Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling. These characters do not belong to me. She is Queen.

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Gryffindor vs Slytherin

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Sirius' birthday week was full of activities. On Sunday, after their Saturday Hogesmeade trip, they had the first Quidditch game of the season. Naturally, not wanting everyone to be hungover for the game, they pushed Sirius' big birthday bash back to that night. They all hoped beyond hope that no loud noises or bright lights would bother them the next day at school. Not only were the Gryffindors hoping to celebrate Sirius' birthday, but they were hoping to also celebrate their win against Slytherin. But everyone was going to throw a party no matter what happened. Mostly because the Marauders valued Sirius' birthday over James' Quidditch team, three to one.

"I'm not going to be happy if we lose this match, I'm sorry, Sirius, but I can't be. This is my first game being captain. I need to win."

"You don't need to win, Prongs," Remus said. "You want to win. Just as the rest of us want to party for Sirius because he turned 17. There will be alcohol to drown your sorrows if you do lose, but I don't think you will."

"Slytherin's so good this year, though." James looked pale and frightened. "And I don't have Tommy on the team this year. And I put two new recruits on. What if I made the wrong choices? What if we lose? I'm the new captain. We can't lose with a new captain." James stared blankly at his food on the table.

"The Slytherins have a new captain this year too, Prongs. It doesn't mean anything. You'll do fine." Remus patted him on the back. James sighed deeply. There was a roar from the Gryffindor table and a several boos from the Slytherin side. James turned to see which member of his team had made it to breakfast. Marlene walked in with Tina on her arm. Tina looked scared, but Marlene grinned and walked over to her captain.

"Morning, cap," she greeted. James nodded grimly. "Wind's strong today. Sun's bright. But it's not too bad for a game day." James nodded again. Marlene knitted her brow and left letting Tina go.

"You'll do great, James," Peter said full of confidence. James nodded.

"I'm going to fly a few laps before the game." James shot off out of the Great Hall.

"You're in for an interesting game to commentate, today, Padfoot." Remus grinned over at Sirius. Sirius hummed but shrugged.

"I'll focus on pointing out all of Slytherin's downfalls." He grinned evilly. Lily carried a notebook with her to the game as she always did.

"Why do you always write during the games?" Mary whined. "Why can't you just enjoy the games for once?" Lily looked through her notebook and blushed slightly. Mary really had no idea that Lily kept Quidditch notes during the games.

When Sirius took his place at the mic and the crowded roared, McGonagall leaned over and said, "Mister Black, am I correct to assume you will be focusing on the game not trash talking the other team?" McGonagall asked raising her eyebrows. Sirius chuckled. "Black," McGonagall warned. Sirius nodded.

"Okay, and they're off," Sirius said into the mic. The crowd roared. "And Slytherin's Meritt Earling has the quaffle. James Potter's right under him ready to catch a drop. Earling going straight to the posts not even thinking of passing to Alton Bing or Linwood Oppenheim. Gryffindor Tina Fellows, new chaser chosen by the new captain, James Potter also a chaser, is circling the Gryffindor posts getting ready to catch the missed shot. Marlene McKinnon is right beside Earling." The crowd gasped.

"Earling jams McKinnon! That's a bloody foul!" Sirius rose. McGonagall shoved him back down by the shoulder. "McKinnon recovers quickly and shoves back, yay! Shit… they're at the posts." McGonagall slapped Sirius over the head. "I mean shoot. Gryffindor Quentin Charles is ready to defend the goals. Earling comes for the middle post. Charles has his hands ready. Oh!" Sirius winced.

"Charles knocked off his broom by a bludger aimed by…" Sirius looked around. "Flossie Abbott of Slytherin, second year on the Slytherin Quidditch team. With Charles down Slytherin scores their first ten points." Sirius sighed deeply. James saluted Sirius with the quaffle in his hand. "Potter has the quaffle. Down the pitch he goes. Earling comes to ram him, but oh! Potter tosses the quaffle to McKinnon! McKinnon's off, down the pitch with Fellows ghosting her. Slytherin's Oppenheim is tailing her but Fellows! Fellows knocks her off her broom! Nice pick, James!" Sirius wolf whistled.

