THE RAIN ALWAYS FALLS
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Dedication: This is for all of my reviewers who were outraged that I ended the last chapter before James announced the new keeper (Strawberry and Musicizdbest).
~Hey everyone. I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. It's been such a busy week. I'll be updating more often now. Please don't give up on me!!! Well, here's the next chapter. You find out who gets to be keeper! I really hope you like my decision!
Chapter 8: The Keepers
Ladies and gentleman," James said running to a table and jumping on top of it. The room went quiet. "I would like to thank the several people who tried out for keeper. You were all excellent, but I couldn't pick everyone. I know you're all awaiting my choice so here I go." Several people held their breath. "I am very proud to announce that this position is awarded to -," he paused here for a dramatic affect. "- Sirius Black and Lily Evans."
Nearly everyone in the room directly turned to look at the two of them. Sirius and Lily were staring openmouthed at James who was beaming down at them. At once, they turned to face each other. A few seconds later, their faces broke out into wide, ecstatic, yet confused smiles. One or two people applauded politely, but stopped almost immediately. Someone in the back of the room had shouted, "What? Two keepers? What are you playing at?"
To everyone's surprise, James gave a little laugh. "I know. It's all part of my new strategy. I've been in the library, researching. You CAN train two separate keepers, but you can't have them both on the field at once or in the same game. Someone tried to have two play at the same time in 1867 during some Scotland game, and there had to be an official rule made. Anyway, Sirius and Lily here have completely different flying styles. All we have to do is not let any of the other houses know which one will be playing for different games, and we're set. They won't be fully prepared for either of them and have a hard time scoring. We'll have the best chance of winning the cup."
He nodded his head and smiled while everyone in the room was thinking it over. Sirius suddenly stood up and started clapping, shaking his head. Before he knew it, everyone in the entire tower was applauding. A few people whistled loudly. James took a deep bow and stepped down from the table.
"So what do you think?" he asked his two new keepers. "Will you both play?"
"James, of course we will. Fabulous idea, by the way," Lily told him with a smile.
"Best plan yet," Sirius chimed in.
"Great. Practices will start tomorrow at seven. I suggest that you both get some rest," James told them, delighted that they were so keen on the idea.
"Seven? In the morning?" Sirius said with a groan. "But - that's when - I sleep. I'm telling you, it better be worth it," he added jokingly.
"Of course it will. See you all in the morning." With that, James walked up the stairs to the boy's dormitory.
"So, what do you really think of the plan? You don't mind us sharing a position, do you?" Lily asked Sirius, who sat back down. He was apparently ignoring James' advice of going to bed early. "I'm perfectly okay with it. I just wanted to make sure that you are."
"Yeah, of course. Quiditch is quiditch," he replied. "Besides, it won't be too bad. We might even win the cup. Think of the fame, the glory!" he spoke with much over exaggeration. "Seriously, though, I'm really excited. It'll be great." He smiled.
"Well, I'm going to bed," she announced.
"I'll come with you. I have to be at practice then, too," Morgan added, getting up from an armchair.
"See you all tomorrow." And she left.
"So, Carmen, what cha reading?" Sirius said, shifting his focus.
"Oh, this?" She held up a thick book that was spread out across her lap. "It's about the creation of dangerous magical creatures. I'm just to the part where they're talking about the appearance of the basilisk. It's very interesting."
"And what class is that for?"
"Oh, it's just for fun," she said, shrugging her shoulders.
"For fun? When I read for fun, I - well, I don't."
"You know, Sirius, it wouldn't hurt you to try something new and pick up a book every once in a while," she said frowning.
"Okay, fine, I'll try." He stood up and roughly grabbed the volume from Carmen's hands. Almost instantly, he fell backwards onto an armchair. He threw the book aside exclaiming, "It hurts! It hurts!"
Carmen snatched her book back while Sirius keeled over laughing. She marched right over to the staircase and headed toward the girl's dormitory. Before she left, however, Sirius distinctly heard her mutter something that sounded like, "Boys."
"That was fun," he told Remus, smiling. He had almost forgotten about him. Remus had been sitting on the other side of the fire.
"Why do you tease her so much? Some people like their studies. There's nothing wrong with that."
