Disclaimer: Anything you recognise does not belong to me it belongs to JK Rowling. I'm not making anything from this, so please don't sue me.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait, hope it was worth it.  Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far.  Not much more now before this story is finished.

Thanks to Allie for a great job as a beta (see note at the bottom).

* Victorious Females *

With just two weeks to go before the Easter break all was still quiet in the corridors of Hogwarts School. Student's energies were being used up in their studies as the end of year exams loomed on the horizon. For the Gryffindor and Slytherin's Quidditch players it was an even testier time as they coped with the pressures of school work and the gruelling schedules their captains had insisted on. The Quidditch cup final was a matter of weeks away.

James Potter had insisted that the Gryffindor team met every day for discussions on plays, individual performances and possible tactics. For one or two players this was wearing a little thin. Lily Evans loved Quidditch, it was even going to be her career after School was over but this was getting ridiculous. In the last three weeks she had hardly had time for her friends and it was now beginning to really get her down and no matter what she said to James he was totally preoccupied with the up coming game.

With just under two weeks before the cup game Lily and Aggy managed to make it up to their dorm before their other two friends had gone to sleep. As they walked into the room Lily's frustration at her captain's behaviour was clear for all to see.

Marie caught the look on Lily's and smirked as she said, "What's up Lily?"

Flopping down on her bed Lily threw herself backwards, covering her face with her hands and sighed.

It was Aggy who responded to Marie saying, "As much as I love Quidditch, all this training and meetings is just bloody ridiculous!"

Looking up all Lily could manage was to nod her agreement, before sighing again and dragging herself into a sitting position hugging her knees to her.

Annie took in the faces of her friends and then stood up, motioning for Marie to follow her, Annie headed over to Lily's bed. Sitting down next to Lily she said, "So what are we going to do about it?"

For the first time in a very long while four seventh year female Gryffindor's huddled together to plot the downfall of their male counterparts. As the war council came to an end Aggy and Lily got up and went into the bathroom for a shower. Soon all four girls were tucked up in bed and drifting into a peaceful sleep, each thinking about the plans for tomorrow.

Across the hallway three male teenage Gryffindor's had just entered their dorm room to find the fourth member of the room already fast asleep and before long they too were in the land of slumber all dreaming of victory.

Early the next morning the Gryffindor Quidditch players were all assembled in the common room ready for yet another training session before breakfast. Unknown to all but two of the team was the fact that this morning they were not alone. Standing in the common room Lily smiled at James and thank Merlin that at this time in the morning they were not awake enough to notice anything out of the ordinary. Hanging towards the back of the group, which had become the norm for Lily and Aggy but this morning it made sure that the cost was clear for the extra shadows that seemed to be being cast in the early morning torch light.

Heading into the changing rooms training robes were quickly donned and the session was soon underway. Lily spent a lot of time working with Robert Weasley they practiced different dives and recovery techniques. All of a sudden Lily had a pang of guilt as she noticed the tell tale signs of the session coming to an end and the sight of the red head completing the manoeuvre they had just gone through. Just as James shouted for them all to get back inside Lily came along side Robert and grabbed his arm.

Flashing a quick smile at Robert Lily shouted over to James. "We're not quite finished yet, I've a few more things I want to go over with Robert. We'll catch you up."

Watching James wave, Lily turned back to the young seeker and slowly went through his performance of the last move giving him some extra pointers. After He had performed it once more Lily decided it was time for them to head in. With one last dive Lily and Robert were on the ground heading for the changing rooms.

Just before they split up to go into the separate changing rooms Lily said, "Well done Robert, you were great out there this morning. See you at breakfast."

As the door closed behind her Lily leaned back against it for a second and smiled as her three friends who all nodded greeted her enthusiastically at her questioning look. As they moved aside Lily's smile changed into a wicked grin as she saw the prize that had been taken from the boys changing room. Stripping her practices robes off Lily cast a quick cleaning charm over herself deciding that a shower later would be best this morning. It wasn't long before four girls were quickly dashing back towards the castle hoping to get a prime seat to witness the effect of their extra curricular activity from the night before.

