A/N- Late update! I wanted to complete this by 25th but unfortunately I couldn't! Enjoy! Forgive any mistakes because it's so late at night! I might have missed something but I can't wait!
Chapter 8
The morning of the first Quidditch match of the season dawned bright and clear, Gryffindor versus Slytherin. The air at Hogwarts was thick with excitement and the enmity between the two houses had increased, if that was even possible . The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were taking animated interest in the outcome of course, for they would be playing the other teams over the coming games.
Lily woke up to absolutely no sound at all. She strained to hear the usual rustle of James moving in his bedroom or the common room, but the Head's Quarter was still. She rubbed her eyes and pushed the blanket away. Quidditch she then thought He must be having a quick breakfast with his team before heading for the pitch.
She cleaned up and dressed, wrapping a red-and-gold scarf around her neck and putting on her cap. Passing a few students on her way, she'd just climbed down the staircase to the entrance hall when a pair of hands closed around her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to pry the hands off but they very slightly tightened.
"Hey, it's alright. Just guess," said someone in a faked voice and giggled. Lily released her breath with relief. She should have known. Her friends used to do this a lot in sixth year. Approaching each other unexpectedly from behind and asking for them to guess who they were. She felt the hands and they were cold.
"Uh, Alice?," she tried. "No, one more try," the someone who was not Alice said. "Mary?" Lily said uncertainly.
There was a huff of breath as she was released and she turned around to meet the narrowed eyes of Marlene. Lily bit her lip and Marlene rolled her eyes and laughed. "You never did get it right, did you?" Marlene said making Lily smile.
"Bet on Gryffindor for today?" Marlene asked, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. "You must have, but do I ever?" Lily smiled back. "Nuh-uh. Well let's hurry and grab something then. We wouldn't want to be late," Marlene suggested.
The Great Hall had already filled up when they entered. The talk loud, the students excited. Lily frowned confusedly when she received hisses from the Slytherin table. That was the sort of welcome the opponent house-team usually received.
"Just ignore them," Marlene beckoned her on to the Gryffindor table where everyone was covered in red and gold. Lily seated herself on the nearest bench. Marlene placed herself next to her and passed her a bowl of porridge. "Where are the others?" Lily asked.
"They might be at the other end. We'll meet them in the stands," Marlene answered. Swallowing her toast, she nodded across the table where Alice and Dorcas were saying something to Frank.
Lily saw James get up and wave at the rest of the players to follow. Sirius was beside him talking to him energetically. His commentary was sure to be farcical and very sure to make McGonagall regret her consent. James looked in her direction and waving, he jogged towards her.
"Hey," he said shifting his broomstick from the right to the left hand. "Hey," she said. She extended her hand toward him," Good luck James." He grinned, taking her thin hand in his. "Thank you," he said, still grinning. It never slipped off his face did it.
"Break a leg, captain," Marlene smirked. "Will do," he said.
"Hey Prongs, come along or you won't have time left for your pep-talk," called Sirius. "Coming," he called back. Slowly dropping his hand, brushing her fingers, he jogged back and out of the hall. The Slytherin team followed. Of course, Lily was too oblivious to notice Marlene's smirk as they finished their breakfast.
000
Suddenly, Mary coughed violently on her juice. "What happened?" Dorcas asked as she thumped her on the back and raised her eyebrows at Alice.
"Did I just see Lily Evans shake hands with James Potter?" Mary said looking astonished. They all looked the way she was looking, but they only saw James exiting the Hall. "She might have," shrugged Alice.
"Honestly, you need to stop being so surprised," smiled Dorcas. "I think it's safe to say they're on good terms now." Alice nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, but I'm gonna take some time I think. After nothing except those cold nods in sixth year," Mary stated setting her glass down. "Well, everyone's leaving. Let's go."
000
Mounting the banked benches of the spectators' stand, Lily saw Remus wave to her. "We've saved some seats," he said.
