Disclaimer: Don't own anything
Dedication: To anyone who is still reading this.
Sorry it's been a while. I'm almost done with one of my other stories so I was concentrating on that one for a while. This isn't the best chapter, but I hope that someone will like it, that is assuming that anyone is still reading it. Well, here you go!
THE RAIN ALWAYS FALLS
Chapter 13: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin
Just over a month had passed since the first Hogsmeade visit. Surprisingly not much had changed since then.
Carmen and Sirius were now almost never seen apart. He carried her books for her, they went for long walks, and held hands everywhere they went. Their friendship was truly beautiful. After their faithful broom ride, their lips had not touched. They simply found the overwhelming joy of just being in each other's presence, and that seemed enough for them.
Remus and Morgan's library meetings had become more and more frequent, but that's all they were - library meetings, except, of course, for the occasional study break on the grounds. Remus had not yet found the courage to push their relationship further.
As for Lily and James, he went to see her nearly everyday for the next two weeks (Madame Jaque insisted that she stay in the hospital wing longer). Her return in the middle of a transfiguration lesson was greeted by much smiles and applause. However, it must be noted that Lily was now regularly seeing Andrew, as James was with Natalie.
It was now nearly time for the much anticipated first quiditch match of the season: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Of course, Gryffindor was the favorite to win the Quiditch Cup, having said to have one of the best teams in the history of Hogwarts.
James called a last minute practice the night before the match. It was a chilly November afternoon, and the team shivered slightly on the quiditch field.
"All right, team," James began. "This is the first match of the season, and I say we've got a pretty good chance of winning it. We've been doing excellent during practice. Really. Those slimy Slytherins won't know what hit them."
"Here, here!" Sirius said proudly at his right.
"Which brings me to my next point - the keepers. Lily, I've managed to force a rumor around the school that Madam Jaque is forbidding you to play, so you're in. Sorry, mate," he added to Sirius.
"No problem," he answered. "I will temporarily give up my post in the name of beating the Slytherin Slimeballs," he said beaming.
"Have you ordered a broom yet?" James asked, turning to Lily, for she had been using one of the school brooms the whole while.
"No," she said guiltily. "I'm sorry, James. Honestly, my parents say that we can't afford one at the moment." She looked at the ground.
"Here, use mine," Sirius said handing her his.
"Oh, I couldn't, Sirius. I'll just use this one." She gestured to the broken down broom next to her. A few twigs fell off of the tail as she spoke.
"No, take it," Sirius insisted adding a smile. "It's not like I'm going to desperately need it in the stands."
"Yes, for the good of the team," James chimed in, and reluctantly, Lily took the broomstick from Sirius's hands.
"Well, let's get to it," James said, and seven players kicked off the ground hard, gliding into the air.
Practice that day went as smoothly as it could go. The chasers moved as one, the beaters worked out some excellent batting technique, and Lily made numerous remarkable saves including one where she leapt off her broom into the air, caught the quaffle, and landed safely back on her broom. The practice ended with Velma's triumphant capture of the snitch. Everything was definitely looking up.
The next morning, James woke at about six (which was usual for mornings before matches), dressed, and walked down to the Great Hall where the rest of the Gryffindor team was already seated. He took a seat across from Sirius and pulled a plate of food toward him, yet ate nothing. The meal passed in silence.
Eventually, more chattering students entered the hall, eagerly awaiting the match. James suggested that in order to calm their nerves, the team break up and socialize a bit before heading out.
Within minutes, Remus appeared followed by Carmen. Sirius stood up and motioned for Carmen to sit next to him. Remus sat down on his other side and grinded at Morgan from across the table. She returned it, and her hair slid swiftly across her face.
Not a moment later, dozens of owls carrying the morning post swept in through the open windows. A newspaper landed heavily in front of Carmen nearly knocking over her pumpkin juice. After unrolling it, she let out a small gasp. Her friends turned to her with worried expressions on their faces.
"What's wrong?" Morgan asked.
