OMG- I HIT 50 REVIEWS!!!!! I never thought that would happen! Thanks so
much!!! You guys are the greatest!!!
Well here it is! Thanks again for the reviews. I'm glad you haven't
totally written off my story! I was a little stressed out last chapter.
These are my final performances this weekend (even though I can barely
dance because of an injury). Next week I'm going to the big NYC for turkey
day (maybe you'll see me on tv w/the parade), but after that my story may
kind of be wrapping up. I'll explain later! Anyhow thanks specifically
to:
Ti- thanks! I appreciate all the reviews. Your right it's not a waste of time to write, but sometimes I do doubt myself.
Demoness Mark- thanks for reviewing at all! I really appreciate it!
me- I'm glad you liked it, I updated!!!!
LogicalRaven- glad you like fighting chapters! I hope you like this one! Thanks for reviewing!
Rose- thanks for reading and reviewing!
I REALLY appreciate your reviews. I have a hard couple of weeks and I feel special to get reviews! Thanks!
Ch. 11 The Quidditch War
It was nearly five o'clock, and the Marauders heading down to dinner before the big game.
"Are you sure you can come?" asked James looking worriedly into the peaked face of Remus. The next night was the full moon and Remus was not doing well. He was however insisting on attending the match. Especially since his best friends, James and Sirius, were two of the star players.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Remus replied stubbornly, giving them a weak smile. "How are you holding up Sirius?" he asked his tightlipped friends, trying to draw attention from himself.
Sirius did not answer; he only nodded, trying to keep a sickly expression off his face. Every since they had learned the game was going to be watched by Scouts he had been freaking. He and James were best friends, but anyone could tell he felt strained living with the Potters. He hated taking charity, and he would be seventeen this winter. He was hoping to make it to the pros and year early and forget his final year at Hogwarts. He needed to make it on a professional team, and it looked good for him. He was the best beater Hogwarts had seen in years. Beating Slytherin would only be an additional bonus.
They had reached the hall and were about enter into the great hall when they ran face to face into several Slytherin players and other students, including Severus Snape. The captain of the Slytherin team spat on the floor in front of James, but it was Sirius who responded.
"Hate to break it to you," he mocked, "but that's not going to help you win the match tomorrow. Not even your buddy Voldemort can help you out there." It had been a stab in the dark, but it was right on target.
Snape stepped forward his eyes were scowling slits and his words slid evilly off his tongue, "you know nothing of the dark lord. He will come for you; you will not survive. Not you Potter, or even you Black! Or your friend over here," he continued pointing his wand at Remus. "Looking a bit sickly again, are we Lupin?" he sneered. "Half bloods always were weaker than us of purer blood." but he didn't finish the sentence. He keeled over as a spell from Sirius' wand hit him. James was grateful for Sirius' Superb timing: a moment later it would have been Remus dueling with Snape, and he was in no condition to do so.
Sirius' attack had been almost a signal. The air was thick with flying spells. Some students ran for cover, while others joined in the fray. A few had even abandoned their wands for fists. Grabbing Remus by the collar of his shirt, James threw him into a closet and shut the door, summoning a knight in armor to jam the door shut, all the while deflecting flying spells. Sending hexes left and right he noticed nearly all the Quidditch players from all the houses we deep in combat. Even as he watched, several more Gryffindors joined the fight. Many students were on the ground. Despite the mess, James had keen vision and should have been able to pick out Sirius from the crowd. His best mate was nowhere to be seen, however, and neither was Snape.
***
Sirius headed towards James, but, before he could get more than a few feet, fell flat on hi face. Turning and trying to rise he found Snape leering down at him. He dodged Snape's next curse and rolled to his feet. He ducked and dived, shooting hexes as fast as Snape was.
Sirius heard a familiar, muffled squeal to his left, but before he could turn and acknowledge it Snape sprinted off in the opposite direction. A moments pause and he had made his decision and he ran off after Snape. Snape had come to a halt and stood glaring evilly in front of a large window. His lips moved as he held up his wand. Ready to curse Snape.