Lily had just finished tying her tie as they entered the great hall and sitting down it wasn't long before the entertainment began.

Standing outside the doors to the great hall Robert Weasley couldn't believe he had got mixed up in another prank between this particular group of students. Turning around he glanced at the faces of five cross looking Gryffindor's and grimaced at the icy stares before easing the large wooden door open. Peering into the great hall Robert quickly located the four female seventh year Gryffindor's. Casting another glance behind him at the five large Quidditch players Robert sighed knowing his fate this morning was sealed. A gentle reminder of a hand shoving him through the door had him stumbling into the room. Righting himself Robert made his way over to where the head girl was sitting sipping a tall glass of pumpkin juice.

It was a pitiful face that looked at Lily as it said, "They want to know what you have done with their clothes?"

Smiling sweetly at him Lily said, "Tell them their clothes are in here and if they want them they are going to have to come in and get them."

At this Robert gave her a pleading look but eventually turned around and headed back towards the doors. He wasn't out in the corridor for long before he was sent back inside with another message and only moments later he was back in front of Lily.

As he stopped in front of her Robert sighed as he said, "James said that he'll get in trouble, its not very dignified for the head boy to be wandering into breakfast half naked," Robert rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Please Lily!"

Chuckling Lily turned to her accomplices who all smiled and nodded at her. Looking up at Robert Lily said, "Sorry Robert I'll make it up to you later," and touched his arm as a reassurance that everything would be all right. "Tell them we were under the impression that they were Gryffindor's, courageous and brave not scared little kittens."

At this Robert looked like he was going to be sick, his shoulders slumped as he turned around to deliver this information to the angry sixth and seventh year boys standing outside the great hall.

The brief exchanges going on at the Gryffindor table had been observed by some of the faculty.

The next time the hall doors opened it gained the full attention of everyone who was sat enjoying breakfast that morning. This was mostly due to the fact that as the doors crashed open in strode four rather cross-looking Gryffindor Quidditch players and one replacement keeper wearing nothing more than small fluffy white towels.

In moments the silence was broken as the great hall was divided with the male section of the hall laughing and jeering at the misfortune of the Gryffindor's while the Female population of Hogwarts was sat with mouths open taking in the sight of five toned and muscular bodies bared for full inspection.

As James walked into the great hall arms crossed over his chest he looked up at the head table giving the headmaster a small nod and grinned at the amused look on the headmasters face. Getting closer to Lily James could see the triumphant look on her face. This made the horror of the experience even worse but then a thought flashed across his mind. Being the first to reach the girls James smirked to him self and cast a quick glance to his teammates that told them to follow his lead.

Coming along side her James casually bent his head and kissed Lily on the cheek before sliding into the seat next to her helping himself to some juice. Quickly catching on to what was happening the other four took their seats around the four girls and started to fill their plates with breakfast.

At first Lily was simply stunned by James's behaviour, she had expected him to shout or scream but never this. Finally she turned to look at him and groaned at the smirk he was wearing.

Slowly the great hall had settled down and most had gone back to their breakfasts with the odd girl turning to get another glance of the scantily clad senior Gryffindor's. No longer able to cope it was Professor McGonagall who came to the rescue of her students. Collecting a set of napkins from the teacher's table she transfigured them into robes, which were quickly distributed to the players now happily eating breakfast and chatting about the mornings training session.


Looking at each other first, the four girls said together, "All right we're sorry."

At this James raised his eyebrows at them causing them to groan with the knowledge that this little stunt would be avenged.

As breakfast came to an end Lily, Aggy, Marie and Annie found themselves in Professor McGonagall's office. By the time they left each girl understood why the Professor was well respected and generally not messed with.

Later that morning in the male section of the Gryffindor dormitories a decision was made that revenge would have to wait until after the last game of the season. James was not prepared to have anything disrupt their preparation for the game against Slytherin.