"I guess not," Sirius replied fairly.
"Oh, Monday night, there's a full moon," Remus whispered to him a little nervously, since there were still several people in the common room. "Are you coming?"
"Of course I am. Wouldn't miss it. I'll tell James and Peter in the morning."
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That night, Carmen couldn't get to sleep. She laid in bed for nearly an hour, just thinking. She wasn't thinking about anything in particular, although Sirius kept coming up in her mind. She could almost hear him laughing. Remembering the time he cast a spell on James to make his hair grow down to his waist, she smiled and laughed out loud. Oh, James was so mad at him after that.
She rolled over and looked at her picture of all of her friends on her nightstand. Sirius smiled and waved merrily to her. She grinned happily and drifted off to sleep.
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The next morning, Sirius woke at six thirty, got dressed, swung his broom over his shoulder, and headed off to the Great Hall for breakfast. He found that James was already seated with Morgan and Lily. He plopped down next to Morgan, yawned, and started piling bacon onto his plate. After several minutes of dull conversation (it was very dull, by the way, it being so early in the morning) the other team members (Velma Watson, Sumner Daniels, Christopher Spinnet, and Jaymie Hackle) came into the hall. Within ten minutes, the eight of them left for the quiditch field.
It was a beautiful autumn morning. The cool breeze woke them all up at once. Seven of them mounted their brooms to do a few practice laps while James disappeared into the locker rooms. He appeared moments later carrying two scarlet and gold quiditch robes. Everyone landed nearby.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am very proud to say that both Lily and Sirius will be joining us for the season. This is really the best team we've ever had," he said.
"Oh, James, stop it, you're going to embarrass us," Sirius laughed.
"Here are your uniforms," James said tossing them their new robes. "Now, let's get practicing."
"But, James," Lily spoke up, "What am I going to do about a broom?"
"Oh, sorry, I almost forgot. You can use a school one for now, but you'll eventually have to order one. I suggest a Shooting Star." At this, Lily nodded and went to get a broom.
They began practice by first letting the snitch out for Velma. Then, the bludgers escaped from their box (everyone stood back as this happened). Jaymie and Christopher took to the air. When Lily came back onto the field carrying a worn and tattered broomstick, James began, "Okay. Now, while Sumner, Morgan, and I practice chaser skills, you two can have this extra quaffle and practice blocking each other's goals. Now, let's get to work." Lily watched James take off to the middle of the field, and then kicked off from the ground herself.
While the chasers ran through their usual moves, Sirius and Lily worked out some more complicated keeper defenses. At one point, James flew over to them and showed them the Danzetti Save. "Lily, you try," he told her once he finished.
James threw the quaffle he was holding at one of the goals. Lily soared up and rebounded the ball backward with the tail of her broom. Several twigs fell toward the ground from her less than perfect broom.
"So how was that?" she asked him, but James didn't answer right away. He was just looking at her. "Well - James?"
"Oh, yeah, that was excellent," he said quickly, coming to his senses. He was just noticing how eyes sparkled in the sun. It was interesting, to him, at least.
Just after he spoke this, there was a cheer from the other side of the stadium. Velma's right hand was held high in the air clutching something small and gold. She had caught the snitch. "Way to go, Velma!" Morgan shouted. She let go of her catch and sped off after it again.
It was then that he realized how good this team actually was. Each player flew with ease, it hardly seemed that they were riding brooms at all. The chasers were fearless, the beaters unbeatable, they had a very skilled seeker, and two very different, but perfect keepers.
Remus climbed into the stands a little while later. Morgan saw him and looked down at her watch. "James, it's nearly ten. Can we go now?"
James, too, glanced down at his wrist and motioned everyone to the ground. "Everyone, I think I can safely say that we have got the quiditch cup in the bag this year." At this, the team cheered and departed.
"James, wait up!" Sirius called. "Full moon tomorrow," he said simply.
"Where is Moony? I saw him in the stands just a second ago." He looked around and saw Remus, walking up the slope with a figure with long, dirty blond hair.
"Hmm. Wonder what he's up to."