It was as if everything happened in slow motion. He was running towards Snape, almost there. Something hit his side and he began flying towards his foe. Even in slow motion he was approaching Snape much too quickly. Snape's eyes had just begun to widen in realization, when Sirius crashed into him.
The window shattered with a sickening crash as the two bodies toppled over the sill.
***
James heard the crash, though it was only slightly audible in the commotion. He glanced up, but was one of the few who did, as most were too preoccupied. One of the huge windows at the other end of the hall was in fragments. He could only hope that no one had fallen, as they were several stories up. /Where are Sirius and Peter?/ he wondered, scanning the wrecked hall.
***
It happened so quickly after the window broke. One minute he was falling, the next he had hit hard stone with much less impact than he had anticipated. He lay there for only a moment before he was on his feet again. It was painful, but not as painful as it should have been (he must have fallen 100 feet), and the alternative, of having Snape catch him unaware, was much more terrible.
Snape was sprawled on the stones a few feet away. His wand, still miraculously unbroken, was grasped in his hand, but he was not moving. Once Sirius was sure Snape wasn't stirring, he looked around, and was surprised to find himself about a foot from the edge of a balcony. He realized that he and Snape were still far from the ground. He looked up and the hole where the window had been only minutes before, and saw that there was glass all around him.
/I'm all right,/ he thought, still in shock. He let out a long breath, fighting for control. Everything seemed a bit cloudy, and he was surprised to find his heart pounding.
He heard it before it hit him: a faint whistling. He turned to face Snape, who was, strangely enough, on his feet, his wand pointed at Sirius, a triumphant grin on his face. Before Sirius could react it hit him in the stomach. A feeling of becoming crushingly, cold ice spread through his body. His last feeling was one of nausea, before, in a wave of black, he fell into darkness.
***
James ran across the room, fighting his way to the window, trying not to get killed. He felt a terrible, unexplainable, dread, as if he could not reach the window fast enough. Finally, cursing the huge Slytherin in front of him, he peered out over the edge.
Below he saw Snape facing Sirius, an evil smile on his face, as Sirius staggered, precariously close to the edge of the balcony. James felt his stomach drop as Sirius fell the remaining four stories to the ground, and moved no more.
***
Madam Pomfrey had sent an owl to James when he woke up with surprisingly little fuss. Still, Sirius grew impatient as he sat in bed waiting for his friend to show.
Finally James walked in. His face was pale and there were bags under his eyes. When he saw that Sirius was up he looked considerable relieved.
"You don't look so good," croaked Sirius, striving for a light tone.
"You should see yourself!" replied James, with an attempt at a smile.
"What did you get?" asked Sirius, eying his friend.
"A month of detentions with Filch, and McGonagall's 'disappointed in me,'" he said with a grin.
"No surprised there!" Sirius retorted.
James' smile flickered and left. "They cancelled the Quidditch match."
"When's it rescheduled for?" asked Sirius, unconcerned.
"It's not," said James, causing Sirius to frown. "You should have seen us last night," James continued, his brow furrowed worriedly. "After the heads of the houses had finished lecturing, and we had scrubbed the entire hall (with no magic), and Madam Pomfrey had tended to everyone, Diggory had the audacity to ask about Quidditch. McGonagall launched into another hours long speech about how we should be happy we weren't expelled and that the last thing we should be worried about was Quidditch. If it had been up to her there would be no more Quidditch all year, but Dumbledore intervened."
"At least Dumbledore always pulls through," said Sirius grumpily. He face brightened when he added, "then we'll just have to whoop Slytherin in the championships, I'm sure the scouts will be there." James was silent, and looked almost scared as he watched his friend. Sirius was getting aggravate, what was wrong with James?
Finally James spoke, in an uncertain tone. "No WE won't mate."
"What do you mean 'no we won't'" Sirius snarled. He was getting worried. "Out with it!"
