An Unexpected Outcome
Lily seethed throughout the day, and both Darlene and Addie were glad they didn't have every lesson with her like Marlene, who looked fed up by their last period, (6th year potions). They all filed into Slughorn's dingy classroom, and Addie was immediately faced with the problem of getting a partner. It seemed Remus had sat with a blushing Marlene; Darlene was sat with Andrew Baker, (most likely to piss of Jo, since Addie could see the gleam in Darlene's eye as she glanced back at the said Gryffindor), and Lily had gone with none other than Colin Dawkins, (James's expression had turned sour once he realised this), so it was for this reason she was stuck with a smirking Sirius Black.
"Guess it's just me and you, Reid." he commented, placing down his cauldron. She rolled her eyes in reply, and then chastised herself. She had to stop doing that- it seemed to be her automatic reaction to everything recently.
"You'll have to do, Black, but you better be good at potions."
"Oh, you just wait and see."
She did wait, and she did soon see that he was in fact awful at potions, though it didn't actually bother her- she just didn't know how anyone taking their N.E.W.T. could be so hopeless at a subject... especially someone as smart as Sirius.
She questioned him on this after cleaning up his seventh spillage, (yes, seven), but Sirius was unfazed.
"I scratched by last year, thanks to Remus, probably." he said, casually. "Reg was always the potion master in the family. I'm better with a wand." How he made 'wand' sound flirty, Addie will never know, but it didn't stop her from blushing. As always, he smirked, and carried on stirring in the wrong direction.
"Do you reckon she'll ever come round?" Sirius asked later, nodding to Lily. They had been watching the sworn Gryffindor enemies as they bickered across the classroom, for most of the lesson. Addie cocked her head.
"I honestly don't know. There's definitely a part of her that likes him- but it depends if she'll be too stubborn to admit it. When Lily's made up her mind on something or someone, it takes a long time for her opinion to change."
"I don't know why he doesn't give up, to be honest- but I suppose James is just as stubborn as Evans." Addie frowned.
"You really think he should give up? Just like that?"
"Well, I don't think it's doing him any favours, chasing a girl who doesn't like him." He added some beaver fur to their potion, which was turning a sickly green.
Addie bit her lip. "I don't know. You see, I think she does, deep down… or at least she will someday. People change, opinions change."
He squinted at her. "Do you really believe that?"
"Sure I do. And I think you should fight for what you want." She checked her watch. They had to let it simmer for two minutes.
"But he can't tell what she's thinking."
"That's true... but he's got to trust his instincts." she reasoned.
"Instincts can be wrong." He smirked, dryly.
"A leap of faith then."
Sirius chuckled, and it was different to the bark-like laugh he usually had, warmer. "You have a strange way of seeing things." He looked at her closely, and she suddenly felt self-conscious.
Addie busied herself with the ingredients. "I hope that's a compliment."
"It is. It's good to be perceptive, and you always see stuff that others miss."
"Well, thanks." she frowned, unsure what he was trying to say.
"My pleasure, Reid. Now, please try and fix this monstrosity before I blow someone up."
"How was a lesson with Andrew Baker then, Dar?" Addie asked, smirking at her friend.
Darlene laughed. "You see right through me." she said, pausing for a moment. "But, in all fairness, the bloke was rather nice for one of Jo's flings… though you could tell he was caught up on her. Wouldn't stop talking about the girl for a single moment."
Addie feigned surprise. "Darlene O'Connell just called someone nice? And a boy? You hate boys!" She grinned. "He must have had a real impact on you."
Darlene rolled her eyes. "I do not hate boys. And anyway, he was obsessed with Jo Harrington. Any impact he had was far from positive, I can assure you."
Lily pulled a face. "I wonder if she'll ever change her mind." she mused.
Darlene pursed her lips. "Even if she does, I'm staying well away from her. It was hard enough sitting with Andrew… but I do excel at playing the moody cow. I got him to shut up eventually."
"I'm surprised he wasn't scared of you." Lily laughed. "God knows you scare the life out of most people when you're pissed off Dar… even more so than Addie."
"I do not scare people." Addie complained. "Well, at least Jo didn't think so."
"Well, you are nearly as small as Alice." Lily replied. "And it is rather funny when you shout, but when you're really mad you get this look in your eye..." She shivered. "Scares me half to death."
"Hmm, but you'll never get my reputation." Darlene grinned.
Marlene changed the subject, distracted. "Did anyone see the look Susan gave me in that lesson?" she asked, grimacing as they reached the common room.
