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The casual observer would never know that Lily and James were now a couple. Now they were together they had no reason to stare at each other furtively, and the Gryffindor Fifth years silently rejoiced in the fact that they didn't resort to the nauseating habit of calling each other foolish love names like 'Love Bunny' and 'Jamesie-Wamesie'. Indeed, the only times they even knew they were together were by their absences in the common room. Then Lily would walk in by herself, her eyes sparkling and cheeks glowing, closely followed by James, who was normally red faced and wearing a grin which threatened to split his face in two. Occasionally his glasses would be a bit steamed up, which amused Sirius no end. Fortunately for him, Lily and James took his teasing in good spirit.
The Gryffindors woke up on Saturday morning to sunlight flooding through the windows with the promise of nice day. The whole tower buzzed with expectancy: today was the Quidditch Final against Slytherin. Gryffindor were currently leading the Quidditch Cup by 80 points, followed by Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and a win today would secure them the Cup. It was also Hogsmeade weekend, and most pupils were looking forward to spending their Saturday and Sunday afternoons relaxing in the village before the exams started.
Breakfast was a nervy affair for the Gryffindor team. Most of them could only nibble at slices of toast even though James had encouraged them all to eat. Poor Kevin Sharpe could only sip at a cup of tea, and even then you could hear the cup clattering against his teeth because his hands were shaking so much. Only Sirius could manage to eat a normal sized breakfast. James himself was too focussed on the game to concern himself with food. This was his first year as Gryffindor captain and he was determined to win the Cup. He knew that all of the school, except Slytherin, were behind Gryffindor all the way. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw had proved that by loudly booing when the Slytherin team had walked in to breakfast en masse. He knew he was under pressure to catch the snitch early and kill the game, but he also knew his team was good enough to win.
Breakfast was over quickly, and most people stampeded out of the Great Hall and towards the Quidditch pitch in order to get good seats. James cleared his throat.
'Alright, team. Time to go.' The Gryffindor team, with the exception of James, moved off towards the changing room. Only James and Lily were left. Lily gently squeezed his fingers.
'Are you going to wish me luck?' he whispered to her.
'No,' she replied, 'you'll win, but it won't be luck. You'll win because you're the best Seeker on the best team!' He grinned at her.
'Thanks for the vote of confidence.'
'Well, how can you fail to win when I'll be sitting in the stand as your good luck mascot!' she joked. 'Come on,' she continued, pulling him out of the hall, 'it would never do for the captain to be late, would it?'
In the changing room James was giving his team a last minute pep talk.
'Ok team, this is it. The pinnacle of the season. The chance to end the season on a glorious high or sink like a stone. I know we can do it. We are the better players and the better flyers. Sirius and Matthew,' he said, looking at the two Beaters, 'you'll have to be on your guard. The Slytherin Beaters both play dirty and they'll stop at nothing to try and knock us all off our brooms, so you'll have keep a close eye on them. But no fouling. We must play a clean game today. I don't want any fouls committed by us.' He turned to look at the Chasers. 'Flip and Julia. Play your usual game and we'll pulverise them in terms of goals. Their Chasers aren't a patch on you. Kevin, I know you're nervous but I also know as soon as you get on your broom you'll be fine and your nerves will disappear. You're an excellent player, anything short of excellent and you would never have got on the team!' James grinned at his third Chaser, who grinned back at the compliment. James then turned to his goalkeeper, who was an extremely tall and well-muscled Seventh year. 'Daniel. What can I say? Do your man-mountain thing and they'll find it nearly impossible to get past you.' He checked his watch and looked up at them. 'Time to go.' They left the changing room.
'Good luck, Flip.' said Sirius, coming up beside her and giving her a quick squeeze around the shoulder before bounding off. Phillipa stared after him and sighed. She didn't know what to think. On Wednesday, when she'd caught him staring at her she thought maybe he liked her, in the way that James liked Lily. But since then, nothing. No signs to indicate that at all! He'd reverted back into a clown, always joking with her, forever flirting but never staring at her with his dark, intense stare. Maybe she'd imagined it. The trouble was, since Wednesday, she'd started examining her own feelings for Sirius and she had forced herself to admit that, yes, she liked him. She liked him a lot. But telling him that was the one thing she couldn't do. Oh no, she wasn't going to risk making a complete arse of herself and the possibility of spoiling a good friendship by declaring her feelings. No, keeping quiet and hoping that her feelings would go away were the best she could hope for.