~Well, what did you think? Did you like the idea of two keepers? What do you think of the character development so far? I really need your opinion! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!! Please!!! I NEED MORE!!! Carmen
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Dedication: This is for all of my reviewers who were outraged that I ended the last chapter before James announced the new keeper (Strawberry and Musicizdbest).
~Hey everyone. I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. It's been such a busy week. I'll be updating more often now. Please don't give up on me!!! Well, here's the next chapter. You find out who gets to be keeper! I really hope you like my decision!
Chapter 8: The Keepers
Ladies and gentleman," James said running to a table and jumping on top of it. The room went quiet. "I would like to thank the several people who tried out for keeper. You were all excellent, but I couldn't pick everyone. I know you're all awaiting my choice so here I go." Several people held their breath. "I am very proud to announce that this position is awarded to -," he paused here for a dramatic affect. "- Sirius Black and Lily Evans."
Nearly everyone in the room directly turned to look at the two of them. Sirius and Lily were staring openmouthed at James who was beaming down at them. At once, they turned to face each other. A few seconds later, their faces broke out into wide, ecstatic, yet confused smiles. One or two people applauded politely, but stopped almost immediately. Someone in the back of the room had shouted, "What? Two keepers? What are you playing at?"
To everyone's surprise, James gave a little laugh. "I know. It's all part of my new strategy. I've been in the library, researching. You CAN train two separate keepers, but you can't have them both on the field at once or in the same game. Someone tried to have two play at the same time in 1867 during some Scotland game, and there had to be an official rule made. Anyway, Sirius and Lily here have completely different flying styles. All we have to do is not let any of the other houses know which one will be playing for different games, and we're set. They won't be fully prepared for either of them and have a hard time scoring. We'll have the best chance of winning the cup."
He nodded his head and smiled while everyone in the room was thinking it over. Sirius suddenly stood up and started clapping, shaking his head. Before he knew it, everyone in the entire tower was applauding. A few people whistled loudly. James took a deep bow and stepped down from the table.
"So what do you think?" he asked his two new keepers. "Will you both play?"
"James, of course we will. Fabulous idea, by the way," Lily told him with a smile.
"Best plan yet," Sirius chimed in.
"Great. Practices will start tomorrow at seven. I suggest that you both get some rest," James told them, delighted that they were so keen on the idea.
"Seven? In the morning?" Sirius said with a groan. "But - that's when - I sleep. I'm telling you, it better be worth it," he added jokingly.
"Of course it will. See you all in the morning." With that, James walked up the stairs to the boy's dormitory.
"So, what do you really think of the plan? You don't mind us sharing a position, do you?" Lily asked Sirius, who sat back down. He was apparently ignoring James' advice of going to bed early. "I'm perfectly okay with it. I just wanted to make sure that you are."
"Yeah, of course. Quiditch is quiditch," he replied. "Besides, it won't be too bad. We might even win the cup. Think of the fame, the glory!" he spoke with much over exaggeration. "Seriously, though, I'm really excited. It'll be great." He smiled.
"Well, I'm going to bed," she announced.
"I'll come with you. I have to be at practice then, too," Morgan added, getting up from an armchair.
"See you all tomorrow." And she left.
"So, Carmen, what cha reading?" Sirius said, shifting his focus.
"Oh, this?" She held up a thick book that was spread out across her lap. "It's about the creation of dangerous magical creatures. I'm just to the part where they're talking about the appearance of the basilisk. It's very interesting."
"And what class is that for?"
"Oh, it's just for fun," she said, shrugging her shoulders.
"For fun? When I read for fun, I - well, I don't."
"You know, Sirius, it wouldn't hurt you to try something new and pick up a book every once in a while," she said frowning.
"Okay, fine, I'll try." He stood up and roughly grabbed the volume from Carmen's hands. Almost instantly, he fell backwards onto an armchair. He threw the book aside exclaiming, "It hurts! It hurts!"
Carmen snatched her book back while Sirius keeled over laughing. She marched right over to the staircase and headed toward the girl's dormitory. Before she left, however, Sirius distinctly heard her mutter something that sounded like, "Boys."
"That was fun," he told Remus, smiling. He had almost forgotten about him. Remus had been sitting on the other side of the fire.
"Why do you tease her so much? Some people like their studies. There's nothing wrong with that."
"I guess not," Sirius replied fairly.