"A bludger flies right over McKinnon's head. Bing of Slytherin shoots straight toward McKinnon! Oi! Don't you dare hit her!" Sirius stood again. McGonagall pushed him back into his seat. "Knock it off, Minny." Sirius shoved her hand off his shoulder and stood. "I'm enjoying the game. Bing you better not!" Sirius watched breathing heavily as Marlene tossed the quaffle back to James and Frank Bing hawk dived to avoid a collision with her.

"Quaffle's back to Potter. Potter shoots down the pitch. Oh, no." Sirius catches Slytherin fans cheering their heads off in the seekers direction. "Snitch has been spotted. Olivia Tate and Aubree Cutter are racing after it. This is early in the game for the snitch to be seen. Wonder if it'll get away. And they're hawk diving toward the ground. Cutter bails… but Tate's still on it! Oi, she's bailing. Good too otherwise she would have been meat. Snitch is gone. Potter's made it to the posts but Slytherin Keeper Ettie Gwin knocks it off…" Sirius gasped. "Straight into Gryffindor Fellow's hands. She aims for the left post, and dammit! Gwin saves it. He punts it halfway down the pitch straight into Oppenheim's hands.

"Charles is back and ready for the game. Oppenheim goes straight for the right post. Charles' dives to be right in front of it. He's got this. Oh, shit! He fakes out and somehow manages to score on the middle post!" Sirius groans loudly. The Slytherin fan cheer wildly. "Twenty points for Slytherin; nill for Gryffindor. McKinnon has the ball. Slytherins are in full press, one to one. Potter breaks from Bing. McKinnon tosses the quaffle to him. Fellows breaks from Oppenheim. Potter tosses to Fellows. Fellows is bombarded with Oppenheim and Earling. Fellows drops the ball straight bellow her into McKinnon's arms.

"McKinnon races toward the posts. Oh! She's blocked by tag team of Bing and Gwin. Bludger aimed by captain Lucinda Talkalot barely misses her nose! Pass it! Pass it!" Sirius chanted. Marlene looked to her left but James was blocked by Oppenheim and Earling. She looked around for Fellows but Fellows was hit by a bludger in the back. "Shit!" Sirius ringed as Bing rammed his shoulder into Marlene's and stole the quaffle. "Defense! Defense!"

"Sirius, you are a commentator not a coach," McGonagall warned. Sirius nodded without taking his eyes off the game.

"Bing passes to Earling. Earling hawk dives to avoid a bludger. Potter snatches the ball straight out of Earling's hands!" Sirius whooped. "Go James!" James grinned from ear to ear as he made his way down the pitch. There was a gasp from the crowd and Sirius looked around. "Tate and Cutter are after the snitch! Tate's in front. Oh!" Sirius recoiled. "Tate's been hit by a bludger aimed by Abbott." Sirius gasped loudly. Cutter raised his hand in victory. "Slytherin's won," Sirius whispered. The Slytherin side roared.

The field was bombarded with green and silver. Every Gryffindor was frozen in their seat in disbelief. Lily's notebook fell on her feet, pen and all. The fists Mary had raised in victory were frozen before Dorcas lowered them for her. Alice hid her face in Frank's chest. "James?" Peter asked no one.

"Fuck," Remus sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

Marlene wrapped an arm around Tina Fellows and escorted her down to the ground. James rushed to the Gryffindor locker room. He stood posted outside waiting for his team to come recover. He stared intently at the grass. Marlene wrapped an arm around Lloyd Bottman squishing Tina closer to her. Lloyd sighed deeply. Quentin Charles and Olivia Tate wrapped their arms around each other as they walked to the locker room. Anthony Dodgers hung his head and slumped over to James. James patted each team member on the back and told them they did a good job.