'Good luck, Flip.' said Sirius, coming up beside her. He couldn't resist giving her a quick hug before shooting off. What are you like? he asked himself disgustedly, you can't even keep your hands off her now! His angel and his devil prepared to do battle.
- Don't worry Sirius, it was only a friendly hug.
- No it wasn't! You did it because you fancy her! I know it and you know it!
- Why don't you just tell her you like her?
- What! And risk her laughing at you? Don't do it!
- Explain about the jokes and flirting. Tell her it's a cover for your real feelings.
- Oh right, Sirius. And you're not interested in what she keeps under her robes at all, are you?
'Oh shut up, the pair of you.' he muttered to himself. Ok, fine, I admit it. I like Flip, and I also know that the joking and the flirting are a cover. I've played the fool for so long I'm frightened to admit my true feelings in case she doesn't believe them. Frightened that she doesn't feel the same way. Frightened she'll want nothing to do with me if she finds out. So I'll go on keeping my feelings a secret, because being friends is better than nothing. And that's my last word on the subject!
The game had begun! Gryffindor got off to a flying start, with all 3 Chasers scoring in the first 5 minutes. Kevin's nerves had disappeared and he settled into the game straight away. As expected, the Slytherins were playing a dirty game, and one of their Beaters, Severus Snape, had flown straight into Chaser Julia Cartwright and nearly knocked her off her broom. Gryffindor had won a penalty, and it was converted into a goal by Phillipa. The other Slytherin Beater, David Dexter, seemed to be concentrating solely on James and the Gryffindor Beater Matthew Jordan was flying around him. That left Sirius with the task of trying to protect the Chasers. He looked up and saw Severus Snape. Snape was smiling his twisted smile and, taking aim, he swung his club and hurtled the Bludger towards Phillipa. Sirius charged forward and just managed to intercept it, and send it shooting towards Slytherin Chaser John Fletcher.
'Thanks, pal!' shouted Phillipa, before flying off.
'Anytime,' he replied softly, staring after her in an unguarded moment, his heart in his eyes. Unfortunately, and unknown to Sirius, Snape swooped past him at that exact moment. Now, in addition to being evil, bitter and twisted, Severus Snape also happened to be skilled in the art of putting two and two together. Looking at Sirius' expression, Snape promptly reached five.
Oh, so Black's got a thing for Phillipa Jones, has he? Well, well! I think I'll spice his game up a bit. And Snape, desperate for revenge on Sirius ploughed all his efforts into directing the Bludger at Phillipa and blocking her bodily. Sirius had his work cut out from protecting her from Snape. However, Snape's plan did have one drawback; whilst he was concentrating on trying to hurt Phillipa (and therefore Sirius) Kevin and Julia were unmarked and were scoring goals for fun.
The score was 80-20 in Gryffindor's favour. James was eagerly scanning the pitch, desperate for a glimpse of the snitch. This would be the perfect time for it to appear, he thought, deftly avoiding the Bludger shot at him by Dexter by flying up vertically before executing a perfect loop. Flying down, he suddenly caught sight of the snitch far below, hovering just a few feet above the ground. Crouched low across his broom he hurtled towards the snitch, closely followed by the Slytherin Seeker. But there was only going to be one winner in this race, and that was James. He reached the snitch first and grabbed at it, feeling the tiny wings fluttering against his fingers. A massive roar surrounded the pitch as Madam Hooch blew the whistle to end the game. Gryffindor had won the Cup!
High above the ground, Sirius shrieked with joy. He caught sight of Phillipa's grinning face and began flying towards her. But before he reached her, Severus Snape, unnoticed by everyone, had taken one last furious swipe at the Bludger and had sent it spinning violently towards her. Her mind on Sirius, Phillipa didn't notice the Bludger coming towards her until the very last second. She desperately tried to twist her body out of the way but it was too late – the Bludger smacked against her head with a sickening thud. Sirius, flying towards her as fast as he could, managed to catch her just as she slipped from her broom.
Flying slowly, Sirius reached the ground, one arm firmly clutching Phillipa to his chest. He gently laid her down on the soft grass and examined her head where the Bludger had hit her. Feeling sick to his stomach, he found a big lump on the side of her head. The rest of the Gryffindor team rushed around them.
'What the hell happened?' shouted James, dropping to his knees besides Sirius.
'I don't know! I heard the whistle, and I was flying towards Flip and this Bludger just appeared out of nowhere. I couldn't reach her in time to knock it away…' Sirius trailed off shakily. God, she looked so white. Would she be ok? At that point Madam Hooch walked over and knelt down to examine her.
