"You're ENGAGED?"

By jegan

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, themes, places, names, etc., from JK Rowling's Harry Potter series. I do not own Harry Kewell either.

Chapter 12 – A Prelude to Quidditch

"Saturday!"

Sirius bounded down the spiral staircase, jumping and panting, tongue hanging out. James and Peter followed him down at a more leisurely pace.

"After being up all night you'd think he'd be tired,"

"That's Sirius for you," replied James knowingly.

Peter yawned as a cushion was thrown at him. He was too exhausted to throw it back.

Selene came down from the girl's dorms, dodged the energetic Sirius and headed for James. She had not slept. Her eyes were red and puffy.

"How is he?"

"Sleeping it off. He'll be right by midday."

She nodded soberly.

"How is she?"

"Still sleeping. She had a big day yesterday. It can't be easy for her."

"I wouldn't worry. Remember when we were kids? We couldn't wait to come here! She's living out every child's dream."

Selene smiled.

"Minus the lies my brother told me. His version of Hogwarts had no singing sorting hat, instead it had a giant black dog that ate you up and spat you back out into a house. As for the forbidden forest: you were dead if you so much as looked at it."

"What I would have given for a younger sister to tease…" said James.

Selene glared at him playfully, before sneaking a more sober glimpse up at the boy's dorms.

"You could go up if you like. Keeping quiet. Just to see how he is…I'll take care of Lily when she wakes."

Selene treaded lightly on the stairs. The heavy door opened with a soft creak. The beds were hung with crimson velvet curtains, one's were tightly drawn. She gently pulled them aside. Remus lay beneath the covers breathing deeply. His face was white and drawn. Deep scratches gouged his neck and behind his ears. His golden brown mane was long, untamed and streaked with grey.

With quivering hands she reached out to caress his sunken cheeks. His face was warm. She found his hand and held it tight. She closed her eyes. She knew he was exhausted. She knew he was in pain. She knew she could do nothing but sit by his side and hold his hand. She leant down and kissed his forehead.

"Sleep well," she whispered.

"Eat up, team," encouraged James. "You'll need all the food you can get for tonight's game."

The Gryffindor quidditch team scoffed down mountains of pancakes dripping in syrup, bowls of cereal and large plates of bacon and eggs. They complimented this with a stack of toast and a jug of orange juice each. Lily sat sandwiched between James and Sirius. Selene had chosen to remain by Remus' side till he woke.

"Lily tonight you are in for a treat," began James.

"Gryffindor plays Slytherin," followed Sirius.

"Ah Quidditch," sighed James. "My favourite game on a broomstick."

Lily bounced in her chair.

"Can I see? Can I see?"

"Of course!" they replied together. "You must come!"

"Is it really on a broomstick… in the air?"

"Lily, our Lady of the Flowers, you have so much to learn."

"And we are just the two to teach you!" added James.

The quidditch pitch was soft and springy. Morning dew clung to the green blades. Practice had gotten off to a good start. Lily sat in the stands mesmerized. The Gryffindors zoomed around the stadium passing the ball from player to player with ease and expertise. Many of them would go on to play professionally after Hogwarts. James had often considered it himself: to be a quidditch star like his idol Harry Kewell.

James called for a break. The team descended from the air to catch their breath, have a drink and towel off the glistening sweat. A gaggle of fans surrounded Sirius offering him a bottle or to towel his forehead. James headed straight for Lily in the stands. He hovered in front of her.

"Want to ride?"

"Really? Can I?"

He picked her up under the arms and raised her to sit in front of him on the broom. It was a Cleansweep 7, the fastest broom of the time. He put a firm arm around her waist and directed the broom with the other. They slowly circled the stadium gathering in speed, never more than a metre above the seats. Then they broke free and flew to the golden rings weaving in and out amongst them. Lily reached out a hand to touch the cool metal.

"Do you want to play ball?"

Lily's eyes lit up in enthusiasm.

"Sirius, come join us, bring a quaffle with you."

Parting with his adoring fans he met them in the air. He threw it gently so that Lily could catch it. They played like this for a while, joined by the rest of the team in a gentle play with ball and broom in the crisp morning air. Then training had to resume.

James took Lily on one more ride around the pitch before returning her to her seat in the stands. It was not long before their allotted time had ended. The opposing team stood by the gate impatiently sniggering and making rude comments. They were with a greasy boy with a hooked nose. He left them to join Lily in the stands.

"Hello," he said.

"Hello," she said a little unnerved by this stranger's unsavoury appearance and slithering voice.

"I'm Severus,"

"I'm Lily, pleased to meet you," she said, though she was wary.

She looked anxiously at James and Sirius who had met the Slytherins at the gate and were fiercely arguing with them. They had not noticed her unwelcome companion.

"You don't remember me?"

"I don't know you," she replied truthfully, for she had no memory of him.