Once in the locker room, everyone took a seat on the benches. James stood in front of them and took a few deep breaths. "I've… I have no doubt that we would have won against any other house. I have no doubt we would have won had that bludger not come out of nowhere. Olivia, you did the best you could possibly do. We tried our hardest and that is all I can ask of you, of myself. I really wanted to win; we all really wanted to win. I'm your captain. Do not blame yourself, I don't blame you. We have a party tonight. I plan on drowning my sorrows. Quentin, Marlene, I suggest you do the same. Everyone else…" James ran a hand through his hair. "Dance the night away and lose yourself in the beat."

"Can we not bum drinks off the older kids?" Lloyd asked.

"You don't tell him that," Olivia shot hitting Lloyd in the chest with the back of her hand. Lloyd chuckled and grabbed her hand. She tore it back and flipped him the bird. Lloyd chuckled harder. Olivia, Marlene, and Tina walked into the girl's side and closed the door.

Lily and Mary waited outside the locker room door. Remus, Sirius, and Peter were right behind them. "He's going to be so sad. Why did this have to happen on my birthday weekend?" Sirius whined.

"The party's on no matter how sad James is feeling," Remus said. Peter nodded. Sirius sighed.

"So we're having a pity party?" Mary asked.

"Pity party, Sirius' birthday party, same thing," Remus answered. Marlene came out first with her wet hair slicked back into a pony tail. It puffed into a dark frizzy nightmare.

"Did you get tanner during the game?" Sirius asked squinting at Marlene's face. Marlene narrowed her eyes.

"No. I just don't have any makeup on you, arsehole."

"You wear makeup to look lighter?" Remus asked in shock.

"Well… duh."

"But you look beautiful right now," Sirius said in shock. Marlene scratched the back of her neck. She smiled lightly.

"Thank you," she said softly. Sirius smiled to his brothers. James rushed out with his head down, hair spiked, and glasses back on. He rushed past the group surrounding the locker room. Sirius, Remus, and Peter shot off after him.

"James! James, it's okay!" Peter shouted after him. James didn't let up his speed though.

"He seemed to put all the blame on himself and none of it on us," Marlene said to Mary and Lily. They all shuffled up to the castle with their heads low.

A few shots of firewhiskey in them all and they were having a good time. James took up residence next to a fourth year who was happy to still be at the party. James complained about the game's results. Everyone else was happily singing along to Play that Funky Music by Wild Cherry.

"Dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'… And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted." They took a breath. "Play that funky music white boy! Play that funky music right… bom, bom. Play that funky music white boy. Lay down that boogie and play that funky music till you die! Till you die! Oh till you die!" Sirius went so high he squished his face and held his ear. Lily used her cup as a microphone. Dorcas and Alice shimmied their shoulders.

James was in a poor mood until Mary came over and pulled him to his feet. Just then Peter played Turn the Beat Around by Gloria Estefan and James perked up a bit. After a few verses he started to sing quietly. "Turn the beat around… Love to hear percussion. Turn it upside down (turn it up, turn it up, turn it upside down)… Love to hear percussion. Love to Hear it. Turn the beat around." Eventually he was belting with the rest of them.

They nodded their heads as Alice but The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy on. "Guess who just got back today… them wild-eyed boys that been away. Haven't changed that much to say, but man, I still think them cats are crazy."

James' turn to choose was next and he chose Fool to Cry by The Rolling Stones. "When I come home baby… and I've been working all night long. I put my daughter on my knee, and she says… 'Daddy what's wrong?' I put my head on her shoulder." But he was immediately booed by the crowd.

"Way to bring the mood down, James!" Dorcas shouted throwing her cup at James. James was drenched in gin and Coca-Cola and his forehead was slapped with Dorcas' cup. He wiped his face dry with his hand. Sirius sneaked around James who was reaching for Dorcas who was throwing Lily at James. Lily's shoulder rammed into James' chest. He grabbed her other shoulder and moved her away but Dorcas was already using Remus as a body shield. Sirius replaced the music with Tush by ZZ Top.