In the girls section four seventh years were stock pilling their remaining Honeydukes supplies to give to a certain red headed seeker.

As the week progressed Quidditch practices for the Gryffindor's went smoothly that was until the last practice before the weekend when a rouge bludger managed to unseat the regular Gryffindor keeper. Up in the hospital wing Madame Pomfrey confirmed a broken collarbone but informed the unlucky player that although it would be repaired in time for the game it would not be strong enough for him to be able to play.

After dinner that evening, an emergency Quidditch meeting was called by the head of the house to discuss with her Quidditch captain the possible solutions to the dilemma facing them.
******
Once again life slipped back in an uneasy calm for most of the students of Hogwarts School but it was short lived as the infamous day of the final Quidditch game of the season approached.

It all started with both teams appearing at breakfast already dressed in their Quidditch robes. The sudden display of house loyalty intensified the mood at the early morning meal and caused most of the teachers sat at the top table to groan. This was always the most zealous game of the season whenever it was played but to be the cup decider was almost unbearable. This years seventh years did not help matters either, the house rivalry between this particular year was the worst it had been in many centuries.

The Quidditch stands started to fill up early as students jostled for the best spots to watch the game. In three sides of the stands there was a distinct mix of house colours as the two houses not involved in the game showed their support for the Gryffindor team.

As Madame Turner stepped out onto the pitch the roar of the crowd was deafening and it wasn't long before the sky was filled with the sight of broomsticks and billowing robes. From the Gryffindor stands an extra cheer went up as Remus Lupin the replacement Gryffindor keeper flew past.

Calling all the players into their starting positions Madame Turner got the game underway.

From the off the game was played at a furious pace with each teaming giving their all to try and ensure a win. The superior skills of the semi professional chaser Lily Evans were soon proving to much for the Slytherin's and the Gryffindor's quickly edged into the lead. Over the course of the next thirty minutes the Gryffindor's increased the lead dramatically.

Aggy Court had two items on her agenda for the game, one was to win but the second was to do as much damage as she could to Lucius Malfoy. Her opportunity arrived as the game entered its second hour.

Following the Slytherin game plan Malfoy took his eye of the Gryffindor beaters as he orchestrated the downfall of the Gryffindor seeker. While trying to avoid an oncoming bludger Robert Weasley didn't see the two chasers that were encroaching onto his small piece of air space. All to late he realized what was about to happen and could do nothing but tense and wait for the pair to crash into him. The smaller boy didn't stand a chance and was soon falling down towards the fast approaching ground but his progress was halted as a well placed levitation charm hit him so that his landing was less severe that it might have been.

Turning out of the collision at the last moment Lucius Malfoy regained control of his broom but this process distracted his attention away from the swiftly approaching bludger. Aggy Court smirked as she watched with joy the bludger smash into the face of the tall blonde and the sudden stream of blood that flooded from his nose. Only just managing to stay on his broom Malfoy slowly made it to the ground.

James Potter quickly called a time out and the game balls were held fast in their current positions. Down on the grass floor of the Quidditch pitch the Gryffindor's held a quick conference discussing what would happen if Robert couldn't continue. On the other side of the pitch the Slytherin's were holding a similar meeting while they waited for their captain to be treated by the medi-witch.

Madame Pomfrey had learned from earlier encounters of these two particular teams that it was quicker and safer for her to be at the ground during the game. Quickly she assessed that although not seriously injured Robert Weasley would not be able to continue in the game. Once he has been placed on a stretcher she turned her attention to the Slytherin captain. Casting a few simple healing charms the blood flow was soon stopped and she placed a pain numbing charm on the broken cartilage of his nose, due to the students insistence at continuing with the game. Madame Pomfrey gave him a stern look of disapproval before telling him to report to the hospital wing immediately after the game.

With both of the injured players taken care of Madame Turner called for a restart to the game and the players retook their positions.

As the game got underway for a second time it became clear that the one of the Gryffindor chasers was also keeping an eye out for the snitch. The massive lead the Gryffindor's had was a bonus and one they fought hard to keep. Remus Lupin was doing an outstanding job as the replacement keeper and ensured that the Slytherin's didn't get many quaffle's through the scoring hoops.