James brought his hands up and with nervous exhaustion rubbed his face, "I'm trying! You're not making it any easier." He took a deep breath and finally whisper, "you can't play anymore mate."
"WHAT!!!" yelled Sirius. He moved quickly and grabbed James' shoulders, forcing him to meet his eyes.
James bit his lip before speaking again in a soft, resolutely calm voice. "You can't play. It has something to so with a hex Snape hit you with, and the fall. The motion of diving on a broom, moving too quickly far from the ground, it could cause a relapse, even worse. You could die. It will be years before you can ride again if ever."
Sirius' voice was as soft as James', dangerously soft. "I don't care. I don't give a shit! If I die I die on a broom. They can't stop me from playing."
"They already have mate."
Sirius shook James hard by the shoulder, and James let him. "SHUT UP!!! QUIT TALKING IN THAT AWFUL QUIET VOICE, LIKE I'M GOING TO DIE OR SOMETHING- DAMN IT!!!!!!"
The motion was too much for him. Quickly releasing James, he swung his head to the side in the nick of time, and threw up. Madam Pomfrey, who had rushed in when Sirius had started screaming. Rushed over to the bed appalled. As James helped he pull Sirius back into bed, she glared strictly at James. "What did you say to him? I told you to break the news gently. Out now!"
James turned to leave, and yelled back over his shoulder as he left, "We'll be back to see you later."
***
/James is gone/ thought Sirius, lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. He felt numb. /What am I going to do for the rest of my life?/ he wondered. He had always wanted to play Quidditch, ever since they became best friends in their first year, Sirius and James had wanted to be famous Quidditch players. And until now it had seemed very possible. He had no other special talents, at least none that he knew of. He did pretty well in classes, but he had never tried, and never really needed too. This year his grades had been slipping: NEWT classes were hard. But it had never mattered before.
And then, like fire melting the ice that surrounded his body came anger. A rage so strong he could barely see. He knew what he was going to do to the person who had ruined his life. He would get revenge!
Hope you liked it. I have a reason for all of this- you may be able to see where I'm going. It will all come out in the next few chapters!!! Please review and I'll try to update quickly!!!!
Next Chapter: the plan!!!
Coming up: The big thing in the story- wait and c!!!
Now REVIEW!!!
Thanx 4 reading ; )
Ti- thanks! I appreciate all the reviews. Your right it's not a waste of time to write, but sometimes I do doubt myself.
Demoness Mark- thanks for reviewing at all! I really appreciate it!
me- I'm glad you liked it, I updated!!!!
LogicalRaven- glad you like fighting chapters! I hope you like this one! Thanks for reviewing!
Rose- thanks for reading and reviewing!
I REALLY appreciate your reviews. I have a hard couple of weeks and I feel special to get reviews! Thanks!
Ch. 11 The Quidditch War
It was nearly five o'clock, and the Marauders heading down to dinner before the big game.
"Are you sure you can come?" asked James looking worriedly into the peaked face of Remus. The next night was the full moon and Remus was not doing well. He was however insisting on attending the match. Especially since his best friends, James and Sirius, were two of the star players.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Remus replied stubbornly, giving them a weak smile. "How are you holding up Sirius?" he asked his tightlipped friends, trying to draw attention from himself.
Sirius did not answer; he only nodded, trying to keep a sickly expression off his face. Every since they had learned the game was going to be watched by Scouts he had been freaking. He and James were best friends, but anyone could tell he felt strained living with the Potters. He hated taking charity, and he would be seventeen this winter. He was hoping to make it to the pros and year early and forget his final year at Hogwarts. He needed to make it on a professional team, and it looked good for him. He was the best beater Hogwarts had seen in years. Beating Slytherin would only be an additional bonus.
They had reached the hall and were about enter into the great hall when they ran face to face into several Slytherin players and other students, including Severus Snape. The captain of the Slytherin team spat on the floor in front of James, but it was Sirius who responded.
"Hate to break it to you," he mocked, "but that's not going to help you win the match tomorrow. Not even your buddy Voldemort can help you out there." It had been a stab in the dark, but it was right on target.