"Oh, Monday night, there's a full moon," Remus whispered to him a little nervously, since there were still several people in the common room. "Are you coming?"
"Of course I am. Wouldn't miss it. I'll tell James and Peter in the morning."
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That night, Carmen couldn't get to sleep. She laid in bed for nearly an hour, just thinking. She wasn't thinking about anything in particular, although Sirius kept coming up in her mind. She could almost hear him laughing. Remembering the time he cast a spell on James to make his hair grow down to his waist, she smiled and laughed out loud. Oh, James was so mad at him after that.
She rolled over and looked at her picture of all of her friends on her nightstand. Sirius smiled and waved merrily to her. She grinned happily and drifted off to sleep.
************************************************************************
The next morning, Sirius woke at six thirty, got dressed, swung his broom over his shoulder, and headed off to the Great Hall for breakfast. He found that James was already seated with Morgan and Lily. He plopped down next to Morgan, yawned, and started piling bacon onto his plate. After several minutes of dull conversation (it was very dull, by the way, it being so early in the morning) the other team members (Velma Watson, Sumner Daniels, Christopher Spinnet, and Jaymie Hackle) came into the hall. Within ten minutes, the eight of them left for the quiditch field.
It was a beautiful autumn morning. The cool breeze woke them all up at once. Seven of them mounted their brooms to do a few practice laps while James disappeared into the locker rooms. He appeared moments later carrying two scarlet and gold quiditch robes. Everyone landed nearby.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am very proud to say that both Lily and Sirius will be joining us for the season. This is really the best team we've ever had," he said.
"Oh, James, stop it, you're going to embarrass us," Sirius laughed.
"Here are your uniforms," James said tossing them their new robes. "Now, let's get practicing."
"But, James," Lily spoke up, "What am I going to do about a broom?"
"Oh, sorry, I almost forgot. You can use a school one for now, but you'll eventually have to order one. I suggest a Shooting Star." At this, Lily nodded and went to get a broom.
They began practice by first letting the snitch out for Velma. Then, the bludgers escaped from their box (everyone stood back as this happened). Jaymie and Christopher took to the air. When Lily came back onto the field carrying a worn and tattered broomstick, James began, "Okay. Now, while Sumner, Morgan, and I practice chaser skills, you two can have this extra quaffle and practice blocking each other's goals. Now, let's get to work." Lily watched James take off to the middle of the field, and then kicked off from the ground herself.
While the chasers ran through their usual moves, Sirius and Lily worked out some more complicated keeper defenses. At one point, James flew over to them and showed them the Danzetti Save. "Lily, you try," he told her once he finished.
James threw the quaffle he was holding at one of the goals. Lily soared up and rebounded the ball backward with the tail of her broom. Several twigs fell toward the ground from her less than perfect broom.
"So how was that?" she asked him, but James didn't answer right away. He was just looking at her. "Well - James?"
"Oh, yeah, that was excellent," he said quickly, coming to his senses. He was just noticing how eyes sparkled in the sun. It was interesting, to him, at least.
Just after he spoke this, there was a cheer from the other side of the stadium. Velma's right hand was held high in the air clutching something small and gold. She had caught the snitch. "Way to go, Velma!" Morgan shouted. She let go of her catch and sped off after it again.
It was then that he realized how good this team actually was. Each player flew with ease, it hardly seemed that they were riding brooms at all. The chasers were fearless, the beaters unbeatable, they had a very skilled seeker, and two very different, but perfect keepers.
Remus climbed into the stands a little while later. Morgan saw him and looked down at her watch. "James, it's nearly ten. Can we go now?"
James, too, glanced down at his wrist and motioned everyone to the ground. "Everyone, I think I can safely say that we have got the quiditch cup in the bag this year." At this, the team cheered and departed.
"James, wait up!" Sirius called. "Full moon tomorrow," he said simply.
"Where is Moony? I saw him in the stands just a second ago." He looked around and saw Remus, walking up the slope with a figure with long, dirty blond hair.
"Hmm. Wonder what he's up to."
~Well, what did you think? Did you like the idea of two keepers? What do you think of the character development so far? I really need your opinion! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!! Please!!! I NEED MORE!!! Carmen