"Come on," Marlene said ,"the girls are just below them." From where they were seated, all Lily could see was a sea of scarlet and gold on one side and green and silver on the other.
"James has been working very hard on the team," Peter said,"I hope they win." Remus nodded firmly,"They will." Both the teams marched out into the dazzling sunlight, shouldering their brooms. They were greeted with uproarious cheers and whistles. Madam Hooch was standing ready to release the balls from the crate.
The captains, James and Urquhart (as Dorcas informed them), shook hands. Madam Hooch placed her silver whistle in her mouth and blew. The balls were released and the fourteen players shot upward. The Gryffindor Keeper, Dewey Watson, streaked straight to the goal hoops.
"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by James Potter of Gryffindor, he ducks Avery, neatly passes to Sally Johnson who passes it back to James," Sirius' voice rang in the stadium. "James prevents the Quaffle from being intercepted and a bludger is heading his way at full speed." It seemed as if even Sirius was holding his breath here. James changed path at the last minute.
"And he dodges," he cheered," He's heading straight for the hoops - go mate. It seems as if Mulciber is trying to crash into him from behind. Ah that sneaky_," and here Sirius said something that made McGonagall say,"Black!"
"But Professor look," he started," Oh never mind the beaters took care of that dolt. James passes to Frank Longbottom - yes people he's finally on the team."
Lily saw Remus shake his head. "He's being very polite for his standards I think," she tested. "For now," Remus snorted.
"Urquhart intercepts the Quaffle, Harris aims a bludger at him but he's saved by the Slytherin Beaters, Potter and Longbottom are chasing after him. And an excellent hit straight to the head by William Blake. That must have hurt. If it didn't…well it should have."
Laughter rose among the Gryffindors as the Slytherins boo-ed at Sirius. Urquhart drops the Quaffle, James caught it in his outstretched arms and it looks like he's flying for the goal."
"Keeper Bletchley is diving, he misses, Gryffindor scores," Sirius yelled. Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air with howls and moans from the Slytherin.
Even before he threw it, Lily knew it was a goal. He'd looked so blazing and determined as he went. And the delight on his face as he scored the first goal. The team engulfed him in hugs.
"It's good to see that we didn't have to forcefully drag you here this time," Remus joked. "I think it's enjoyable," Lily shrugged. Remus looked paler than usual. Full moon must be approaching. She couldn't ask him here in this crowd….well it was no use asking. He didn't talk about his condition much. Marlene laughed," Lily Evans enjoying Quidditch. The world must be coming to end."
"It is her last year and chance to enjoy the school matched like this," Peter put in. Last year and chance.
With half an hour of the game gone, Gryffindor were leading sixty points to zero, their Keeper having made some truly spectacular saves and James having scored four of Gryffindor's six goals. McGonagall looked so happy she wasn't even scolding Sirius. It seemed as if Gryffindor could do no wrong.
Mary raised her binoculars and peered skyward. "Guys it looks like Avery really is going to ram into James this time," she said worriedly and Avery did ram into James. The Gryffindors bellowed in anger, but Madam Hooch's back was turned. From afar it was hard to see if James had received any serious injury or not, nevertheless Sirius was loudly cursing the green team. James rubbed his shoulder. Lily frowned and bit her lip.
"Where's the snitch?" wondered Peter. The Seekers were hovering high above the pitch, squinting to catch sight of the golden ball.
"Longbottom passes back to Johnson, she's just got the keeper to beat now…she's going for it and…..aaah Bletchley saved it and he's thrown the Quaffle to that dolt again," "The name, !" "Yes dear Minnie, Avery in possession," The Professor reddened at this slightly and glared reprovingly at him.
Lily chuckled. Avery had sped off zigzagging between James and Sally. "Looks like Avery's heading for the goal, and here I was thinking he didn't know how to tell between a leaf and wood. He's out of the bludger with just the Keeper ahead. Block it come on."