Snape stepped forward his eyes were scowling slits and his words slid evilly off his tongue, "you know nothing of the dark lord. He will come for you; you will not survive. Not you Potter, or even you Black! Or your friend over here," he continued pointing his wand at Remus. "Looking a bit sickly again, are we Lupin?" he sneered. "Half bloods always were weaker than us of purer blood." but he didn't finish the sentence. He keeled over as a spell from Sirius' wand hit him. James was grateful for Sirius' Superb timing: a moment later it would have been Remus dueling with Snape, and he was in no condition to do so.
Sirius' attack had been almost a signal. The air was thick with flying spells. Some students ran for cover, while others joined in the fray. A few had even abandoned their wands for fists. Grabbing Remus by the collar of his shirt, James threw him into a closet and shut the door, summoning a knight in armor to jam the door shut, all the while deflecting flying spells. Sending hexes left and right he noticed nearly all the Quidditch players from all the houses we deep in combat. Even as he watched, several more Gryffindors joined the fight. Many students were on the ground. Despite the mess, James had keen vision and should have been able to pick out Sirius from the crowd. His best mate was nowhere to be seen, however, and neither was Snape.
***
Sirius headed towards James, but, before he could get more than a few feet, fell flat on hi face. Turning and trying to rise he found Snape leering down at him. He dodged Snape's next curse and rolled to his feet. He ducked and dived, shooting hexes as fast as Snape was.
Sirius heard a familiar, muffled squeal to his left, but before he could turn and acknowledge it Snape sprinted off in the opposite direction. A moments pause and he had made his decision and he ran off after Snape. Snape had come to a halt and stood glaring evilly in front of a large window. His lips moved as he held up his wand. Ready to curse Snape.
It was as if everything happened in slow motion. He was running towards Snape, almost there. Something hit his side and he began flying towards his foe. Even in slow motion he was approaching Snape much too quickly. Snape's eyes had just begun to widen in realization, when Sirius crashed into him.
The window shattered with a sickening crash as the two bodies toppled over the sill.
***
James heard the crash, though it was only slightly audible in the commotion. He glanced up, but was one of the few who did, as most were too preoccupied. One of the huge windows at the other end of the hall was in fragments. He could only hope that no one had fallen, as they were several stories up. /Where are Sirius and Peter?/ he wondered, scanning the wrecked hall.
***
It happened so quickly after the window broke. One minute he was falling, the next he had hit hard stone with much less impact than he had anticipated. He lay there for only a moment before he was on his feet again. It was painful, but not as painful as it should have been (he must have fallen 100 feet), and the alternative, of having Snape catch him unaware, was much more terrible.
Snape was sprawled on the stones a few feet away. His wand, still miraculously unbroken, was grasped in his hand, but he was not moving. Once Sirius was sure Snape wasn't stirring, he looked around, and was surprised to find himself about a foot from the edge of a balcony. He realized that he and Snape were still far from the ground. He looked up and the hole where the window had been only minutes before, and saw that there was glass all around him.
/I'm all right,/ he thought, still in shock. He let out a long breath, fighting for control. Everything seemed a bit cloudy, and he was surprised to find his heart pounding.
He heard it before it hit him: a faint whistling. He turned to face Snape, who was, strangely enough, on his feet, his wand pointed at Sirius, a triumphant grin on his face. Before Sirius could react it hit him in the stomach. A feeling of becoming crushingly, cold ice spread through his body. His last feeling was one of nausea, before, in a wave of black, he fell into darkness.
***
James ran across the room, fighting his way to the window, trying not to get killed. He felt a terrible, unexplainable, dread, as if he could not reach the window fast enough. Finally, cursing the huge Slytherin in front of him, he peered out over the edge.
Below he saw Snape facing Sirius, an evil smile on his face, as Sirius staggered, precariously close to the edge of the balcony. James felt his stomach drop as Sirius fell the remaining four stories to the ground, and moved no more.