He head banged and raised his rock and roll hand. He started to bounce around. Alice and Frank joined him quickly. Mary took Peter's hand and twirled with him. Marlene wooed and mirrored Sirius. James grabbed Remus and pulled him into a headlock. Remus punched James' ribs.

"I been up, I been down. Take my word, my way around. I ain't askin' for much. I said, Lord, take me downton," Lily belted taking Dorcas away from Remus and James and bouncing with the rest of the group.

"I been bad, I been good," they sang. James groaned and let Remus go. Remus raised his fists in fighting position. James took a drink from the coffee table and poured it over Remus' head. Remus swung a left hook at James. James blinked after Remus' fist hit his face. He took a few deep breaths and stared at Remus, who had just realized the mistake he'd made. James slowly took off his glasses, they were broken and hanging off his face. He threw them to the ground and raised his fists. He motioned for Remus to hit him again. "Dallas, Texas, Hollywood. I ain't asking for much."

Remus took a step back. James danced forward. He motioned again. Remus closed his eyes and threw a right hook James' way. James blocked it with his left hand but the beginnings of Remus' knuckles scrapped against James' cheek. James didn't wait before he landed a soft jab to Remus' nose. Remus shouted and threw a left hook at James. His fist made contact with James' cheekbone. James rebounded and jumped a few times putting his hands back up.

"Hey! Break it up!" Lily shouted. She slapped James' hands until he dropped them to his sides. She turned to Remus and fixed his broken nose with a quick and silent. "Episkey." She turned to James. "Vulnera Sanetum," she said aloud. James felt his cheek burn then freeze. "No more fist fights." She shoved a bottle of liquor in James' hand.

James and Remus stared at each other for a moment before pulling into a pound hug. James pulled back, grabbed a cup, and poured Remus a cup. "Cheers," James said raising his bottle. Remus grinned and raised his glass.

"Cheers." James pounded his head back and forth to the beat.

"You should totally b-boy!" Mary shouted at him. James raised a single brow. Marlene wooed. Alice raised her hands and cheered. James looked to Lily who was lost in the beat swaying back forth while bouncing.

James dropped down into a six-step. He went into flares. He raised into a step, hop, twist, type toprock swinging his arms back and forth. He then leaned forward and front flipped but landed on his back. Alice cringed, but James popped back up with a smile. Marlene wooed again. Frank mirrored James' toprock move. Sirius dropped into a coin drop spinning on his back, a move he'd seen James do before. But he had to squat and stand awkwardly after he finished. Remus went into the circle and bounced pumping his hand up and down.

Dorcas went and bounced with him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed when his eyes almost popped out of his sockets. She let them fall and rest on his chest as they bounced together. Marlene let Sirius twirl her around and around before he started to box step with her. Alice and Frank were grinding against each other. Mary bounced in front of Peter, who was two stepping it and staring intently at her. James spotted Lily still in her zone. Her head slightly tipped backward, neck exposed. James weaved around the crowd to her side.

"Hey," he said breathily. Lily opened her eyes and smiled drowsily.

"Hi." She blinked slowly. James grinned at her and scratched behind his head. Lily's brow furrowed. "Where are your glasses?" Her eyes flicked between his two. James frowned.

"Remus broke them… but I think I look better without them." He shrugged.

"Don't you need them? I noticed you wear your goggles during games." James nodded.

"They're prescription goggles. But… I'm not blind without my glasses. Like I said during Slughorn's party. I can see pretty far without them." Lily sighed and nodded.

"You should wear them more often." James frowned. "Or not." Lily looked to the side.

"I break them too easily." Lily's frown got deeper. "They slip off my face easily. I can't wear them tighter because they're uncomfortable and caused a rash. So whenever I do anything athletic they fall off. Sometimes when I'm reading or looking down they slip off my nose." James looked down at Lily. "Like when I look down at short people like you… they slip to the end of my nose." He grinned.

"I'm not short. I'm 5'6." Lily furrowed her brow. James chuckled.