'Hmm,' she murmured, 'she'll need to go to Madam Pomfrey.' She glanced at Sirius' stricken face and said bracingly. 'Try not to worry, Black. I've seen this happen to many a Quidditch player, and they're always fine after a good night's sleep!' Sirius made to pick Phillipa up.
'Er, Sirius, it'll be easier if we use a stretcher,' suggested James.
'No!' said Sirius, 'I'll carry her up.'
'Sirius, be sensible__' began James, but Sirius cut him off.
'No James,' he said, his dark eyes burning in his pale face. 'It's something I want to do.' It suddenly became clear to James why it meant so much to Sirius. After all, he would feel the same if it was Lily who was lying there unconscious.
'Ok,' he replied softly. 'We'll follow you up in 15 minutes.' Flashing James a look of gratitude, Sirius slowly made his way towards the castle. Only Severus Snape was smiling.
Sirius made it to the hospital wing, and under Madam Pomfrey's instruction, gently laid Phillipa on an empty bed. By this time, she seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness although she had made no attempt to speak.
'What has happened her?' demanded Madam Pomfrey. Sirius gabbled the story to her. Madam Pomfrey tutted in disapproval.
'The amount of children I've had in her with Quidditch injuries! That game should be banned from this school.' Sirius made no reply.
'Alright, Mr Black. You can leave now.' she continued.
'No!' he said, quite sharply. 'I want to stay until she wakes up. She needs me.' She looked at him and sighed.
'No, you silly boy. I want to pop her into bed, and I insist you leave while I do it.'
'Oh, sorry Madam Pomfrey. I didn't realise. I'll just wait outside until you're finished, shall I?' Blushing, he left the room and sat on a seat outside, his head in his hands.
Madam Pomfrey was fussing around Phillipa when she came around.
'What happened?' she whispered. Her head was pounding and she felt slightly sick.
'Well, my dear, according to your friend Mr Black, you were hit on the head during a Quidditch match.'
'Sirius?' she murmured. 'Where is he now?'
'I sent him outside to wait whilst I got you comfortable. He didn't want to leave you, actually. That's quite some friend you've got there. From what I can gather, not only did he save you from a far serious injury by catching you mid air, he also carried you here himself!' Bustling around the bed, Madame Pomfrey didn't notice the slight flush that had crept into Phillipa's cheeks. Maybe Sirius cared for her after all?
'Can Sirius come back in?' she asked weakly. She had to find out once and for all.
'Well, we'll see. Maybe for a few minutes, and only if he's quiet, and only after you've taken the medicine that I'm going to make up for you now. Until then, try and rest.' Madam Pomfrey swept out of the room.
Sirius was still sitting waiting when James, Lily, Remus and Lucy burst through the door. All four of them looked fit to burst.
'How is she?' asked Lily, with a worried look on her face.
'I think she'll be ok,' said Sirius. 'Madam Pomfrey's with her now.'
'You are not going to believe what Remus saw!' said James, making no attempt to conceal the disgust in his voice. 'Tell him, Remus.' Remus took up the tale, anger flashing from his eyes.
'Well, I was watching the pitch after the final whistle had gone, and I saw a Slytherin player hit the Bludger towards Flip, after the whistle had gone!' Sirius hissed in fury, and slammed his fist into the palm of his hand.
'You don't have to tell me who. It's got to be Snape, hasn't it?' Remus nodded his head in confirmation.
'But why?' pondered Sirius, 'He hasn't got a grudge with Flip…' He was interrupted in his musings by Madam Pomfrey.
'You may go in for a few minutes, Mr Black. I must insist you do nothing to upset her, though.' Sirius nodded, and moved towards the door.
'Can't we go in too?' asked Lucy.
'No, I'm afraid only one of you may go in at the moment.' she replied.
'Oh but__' Lucy made to argue, but was silenced by James' hand on her arm.
'Let Sirius go in,' he said quietly.
Sirius approached the bed quietly. The curtains weren't pulled around the bed, as Phillipa was the only patient in the room. He sat down on the chair and looked at her. Her face had more colour to it, but her eyes will still closed. He gently reached for her hand and pulled it towards his face, holding it softly against his cheek.
'Flip,' he whispered, but as he looked into her face he saw no response. He sighed, and began speaking to her quietly.
