WHEN TIME STANDS STILL
violet-angel07: Here – at last!
Frisha: Thanks! 'Now' is a bit late, but at least I managed to update.
girlknight: Wow, that is scary! I've made it as quick as I could.
An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin: Hey, thanks! I normally worry over characterization; nice to know you like it.
Moni: Yeah, and here it is.
restless-soul: I have been!
Wind Whisperer: Thanks!
SilverKnight7: Here – I hope you didn't give up on me!
PreciousLily(nynphadora tonks: Thanks for the review! Keep reading.
Epiphanys-Curse: That's why I left Sirius and James out of it for a present; I don't see Sirius sitting down for that kind of chat.
Dadaiiro: Thanks for reviewing. As for the rest – wait and see.
Fezria: This was slow, but I promise the next update will be quicker.
Calen: Well...
Romm: Yeah, I guess you're right.
Tielle: There's more on the way.
EvilHermione1824: I don't ship much, but when I do it's He/R. So that works for me – but whatever suits you is fine.
Mucistarlover: No bombshells in this chapter... or at least, not really.
LeRaFeA: This is one of your favourites? Wow, I'm grateful.
Fan-Of-HP: Thanks, that's nice to hear!
Amandinka: Sorry, that did take a while – but better late than never, I guess.
PrincessSkywalkerOrgana: Thanks for the review, and the next will be quicker.
supernova8610: Very soon, now.
Indiangurl: I was wondering if anyone would notice that. Read on and find out. Thanks for reviewing.
Space Density: I did get the reviews ;) And here's the update.
fishkisser: All in good time...
Constance Truggle: Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you liked that bit.
J.E.A.R.K.Potter: A lot of people have been asking... read on and find out.
Illucia: I hope you haven't revised that opinion. I'll be quicker.
EriEka127: Thanks, and here it is.
sweethoneyno1: Thanks a lot!
charmedlily: Thanks – I'm glad you like it so much.
leasha: Here's the answer.
volleypickle16: Thanks, and here.
Author's note: I'm very, very sorry about taking so long to put this up. The next review will hopefully be this side of next Friday.
CHAPTER 11 – FINDING THE TRAIL
"Out of the question, Potter," Professor McGonagall said crisply.
"But – Professor – we don't have a Reserve Seeker – you know we don't. We'll lose! We can't lose just because I can't play, not to Slytherin!"
"I don't know about losing, Potter; what I do know is that you're not playing on Saturday. And I want no more argument, or you'll be banned from the next game as well. Now go."
James, deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, went morosely off to the Great Hall to find Sirius.
"No luck?" his best friend asked as he sat down.
James scowled.
"She won't let me play! And there's no way we can train anyone in time. We can't lose to Slytherin – Snape'll be insufferable! And you?"
"No." Sirius's scowl matched his. "Moony just said he was satisfied that Thomson wasn't evil, and could I please go away and let him do his Potions homework. I'd like to know what Thomson said to make Moony like him so much."
"Moony likes everyone; you know that. He even sticks up for Snape!"
"It's more than that," Sirius insisted. "And I intend to find out what's going on!"
*~
"Too bad!" Remus said, although James got the distinct impression that he was trying to suppress a smile. "I did warn you."
"Yes, but that's not the point," Alexandra Jordan, one of the Fourth-Year Chasers, said. "The point is, what do we do now? We need a Seeker, and soon!"
"Yeah, thanks for telling me," James growled. "But Seekers don't grow on trees, you know!"
"You're the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain; finding a Seeker is your job! And you should have started it earlier!"
Remus sighed. "All right, enough! If you two start arguing now, we'll get nowhere. Gryffindor needs a new Seeker..."
His eyes darted around the Common Room, and settled on an untidy black head bent over a scroll of parchment.
"How about Thomson?"
"This is not the time for bad jokes," James said firmly.
"I'm not joking."