***
Madam Pomfrey had sent an owl to James when he woke up with surprisingly little fuss. Still, Sirius grew impatient as he sat in bed waiting for his friend to show.
Finally James walked in. His face was pale and there were bags under his eyes. When he saw that Sirius was up he looked considerable relieved.
"You don't look so good," croaked Sirius, striving for a light tone.
"You should see yourself!" replied James, with an attempt at a smile.
"What did you get?" asked Sirius, eying his friend.
"A month of detentions with Filch, and McGonagall's 'disappointed in me,'" he said with a grin.
"No surprised there!" Sirius retorted.
James' smile flickered and left. "They cancelled the Quidditch match."
"When's it rescheduled for?" asked Sirius, unconcerned.
"It's not," said James, causing Sirius to frown. "You should have seen us last night," James continued, his brow furrowed worriedly. "After the heads of the houses had finished lecturing, and we had scrubbed the entire hall (with no magic), and Madam Pomfrey had tended to everyone, Diggory had the audacity to ask about Quidditch. McGonagall launched into another hours long speech about how we should be happy we weren't expelled and that the last thing we should be worried about was Quidditch. If it had been up to her there would be no more Quidditch all year, but Dumbledore intervened."
"At least Dumbledore always pulls through," said Sirius grumpily. He face brightened when he added, "then we'll just have to whoop Slytherin in the championships, I'm sure the scouts will be there." James was silent, and looked almost scared as he watched his friend. Sirius was getting aggravate, what was wrong with James?
Finally James spoke, in an uncertain tone. "No WE won't mate."
"What do you mean 'no we won't'" Sirius snarled. He was getting worried. "Out with it!"
James brought his hands up and with nervous exhaustion rubbed his face, "I'm trying! You're not making it any easier." He took a deep breath and finally whisper, "you can't play anymore mate."
"WHAT!!!" yelled Sirius. He moved quickly and grabbed James' shoulders, forcing him to meet his eyes.
James bit his lip before speaking again in a soft, resolutely calm voice. "You can't play. It has something to so with a hex Snape hit you with, and the fall. The motion of diving on a broom, moving too quickly far from the ground, it could cause a relapse, even worse. You could die. It will be years before you can ride again if ever."
Sirius' voice was as soft as James', dangerously soft. "I don't care. I don't give a shit! If I die I die on a broom. They can't stop me from playing."
"They already have mate."
Sirius shook James hard by the shoulder, and James let him. "SHUT UP!!! QUIT TALKING IN THAT AWFUL QUIET VOICE, LIKE I'M GOING TO DIE OR SOMETHING- DAMN IT!!!!!!"
The motion was too much for him. Quickly releasing James, he swung his head to the side in the nick of time, and threw up. Madam Pomfrey, who had rushed in when Sirius had started screaming. Rushed over to the bed appalled. As James helped he pull Sirius back into bed, she glared strictly at James. "What did you say to him? I told you to break the news gently. Out now!"
James turned to leave, and yelled back over his shoulder as he left, "We'll be back to see you later."
***
/James is gone/ thought Sirius, lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. He felt numb. /What am I going to do for the rest of my life?/ he wondered. He had always wanted to play Quidditch, ever since they became best friends in their first year, Sirius and James had wanted to be famous Quidditch players. And until now it had seemed very possible. He had no other special talents, at least none that he knew of. He did pretty well in classes, but he had never tried, and never really needed too. This year his grades had been slipping: NEWT classes were hard. But it had never mattered before.
And then, like fire melting the ice that surrounded his body came anger. A rage so strong he could barely see. He knew what he was going to do to the person who had ruined his life. He would get revenge!
Hope you liked it. I have a reason for all of this- you may be able to see where I'm going. It will all come out in the next few chapters!!! Please review and I'll try to update quickly!!!!
Next Chapter: the plan!!!
Coming up: The big thing in the story- wait and c!!!
Now REVIEW!!!
Thanx 4 reading ; )