Thanks to littlemisschatterbox98, bookwurm1612, and 24Tributes-2Survivors for the reviews of the last chapter...


Chapter 54:

The next morning James decided to go to the kitchens for breakfast instead of eating with the rest of the school. After the house-elves had fed him up he made his way down to the Quidditch pitch for the match against Slytherin. Astrix didn't give them a prep talk. Instead he just told them that losing wasn't an option and to be honest James had to agree with him. They made their way out onto the pitch. Astrix shook hands with the Slytherin team captain, a rather large bulky 7th year. He was a beater and had the muscles to prove it. He grinned menacingly at the Gryffindor team before telling his teammates, "This should be easy."

Lily sat with Tom and her friends in the stand. Lily really didn't understand Quidditch that well so Tom began explaining the rules to her. "So you probably know the basics right?"

"You mean the chaser tries to get the quaffle through the hoops, the beaters have bats and they hit the bludgers and the snitch is there to be caught by the seeker. Yeah I know the basics."

Tom smiled, "how about you just ask me questions whenever you see something you don't understand?"

"Sounds great," Lily replied.

James had scored several goals in the first fifteen minutes and was scoring another. Lily couldn't help but recognise how fantastic he was at Quidditch. It was like he was born to fly. He seemed to just swerve gently to miss the bludgers. He made it look easy. Lily had never really gotten the hang of flying. She'd always been too scared. Watching James fly made her want to jump on a broom herself but she didn't dare. Lily heard the commentator roar; "good use of the bludger backbeat tactic by Black. Fantastic – clearly a great find by Captain Astrix Alixate. Arteage in possession of the quaffle, she passes to Keeney who scores. The Slytherins have possession but Black and Calloway have sent two bludgers their way. Good use of the Dopplebeater Defence. Potters got the quaffle and he's going for it… come on Potter! He scores. Gryffindor aren't doing too badly, if I don't say so myself. The store stands at Gryffindor 90; Slytherin 10. Alixate has seen the snitch. Bloute is following right behind him. What the hell? That bloody bastard. FOUL!"

"What's happening?" Lily asked.

"Bloute just locked his and Astrix's broom handles together. It's called blurting – he's trying to steer Astrix off course." Tom explained.

"And the snitch has vanished. Don't worry Gryffindor fans out there – it just means we have more time to get more points," the commentator shouted.

Professor McGonagall looked his way, "you know the rules. You can't pick sides."

"Sorry McGonagall. So anyway Madame Hooch has awarded Gryffindor a penalty. Potter is taking it and he… scores. Gryffindor in possession again. Keeney passes to Arteage, who drops the quaffle down to Potter who is right below her – for those of you who aren't down with the Quidditch lingo that tactic is called the Porskoff Ploy. Potter reverse passes to Keeney who scores."

Lily was sat on the edge of her seat as she watched the match. She had never realised how exciting Quidditch could be. She would normally just sit in the stands reading a book. "Potter has possession of the quaffle… bloody hell that bludger just hit him in the head. He's still got the quaffle! He's heading for the goalposts… come on Potter! He scores! That boy is seriously awesome! Might want to get his head checked out after the match though."

Lily watched Potter worriedly. He was swerving slightly, struggling to keep his balance. "Alixate has seen the snitch. Not far now… Come on Astrix! Astrix Alixate has caught the golden snitch! Gryffindor win! Gryffindor 130: Slytherin 20. GO GRYFFINDOR!"


After the match the team made their way up to the hospital wing to get James checked over. Madame Pomfrey wanted to keep him in overnight but James refused. He really wanted to celebrate with the other Gryffindors, "Poppy we just won the most important match of the year. I want to be with the rest of the team."

"Alright – take this potion and come see me in the morning – go have fun."


James was sat in front of the fire with a bottle of firewhiskey in his hand. He could see Lily and Tom out of the corner of his eye. They were in the corner kissing. A pretty first year girl stood in front of him, "hi James."

James frowned, she was blocking his view, but maybe that's not such a bad thing.

"You played really well," she continued.

"Thanks," James smiled.

"I - …"

"Do you want a drink?" James offered her one of the firewhiskeys at his feet.

"Sure," she replied. "Sounds good."

She sat next to him on the sofa chatting away and drinking. "Sorry, I don't know your name."

"Oh that's ok," the girl smiled, "I'm Adrianna."

"Adrianna? That's a pretty name." James smiled.

Adrianna smiled back at James. She was a very pretty girl. She had dark red hair with the darkest eyes he had ever seen. They sat chatting for ages. They talked about Quidditch and their favourite teachers. After a few minutes, James had completely forgotten about Lily. Slowly, Adrianna was getting closer to James; touching his arm and playing with his hair. She leant on his shoulder, she was becoming slightly tired. "I think I might have to go to bed soon."

"Hmmm me too," James replied. The heat of the fire was making him drowsy. "Adrianna, do you fancy going on a date sometime?"

Adrianna looked up at James from her perch on his shoulder, "love to."

"Good," James replied, leaning down to kiss her. James ran his hands through her hair as he kissed her gently. When they were finished, James smiled, "you better get to bed. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah you will," Adrianna couldn't believe her luck, James Potter, the hot Quidditch player in the year above had kissed her and asked her out on a date. Her friends were going to be so jealous.


Whatever else you do with your life... make sure you review... :)

Next Chapter...

We'll meet James' new auror protection...

The marauders will focus on the map (yep I haven't forgotten the map) and becoming animagi...

James' date...

and some other things...