I've never made friends easily James, everyone takes me for being a prude and keeps their distance. Marvel, Auryn, and Robin are my complete opposites but they've always accepted me for who I am." Quickly wiping away a tear she continued. "Remus is scared of me, he always has been. He knows how Garrison destroyed me and he's worried he'll do the same thing."

"Garrison didn't destroy you Shaw, he made you stronger. Remus didn't know you before, but I did and I know that if he really destroyed you, you wouldn't be standing in front of me today."

Before she could start crying James pulled her into a hug. "You're amazing Shaw, don't ever forget that."

After that he walked her to Gryffindor Tower and finished rounds alone.


Tryouts the next day went terrible. Three boys were just trying out to flirt with Dorcas and one of them wasn't even in Gryffindor. To their credit they did better than the girl who fell off her broom but that's not saying much. When a third year missed the snitch the boy started yelling at Sirius saying it was his fault. James had had enough; he barely even watched most of the kids because it was clear right off the bat that they didn't have what it takes.

After a couple of hours James gathered the team.

"Who do you think we ought to pick?"

"You're Quidditch captain James, you should be telling us." Leave it to Dorcas to not be of any help.

"Sirius are you sure that was everyone?"

"Of course I am James- oh wait a second. There were only three gits in love with Dorcas."

"Well how many did you think there were?" Sirius could be so frustrating sometimes; after all it really isn't that hard to read a signup sheet.

"Well four obviously. Anyway that means there's still someone left." James couldn't spot anyone they'd missed but it was a long way across the pitch.

"Who is it?" Everyone asked at once.

Sirius of course took forever to tell them; "some bloke named Owen."

James was thoroughly confused. "Since when is there an Owen in Gryffindor?"

Dorcas started cackling, "like you'd know, you hardly pay any attention to the first years."

"Hate to break it to you Meadowes but first years can't try out for the team. By the way, as head boy I make it my duty to know every kid in my house."

"Then who's Owen?"

James fixed a glare on Dorcas while talking to Sirius, "last name?"

"Rosier, Owen Rosier."

"Connor," James turned to the keeper, "take your position. Meadowes you sit this one out, you got this Prewett?" James wasted only a second waiting for the boy to nod. "Sirius you're off since you can't even read a list properly and you're with me Marlene."

James got on his broom and, with Marlene following closely behind, flew to the group of candidates.

"Do we have an Owen?" Was the first thing he asked when they landed.

Sure enough out from within the large group came Owen Rosier. James had to try and hide his shock when Owen turned out to be a small red headed girl.

Not wanting the older kids to laugh at the poor girl James addressed the other students, "the rest of you can head back to the castle, if we pick you you'll know soon enough, otherwise, thanks for coming out."

After they'd left with Owen out of earshot Marlene gave James a questioning glance, "what did you do that for?"

"Come off it Marlene, don't tell me you wanted them to stay? They wasted our whole afternoon. When she doesn't work out," he said gesturing towards Owen, "we'll go with that sixth year."

"Why do you think she won't work out?"

"She's in second year McKinnon, how good could she be?" With that James flew into the air and waved for Owen to follow.

"Here's the deal Owen, when I signal Sirius over there he's going to release the snitch. All you've got to do is catch it without falling off your broom, sound easy enough?"

"What's the catch?"

James smiled, he liked this girl already. "You have to catch it before me."

"You're not even a seeker though."

"And you are?"

Now it was Owen's turn to smile, "I guess we'll find out."

With that James called to Sirius wanting to see if this girl was more than just talk.

In the time it took for Connor and McKinnon to get into a row Owen had swooped in front of James and caught the snitch.

"She's a natural!" James yelled as he flew around the stadium beaming down at his fellow teammates. Once their feet were firmly planted on the ground James stuck his hand out to Owen. "Welcome to the team."

James had never seen anyone happier and when they found out that Owen's siblings were both former professional Quidditch players it all added up.

From then on James' day went splendidly. The sky seemed a little brighter and the food tasted a little better. If only it could've lasted a little longer.

As the sun was setting James made his way up to the owlery. His owl, Cornelius, was getting pretty old and would sometimes forget to bring the mail in in the morning. After a few minutes of searching James watched as Cornelius flew in through the window. Snatching the purple envelope before the owl could fly to its perch, James recognized the handwriting immediately.

Sometimes life moves in slow motion and every once in a while, it stops completely.

A/N

Well it's been quite some time. I am extremely sorry about that, this chapter was just surprisingly difficult to write. Please let me know your opinions and make sure to read chapter 13 of LEAMMEGTM which matches up almost perfectly to this chapter.

I'm hoping that summer means more updates because as of right now I'm not too busy.

Shaelynn