Carmen let the paper fall onto her plate. "An araur has just been killed," she whispered.
"What?" James asked, becoming suddenly alert.
She nodded. "Henry Ewing. He worked with my mom."
"Oh, honey, that's terrible. I'm so sorry," Lily said sympathetically.
"Who would do such a thing?" Morgan asked quietly.
"Lord Voldemort," Remus answered her, pulling the article toward him. "Apparently he's been behind all of those muggle killings." He frowned reading the article.
James shook his head tragically and looked at his watch. "Oh damn," he said suddenly standing up and upsetting his goblet. "It's nearly nine. Team - locker room. Now."
"Will you still come and watch, Carmen?" Lily asked as she stood up.
"Of course," she answered folding the newspaper and tucking it away in her bag. "Wouldn't miss it."
"We'll be cheering you on, don't worry," Remus said.
The team entered the locker room and changed into their quiditch robes in silence. Five minutes before the game started, James began his usual pre-match pep talk, but was soon drowned in the silence and chose to remain that way.
When James told them to pick up their brooms, Lily could feel the little butterflies crashing against the walls of her stomach blindly. Her arms were dead weights, and she felt like being sick. She couldn't get up and face the entire school like this. She just couldn't.
She looked up to find James standing just to her left. He smiled and held out his hand. With all traces of fear magically gone, she took his hand and got to her feet. Gripping Sirius's broom tightly in her hands, she walked out onto the field.
"And what a glorious day for a match," echoed the magnified voice of Jean Jordan, the student quiditch commentator. "The Gryffindor team has just walked onto the felid." The fans in the stadium went wild. Not only were the Gryffindors cheering, but Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff wanted to see Slytherin lose. "And here come the Slytherins!" The stands erupted with groans and boos at the sight of the second team. However, the Slytherin supporters made themselves hears also.
"Team captains Potter and Malfoy shake hands." They gripped each others hands with piercing stares. "Watch it there! Don't break your arms! Honestly if there weren't two worse enemies than the pair of them, I'd -"
"Jordan. Please. The game," came Professor McGonagall's voice from behind him.
"Right you are, Professor. Just letting everyone know the tension between the teams. Adds a bit of color. Anyway, Madame Solo has just released the balls, and they're off!"
Lily immediately streaked to the end of the stadium, her hair flapping in her face. Upon reaching the goalposts, she looked below her into the stands to see Remus and next to him was Sirius with his arm around Carmen's shoulders. They smiled and waved up at her.
"It's Slytherin in possession." Lily directed her attention back to the game. "Jackson flies toward the Gryffindor keeper, Evans. What a superb keeper she is, too. An excellent choice of Potter's. Wait a minute. Is she in any condition to play? I thought she wasn't allowed! James - you lied to me!"
"Jordan!"
"Okay, Professor. I'll just have to knock him out later. Only joking, Professor!" he added hastily. "Like I really could. Anyway, Slytherin in possession. Jackson passes to Millon. Millon flies to the goalpost and - SAVE! Good one, Evans!"
"Team captain Potter takes the quaffle. The chasers get into position, and it's Fay, Potter, Daniels, James. James takes the quaffle to the hoops - and - and - he scores! Ten, zero Gryffindor!" The Gryffindors erupted into applause.
"The quaffle goes back to Slytherin. McCluskey takes it. He speeds to the end of the field. Ouch! Nice bludger work from Hackle. McCluskey drops the ball, which is caught by Fay. She approaches the keeper, she feints it, and she scores! Another ten points to Gryffindor."
Just then, a bludger came out of nowhere and hit Morgan in the back. Remus straightened up. She slipped sideways off her broom. Dangling upside down with her ankles wrapped around the broom, she looked into the stands. Within a few seconds, she swung herself upright, though wincing slightly.
"Oh! A bludger sent by Malfoy rams Fay. But she's fine, folks!" Jean said. "She flies to the other side. What a brave girl she is, too. I wonder if she'll ever go out with me. Maybe I should ask her.Hey, Morgan!"