"6'4." James pointed to his chest. "Ten inches taller. Two inches short of a foot."

"How tall is Remus?"

"6'5." Lily's eyes widened.

"Only an inch taller, but he never lets me forget it." James shook his head in Remus' direction.

"Yeah, but your hair makes you six five." James shook his head.

"No. I've measured with my hair. It's more like six four and three quarters." James sighed deeply. Lily nodded. She tilted her head back to get a good look at him. He was staring at Remus and Dorcas who had started lightly grinding. "How tall is Dorcas?"

"5'8. Marlene's 5'4. Mary's 5'1. Alice's 5'7." James chuckled. "What? We have a measuring board in our dorm and we check every time there's a fight about height differences which is like once a week." James knitted his brow. "Dorcas, Alice, and I have a contest to see who'll be the tallest. I think I'm losing." James broke out into a smile.

"That's Remus and me. I hope I grow another inch or two, but I'm happy at this height. Sirius says he's 5'11 but he's really 5'10. Peter's like." James squinted. "You're 5'6?" Lily nodded. "Then he's 5'5? Frank… I'd guess he's 6 foot. Frank!" Frank waved him off not taking his eyes off Alice. "How tall are you?" James shouted.

"6 feet," Frank snapped. He flipped James off. Lily laughed loudly.

"Want to dance, 5'6?" James asked holding his hand out to her. Lily looked down at his hand and felt a flutter in her stomach. But immediately her heart clenched at the thought of the flutter in her stomach.

"I… Eli Rosenberg asked me to Hogesmeade," she quickly said with a cringe. James felt his body freeze. He had no knowledge of this, hadn't heard anything in the gossip.

"When… when?" James choked out shocked and disappointed.

"On the way to the Quidditch match. I was running late and he caught me on my own." Lily looked down at the hand James had dropped. She felt a tugging in her chest for James. "I… I said yes." Lily didn't meet James' eye.

"Oh…" James ran a hand through his hair.

"No one knows yet. I didn't have a chance to tell Mary during the game and I was planning on telling them before bed. I just…"

"I wasn't asking you romantically," James quickly interrupted. Lily frowned. "I was just asking if you wanted to have fun and have a dancing partner. But… I'm happy for you," he gritted out. He took a deep breath. Eli fucking Rosenberg.

"Well I haven't been on the date yet. It's in two weeks. It's a pretty long time away. He mentioned something about planning something sooner though. So." James kicked himself. He was officially in the friendzone.

"Let's talk about something else," he pleaded. Maybe, just maybe if he avoided her dating talk he'd one day be out of the friendzone. Lily frowned. James sighed. "Just… I'm happy you're excited about your date. I hope you have a good time. I'll hex him if he treats you poorly. Just…" he raised a finger toward her. Lily had her eyes wide. "Know you have your options open." Lily frowned. James ducked out and took Sirius away from Marlene for a moment. "I'm going up. Happy birthday, man. Love you." James patted Sirius on the back and walked up the boys' staircase.

Once he closed the door and locked it, he shouted, "Fuck!" He gripped his hair and pulled screaming. He sucked in a breath and fell onto his bed. He clutched his pillow and tears formed in his eyes. He sobbed and cried his eyes out for a long time. The music tampered off and James got up to close his curtains. He put up a silencing charm and grabbed tissues from his bedside table. He wiped his nose several times and continued to pour out tears.

"James?" Peter called out. James pushed his face in his pillow. Peter cracked open James' curtains. He found James who looked to have passed out right after he came upstairs. Not even bothering to change out of his clothes. Peter closed the curtain. "Out cold."

"He left in a hurry," Remus mentioned. James blinked open his tearful eyes and wiped them on his pillow. He sniffled.

"Maybe Lily said something to him," Sirius suggested.

"I don't know maybe," Remus said before he hummed in thought. There were the sounds of shoes coming off and the boys getting ready for the night. Many things dropped and crashed because of the alcohol in their systems. James cried himself to sleep.

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