Author's Note: CHAPTER TEN! WOOHOO! I'm so proud of myself for that. But I'm also not proud of myself("You mean unproud?" Peter asked) as I was supposed to put it up yesterday according to my schedule. Ah, well, I'll just put up the next chapter on Saturday.

Review Reposes(All reviews posted after 1/25):
Truth in the Moon, HedwigandHermes7, headoverheels4HP, marauders rox- Ah, funniness and romance coming soon , I promise. I guess this chapter has some funny stuff, but it's also quite sad.
piggy396, joanthereloaded-92, VirgoTheVirgin, Kendra-the hyper one, PotterSnitch7, Cristipotter- Thank you so much! I heart you all.
Moony8193- Oh, are you okay? They'll be friends... Forver from now onwards. Well, very soon they'll be more than just friends...
Isolde Eris- You are very correct. Dorea's death was from inhalation of the same potion that killed her husband. You'll learn more about James's mother in the sequel... If there's a sequel...
Tyem Marodyor- Thank you so much! This review is one sweetest ones I've ever gotten.

Disclaimer: I promise I'll buy Harry Potter the day I can afford a tenth of an iPod.

Chapter Ten: Steroids, Parties, and Shreiking
(This chapter is rated K+. I've decided warn you guys of the rating of each chapter from now onwards.)

"You okay?" Remus asked me as we walked out of the Great Hall towards the pitch.

"Fine, Moony," I replied, distracted. We had to win this. If we didn't, I was going to have to switch to the firewhisky technique.

Remus sighed as we pushed ourselves through the crowd which was lining up for seats for today's game, "Look, James, I don't mean to mention-"

Honestly, he's really got to be more straight forward.

"Its fine, Remus. I've gotten over her death. She would've wanted me to. I went to the funeral, I've totally moved forward. I just want to win this… I mean, I wouldn't want to lose, would I?" I asked, forcing smile.

Remus patted my back, "No, Prongs, you're right. Try your hardest." He looked at the huge crowd, "I'm going to find Sirius and Peter." He smiled and jogged away, navigating through the crowd.

I sighed and unconsciously ruffled my hair. This was the big one. I made my way through the crowd and towards the locker room.

"James!" I heard a voice call, "JAMES!"

I stopped and whirled around. I smiled a true, genuine smile as I spotted the source.

Lily Evans.

If anything has changed since Mum's death, it's my feelings for Lily. I have never loved her quite as much. Just her smile drives me mad, those soft pink lips, those pearly white teeth…

"Hey, Lils," I greeted affectionately.

She reached up to me and beamed. I took note that she was wearing a red shirt and gold skirt.

I'll never know how girl's survive without having their legs freeze, but she has never looked so hot before.

She pulled me into a hug. We've been doing this a lot, despite the 'only friends' thing.

"You're gonna do great," she whispered. I smiled.

"I'll try," I replied, trying not to sound too conceited.

Lily kissed me on the cheek, causing my heart to melt, "Do it for your mum. Do it for me."

"Anything for you," I whispered, closing my eyes.

She stepped back and smiled, "I'll be sitting in the front row," she gestured towards an empty seat with a gold cloak on it next to a few Ravenclaws who also were cheering for Gryffindor. She waved and jogged away.

It took me a few minutes to regain myself. By now, the crowd was clearing.

I raced up to the locker room and crept into the room. Since I was Quidditch captain, I got a large locker.

Don't get too jealous. I can't even fit Sirius in it.

I began stripping down – Ah, good thing the fifth year girl who are obsessed with me are too spastic to get in here – and pulled on my uniform. Eager to get on my broom, I crept towards the other lockers and stopped as I heard voices.

"Guys, we have to try our hardest," I heard Chris whisper.

Aw, my baby cousin's growing up. I think it's huggywuggy time!

I heard someone smack someone else, "No, you idiot, we have to do our worst. What do you think we're going to do?" Larissa said irritably, voice dripping with sarcasm.

I heard a few chuckles.

"No, guys, I'm serious," Chris said quietly.