"You must be joking," Sirius said logically, "because you can't be serious. Thomson? Quidditch? Come off it."
"No, really – he told me he was a Seeker at his old school – and he's been one since First Year."
"Yeah, Remus, but this isn't some crackpot informal game we're discussing. This is the Gryffindor Quidditch Team."
"I don't see," Remus pointed out, "that you have a lot of options."
Sirius and James exchanged a long glance. James was the first to speak.
"He's right – we don't have a lot of options. We don't have any options at all."
"Come on, then."
Sirius and James advanced towards Harry, looking as if they would almost prefer to be offering Snape a place on the team. Remus, with a secret grin, followed.
Harry looked up at their approach, with more than a hint of apprehension in his face. Remus would have smiled reassuringly, except that he was too busy trying to look inconspicuous.
"So, Thomson," James began, "Remus tells us you're a Seeker."
"I..." Harry cast a furious glance at Remus before looking back at James. "Er... yes."
"Good. You can play for Gryffindor on Saturday."
"What!" Harry yelped.
"And Thomson – you had better win, because if you don't I'll hex you from here to Transylvania."
"But – I haven't practiced since I got here! And I don't even have my broomstick! I can't –"
"You can," James said, "and you will. You can use one of the school broomsticks – Dumbledore's just got a new lot of Silver Arrows."
"But – why?"
Sirius took a sudden step forward, looking more menacing than Harry would have imagined possible.
"Didn't you hear him?" he snarled. "You are playing on Saturday. End of story. You do not ask questions."
"Don't worry," Remus said. "You'll be fine."
Harry took a break from his Potions homework to glare at him.
*~
"Don't worry," Lily said. "I'm sure you'll be better than Potter."
"You're probably the only person who thinks so."
"Potter said something, did he? I wouldn't worry about that."
Harry looked miserably at the notes he was supposed to be making; in half an hour he had written barely two inches about types of Shield Charms.
"Come on, cheer up! You're not getting any work done like this; shall we go for a walk? It'll clear you head before practice."
And so Harry and Lily cleared away their books and went out to the grounds. They wandered around for a bit before going to the Quidditch pitch. James and Sirius were there already, waiting for them.
James frowned when he saw who Harry's companion was, and Harry heard him mutter something about having had no luck for over five years, and it being distinctly unfair.
"The others won't be coming for an hour," he told Harry. "I thought I'd give you some practice first – see just how badly we're likely to lose."
Harry coloured, but decided that it was wisest to say nothing.
"Well, here's your broomstick," Sirius said, handing it to Harry. "Do you know how to mount it?"
Harry nodded and got on the broom. Its handle was a lot like the Firebolt's, but he was pretty sure that it would not go nearly as fast.
James took the Snitch, mounted his own broomstick and took off. Harry followed. Once in the air, he directed Harry towards one end of the pitch and flew to the other himself.
He waited for Harry to turn and face him, grinned, and released the Snitch.
*~
Sirius watched from the ground as Harry raced around the Quidditch pitch. James wasn't using the usual Snitch, he was using a special one that he had charmed to be twice as fast as normal. It was a bit rough, of course, to start Thomson with what the Gryffindor team had dubbed 'The Uncatchable', but they had agreed that he deserved it.
Thomson raced after the golden glint, snatched at it, and turned to look at James. James flew forward to take it from him – he had caught it? Even James had never caught it so quickly!
He cast a swift glance at Lily. She was watching James and Thomson with a slight grin. Sirius frowned – he would have words with Thomson about that – and looked back at the sky.
They had drawn apart again, and James was... wait a moment, which of them was James?
Sirius strained his eyes, but he couldn't tell. The only difference he had spotted between them was that Thomson had green eyes – and they were too far away to tell. Green eyes... he had seen eyes like Thomson's somewhere else, too.
He looked around vaguely, almost expecting to see the person pop out of thin air at him... but there was nobody else on the pitch except Lily.