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall stood up. "Honestly, I'll never trust another student to commentate again!"
"Come on, Professor! I'll be good! Jackson takes the quaffle. He passes to McCluskey to try again. He shoots, and miss! Evans circles the hoop and passes to Daniels right below her."
Lily smiled to herself. That was a tricky little move that James taught her.
Over the next ten minutes Gryffindor scored another three times. The score was then fifty - zero. Velma was above the game, looking for the golden snitch. Suddenly, everyone was on their feet. "Watson's seen the snitch!" Jean yelled. "She dives. There's no one in her way. Come on, Velma! She reaches out her hand and - foul!" he shouted. Malfoy had just come sweeping out of nowhere and hit her straight on in the face with his beater's bat. Clutching her bleeding face and spinning around on her broom, she lost the snitch.
"What dirty playing, Malfoy! You cheat!" Jean shouted.
Madame Solo blew her whistle and called, "Penalty shot for Gryffindor!" James took the quaffle and easily scored.
"Slytherin back in possession. Doesn't seem like they're quite up to scratch this year, doesn't it?" But then Slytherin scored twice.
Suddenly, there was a cheer from the Slytherin supporters. Their seeker, Fret, was streaking upward. It was the real thing. Velma went flat on her broom and spend off after him. Soon they were neck and neck. The stands were silent, even Jean put a halt to his commentary. Both seekers stretch out their hands, both inches away from the snitch. A bludger belted toward Fret, crushing his arm, and he sped off course. Velma reached onward, and her fingers closed around the little golden snitch. She sat up and raised her arm in triumph.
"Gryffindor wins! Gryffindor wins!" Jean shouted. "Two hundred and ten to twenty!"
Velma tumbled to the ground. The rest of the Gryffindor players flew toward her. They reached the soft grass, cheering and hugging each other all the way. James and Lily found themselves in an embrace. There was a moment where they remained still, then suddenly pulled apart from each other. They looked at each other while the others remained celebrating.
"Er... I've got to find Andrew," Lily said, her face turning a brilliant shade of red.
"Right. Err, me too. I mean, I need to talk to Natalie," James answered equally as awkward. They turned and walked away. Lily looked behind her shoulder to see a last look at James, but he wasn't looking back. A second later, James did the same, watching the back of one of his best friends, wondering.
~*~That's it. What do you think? It's going to start getting more interesting in the next few chapters. Trust me. Now review! Love always, Carmen
Dedication: To anyone who is still reading this.
Sorry it's been a while. I'm almost done with one of my other stories so I was concentrating on that one for a while. This isn't the best chapter, but I hope that someone will like it, that is assuming that anyone is still reading it. Well, here you go!
THE RAIN ALWAYS FALLS
Chapter 13: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin
Just over a month had passed since the first Hogsmeade visit. Surprisingly not much had changed since then.
Carmen and Sirius were now almost never seen apart. He carried her books for her, they went for long walks, and held hands everywhere they went. Their friendship was truly beautiful. After their faithful broom ride, their lips had not touched. They simply found the overwhelming joy of just being in each other's presence, and that seemed enough for them.
Remus and Morgan's library meetings had become more and more frequent, but that's all they were - library meetings, except, of course, for the occasional study break on the grounds. Remus had not yet found the courage to push their relationship further.
As for Lily and James, he went to see her nearly everyday for the next two weeks (Madame Jaque insisted that she stay in the hospital wing longer). Her return in the middle of a transfiguration lesson was greeted by much smiles and applause. However, it must be noted that Lily was now regularly seeing Andrew, as James was with Natalie.
It was now nearly time for the much anticipated first quiditch match of the season: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Of course, Gryffindor was the favorite to win the Quiditch Cup, having said to have one of the best teams in the history of Hogwarts.
James called a last minute practice the night before the match. It was a chilly November afternoon, and the team shivered slightly on the quiditch field.
