I am kind of in love with Beater!Marlene.
Loyal to a Fault
Marlene gritted her teeth as she watched James soar above the rest of the players on the pitch. They might play for the same team, but her feelings towards him were currently less than favorable given that he had upset Lily the previous day. His crime? Exposing Snape's pants to a large group of students.
Marlene was no fan of Snape's either, but she was loyal, and anyone who upset her best friend didn't deserve a spot in her good books.
She continued to keep an eye on James as she clenched her Beater's bat at her side. He was beginning to dive towards something, but seconds later he had straightened his broomstick, and she imagined she could see a disappointed look on his face despite the distance between them.
"Serves you right," she muttered. Her eyes flitted around, seeking out the Bludgers. One was rocketing around near the Slytherin goalposts, and she figured she would let the other team's Beaters handle that one.
The other was hurtling straight towards James.
Time seemed to move in slow motion as Marlene contemplated the best course of action. On the one hand, she wanted to see James knocked down a peg, and it wasn't like allowing the Bludger to hit him would injure him all that severely. On the other hand, she really didn't want to lose to Slytherin, and Gryffindor almost certainly would if she let her emotions cloud her judgment.
With a sigh, Marlene urged her broom forward and lifted her bat, sending the Bludger towards a green-clad Chaser at the last second.
James turned to her, looking surprised but grateful. "Thanks!" he shouted, then he flew off before she even had a chance to respond.
Marlene shrugged and returned to the game, having fulfilled her responsibility to keep Bludgers away from her teammates. She would find another way to make James pay for what he did to Lily.
WC: 319