He was sullen and put out. There was a bitter twist to his thin lips.

"I am your friend, Lily," he claimed. "Beware. They say they are your friends but they do not tell you the whole truth. They do not tell you that I love you and you love me. Remember us Lily,"

The scent of his cologne was overpowering. She cowered beneath his black hook-figure.

"I do not remember," she said, but her voice was tinged with uncertainty. Could this be possible? She thought. It frightened and confused her. Sirius had spoken of her and James. She knew she had been engaged to Cameron. And now this Severus claimed love between them. It was too much. She couldn't sort it all out.

At that moment James and Sirius were by her side.

"Leave Snivel," Sirius commanded.

"It is Slytherin's turn. I must remain. You leave."

"You don't play quidditch. You couldn't fly a broom even an inch off the ground."

"Do not insult me. I am on the reserve. You on the other hand are too busy with floozy whores to protect your teammates from oncoming bludgers."

"I get more female attention in just an hour than you have had in your entire miserable life, grease ball! And they are not whores; they are respectable women acting of their own volition."

"Ooh big words for a beater – "

"Enough," interjected James. "Enough already! Sirius let's go. Let them train now. We don't want to completely humiliate them tonight."

"Speak for yourself," he replied but kicked off on his heel and flew to the change rooms.

"Come on Lily, don't trouble yourself with him. Snape stay away from her," James added menacingly. He picked Lily up and put her on front of his broom. Together they flew away.

Snape glared after them.

James and Sirius walked either side of Lily holding a hand each on the way back up to the castle.

"One…two…three," they counted and on three they swung her up into the air and back down again. She laughed playfully.

"Again, again!" she counted with them. "One… two… three!"

Up she flew and down again.

"Where are we going now?" she asked.

"I'm starving," said Sirius.

"To tickle a pear then," suggested James cryptically.

"To what?" Lily laughed.

"A pear," said James. "They're very ticklish you know."

His eyes shone with a mischievous idea. He winked at Sirius. Together they tickled and tickled her. Her arms her tummy her chin; none were safe from the Marauding ticklers. Lily fell to the ground laughing and shrieking and batting them away. The trio earned some odd glances from others enjoying the outdoors.

"You're almost as ticklish as the pear!" James explained when they finally set her free.

She squealed and tried to tickle him back whilst Sirius laughed on beside. But James arrested her wrists and held her hands away from him.

"Can't touch me," he teased and poked out his tongue.

Lily poked out hers back at him and crossed her eyes. He let her go, but stayed laying with his back on the ground. She stood over him hands on hips.

"Get up," she said.

"Make me."

She grabbed his hand and began to pull as hard as she could. He didn't move. He just laughed at her.

"Sirius," she begged sweetly. "Please help me."

"Well, since you said please," he agreed. He grabbed James' other hand and hauled him to his feet.

"I want food," Sirius grunted. "Let's go."

James rolled his eyes, "Of course."

They walked along the corridors and down the stone stairs of Hogwarts till Lily realized a change upon the walls. Every painting was of food. Cakes and roasts, quiche and pies, carrots and pumpkins, and bowls of fruit. It was one such bowl of fruit that they stopped at.

Lily jumped up and down excitedly.

"Look look, it's a pear," she laughed. "Tickle it!"

"You can," said Sirius.

She stood on her tip toes and reached a small white arm up to the painting. With her forefinger she tickled the yellow-green pear. It squirmed and laughed. The picture swung back away from her touch. She was met by inquisitively high pitched voices and small green proffered hands.

"Go ahead," urged James gently.

The trio entered what could only be Hogwarts kitchen. A room filled with ovens and stoves, pots and pans, small tables with small chairs and a delicious scent. But Lily saw nothing but the little green creatures that came up to her shoulders and wore pillow cases with the Hogwarts crest. She was overwhelmed by the number of them all coming up to her poking her and offering her plates of cakes and nibbles and drinks.

Beside her Sirius was grabbing all that he could and swallowing it down. He took a seat at one of the small tables. It was awkward with his height and build. The tiny chair he sat on had its seat at the height of his calf. He stretched his long legs out before him for comfort. The green creatures climbed up his legs to serve him.

"What are they?" Lily asked.

"They are Hogwarts house elves. They cook the food and stoke the fires and lots of other jobs around the castle most people take for granted. Most students don't even know they exist."

A small elf with big round eyes and long lashes came up to Lily and tugged on her skirt. She offered Lily a cup of ice cold pumpkin juice. Lily drank it gratefully.

"Lily," said James. "What would you really like to eat? It can be anything."

"Really?" she asked. "I love chocolate sundaes."

James nodded to the elves.

It was not long before a large glass bowl filled with a white mountain of ice cream and capped with chocolate sauce and sprinkles, lollies and smarties was placed before her with three silver spoons. Lily's eyes were wide and eager.

