The Infamous Marauders
Chapter Fourteen
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured in this story they belong to J. K. Rowling.
November 1976
The day of the first Quidditch Match of the school year had arrived, Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. James had still not figured out who the mysterious flyer was, which resulted in a very anxious James Potter. The only positive he could see was that Sirius had cheered up significantly, the handy work of Remus no doubt, especially considering the amount of chocolate Sirius showered Remus with over the past week. Merlin only knew what he would have done if his star beater didn't have his head in the game.
At breakfast, the Gryffindor Quidditch Team sat together, James was rattling off reminders to each member, the nerves of his first match as Captain showing.
"You need to relax Prongs, have some breakfast, we have this" Sirius reassured, the surrounding Gryffindor's nodded in agreement.
Remus and Peter sat off to the side of the group, wrapped up in cloaks and their Gryffindor scarfs, the weather in Scotland had begun to take a turn for the worse. The visibility would be poor throughout the match today due to the heavy rain and winds, another worry for the Gryffindor Captain.
James visibly perked up when he saw Lily enter the hall wrapped up in her cloak ready to watch the match.
"Hey Evans!" James shouted loudly "You excited to watch me play? If we win how about a date to the next Hogsmeade weekend since I didn't make the last one?" This earned him a hard glare form Lily and snickers from his team mates.
"Shove off Potter" Lily stormed away to sit far down the Gryffindor table.
James turned to Sirius with a pained look upon his face "I thought she would like me more after the party, I don't understand" he whined.
"Mate, you threw a cauldron cake off her head, after you had already covered everyone in Pumpkin slime, I don't know what you expected Prongs"
"Well I thought she would recognise my genius Padfoot"
"Do you reckon he will ever learn Wormtail?" Remus asked amused. Peter just laughed in response.
The walk to the Quidditch Pitch seemed to take forever in the rain, as the boys approached the pitch Remus turned to Sirius "Good luck today Pads, and be careful in this wind"
"I don't need luck with skills like mine" He playfully replied.
"Sirius please, your big headedness is so unbecoming" Remus remarked adopting an aristocratic drawl.
"Do excuse me, for I am ever so sorry Remus darling, I shall endeavour to be humbler"
"Are you two finished?" James interrupted impatiently "We have a match to win"
"Keep your horns on Prongs I'm coming" Sirius snapped, throwing Remus a wink.
Remus and Peter began to make their way up into the stands, to find seats with their fellow sixth years.
The match had been going on for fifty minutes now, much to James' relieve the person he had seen flying was evidently not any of the members of the Hufflepuff team. Gryffindor was up by 30 points; the snitch was hard to spot in these conditions, so it was important they furthered their point lead. James scanned the field speedily assessing his team, he spotted Sirius whack a bludgers towards a Hufflepuff beater, distracting him from his pursuit of Stephanie Bell a seventh year Gryffindor chaser. "A fine shot by Black there, and Bell scores making the score 90 to 50 for Gryffindor" Sounded the commentators voice across the pitch.
The Gryffindor's cheered wildly as James scored again, the few Slytherins who had come, just to monitor tactics for their own upcoming matches, booed loudly as they glared at James' back, Sirius swooped towards his best friend to give him a high-five. Gryffindor was now leading by 70 points. The Hufflepuff team had lost their rhythm and were now performing carelessly, allowing the Gryffindor's to increase their lead.
After Two hours and ten minutes the snitch was finally caught by Henry Cragg sealing the victory for Gryffindor, the students adorned in crimson and gold roared in success. Many of the students ran down to the pitch to congratulate the team as they landed. Remus instead walked towards the changing rooms to catch his friends away from the crowd, the noise on the pitch had begun to grate on his sensitive ears. Ten minutes later the team came into view, Sirius jogged up to Remus grinning " Did you see my swing at Macmillan? I'm amazing I know" Sirius boasted.
"You both did great" James joined them as the rest of the team went into the changing rooms to shower off "Well done as your first match as captain Prongs"
"Thanks, Moony, right I'm gonna go shower I don't want to stink for Evans at the celebration party"
"Good luck with that" Sirius laughed, with a glare James left. Silence began to stretch between the two.
"Right well I best go shower"
"Yes, of course, I'll just see you up at the school" Both boys stood awkwardly staring at each other.
"Finally, I found you Remus you ready to walk up to the hall? Dinner is getting served soon" Peter asked.
Remus give Sirius a small smile before walking away with Peter, Sirius stayed glued where he was watching Remus' retreat before shaking his head laughing at himself he ran into the changing rooms.
The Gryffindor's were boisterous throughout dinner and the raucous celebrations continued up in the common room, the marauders congregated in the corner "Reckon we should run to Hogsmeade to get a little something to spice this celebration up Pads?"
"Prongs I cannot face alcohol after Halloween please don't mention it"
James, Peter, and Remus laughed at the Sirius, his face paling at the mere mention of alcohol.
"You're probably right" James chuckled "Right I'm going to go speak to Evans todays win must have warmed me up to her.
"I'm gonna go grab some food" Peter called as he too walked off.
"How much you want to bet James gets hexed within the next five minutes"
"Pads I am not going to make a bet, it's a definite he will be hexed" The pair laughed together, the awkward atmosphere from earlier this afternoon having disappeared.
The appearance of Stephanie Bell suddenly interrupted them, "Sirius come on over the team was just going over the game, and my saviour from the match should be there too, you were brilliant getting Macmillan off my back" she winked before grabbing Sirius by the hand and dragging him away.
Remus stared as the Gryffindor Chaser pulled Sirius down onto the sofa next to her, James joined them soon after, she was tall with long black hair that shines brilliantly, her eyes were a startling blue, the girl was quidditch mad and stunningly beautiful.
Remus sighed he was irritated couldn't she see they were speaking, I'm only annoyed as she acted rudely interrupting our conversation and pulling Sirius away, yes that was it, I'm just annoyed that she was impolite. Remus rationalised his feelings of aggravation.
Lily came up to Remus "Just look at her, she thinks she's amazing doesn't she, she doesn't even do any complex manoeuvres, its James who sets up her throws" Lily ranted.
Remus looked surprised at Lily, but her eyes were focused on Stephanie and James laughing together, Sirius sat next to them grinning as well. Remus deciding, he was done with this celebration turned to Lily, "I'm sorry Lils I'm gonna head to bed I have a headache it's been a busy day"
"I think I'll head to bed too, want to study together tomorrow, a day in the library?"
"That sounds lovely, goodnight Lily"
"Night Remus" The two friends departed heading up to bed leaving the other Gryffindor's to the party.