Hmm.. Perhaps a session individual reviews should be taken place, so those who reviewed so far for last chapter… look for your name!
StarRuby: ah yes, as I predicted you reviewed again. Haha that's a favorite part of yours? I just kinda thought of it… you know spur-of-the-moment thing. Thanks for reviewing! When they reach fifth year, yes I will use that after-OWL scene from the 5th book. Still, things will be a tad different than usual, so just wait till it happens I guess.
Erica Lea T: Ha on the contrary, I haven't been updating as of late, otherwise I'd be on fifth year by now if I updated frequently. But I'm glad that you like what you are reading so far. So I hope you keep reading and reviewing!! Thanks.
TeArSoFfAtE: Happy new year to you too! Thanks for your review… you're another one of those dedicated reviewers that I see frequently… so I hope you keep reading like before.
Prongs307: Thanks for your review… well I'm not really that good but I'm trying. I assure you it will be finished… so just keep reading if you like!!
BANANA!: I WILL WRITE MORE!! GLAD YOU LUV IT! Thanks for your review.
And now I bring to you the next chapter of Seven Years Well Worth It…
ALSO… I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR… 2004 BABY!!!
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The Gryffindor Quidditch team gathered around for their last practice before the first game of the new season. The same team from last year would be returning this year, and they were determined to get that Quidditch Cup back to Gryffindor. Their first game was against Hufflepuff, and considering that they've had experience as their advantage, they were sure to win. Captain Paul Wood, however, thought nothing of that.
"Alright team. We've had our ups and downs last year, but this year is entirely different. We are the only team that did not make any changes during the summer, and we better win the Cup because this is the final year for some of us."
"You mean the final year for YOU." muttered Jade.
"Whatever Chapman."
"Well it's true Cap!"
"Yeah yeah… so it's only my last year… speaking of which, I dub Bagman and Krum the co-captains of next year's Quidditch team, and if either of you decide to decline, then talk amongst yourselves."
"You got it, Cap'n." yelled Bagman with a salute while Krum nodded his head.
"Good. Now let's get back to business… I've been reading up on a couple of Quidditch formations, and I want the chasers to try something coming from America. American football has a sort wishbone formation, and I want you three to try it out." said Wood while pointing to James, Sirius, and Remus.
The three boys went to a set formation, with Remus in the front center and James and Sirius on his two sides at a slight angle behind him.
"Ok, now I want you set up like this in the beginning of the game.. You three can rotate whenever you wish, but make sure that when you start your attack, that you get set in this formation… not all the time though. I know how creative you three can get. This will just be used to intimidate the other team, however, it is a set formation, so it is useful. The one in the center will captain the two while the other Chasers weave in and out, still staying in formation. When the time is right, you either split apart, or criss cross in a swing formation to get the chasers on your tail as well as confuse the beaters. The person with the quaffle will then decide to either go for the shot or just… do whatever the heck you Marauders do…"
"Sounds like a plan, Cap'n." said James with a smile. Sirius and Remus nodded.
"I think this might actually come in handy, regardless of how basic and dull it looks." said Sirius.
"It is not dull!!!!!!!!!" screamed Wood. The team jumped back.
"Touchy, touchy there…." said James. "I think you need to take a break from all that NEWT studying Pauly-boy."
"Later… right now let's practice. Time to fly." said Wood and the rest of the team flew to their respective position working on the drill.
The rest of the practice went well, and when it was over, the three Marauders walked back to the Gryffindor Tower.
"Hey, Chapman, you wanna tag along?" asked Sirius with a smile.
"As if I ever, besides, I gotta go meet Danny." said Jade.
"Who's Danny?"
"None of your business." said Jade and left in the other direction.
"Gee, wonder what the rush is for." said Sirius.
"Probably going on a date or something." said Remus.
"Date?? Chapstick?? I don't think so… like she can get one."
"Oh, she can get one alright, I saw her walking into the Ravenclaw Tower one night while I was knicking food from the kitchens. It seems she's playing the field nowadays."
Sirius smiled. "I knew she had it in her. OH well, off to my date! See ya guys later!"
"Wait!" shouted James and Sirius turned around. "You have a date?! Why didn't you tell us?"
"Well like I have to tell you all about my personal life. Come on, guys… James if you had a pretty girl out on a date, would you tell me?"
"Well… well no."