Sirius stopped short and stared at her. Lily.
violet-angel07: Here – at last!
Frisha: Thanks! 'Now' is a bit late, but at least I managed to update.
girlknight: Wow, that is scary! I've made it as quick as I could.
An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin: Hey, thanks! I normally worry over characterization; nice to know you like it.
Moni: Yeah, and here it is.
restless-soul: I have been!
Wind Whisperer: Thanks!
SilverKnight7: Here – I hope you didn't give up on me!
PreciousLily(nynphadora tonks: Thanks for the review! Keep reading.
Epiphanys-Curse: That's why I left Sirius and James out of it for a present; I don't see Sirius sitting down for that kind of chat.
Dadaiiro: Thanks for reviewing. As for the rest – wait and see.
Fezria: This was slow, but I promise the next update will be quicker.
Calen: Well...
Romm: Yeah, I guess you're right.
Tielle: There's more on the way.
EvilHermione1824: I don't ship much, but when I do it's He/R. So that works for me – but whatever suits you is fine.
Mucistarlover: No bombshells in this chapter... or at least, not really.
LeRaFeA: This is one of your favourites? Wow, I'm grateful.
Fan-Of-HP: Thanks, that's nice to hear!
Amandinka: Sorry, that did take a while – but better late than never, I guess.
PrincessSkywalkerOrgana: Thanks for the review, and the next will be quicker.
supernova8610: Very soon, now.
Indiangurl: I was wondering if anyone would notice that. Read on and find out. Thanks for reviewing.
Space Density: I did get the reviews ;) And here's the update.
fishkisser: All in good time...
Constance Truggle: Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you liked that bit.
J.E.A.R.K.Potter: A lot of people have been asking... read on and find out.
Illucia: I hope you haven't revised that opinion. I'll be quicker.
EriEka127: Thanks, and here it is.
sweethoneyno1: Thanks a lot!
charmedlily: Thanks – I'm glad you like it so much.
leasha: Here's the answer.
volleypickle16: Thanks, and here.
Author's note: I'm very, very sorry about taking so long to put this up. The next review will hopefully be this side of next Friday.
CHAPTER 11 – FINDING THE TRAIL
"Out of the question, Potter," Professor McGonagall said crisply.
"But – Professor – we don't have a Reserve Seeker – you know we don't. We'll lose! We can't lose just because I can't play, not to Slytherin!"
"I don't know about losing, Potter; what I do know is that you're not playing on Saturday. And I want no more argument, or you'll be banned from the next game as well. Now go."
James, deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, went morosely off to the Great Hall to find Sirius.
"No luck?" his best friend asked as he sat down.
James scowled.
"She won't let me play! And there's no way we can train anyone in time. We can't lose to Slytherin – Snape'll be insufferable! And you?"
"No." Sirius's scowl matched his. "Moony just said he was satisfied that Thomson wasn't evil, and could I please go away and let him do his Potions homework. I'd like to know what Thomson said to make Moony like him so much."
"Moony likes everyone; you know that. He even sticks up for Snape!"
"It's more than that," Sirius insisted. "And I intend to find out what's going on!"
*~
"Too bad!" Remus said, although James got the distinct impression that he was trying to suppress a smile. "I did warn you."
"Yes, but that's not the point," Alexandra Jordan, one of the Fourth-Year Chasers, said. "The point is, what do we do now? We need a Seeker, and soon!"
"Yeah, thanks for telling me," James growled. "But Seekers don't grow on trees, you know!"
"You're the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain; finding a Seeker is your job! And you should have started it earlier!"
Remus sighed. "All right, enough! If you two start arguing now, we'll get nowhere. Gryffindor needs a new Seeker..."
His eyes darted around the Common Room, and settled on an untidy black head bent over a scroll of parchment.
"How about Thomson?"
"This is not the time for bad jokes," James said firmly.
"I'm not joking."
"You must be joking," Sirius said logically, "because you can't be serious. Thomson? Quidditch? Come off it."
