On a sunny November morning, James Potter and Marlene McKinnon were found sitting opposite each other at the Gryffindor table in the great hall. They were surrounded by their friends, all encouraging the two to eat something, anything. Neither of the two really managed much more than a couple of gulps of pumpkin juice. Before long though, the two were able to escape their friends' needling for they were needed down at the quidditch pitch.

In the Gryffindor changing room, 6 people nervously adjusted scarlet robes, put on protective gear and clutched broomsticks. The one person in the room who did not look nervous stood before the other six, a red and golden badge flashing QC proudly affixed upon her robes. Lara Atwood looked her team once again, and opened her mouth to speak.

"I see before me 6 extremely nervous players. I find that a little strange. For the first time ever, I'm not nervous. I'm not nervous because I've been training with the six of you for the past two months. Because I know what the six of you are capable of. Because I know we have the quality and the potential. Because I know that we are going to give it our all. Because I know we're going to win. And you're the ones who are going to make it happen."

And as one, the six other people in the room leapt to their feet with a yell, snapping on goggles and eager to impress, eager to follow their captain, eager to fly. Eager to win. So, as 7 people in scarlet robes and clutching broomsticks walked onto the quidditch pitch to the sound of commentator David Shelley announcing them, not one felt nervous, and all 7 felt hungry. For victory.

"Captain Lara Atwood has built a team with a good mix of experience and youth. Alongside Atwood as chasers are Jessica Kerr and 2nd year debutante James Potter. The beaters are Nick Smith and Sam Gerald. As keeper is debutante 3rd year Frank Longbottom and finally, as seeker, the second 2nd year debutant, Marlene McKinnon!"

Down on the pitch, James Potter turned to his cousin, "You ready, Marly?"

"Are you?"

"Hell yes."

"Then let's kick some butt!"

"And they're off. Jessica Kerr of Gryffindor takes the quaffle and ducks a bludger. She passes to her captain Atwood, back to Kerr, and now back to Atwood, who shoots, MY WORD, WHAT A SUPER PLAY FROM GRYFFINDOR, James Potter flies up and intercepts his captain's shot and deposits the quaffle in the opposite goal. Gryffindor hit the early lead!"

In the air, James swerves around to his defensive position, accepting a high-five from Jessica on his way. As a burly seventh year chaser dodged both Lara and Jessica, he flew right into the path of Nick's bludger. James dives after it, and then finding his captain again with a pass.

"It's Atwood bearing down on goal, she shoots and scores! James Potter shoots up as if to intercept again but leaves it, fooling the Slytherin keeper Harris and Gryffindor lead 20-0!"

However, the game was getting more and more brutal and Sam had developed a black eye while Lara had been hit on the shoulder, allowing Slytherin to pull one back, when Marlene dove.

"I think McKinnon's seen the snitch!"

But at the last second, she pulled up, while the Slytherin seeker nearly crashed into the ground, scarping the stands.

"And amid all that, Potter has managed to score twice more. Gryffindor lead 40-10."


As the game progressed towards the hour mark, both seekers were getting desperate. Nonetheless, Gryffindor steadily began to pull away courtesy of some spectacular saves from Frank and some brilliant shots from James who had scored 9 of their 15 goals.

"It's Potter again, dodges two bludgers and shoots. And scores! James Potter has 10 goals on debut for Gryffindor, and they lead Slytherin 160-90. Hang on, I think McKinnon's actually seen the snitch this time. She dives and Hooper's not far off her tail but… she's got it! Marlene McKinnon catches the snitch, Gryffindor win 310 to 90!"

On the pitch, 7 people in scarlet robes had collapsed together in a mid-air hug, all screaming and yelling each other hoarse as they slowly sunk down to ground level, enveloped in the euphoria of victory and the cheers of three quarters of the school.


Later that night at the celebratory party,

"Hey Lara?"

"Yeah?"

"Were you really not nervous at all?"

"Oh James. I was more nervous than all of you put together. I just didn't show it. I had to motivate you guys to play well, and if I looked nervous, well you guys look to me to set an example. Now don't tell anyone. I'm only telling you because you're gonna be quidditch captain one day. I see a heap of potential in you. You're going to have an awesome future."


A/N: So yeah, like i said, i was nearly finished this one when something happened - i don't even know what. I think ff died on me or something, and i lost everything so i had to rewrite it. I dont remember everything i wrote, so it's not as good as it was. I'm not sure about the last little bit, but I did want to make clear that Lara was nervous as hell.. so yeah.. i dunno.

Oh and yeah, this is 2nd year (obviously)

Please R&R!