A scream of delight came from the Slytherin end. Watson had dived but the Quaffle soared between his arms into the central hoop. "Slytherin score," Sirius said amid the cheering and booing. "That's sixty-ten to Slytherin but Gryffindor is back in possession and it's Frank Longbottom tanking up the pitch."
The snitch was still nowhere in sight and the Seekers looked frustrated.
"And it's Urquhart again who passes to Mulciber, Mulciber goes past Sally, come on James you can take him," said Sirius. James scored again but the crowd's attention had been taken by the Gryffindor Seeker. He was diving downward after a streak of gold.
"Looks like the snitch has been spotted," cried Sirius. The Slytherin Seeker, Mark Pucey, dived after Smith. Neck and neck they hurtled downward- all the chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch.
The little round ball, wings fluttering, Smith put on extra speed but just when he had outrun Pucey, WHAM! Mulciber had blocked him.
"Foul!" screamed the red crowd. Lily sighed. Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Mulciber and then ordered a free shot at the goal posts for Gryffindor. But in the confusion, the Snitch had managed to disappear again.
"So after that disgusting and revolting bit of cheating from that troll of a boy-" "Black," said Professor McGonagall. Sirius pouted at her and ducked when she tried to take the microphone away but she was herself very angry.
"Alright, after that obvious foul, the penalty is taken by Longbottom who manages to score without any problem and the game continues with Gryffindor in possession."
Something wet dropped on Lily's cheek. She wiped it and looked up. It had started to drizzle. Please don't rain she prayed.
The game did continue but anyone could see the change in James' foul had made him furious. He shouted instructions at his teammates and sped on with the Quaffle. He scored. And again and again. And then one by Sally.
Slytherin's feeble tries at trying to get the Quaffle were stopped by Blake and Harris' bludgers. One hit Crabbe straight in the face.
Sirius was rolling over with laughter and there was a smothered smirk on McGonagall's face as well. "Take that losers. Hope your nose is crushed," he managed. Little drops of water still kept falling.
The Gryffindors started chanting. "Go go Potter and his team! Go go Potter and his team!" Lily was worried about surprised to find herself adding a whispered "Go James". Remus heard it though, his heightened wolf senses and all, and looked as if he was about to speak something but the snitch was sighted again.
The ball was hovering at the end of the pitch just above the ground. Both the seeker went into a forward dive. A feet from the ground, the green-teams seeker only just behind him, Smith lifted his hand, stretching toward the snitch.
It was over in two desperate seconds. Smith pulled from the dive, snitch in hand. Pucey made some effort to pull up too, but he fell to the ground in a thud.
A great shout went up that almost drowned the sound of the whistle that signaled the end of the game. The team did a second mid-air hug and landed. The Gryffindor left the pitch punching the air and waving at the spectators. Slowly the stands started to empty. The light drizzle stopped leaving behind a gray sky.
Peter was beaming, he together with Remus and Sirius went to the changing rooms after James. Last chance. "Let's congratulate them," said Alice. "Frank's waiting," said Dorcas but jumped down before Alice could retort.
"Listen Marls, you lot go on. I have to do something," and without waiting for a reply Lily too climbed down. Last chance. She raced back from the pitch to the castle, up the stairs and to the dormitory. She went to the pair of desks and sat on hers. Taking deep breaths, she pulled a scroll of parchment towards her and dipped her quill in ink. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
Petunia
I know you're hurt, but please try to understand. I wasn't there. I couldn't…I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Stay safe and take care. And please please write back.
Lily
She rolled and tied the parchment before she could change her mind. She pulled off her cap and left it in the common room set on the route to the Owlery. The children were still somewhere on the grounds. Slowly pouring into the Hall or going back to the dormitory as in the case of the Gryffindors for the after-party in the common room.