"No, really – he told me he was a Seeker at his old school – and he's been one since First Year."
"Yeah, Remus, but this isn't some crackpot informal game we're discussing. This is the Gryffindor Quidditch Team."
"I don't see," Remus pointed out, "that you have a lot of options."
Sirius and James exchanged a long glance. James was the first to speak.
"He's right – we don't have a lot of options. We don't have any options at all."
"Come on, then."
Sirius and James advanced towards Harry, looking as if they would almost prefer to be offering Snape a place on the team. Remus, with a secret grin, followed.
Harry looked up at their approach, with more than a hint of apprehension in his face. Remus would have smiled reassuringly, except that he was too busy trying to look inconspicuous.
"So, Thomson," James began, "Remus tells us you're a Seeker."
"I..." Harry cast a furious glance at Remus before looking back at James. "Er... yes."
"Good. You can play for Gryffindor on Saturday."
"What!" Harry yelped.
"And Thomson – you had better win, because if you don't I'll hex you from here to Transylvania."
"But – I haven't practiced since I got here! And I don't even have my broomstick! I can't –"
"You can," James said, "and you will. You can use one of the school broomsticks – Dumbledore's just got a new lot of Silver Arrows."
"But – why?"
Sirius took a sudden step forward, looking more menacing than Harry would have imagined possible.
"Didn't you hear him?" he snarled. "You are playing on Saturday. End of story. You do not ask questions."
"Don't worry," Remus said. "You'll be fine."
Harry took a break from his Potions homework to glare at him.
*~
"Don't worry," Lily said. "I'm sure you'll be better than Potter."
"You're probably the only person who thinks so."
"Potter said something, did he? I wouldn't worry about that."
Harry looked miserably at the notes he was supposed to be making; in half an hour he had written barely two inches about types of Shield Charms.
"Come on, cheer up! You're not getting any work done like this; shall we go for a walk? It'll clear you head before practice."
And so Harry and Lily cleared away their books and went out to the grounds. They wandered around for a bit before going to the Quidditch pitch. James and Sirius were there already, waiting for them.
James frowned when he saw who Harry's companion was, and Harry heard him mutter something about having had no luck for over five years, and it being distinctly unfair.
"The others won't be coming for an hour," he told Harry. "I thought I'd give you some practice first – see just how badly we're likely to lose."
Harry coloured, but decided that it was wisest to say nothing.
"Well, here's your broomstick," Sirius said, handing it to Harry. "Do you know how to mount it?"
Harry nodded and got on the broom. Its handle was a lot like the Firebolt's, but he was pretty sure that it would not go nearly as fast.
James took the Snitch, mounted his own broomstick and took off. Harry followed. Once in the air, he directed Harry towards one end of the pitch and flew to the other himself.
He waited for Harry to turn and face him, grinned, and released the Snitch.
*~
Sirius watched from the ground as Harry raced around the Quidditch pitch. James wasn't using the usual Snitch, he was using a special one that he had charmed to be twice as fast as normal. It was a bit rough, of course, to start Thomson with what the Gryffindor team had dubbed 'The Uncatchable', but they had agreed that he deserved it.
Thomson raced after the golden glint, snatched at it, and turned to look at James. James flew forward to take it from him – he had caught it? Even James had never caught it so quickly!
He cast a swift glance at Lily. She was watching James and Thomson with a slight grin. Sirius frowned – he would have words with Thomson about that – and looked back at the sky.
They had drawn apart again, and James was... wait a moment, which of them was James?
Sirius strained his eyes, but he couldn't tell. The only difference he had spotted between them was that Thomson had green eyes – and they were too far away to tell. Green eyes... he had seen eyes like Thomson's somewhere else, too.
He looked around vaguely, almost expecting to see the person pop out of thin air at him... but there was nobody else on the pitch except Lily.
Sirius stopped short and stared at her. Lily.