Chapter 14: Of Try-outs and Friends
The next few days were a little bit awkward. Both would flush a little in the other's presence, and they weren't unnoticed. James and Peter would snicker a little and laugh out loud at the evil look their friend gave them. Remus was a little more sympathetic and gave his friend's encouraging smiles. Gladys thought the whole thing was extremely, well, cute. Seeing the school's rebel and jokester together and blushing was just sweet.
Thankfully, the whole school wasn't aware of it, for now. But both Lily and Sirius had a sneaking suspicion that one of their friend's would crack and blurt it out, either by accident or just to be purposefully mean.
Lily and Sirius managed to make themselves look like they always used to. Starting unnecessary brawls in the Common Room, arguing about nothing in particular, Lily helping with a prank, Sirius helping her with Transfiguration, detentions, you know, the usual things they got up to. So, no one suspected. It was just little things like knowing smiles, and certain looks that might have given them away.
***
James sat at the Gryffindor table, stirring his breakfast around on his plate. He was there in the ungodly hours of the morning, trying to eat something before Quidditch try-outs, but he always felt his stomach quench and he couldn't muster the will to eat the eggs, toast and baked beans on his plate. There were very few people up, some other older Gryffindor's, people from opposing houses and the off Professor strolling in for a cup of coffee.
Sirius was most probably in bed, snoring his head off, as was Peter. Both weren't morning people. Remus was away at home visiting his mother, who had been feeling ill recently. Lily was most probably in her dorm, either sleeping or complaining about their not being enough hours in the night. Gladys would probably start making her way down for breakfast.
James sighed again and took a sip of his juice. He held onto his broomstick, rather grippingly. 'Everything will be alright. I can do this.' He kept saying that to himself, like a constant mantra in his hear. James looked at his watch and decided to make his way to the Quidditch stadium. Make a good impression by getting their early, shows enthusiasm.
The cool morning air was fresher than ever. The sun shone around the golden grounds, as a breeze blew around the red-golden trees. Autumn was always a good time for Quidditch. As he approached the stadium, he gradually became less nervous. How many times had he come and sat in the stands, watched the Quidditch practices and games? This stadium was like a second home. There was no reason for his nervousness.
James stood in a line with all the others who were to tryout. He watched the other's fly, catch the balls, and throw them through the hoops, dodging makeshift bludgers. He scrutinised some of them, their technique wasn't right for the game. They swung round, when a sharp turn was lot more effective. They dipped lightly when they should have dived. And some people simply didn't have what it took to get the Quaffle through the hoops. They didn't have the upper-body strength. They'd have to work harder if they wanted to get into the team.
"Potter! You're up next!" The captain called from above.
James nodded and kicked off on his broomstick, rising above the stands. The familiar feeling of air all around him made him more awake, and certainly more confident. Suddenly the Quaffle was launched at him, he caught it at ease and made his way to the post. Dodging all the other member's of the team easily and passing it through the Keeper's grasp. He caught the Quaffle again as a Bludger was launched at him. James kept his cool and swerved as the roaring black ball shot passed him, with the speed of the wind, he slammed the Quaffle through the hoop effortlessly. He turned to face the entire team; they all looked like they'd seen a ghost or something. Then the sound of cheering and applauding came from the stands. James looked down to see Gladys jumping up and down like a maniac, creating a racket which five people would normally make. James grinned down at her and waved. She waved back, jumping up and down cheering him.
"Alright Potter, we'll be in touch," said the captain of the team, his mouth still open from the display. James nodded, smiling and then set down to land.
***
"Honestly Lily! You should have seen him! He was zooming around the whole pitch; he looked like a blur from the speed he was going! It was amazing, even when the whole team were against him, he scored all the time! You should have seen it!" Gladys said animatedly, filling Lily in on all that she had missed that morning.
"Then why didn't you wake me up! I would've loved to see James in action!" Lily complained. Gladys just raised her eyebrow.
"I'm not that crazy you know," Gladys said smiling cheekily. Lily mocked anger and lightly hit her on the arm.
They sat in the Common Room for most of the afternoon. Not really bothered on catching up with homework, and just laughing and playing games. As the sky darkened outside, the warm fire grew larger and more people entered the room for socialising. The room grew noisier, so Lily and Gladys retreated to their dorms.
The Portrait swung open and James and Sirius came in, each helping Remus, who looked beyond ill. He had a slightly sweated brow, but was looking pale. He trembled a little as he walked and his amber eyes stood out ethereally. The three boys stumbled their way into the dorm and lay Remus down on his bed.
"You really don't look to good, are you sure you don't want to go to Madam Pomfrey?" Sirius asked his friend worriedly.
"I'll be fine. I may have caught a slight temperature from my mother, I'll just sleep it off," Remus said reassuringly to his friends.
"You sure? We can easily go and get her; she can give you some medicated potion." James inquired.
"I'll honestly be ok, no need to get her and cause any commotion." Remus smiled weakly.
"All right then. Sleep well Remus," Sirius grinned at his friend and led James out of the room. The two sat away from the mirth of the Common Room, both wearing serious expressions on their faces.
"You felt it too?" Sirius whispered. James nodded.
"I wonder how he managed to get that scar."
***
A/N: I am really sorry that I didn't update sooner…I really did have a bad case of Writer's Block. I had no idea where to go after that last chapter. But now I'm back in the flow of things! I'm sorry this chapter is so short, but I really need to speed up a few things so that I can get on with this story! I have some future plans that I really want to write about so, I'm speeding things up, and hopefully I'll be back to posting a chapter a week or so! Anyways, I'm sure you can see where this chapter will lead up to! I've got that part all planned out and I'll try and go into more detail with the Lily/Sirius fluff! I'm also contemplating putting James and Gladys together…hmmm…we'll all have to wait and see!