Chapter 17:- Quidditch Clash

I walked through the portrait hole and saw my friends seated around near the fire.
"Hey guys" I smiled at them as I took a seat next to James.
They all looked up to me and smiled brightly and each held a questioning look in their eye.
"Hey squirt" James greeted me with that nickname he had for me, although I am not short he still likes to use it saying, "It's because you're my little sis and well-I'm taller than you."
"How'd your talk with Dumbledore go?" Remus asked me as he closed the book he was reading.
I told them everything Dumbledore had told me and listened intently.
"See I told you, there's nothing to worry about if you keep fighting it." Sirius remarked as he let out a breath.
I sighed deeply, "Sirius, it isn't that easy. If I lose, I'll cause unfixable harm."
"Hey Arte, we've told you before. We'll be with you through this, you don't have to fight it alone." Lily said in a reassuring tone.
I grinned, "Well, I'm lucky in that way. And I'll be damned if I went without a fight."
"Shit! I totally forgot-we had quidditch practice today!" James exclaimed abruptly standing up from the couch.
"There's quidditch practice today?! Why the heck didn't you tell me?!" I shouted at him.
He smiled sheepishly, "Don't blame me! Padfoot is the captain! He should've reminded you!" He childishly pointed an accusing finger at Sirius.
I turned towards him with a glare, "YOU!" He went behind the couch, raising his arms in surrender, "Sorry, Em! It must've slipped my mind-besides you weren't well!"
I scowled, "Why can't you be responsible for once? Remus ought to have had some influence on you."
"It's rather been the opposite, Arte." Lily coughed from behind. I narrowed my eyes at Remus and he smiled innocently and hid behind a book. I hugged in frustration.
"Do I have to give a written invitation to you?! Get a move on!" I glared at the two boys.
Sirius came towards me slowly, "Arte, are you sure you'll be able to play?"
I looked at him in confusion, "Why wouldn't I be?"
He rolled his eyes, "Arte."
I sighed in understanding, "Oh Pads. It won't affect me physically just most probably will turn me mad."
I grinned at him.
He took my hands in his and kissed them, " Well, I trust you. I'd be damned to lose a player like you."
I smirked, "Funny you thought the curse would've affected me physically. Have seen any changes in me physique lately?"
He gave me a wolfish grin, "Oh love, you've no idea."
My smirk turned to a flustered look, I wasn't expecting that kind of answer. Sensing my uneasiness, he smirked and grabbed my waist bringing me close, "What's the matter, darlin'? Can't handle the retribution?"
I decided I wasn't going to let him have the upper hand on this, "Oh honey... I smirked as I gazed at his eyes and then at his lips and then I leaned in, he looked at me with slightly wide eyes and leaned in too. Just as our noses were almost touching, I turned to his ear and whispered
... you've no idea the things I can handle." I smirked as realized what I just did, he turned as red as a tomato.
Remus made fake gaging sound, "Excuse me while I puke."
James snickered, "You both might wanna take your flirting, elsewhere."
I smacked him on the shoulder as I made my way out.
James turned to Lily, "Do you wanna come along?"
Lily's eyes turned cold, "No thanks. I don't wanna be around those air-headed bimbos of yours." Then she went up the girls' staircase to her room.
"ARRHH! Why is she like this!?What can I do?!" James shouted pulling out his hair.
"Girls-Prongs- they are complicated." Sirius remarked as he recovered from his earlier shock.
"Like how you got beaten by one?" Remus smirked.
"Shut up, Mooney." He glared at him
I pulled and and pushed them till we reached outside the portrait hole, "Come on, Captain- you've got an impression to make." I smiled at Sirius and he smiled back.
When we reached the pitch, the team was already there- including McKinnon. Ugh, whyy?
Sirius pulled on his 'captain' face, "Right, so guys, we'll just be doing some drills today. As you know our up-coming match is with Ravenclaw. They're good but not better than us. So, we've got to beat them in order to make sure they don't get anywhere near the cup." We all nodded.
"Blackwood, me and McKinnon work will work our own drills and train the new keeper. Potter, you train with the beaters ".
"Yes, captain." I smiled playfully at him. He rolled his eyes good-naturedly and I saw McKinnon shooting daggers at me which caused me to smile even more. As we mounted our brooms-ready to take off. We saw another team storm their way in to the pitch, walking with such arrogance as if they owned the place.
I looked at them in disbelief, "What the hell are they doing here?"