"Oh, you couldn't miss it." Darlene replied, stepping into the portrait hole. "You only sat with Lupin, she was acting like the two of you were going at it on the desk."
"I hope she doesn't say anything to Charles." Marlene worried, biting her lip.
"She won't Mar." Lily assured, patting her friend on the shoulder. "Now can we please go and get rid of these books?" she groaned. "I think my shoulder's about to break."
"Sure, but first I'm getting my cauldron back." Addie said. "Sirius blew it up and he promised he'd fix it."
Darlene snorted. "I'd like to see him keep that promise."
The next couple of weeks went by, and all the sixth years were finding their NEWT classes challenging, but were more worried about the gradual build-up of homework they were being set. By Thursday evening, the Gryffindor's had a fairly big stack set in front of them, and even though Sirius and James joked about their work, they couldn't avoid the ever growing pile in front of them either.
"I honestly can't deal with this." moaned Peter. "It's the third week back."
"Here's a tip. Stop moaning and start working, Wormtail." smirked Sirius. Peter threw him a glare.
"Yeah, and you can talk, Black. I notice you haven't even started the transfiguration essay." Addie commented.
Sirius wasn't perturbed, and he smirked cockily. "It'll be a breeze- you know transfiguration is my best subject. And anyway, Jamesie's finished his, I'm sure he'll let me glance at it." He winked at James, who rolled his eyes.
"It's easy for you to say." said Peter grumpily. "You don't have this huge Herbology assignment."
Alice smiled from where she lay, leaning her head on Frank's chest. "If you break it up, it's not actually that much. That's what Frank told me."
"It's true." The said boy agreed. "We were in your shoes last year; you've just got to do as it comes along."
"That's easier said than done." grumbled Lily, whose hair was a scattered mess.
"Here Lils, I'm pretty much finished. I'll help you." Marlene offered. Lily smiled gratefully.
"Thanks Mar."
"Hey, why don't I get any help?" whined Addie.
"Because Lily's having a mental break down, Ads." Sirius grinned. "You're just bored."
"Boredom is the trigger for many, many health problems." she remarked sulkily.
"Liar." Sirius smirked. She stuck her tongue out at him, but her head was pounding. She needed to get some sleep. Sirius saw the exhaustion in her eyes, and threw her a questioning glance. She shook her head, but his brow still creased. He was wrong when he said that she was the perceptive one; that boy really didn't miss a thing.
"Where's Darlene, by the way?" Remus asked.
James nodded over to the corner of the common room, where Darlene sat, scribbling frantically on parchment.
"What is she doing?" Lily asked, her brow creased.
"Didn't she tell you?" James frowned.
She rolled her eyes. "Obviously not, Potter, since I just asked you."
"Oh. Well she's writing up some quidditch tactics. I made her vice-captain, you see."
"You did what?" Sirius spluttered, scattering sheets of parchment.
James laughed. "I'm sorry Pads, but you know how much effort Darlene puts into the team. She's a great chaser, and she's always coming up with game plans. I had no choice."
"Fine." Sirius grumbled, slumping back in his seat. "But that better be a damn good plan."
Half an hour later and they'd all pretty much finished; Lily had even managed to get two essays done, with Marlene's help, and Darlene had joined them. When the girls asked her about the new position, she'd blushed crimson, which was a rarity for Darlene.
"Oh, well, I… I meant to tell you…" she had spluttered, but they'd laughed it off, grinning, and Lily had congratulated her. Addie dozed in the armchair, and in slightly better spirits, James and Sirius started a game of wizard chess whilst the others looked on.
The game was ferocious, and the outcome was close, but James finally managed to beat Sirius, as he usually did, smashing half his players. They were both laughing by the time they'd finished.
As Sirius persuaded Peter to play him, James sidled over to Lily, settling down next to her on the sofa. "Hey Lils."
She crossed her arms, moving non-too-subtly away from him.
"What do you want, Potter?"
"Don't you want me to say hi now?" He raised his eyebrows, but his voice was laced in exasperation.
She rolled her eyes. "Potter, when have I ever wanted you to say hi?"
"How do you know you haven't? You might have thought it sub-consciously."
"Oh and you'd know." she mocked.
His teasing tone was back, along with his crooked grin. "Don't you remember? I can read minds."
She rolled her eyes. "I see that. So I've suddenly decided to go with you to Hogsmeade then?"
"Won't you? Just this once? Or at least hang out with me. It's not much to ask, really. Most girls would be flattered."