"Okay then! Catch you two prats later." said Sirius and scurried off down the corridor.
"OH well, Remus you wanna help me setting up the potion?"
Remus kinda backed away. "Uhh.. Sure James, but I'm going to have to leave a little early."
"Let me guess, you have a date too…"
"Sorry mate."
"It's alright, I'll just do some extra work and then head back to see what Peter's doing."
"Umm… I think he's already on his.."
"Don't even finish it." said James scowling.
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Damn them… getting involved with girls and whatnot.. What has this world gotten into. muttered James.
He was now currently in the Marauders room, working on the beginning of the Animagi potion. He was still kinda ticked off that all of his friends would leave him alone for a bunch of measly girls.
"What's so special about girls anyway." he said to himself. He packed up his things and headed down for dinner. On his way he heard a slight giggling behind him and turned to find a group of two or three second year girls following him and glancing back at him time and time again.
What's their problem, he thought.
He made his way toward the Great Hall and then found the rest of the Marauders eating at the table. He plopped down next to Sirius and began to fill his plate.
"So how was your date, guys?" asked James.
"Pretty good… a bit boring, but nothing like spending some quality time with a pretty girl to brighten up your day."
"And what would the definition of quality be, Sirius…" said Remus.
"That my friend, shall be kept in privacy." he said with a wink.
James just laughed along and then stared back at the three girls that were still giggling at him.
"Hmm, so this date thing… how does it get set up and everything?"
"Easy Jamesy!" said Sirius. "First you turn on the old Sirius charm, or in your case, it'd be the Potter charm, make a few compliments here and there, and then just casually ask them to go for a walk or meet them somewhere. Works every time."
Peter huffed. "And what makes you think it works every time… it's not like you're a professional ladies man or anything."
"Actually… I am.. Self-dubbed anyway. I am the one and only ladies man."
James smirked. "Well, ONE and ONLY, you just found yourself an arch nemesis in the girls' department." he said and walked toward the Hufflepuff table.
The other three boys just turned to each other and nodded.
"Yup… he's converted. We got another one here." said Sirius.
James strutted his way down towards the portrait hole while the rest of his friends just looked at him in amusement.
"Happy much?" asked Peter with a smirk.
"Oh yes… you know, maybe this whole 'girl' thing isn't so bad after all." said James.
"You're hooked, my friend." said Sirus.
"It's not my fault I'm THAT good-looking."
"Sounds like someone I know." laughed Remus while looking at Sirius.
James and Sirius high-fived each other. "Well we are best friends you know… it's only fitting that we share the same gift of attractiveness!" said Sirius. "No offense, I bet the girls think you two are quite spiffing as well."
Remus just smiled. "Whatever, my friend. The Fat Lady is back. Let's go in."
The Marauders made their way back through the portrait hole and found Lily sitting by the fireplace reading a book.
James decided to strut his way on over and sat next to Lily. "Hey Evans."
"Potter what do you want."
"Nothing, just wondering what you are doing."
"Uhh hellooo I am reading a book, what else would I be doing?"
"Looking at pictures?"
"You are a hopeless prat."
"Oh shut up, Evans. Anyway, I was wondering if I could grace your presence and we could you know… go for a stroll a little bit."
Lily stood up and closed her book. "Number one, Potter, your presence has rather been an endless virus to my life ever since we met. Number two, you have absolutely no grace whatsoever, and I back that up with your little performance with the girls' staircase last year. Number three, it's after hours and you would get in trouble by the prefects or professors, and you seem to just get in trouble perfectly fine by yourself. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed now." said Lily and went up the staircase.
James just stood there in shock and turned to his friends who were snickering at him. "Surprised there wasn't a number four." he muttered.
Lily suddenly stopped and turned around. "Aaaaaaaaaand number four, Potter… you seriously need to work on your conversational skills. You sound like a bum, really." She smiled and opened the door to her room while James just scowled at her and walked back to his friends.
"Well, apparently there seems to be a glitch in the Potter Charm." said Sirius.
"Yup… redheads and flowers are definitely repellent to its effects." laughed Remus.
"James… that's Lily.. What made you think she would actually go for a walk with you?" asked Peter.
"I don't know… I was on a roll with those Hufflepuff girls back there.. I thought …"
"Yes, you thought, James… but one problem." said Remus.
"What's that?"
"Lily thinks faster."
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Fun chapter!!! Mahalo!