'Phillipa, I know you're sleeping and won't hear this but this is probably the only chance I'll ever have to speak to you like this. The thing is, if I told you this when you were awake you'd never believe me, the fact that I, Sirius the joker has completely lost his head and his heart to you. I know I'm always teasing you, and making er, improper suggestions to you but I don't mean it, really I don't.'
'What, not even the one where you dream about me, or the Vanishing Solution idea. You didn't mean that either?' His eyes shot to her face. Her eyes were wide open and there was a grin playing about her lips.
'Flip!' he blustered, desperately trying to think on his feet and dropping her hand like a hot potato. 'I think you misunderstood me, you must be delirious, crazy even__'
'Crazy about you, Sirius.' she whispered, secure now in the knowledge that he felt the same as she did. She gently picked up his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing the palm of it. He shuddered in pleasure.
'Flip,' he whispered hoarsely, 'do you mean it? I'll die if you don't…'
' I meant every single word,' she murmured back.
'I've got a confession to make,' said Sirius, his gaze burning into her. 'When I said I didn't mean those improper suggestions, I lied. It's my ambition in life to cover your robes in Vanishing Solution…' She laughed huskily.
'Kiss me Sirius.'
'What about your head? Is it ok? I'm dying to kiss you but I don't want to hurt you.'
'Madam Pomfrey's medicine worked a treat. My headache's practically gone.'
'In that case…' he murmured, lowering his head and kissing her with an intensity that shook them both.
'Would you come for a walk with me later?' he asked. 'We could go down to the lake, maybe talk or something.'
'I'll tell you what,' she suggested with a wicked grin. 'Let's not bother talking, but just do 'something' instead!' He laughed delightedly.
'Flip, you're my kind of girl!'
Sunday afternoon, after lunch, and we find our friends down by the lake.
'Right,' said Remus, 'does everyone know what they have to do?'
'Yes!' they all shouted together. The plan to wreak revenge on Snape had been thought of by Remus, and it had been planned with military precision.
'To Hogsmeade we go,' said Phillipa gleefully, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
Hogsmeade on Sunday afternoon was packed. As well as the students and teachers from Hogwarts, the streets were bustling with the villagers as well. James, Sirius, Lily and Phillipa stood in the middle of the street, searching for their pray. They didn't have long to wait – walking out of Honeydukes, his hands full of chocolate frogs and Fizzing Whizzbees, was Severus Snape. He glowered as he saw the four, and tried to walk past them but James and Sirius blocked his way.
'Hungry, Severus?' asked James lightly. Snape sneered at him, and looked down his large, hooky nose.
'What's it to you Potter?' he snapped in reply. 'I've got nothing to say to any of you so just get out of my way!'
'Well, the way I look at it Snape, you've got two people you should be apologising to. Flip, for that cowardly attack on her yesterday and Lily, for pouncing on her last Tuesday.' said Sirius, casually picking his thumbnail as he spoke.
'Me, apologise? Have you lost your wits, Black? All I've got to say to you Jones, if you can't stand the pace on the Quidditch pitch you shouldn't play. And you Johnston, you loved every minute of last Tuesday. She's quite the hot little number, Potter, don't you agree?' James fought to keep control of himself, and the only emotion he betrayed was the clenching of his fists by his side. Lily laid a calming hand on his arm.
'So,' said Sirius, softly, 'you're refusing to apologise?'
'You're quick today, Black, aren't you?' spat Snape.
'Well, we can't force you, I suppose, but I am disappointed in you Severus.' replied Sirius.
'Quite frankly Black, I couldn't give a monkey's chuff! Now get out of the bloody way!' The four obligingly moved out of his path and he swept past them, muttering angrily to himself. James waited until he was out of earshot.
'Any problems, Remus?' he asked quietly. And Remus, underneath James' Invisibility Cloak with Lucy and standing about six feet behind the other four snorted with laughter.
'None whatsoever! That curse should work a treat, I can't wait to see it.' he replied.
'Well remember, the pair of you must keep under the cloak or your alibis will be ruined,' said Sirius, beginning to laugh himself. 'Come on, let's watch the fun!' The six of them, two invisible, moved up the street following Snape.