"Is it real?"

"More real than you can believe."

She picked up spoon and began to eat. James and Sirius helped her work away at it. It was enormous. But no doubt if James had not warned Sirius to hold back and go slow, it would have disappeared in seconds.

Lily got icecream and chocolate all over her face. She grinned cheekily as James wiped it away with his handkerchief. She thanked the house elves profusely as they left with full stomachs, thoroughly satisfied.

"Can we go there again one day?" she asked as they left.

"Of course," James replied. "But next time, we're getting chocolate cake."

Lily nodded vigorously and skipped ahead.

"Let's play some more," she called from half way down the corridor.

James laughed. "Already? But I'm so full," he dragged his feet along.

"Nonsense," cried Sirius, who'd eaten more than both of them. He jumped ahead to join her and gave her a piggy back out of Hogwarts onto the grass where they fell to the ground breathless. James ran after them and collapsed beside them.

"Look at the clouds. What do you see?" he asked Lily.

She squinted really hard but could see nothing but white blobs. She stared back at him skeptically.

"Just a crazy person," she teased. "There's nothing but white blobs."

"Nothing? Really?" he waved his wand hidden in the grass by his side. "Look again."

"A merry-go-round! And there's a teddy bear! He looks just like mine, all scruffy and cuddly! Oh look – a lily!"

"Who's crazy now?" he asked laughingly.

"Still you," she stuck her tongue out and tickled him.

They spent the afternoon lazing in the grass looking at the clouds; James, Lily and Sirius lying side by side. Lily rested her head on James' outstretched arm. With his other hand he was secretly charming the clouds into different shapes for Lily to guess and admire.

The evening sunset blazed its orange light through the ceiling of the Great Hall. Hogwarts was having an early dinner before the quidditch match that night. The Hall was a buzz with chatter and excitement.

Under-the-table bets of knuckles and sickles were being placed, most were just of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Peter was a wily bookie. Cunning and conniving, he took their money eagerly and turned it into profit. In a gambling mood, Sirius put forward the large sum of ten galleons on Gryffindor to win by a margin greater than 400 points.

"Padfoot," said James. "You're crazy! I'm the captain and I'm not even that confident. We'd have to be up by 250 when we caught the snitch. Earlier this season we've lost to Hufflepuff, this is Slytherin! It's going to be close. Sirius you've lost your money."

"We only lost because we didn't have a half a team that game, not even you or I," Sirius countered. "It was a game of replacements. There's nothing stopping us this week."

"Nothing but the reality that it just can't happen," said Remus, sagely. He had surfaced for the day, hand in hand with Selene, who had waited by him whilst he slept the morning away.

Sirius submitted to his tired friend.

Suddenly a fifth year boy came running down the length of the Gryffindor table. A recent growth spurt was evident in his tall scrawny frame and long thin arms dangling oddly by his sides. He stood panting by James' seat.

"James, Sir," he began nervously. "Compton…he's in the hospital wing."

James rose from he's seat angrily.

"What?" he bellowed.

"He… he… was on detention…Filch made him sweep out glass house five where we…we… have herbology. He …He…got bitten…it was by the giant Serpentine Agora with the purple thorns. He…He'll… be in the hospital wing for two weeks or so."

James sighed frustratedly.

"Now I've really lost my money," Sirius groaned.

"Thanks for the message," James told the boy, adding in an apologetic tone. "Send him my best wishes," he rummaged in his pocket for a few coins. "Get him some chocolate and keep the change."

The boy hurried off clutching the knuts and sickles eagerly and grinning.

James sat with a thump. This was not good news. What were they going to do without their seeker? He called an emergency team meeting. The Gryffindors crowded around him at the table.

"Okay so we don't have our seeker this game. Don' t lose faith team. We can still do this. There were some fantastic chasers at the last tryouts. Anyone in particular you think will work well?"

"How about Carly Ambert? She's swift with a powerful throw."

"Perfect. Done. Sirius get him over here."

Sirius stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled piercingly. Every head in the hall turned to him curiously.

"Hey Ambert," he called. "Over here."

An energetic brunette fifth year bounded across the room.

"You've been practicing your flying and ball work?" James asked.

"Yes Sir,"

"Fancy playing in the match tonight?"

"Would I ever!" she exclaimed.

"Done. Fletcher take her to the pitch. Get her robes, gloves, shin pads and a working broom. I want you both to warm up for a half hour with some flying and ball exercises to be ready for tonight."

"That's four chasers then. That doesn't solve our problem of no seeker."

"I will be seeker," announced James.

Author's note:

Harry Kewell – is an Australian soccer player – I do not own him – although I know plenty of people who wish they did : P

Also- I'm sorry about the long wait – I've been really busy

Next chapter: - the quidditch game – kudos to the reviewer who asked for another game – very inspiring!