Lily's anger ignited. "Well, obviously I'm not 'most girls', Potter. And I'm going with Colin to Hogsmeade. After all, I am only your second choice... Or was it your third? My memory fails me."
Marlene smirked from where she read a book in the nearest armchair, reminding Lily that they had an audience.
"You know I didn't mean that stuff-" argued James, scowling.
"Oh you didn't mean it. That clears everything up."
"I didn't Lils. I-"
"Stop calling me that!"
"Fine, Evans. You know I didn't mean it- any of it. Can't you just go with me? Give me a chance.''
She groaned. "Why do you always come up with this crap? Can't you just stop messing with my head for one moment?"
James frowned. Surely Lily couldn't think he was making fun of her? After so many years? "Lily, look. I'm not messing with you-"
"Oh cut the bull, Potter. You could at least be honest with me. God knows you owe me that." James shook his head, amazed at her obliviousness. Finally, he looked up at her, his hazel eyes full of sincerity.
"Lily, I'm being honest. Just give me a chance. You could at least consider it."
She paused, as his the golden flecks threatened to overwhelm her. She knew she couldn't trust Potter. This was what he wanted- this was part of his game. "Fine. I have." He waited with baited breath.
"I'd rather be branded with a hot poker than go out with you." And with that, she stormed over to where Alice sat, sitting down with a hump!
James paused before leaning over to Sirius, frowning. "What's a poker?" He whispered, making sure Lily was out of ear shot. Sirius looked grave.
"I don't know mate, but whatever it is, it can't be good." James nodded, his worst fears having been confirmed, and slumped dejectedly into his seat.
Addie went up to bed early, barely able to keep her eyes open, and found the dormitory empty apart from Susan- who was reading on her bed. The silence was awkward, and Addie walked over to her corner, very aware of the other girls' eyes on her back. She got changed, but just before she clambered under her sheets, she hesitated. After a heartbeat, she turned back a round to her dorm mate.
"Um… Susan?"
The bushy haired girl dragged her eyes from the book she was reading. "Hmm?"
"I just," A deep breath. "I just wanted to say that… I'm sorry. I'd love to be mates again." This wasn't completely true, but sacrifices had to be made for simplicity's sake.
Susan's eyes softened and she placed down her book. But, just as she was about to say something, Jo barged in.
"Alright Suzy? I just had the most wonderful time with-" noticing Addie, standing in her unicorn pyjamas, she stopped.
"Did I just…" Her eyes narrowed as she looked between the two. "…interrupt something?"
Susan, flushing, shook her head, and Addie rolled her eyes- she had to stop doing that- before clambering into bed.
"Goodnight." she muttered, closing her eyes and hoping for a dreamless sleep.
The weekend soon came by in full swing, and Addie was glad. Her nightmares had become less frequent, giving her more energy and her skin more colour, so she couldn't wait for the quidditch trials that James had planned for Saturday. Her mother positively hated the sport, and she wasn't allowed to practise during summer unless she could find an empty field, so it felt like it had been years since she'd been on a broomstick.
On Saturday morning, the Gryffindor table was buzzing with energy. It seemed there were a fair few people planning on trying out, and some of the other students were going to watch. Hearing this, Addie's nerves kicked in. Would she have forgotten how to ride a broom? Would her skill have evaporated without practise over the summer? She knew Sirius and James and most of the old team came from wizarding families, with huge gardens built for playing quidditch, and the worry that she'd embarrass herself ran around her head while she stared at her breakfast.
"Eat something, Addie. It'll help." Remus said, kindly. She nodded meekly, but the toast tasted like cardboard in her mouth.
Next to him, James and Sirius were sat together. Sirius was tucking into a hearty breakfast, as James rambled on about different players and their qualities. They both looked as confident as ever, grinning in their quidditch robes. Addie felt a pang of jealousy, wishing she could feel as calm as they looked. Sirius looked up and smiled, his grey eyes twinkling. "Don't look so scared, Reid. You're the best chaser on the team." James shoved him indignantly and Darlene let out an annoyed "hey", but Sirius just winked at her, making Addie laugh in spite of herself, and feel slightly better.
Half an hour later, she walked down to the pitch with Lily and Marlene, nervously tugging her quidditch robes. Lily gave her a warm smile before they parted. "You'll be fine." she said, squeezing Addie's arm. Addie grinned, thankfully.
"I hope so."