At first, Snape didn't realise anything was wrong. Then he became dimly aware that his trousers and shirt felt rather tight around the waist. Putting that down to overeating at lunchtime, he continued walking down the street. Bloody hell, he thought to himself, it's not just the waist where my trousers are tight. In fact, Severus was experiencing extreme chafing in a rather personal area of his trousers, and he was finding it a bit difficult to walk! Pulling his robes aside, he discreetly tried to adjust himself. He glanced down and screeched in horror. No wonder his trousers were tight. He wasn't getting fatter, his clothes were shrinking! Already his robes were creeping past his knees and a loud rip and a sense of freedom down below told him that his trousers had ripped at the seams. His shoulders were bulging through his shirt and the neck was so tight he felt he was being garrotted. There was only one thing he could do – groping under his robes he unfastened his rapidly shrinking shirt and threw it down on the ground. Well, at least he could breathe now! But breathing was the least of his problems. He saw his reflection in a shop window and nearly died outright with embarrassment. His trousers had finally given up the struggle and lay, ripped and torn, at his feet. His robes were now hip length and he looked like a transvestite in a mini dress. He was also aware that his strange garb had attracted a big audience, most of them Hogwarts students and all of them laughing. He sunk to the ground and hid his head in his hands, trying to minimise his shame. This had to be the work of Potter and Black.
'Severus Snape! Is that you?' barked an angry voice. Oh no, MacGonagall, he thought, that's all I need. He stood up slowly, trying to ignore the laughter and heckles.
'Snape! Cover yourself up boy!' Snape snatched off his cloak (which had thankfully stopped shrinking!) and wrapped it around his waist. It fell it fetching folds to his knees. His face was burning with humiliation.
'Please explain yourself,' said Professor MacGonagall, her voice cold.
'It must have been Potter and Black!' he shrieked, all dignity lost. 'They were talking to me and then this happened! They've obviously put a hex on me!' He was spitting with rage.
'Mr Potter and Mr Black. Stand forward please!' she requested. James and Sirius moved forward both of them laughing themselves silly.
'Did you or did you not put a curse on Mr Snape?' she asked icily.
'No professor.' 'Absolutely not, professor.' They sniggered noisily.
'Well, Mr Snape, it appears you are wrong. These boys__'
'No!' he shrieked wildly. 'They're lying!'
'Professor, if I could interrupt?' It was the voice of Jonathan Winter, Seventh year Gryffindor and Head Boy of Hogwarts. 'I heard the conversation between the three of them, and in no way were Potter and Black intimidating Snape, and I witnessed no hex taking place.' MacGonagall smiled at the Head Boy.
'Thank you, Jonathan. Well Mr Snape, it would appear you are wrong in your accusations.'
'Lupin!' shouted Snape. 'Lupin wasn't with them! He could have been hiding somewhere and hexed me!' MacGonagall sighed. Really, Severus Snape was such a tiresome boy!
'Mr Lupin, stand forward please.' she called out wearily. Remus moved forward, Lucy by his side. The Invisibility Cloak was tucked away in Lucy's robes.
'Where were you when this alleged hex took place?' she questioned him.
'I was with Lucy Watson.' he told her.
'Yes, but where were you?' she asked again.
'Well, I'd rather not say, professor, if you don't mind.'
'But I do mind, Mr Lupin or I wouldn't of asked you. Now where were you?'
Lucy grinned mischievously and spoke up herself.
'We were kissing behind the Shrieking Shack, professor.' The crowd burst into renewed laughter at MacGonagall's shocked face. She flicked her wand at Snape and restored his robes back to full length.
'Mr Snape, I would like you to accompany me back to the castle where we can have a nice long chat about your recent conduct. Come!' And she walked through the crowd, Snape dragging his heels after her.
The six friends burst into fresh laughter and staggered off to find a quiet corner where they could talk freely about their prank. Sirius guffawed loudly.
'I must say Remus, that was a great alibi you and Lucy made up!' he said.
'Did we?' asked Remus, with a smile on his face.
'Did you what?' asked Sirius, with some confusion.
'Did we make it up?' said Lucy wickedly.
'Well, didn't you?' asked James doubtfully. They both smiled but didn't answer. Remus stood up.
'Lucy, would you do me the honour of joining me in a butterbeer?'
Lucy stood up quickly. 'Remus, I can think of nothing more pleasant.' She linked her arm in his and they strolled off together in the direction of The Three Broomsticks.
'Well, there's a turn up for the books.' said James eventually.
'Actually,' said Sirius offhandedly, 'I was thinking of trying to get those two together anyway.'
'Thank God they managed it without your intervention!' retorted James. He stood up and pulled Lily to her feet. 'Come on, let's go and join them.' Sirius and Phillipa stood up as well and the four of them set off after Remus and Lucy.
We leave them there, sipping butterbeer in The Three Broomsticks, happily toasting life and love.
A/N – Sorry it's so long!