Her eyes were trained on the letter. She turned a corner and the humming sound stopped as she bumped into someone. "Excuse me," she said and met the eyes of her headmaster. "Professor?" she said.
"Hello, Ms. Evans. I was just returning after the spectacular match. A great win, don't you think?" he smiled and peered at her from behind his half-moon spectacles. "Yes, Professor," she agreed holding her the tied parchment.
"People do tend to enjoy Quidditch even if they don't have a natural interest in it," he commented. She smiled at his words.
"A letter?" he asked, pushing his glasses up, confusedly. "Yes," she replied uncertainly,"to my sister." "Ah," he uttered, "well you should send it off then." He looked at her and patted her shoulder. "You have friends, Lily and remember where there's love there's life" With that, he walked away. She closed her eyes for a moment. He knows.
She reached the Owlery panting a little, her cheeks flushed. The straw-covered floor crunched a little as she stepped across tiny animal bones. She talked a school owl into coming down. With a low hoot it stretched its wings and perched on her shoulder.
"Can you try and a get a reply from her?" she asked the brown owl. It hooted. "Safe flight," she carried it to one of the windows. There was a crunch of footsteps behind her just as the owl took off out of the window. She whipped her head back. James was holding a letter in his hands too.
"I, um, didn't expect to, uh, see you here," he sputtered. She took a look back at where the owl had flown away and then smiled back at him as if to reassure. "It's alright. I didn't either. Is that addressed to your parents?" she asked. She was surprised to see him without woolens.
"Oh yes," he snapped back," I had to send it quickly before Sirius whisked me off to the party." He crossed to her side of the room and tied the letter to the owl who'd flown down to him. He approached the same window where she was standing and with another hoot, the owl flew away. They watched it in silence until it became a tiny black speck and vanished.
Lily slapped her forehead. "Great game, James. Congratulations," she praised. "Thanks a lot, Lily," he grinned at her,"this made my day more than anything."
"Really?" she laughingly asked. "Oh yesss you always do," he hummed touching his chest for dramatic effect. "Oh shut up," she laughed.
A cool breeze blew past making Lily shiver. "Let's walk back," James suggested. "Right," she agreed. They climbed down the steps. The stairs were wet. "Care-," but Lily's foot slipped. James at once grabbed her hand and she clasped his to regain her balance ,"ful," James finished.
Lily set herself on both feet again. "Thanks and don't let go till the last step," she spoke. "I won't," he said.
They carefully trod out of the Owlery. "Your hands are hands are freezing cold," he exclaimed rubbing both her hands in between his. "And yours are burning hot, James," she joked. "Warmer than yours," he insisted.
"So who did you write you? If you don't mind me asking," he hesitated. Another gust of wind hit them as they walked by the corridor window, she dropped her hands. "To my sister," she answered. He pushed his hands in his pockets. "I've heard that you don't quite along."
Lily smiled sadly. "That's an understatement," she sighed," She hates magic, James. She detests this world and she hates me." James frowned ,"How could anyone hate you?" Lily smiled at his easy and curious tone. They didn't know which floor they were walking in. They were just walking.
"I'd always been the unique one. When I first received my letter, she was very jealous because she wasn't a witch. She called me a freak. With years, her envy only grew into hatred and anger. Sick of my freakishness, scared of magic," she explained helplessly. "Lily! You're not a freak," James stressed,"You're an amazing witch." He held her by the shoulders. "Don't let what your sister says everget to you." She nodded and smiled slightly seeing him so troubled hearing all of this.
"Well, do you think some drinks are still left at the party?" she asked fumbling for something to get him away from this topic. She had a feeling she wouldn't be hearing anything nice about Petunia from him and the thought made her both want to laugh and worry. "I reckon so. Come on," he said. James didn't ask her what she'd written in the letter.
A/N- Here you go! Hope you liked it! But I'm telling the chances of updating anytime in the coming two weeks are very thin because no one is reviewing and I have very little inspiration:( Reviews might help.