Lily and Marlene went to sit in the stands with Peter, Remus, Alice and some other Gryffindor's, whilst Addie walked onto the pitch. There were about fifteen people gathered there, all stood in front of James and Sirius. She went to join them, and realised with dismay that most of the people there were all much bigger than her, with thick frames and heads that towered above hers. But, she wouldn't let herself be intimidated. Holding her chin up high, she tried to look as frightening as possible as James briefed them on how the trials would work, and the groups they'd be in.
Addie was in the second group to for her chaser trial, so she went over to watch from the side and wait her turn.
Overall, each person was tried twice, once in their first best position, and once in their second best. Addie had the build of a seeker and was good at catching, so had put that as her second choice, even though she'd played chaser ever since second year.
Eventually, it was her turn as chaser. She walked onto the pitch with the rest of her team, her palms sweating with nerves, and mounted her broom. James gave her a reassuring nod, but her stomach was still in knots as they rose in the air.
The whistle was blown, and Addie immediately went into action. She soared into the air, feeling nothing but euphoria as wind swept through her hair, rushing across her skin. She spiralled around and around, before getting a hold on herself. She needed to focus.
In her trial, she was playing with James and a small fourth year who had spiky red hair and a big grin. He snatched the ball out of the air and sped along on his broom, towards the goal. Addie set herself up in position, and called out "Pass!" to him, but he ignored her, firing at full speed towards the keeper, Frank. Frank had been keeper since his fourth year, and with long limbs, and an agile speed, he was an excellent player. He caught the barrelling ball with ease, causing the boy's grin to fall.
"As a chaser, teamwork is key, Oliver." James frowned, catching the ball Frank had thrown to him and passing it back to the red-head boy. "You need to pass it this time."
Oliver nodded glumly, and James blew the whistle again. He grabbed the ball, and Addie set herself up into position again. This time when he flew past, he chucked it to her, and she flew up next to the goal, throwing the ball in as hard as she could. It soared over to Frank, somewhat wonkily, but managed to just slip in. There was a loud cheer, and she looked up to see her friends grinning and applauding her from the stands. She did a little victory spin, to Oliver's distaste, and then flew back over to James, who had blown his whistle once more.
"Right." he said. "Last one. I want you to pass it between you at least four times, until whoever's in the best position scores. Understood?"
They both nodded, and he chucked the ball up again. This time Addie grabbed it and began weaving her way across the pitch, passing it to Oliver about halfway down. He passed it back to her and she flew underneath him, nearing the posts. She chucked the ball at him and he caught it clumsily, before throwing it right back to her. She could have attempted a shot, but she wasn't in a great position, so she passed it back to him, circling around the goal posts until she was on the other side. He deliberated with the ball, glancing at her, before James's words about teamwork obviously sunk in and he sighed, finally chucking it back to Addie. She caught it in surprise, but aimed at the post. Frank was watching her carefully, knowing that it was an easy shot, and she was sure to get it in. Any half-decent chaser could score from there. She threw the ball and it arched up, heading for the posts… but then it had missed, and was falling down to the grass below in an embarrassingly feeble fall. Addie groaned, her face turning rosy in humiliation as the quidditch pitch fell silent. As they landed, James looked at her pitifully.
"Don't worry about it, Addie." he said, patting her arm. "It could happen to anyone." But she knew it couldn't. It was an easy throw, and she could see her thoughts reflected in James's eyes. She should have scored.
Skill wise, he'd never been as good as James and Darlene, and James knew that, but she'd always been able to score a shot. And an easy one like that should have been simple.
She headed back over to the side of the pitch, her head down.
"Wasn't that bad, Reid." Sirius said, with soft eyes.
"It was awful." she replied, looking at the floor. "You saw how easy that shot was, Sirius." She glanced at him. "You don't think I'm losing my touch, do you?"
"Nah." he replied, swinging his beater's bat. "It's just nerves, Ads. Don't sweat it- James knows what you can do."
The whistle blew and Addie watched as he jogged onto the pitch. If only she could be as sure of herself as Sirius was… but deep down, she knew confidence wouldn't help her now. She was off the team for sure.
The rest of the morning dragged on, and Addie's spirits got lower and lower. Gradually, the crowd of people waiting to try out thinned, and the crowd began to depart the stadium too, until only her friends were left, smiling sympathetically down at her.
Eventually, James held out his clipboard, looking around at the few players they had left.
"Right…" he consulted his list again, before reading out names. "So we've got Jackson and Sirius as our beaters…" He turned to his best friend, frowning. "Haven't you already played in that position?"
Sirius shrugged, grinning, and James just rolled his eyes. "Fine. Jackson and Sirius as our beaters…" He glanced at Darlene. "Peterson, O'Connell and Stark as our chasers, Jones as our beater, and Reid as our seeker."