Talking about Sirius… Wasn't he supposed to be broom boy?

"My Aunt Dorea died a week ago. She was James's mum. James was really close with her," I heard Chris continue.

I felt my heart sink. Why does everyone keep bringing that up?

I heard Amber gasp and Riana squeal "That's horrible!"

"So, basically, you think Potter'll play like crap?" Benjy asked slowly. I felt my teeth clench, but couldn't help to notice the usual viciousness in his voice was missing.

"Unfortunately. Look, don't put him down because of it, alright?" Chris replied.

"Of course," I heard Tyler reply.

I stepped back and ruffled my hair. I'd show them. I'd show them all. I pretended to have been standing there impatiently, "What took you guys so long?"

"Nothing," Larissa replied, looking around, "Where's Black with our brooms?"

"I dunno," I replied, picking up the brooms which I had laid out, "Maybe he forgot."

I handed out the brooms in silence and we all put the finishing touches on our uniforms. I felt my hearts jump as the announcer's voice filled the stadium.

I have to say something. It's just one of those things you've gotta do. Remus has to read a book a day, Peter has to gain half a pound a day, and Sirius has to shag at least one girl a day. It's common knowledge.

"Guys," I began, "We've practiced hard. I know we have the potential to win this. Just keep your head in the game."

Now wasn't that the most brilliant speech ever?

"Don't push yourself, James," Chris said quietly, "We'll do great."

I'd do great. I'd impress the team, my mum, and Lily. I'd make them all proud.

I nodded and closed my eyes as I heard the announcer call out the players.

I gave the team one last glance and slowly walked onto the field. We positioned ourselves.

"Good luck to both teams," Madam Hooch directed solemnly, nodding. "Mount your brooms."

We obliged. I looked over at Hufflepuff, trying not to look nervous. They did look better. Maybe they used those steroid things muggles obsess over. That explains all of Silverstein's facial hair.

I swallowed hard and assured myself I'd do well.

As if in slow motion, Madam Hooch lifted her whistle to her mouth and blew hard. I kicked off as strong as I could and flew to the air.

"And the Quaffle is taken by Abercrombie of Hufflepuff, who passes it to Silverstein, back to Abercrombie, to Silverstein, to Abercrombie, and HUFFLEPUFF SCORES!"

I blinked hard. What the hell? I looked over at Amber, who looked extremely upset with herself. I sighed.

"What a great start, Hufflepuff!" I heard the announcer call.

I turned around to glare at the announcer, only to see the one and only…

Lionel Smith…

I'm starting to feel bad for myself.

This wasn't the way I wanted to start the game. I had to score this time.

"And Vance, Gryffindor's keeper, passes the Quaffle to Lopez, who takes it forward and passes it to Dirge, who shoots it to –"

I saw the Quaffle coming towards me and held my hands up to catch it.

"- And it's intercepted by Heeding of Hufflepuff! She rockets forward and HUFFLEPUFF SCORES AGAIN! Things are looking bright for ole' Hufflepuff!"

I swore obscenely, and blinked in alarm as I saw Tyler fly to me and slam a Bludger which had been hurtling towards me away. I only got a glimpse of his face, but he was obviously disappointed.

Unable to control myself, I looked down at Lily. She sat still, looking disappointed, too.

I closed my eyes and heard her words ring through my ear 'Do it for me.'

"Anything for you," I whispered under my breath again.

I had to do this for her.

"And Gryffindor has possession again! Vance looks lost and doesn't seem to know who to pass it t- And there comes Potter out of no where! Quaffle goes to Potter and he takes off."

I'm going to kill that guy. He has no emotions for me. Everyone loves me. I'm so palatable – Look, I've used Moony's word of the week!

"Potter dodges a Bludger– Wow, he's going fast – AND GRYFFINDOR SCORES!"

And I grinned as I heard the crowd begin to chant 'POTTER!' repeatedly.

» ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♥ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ «

"That was bloody brilliant, mate!" Peter cheered as he and a group of other boys carried me into the common room.

They set me down on the couch and I stood up, grinning as everyone around me cheered.