All attention was soon on the Slytherin seeker as he started to make a spectacular dive in pursuit of the golden snitch. Lily Evans followed his lead but knew it would be hopeless due to the massive head start he had and moments later she was proved right as the snitch found its way into the leather clad had of the smug looking Slytherin.

The stadium was swamped with a mixture of groans and cheers as the blowing of Madame Hooch's whistle officially ended the game. In unison ever student, player and member of staff turned to look at the magical scoreboard and as the final score was suddenly flashed for all to see the only sound heard was a gasp.

The final game of the season, the Quidditch cup decider was a draw.

All eyes quickly turned to Professor Dumbledore who with the help of the Sonorous charm announced that all would be revealed that evening at dinner.

The only topic of conversation for the rest of the day was the outcome of the Quidditch cup. For the Slytherin and Gryffindor's dinner couldn't come quick enough.

Finally all the students were seated in the great hall awaiting the arrival of the Headmaster. After what seemed an age the side door opened and the hall went silent as Professor Dumbledore entered carrying the Quidditch cup. Slowly he made his way to his place at the top table and set the cup down in front of his place so that it was in clear view of all the students.

Smiling at the pensive faces before him Professor Dumbledore said, "I would like to say well done to both the Gryffindor and Slytherin house teams for an excellent Quidditch game this afternoon. Well played everyone." Pausing for a second he said, "It is the first time in many years that the task of awarding the Quidditch cup has fallen to the headmaster. Having consulted the record books, it is my honour to be able to present the cup this year to the team with the greatest points difference. So without further ado, congratulations to Gryffindor house."

Even before Professor Dumbledore had finished speaking a thunderous roar erupted at the Gryffindor table and was soon joined by cheers of congratulations from the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.

Waiting for a pause in the noise Professor Dumbledore walked to the front of the teacher's table and picked up the Quidditch cup. He had to resort to the use of the sonorous charm to be heard over the bellow of the student's voices.

"If Mr. Potter could lead the Gryffindor Team to the top table, I will present the cup to this years winners."

Slowly disentangling themselves from their housemates the Gryffindor Quidditch team made it up to the top table and as Professor Dumbledore handed James the cup he turned to face the hall and raised the cup high in the air. Once again the noise in the great hall reached an awesome level causing some of the teachers to cover their ears.


A private party was held in the Gryffindor common room after dinner came to an end but to the teams horror Professor McGonagall had taken the cup from them and preceded to take it to her office for safe keeping.

Once the party had started to subside and the younger students had been packed off into their dormitories, Lily managed to get some alone time with James. Pulling him up out of the armchair near the fire Lily dragged James towards the large window seat that gave them a great view of the Schools grounds.

"James, What's the matter?" she asked.

Shrugging James said, "Nothing, I'm really happy that we won the cup."

Snuggling into his arms Lily enjoyed the feeling of James's arms around her before saying, "I know that James but considering this is what you wanted and nearly killed us with training for, you just don't seemed to be as ecstatic as I excepted you to be."


Resting his head against her hair James sighed saying, "I just feel like we won by default, you know. I wanted to win out right, not because we happened to have scored more Quaffle's through the course of the season."

Pulling his arms tighter around her Lily said, "I know what you mean but at the end of the day a win is a win and that is all that matters."

Kissing the top of her head he whispered, "I love you."

Lily answered him with a smile and pushed back into the embrace even further leaning her head against James's chest.


*****

Beta Note: Hey people! This is the first ever note left here by me and I just wanted to tell everyone that there will be one more chapter left. But if all the readers would like Angela (AKA Madame Padfoot), would love to make a sequel. Please Review it helps Angela write faster!!

Thanks again.  As Allie suggests please click the little button and let me know what you think.  Do you want a sequel? If yes please leave a suggestion about what you would like to see in one and if the response is big enough then I will do my best to oblige.

Madame Padfoot