Addie got up dejectedly. If she'd already performed badly as chaser… well, she was going to be hopeless in a position she'd never played in before.
They hopped onto their brooms, waiting for James's whistle, before soaring into the air. Again, Addie felt the familiar rush as she flew up high, and she was glad she now had the freedom to fly. Her head had been pounding, but now it was clear as the cold wind blew her ruffled her quidditch robes. She barely ever got a chance to just free-style and fly through the air, so it felt amazing. She twisted and turned, laughing with glee as she zoomed around the pitch, rising higher and higher. She looked down from her high perch. Far below, she could see her team mates playing furiously, passing the quaffle and scoring goals, and it bought her back to her senses. She had to at least try and find the snitch- even if it was hopeless.
For a few minutes, she scoured the pitch for any sight of gold, but had no luck, and her spirits fell again- the rush from her flying disappearing within a matter of seconds. What had happened down there? Her chaser skill must have got worse over the summer, or maybe she'd just grown out of them. James had said the other day that that could happen. She sighed, looking around hopelessly. How could you possibly find one speck of gold in a quidditch pitch this size anyway? It was near impossible. It was like finding a needle in a-
And then she saw it. Out of the corner of her eye there was a glittering flash. She turned quickly, and watched as the small, fluttering ball zoomed off from ten or so metres away, flying upwards into the clouds. Its wings were beating hard, but Addie immediately let out a burst of speed, climbing higher and higher, desperately trying to catch the darn thing. Soon, they were fully immersed in clouds, and she could barely see a metre in front of her, let alone spot the snitch, but she carried on pushing on until she'd broke through the water vapour, and was staring around at the empty blue sky around her. Her hair whipped around her face as she searched. It had to be here somewhere- she'd only seen it just two minutes ago… aha! There it was! Just a yard or so in front of her, it was flapping away. Adrenaline filled her veins again, and Addie sped up, reaching her hand out- she was so close, so close, and bingo! She'd caught it! Excitement and shock flooded through her as she laughed out loud to herself, unable to contain her surprise and happiness. She'd caught the snitch! She did a victory spin, twisting round and round until she felt dizzy. No one would ever believe it, but she, Adelaide Beatrix Reid was a good seeker.
Eventually, she flew back down to the pitch, a wide grin cracked across her face. James had just blown his whistle as she landed, and the rest of the team landed with a thump next to her.
"Well done, guys. You were all great." said James, smiling. "I'll put a notice up in the common room by Friday, so you know who made it. But awesome job."
Sirius turned to her, smiling. "You looked pretty happy, twirling away up there…" He trailed off as he saw the squirming ball in her hand, his eyes widening. "Wait… you caught the snitch?" He looked at her incredulously, and she laughed, unable to stop beaming. "Prongs! Prongs look! Addie caught the snitch!"
James whipped round, and, on seeing the struggling snitch in her hand, pulled her into a sudden tight hug. He grabbed her arms, his face looking as though it may crack from the weight of his grin. "You're the first one to catch it today! How did you…"
"I don't know," Addie admitted, still smiling. "I just spotted it flying into the clouds, and catching it… well, it seemed to come natural to me."
"I bet it did." James was grinning. "Catching a snitch in fifteen minutes, merlin's beard… that's unheard of."
By now the people around Addie were starting to murmur to themselves, as the wind of Addie's catch got around. Darlene ran over, her mouth falling open as she laid eyes on Addie's hands. "Addie!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us about this talent of yours, eh?" she beamed, poking the smaller girl in the ribs. Then, quick as a flash, she turned to the stands, cupping her hands around her mouth. "Guys get down here, already!" she called to Lily, Alice, Remus, Peter and Marlene. "Addie caught the snitch!"
There were squeals and cheers from her friends as they scrambled to get off the spectating stands and down the steps onto the pitch.
The next minute, Addie was smothered in hugs.
"Well done Ads!" Lily smiled. "That's amazing!"
By this time, Addie was glowing red, and she muttered thankyou's as people congratulated her, the crowd around her swelling bigger.
"I always knew you had it in you Reid." Sirius muttered in her ear, his eyes twinkling as people patted her on the back. There were so many faces beaming down at her, and she smiled to herself. Sirius's whisper reminded her oddly of that night in the forest, when he'd tugged her off the dirt, and her heart started to beat loudly in her chest. It was still beating when they traipsed back to the castle, and she now understood why. Standing here, being surrounded by so many people who cared for her, Addie had never felt prouder.