We were having a party. For me.

Need I say more?

"I know. I felt so glorious being able to call out 'Gryffindor wins, 240-30 at the end!' " Lionel 'gushed'.

I'm sure he did.

The party took action and butterbeer and tarts were distributed.

This is what I love about winning.

I grabbed a butterbeer and made my way to Remus and Peter, a smile stuck on my face, "Where's Sirius, guys?"

"Dunno," Remus responded, smiling back, "But you did great, Prongs."

Where is that bloody git?

"Thanks," I replied, "I'm gonna go and look for Padfoot, okay?"

They nodded and I grabbed another butterbeer. I then took off up the staircase towards the boys' staircase and into our dormitory. There, on his bed, lay Sirius in only his boxers.

Unfortunately, I'm not one of the many people who would kill myself to see Sirius like that.

"Put on some pants, Sirius," I instructed as I went over to Sirius's bed and sat down next to him.

He didn't move.

"Sirius?" I repeated.

No reply.

I sighed. I knew what this was about.

"Padfoot, this is no way to mourn," I said quietly, looking down at him.

A few moments went by. He finally sighed and sat up, giving me a saddened look. Like one of those puny, pouty puppy dogs.

Alas, an awesome alliteration.

"How do you want me to grieve, then? I'm not like you, Prongs. I'm not as strong," Sirius said brokenly.

I frowned, "You're just as strong as me, Padfoot. She's in a better place now."

Sirius closed his eyes, "You don't get it."

Who is he kidding? She was only my mum.

"I never had a mother. I never got to experience motherly love. And then, I finally got a taster of what it's like having a mother, and I've never felt so complete." He continued.

"Sirius…" I began quietly.

Sirius shook his head, "No. It's no fair."

"You're right, it's not fair. You'll never know how jealous I am of you sometimes. You… You can get any damned girl you want. I can't get the one I love, and it kills me," I whispered.

Sirius looked at me quietly for a few minutes and then nodded, "I suppose you're right. I'll miss her though. She was the only woman I could call mother ever."

I thumped him on the back, "Move on. She's gone."

He nodded and gave me a brotherly hug.

After a few moments, he pulled on his jeans and grinned, "Whadya say we give 'em gals a treat?"

I laughed. He's so weird.

We made our way down the stairs, only to be greeted by a flock of screeching girls.

"OH MY GOD, IT'S SIRIUS BLACK – WITH NO SHIRT ON!"

OH MY GOD, WAIT UNTIL THE DAY THEY SEE ME – WITH NO SHIRT ON!

We laughed, high-fived each other, and slipped over to Remus and Peter.

"Sirius!" Peter greeted, "You're…" His eyes moved down to Sirius's chest, "Wearing no shirt?"

"Figured I'd give the girls a treat," Sirius said mischievously as girls crowded around him, screeching loudly, "But besides that. How was the game? I'm so sorry I couldn't make it."

"It was great," Remus replied cheerily, "Hufflepuff scored… and then they stole the Quaffle from James… and then they scored again…" His voice trailed off. Sirius quirked an eyebrow.

He's not very good with explaining things.

"It was great," Remus repeated, still smiling.

"James, we're out of butterbeer!" I heard Riana call.

I sighed. Why me?

"Guys, I better go to the kitchens and get some more butterbeer. I'll be back soon."

The Marauders bid me farewell and I walked over to the portrait hole. I pushed it open, only to widen my eyes in shock and disgust.

There stood Lily Evans, entwined with some boy, snogging his face off. I watched Lily step back and face me, blushing.

"James!" She greeted sheepishly. I stared back. "Meet my new boyfriend. I sat next to him during the game –which you did really well in, by the way - and we became really close."

And the boy turned. It was Jake Robbins.

Someone kill me.

A/N: Someone kill me, too. I hated making Lily kiss some other loser, but I really had to. Lily will officially get with James at the midpoint of this story... and we're one third of the way done... Do the math and you'll see how much more waiting time...

Oh, and a treat for you all. 100th reviewer gets to share a name(or personality, or something) with a future character. So review, please!