"All right, team," James began. "This is the first match of the season, and I say we've got a pretty good chance of winning it. We've been doing excellent during practice. Really. Those slimy Slytherins won't know what hit them."
"Here, here!" Sirius said proudly at his right.
"Which brings me to my next point - the keepers. Lily, I've managed to force a rumor around the school that Madam Jaque is forbidding you to play, so you're in. Sorry, mate," he added to Sirius.
"No problem," he answered. "I will temporarily give up my post in the name of beating the Slytherin Slimeballs," he said beaming.
"Have you ordered a broom yet?" James asked, turning to Lily, for she had been using one of the school brooms the whole while.
"No," she said guiltily. "I'm sorry, James. Honestly, my parents say that we can't afford one at the moment." She looked at the ground.
"Here, use mine," Sirius said handing her his.
"Oh, I couldn't, Sirius. I'll just use this one." She gestured to the broken down broom next to her. A few twigs fell off of the tail as she spoke.
"No, take it," Sirius insisted adding a smile. "It's not like I'm going to desperately need it in the stands."
"Yes, for the good of the team," James chimed in, and reluctantly, Lily took the broomstick from Sirius's hands.
"Well, let's get to it," James said, and seven players kicked off the ground hard, gliding into the air.
Practice that day went as smoothly as it could go. The chasers moved as one, the beaters worked out some excellent batting technique, and Lily made numerous remarkable saves including one where she leapt off her broom into the air, caught the quaffle, and landed safely back on her broom. The practice ended with Velma's triumphant capture of the snitch. Everything was definitely looking up.
The next morning, James woke at about six (which was usual for mornings before matches), dressed, and walked down to the Great Hall where the rest of the Gryffindor team was already seated. He took a seat across from Sirius and pulled a plate of food toward him, yet ate nothing. The meal passed in silence.
Eventually, more chattering students entered the hall, eagerly awaiting the match. James suggested that in order to calm their nerves, the team break up and socialize a bit before heading out.
Within minutes, Remus appeared followed by Carmen. Sirius stood up and motioned for Carmen to sit next to him. Remus sat down on his other side and grinded at Morgan from across the table. She returned it, and her hair slid swiftly across her face.
Not a moment later, dozens of owls carrying the morning post swept in through the open windows. A newspaper landed heavily in front of Carmen nearly knocking over her pumpkin juice. After unrolling it, she let out a small gasp. Her friends turned to her with worried expressions on their faces.
"What's wrong?" Morgan asked.
Carmen let the paper fall onto her plate. "An araur has just been killed," she whispered.
"What?" James asked, becoming suddenly alert.
She nodded. "Henry Ewing. He worked with my mom."
"Oh, honey, that's terrible. I'm so sorry," Lily said sympathetically.
"Who would do such a thing?" Morgan asked quietly.
"Lord Voldemort," Remus answered her, pulling the article toward him. "Apparently he's been behind all of those muggle killings." He frowned reading the article.
James shook his head tragically and looked at his watch. "Oh damn," he said suddenly standing up and upsetting his goblet. "It's nearly nine. Team - locker room. Now."
"Will you still come and watch, Carmen?" Lily asked as she stood up.
"Of course," she answered folding the newspaper and tucking it away in her bag. "Wouldn't miss it."
"We'll be cheering you on, don't worry," Remus said.
The team entered the locker room and changed into their quiditch robes in silence. Five minutes before the game started, James began his usual pre-match pep talk, but was soon drowned in the silence and chose to remain that way.
When James told them to pick up their brooms, Lily could feel the little butterflies crashing against the walls of her stomach blindly. Her arms were dead weights, and she felt like being sick. She couldn't get up and face the entire school like this. She just couldn't.
She looked up to find James standing just to her left. He smiled and held out his hand. With all traces of fear magically gone, she took his hand and got to her feet. Gripping Sirius's broom tightly in her hands, she walked out onto the field.
"And what a glorious day for a match," echoed the magnified voice of Jean Jordan, the student quiditch commentator. "The Gryffindor team has just walked onto the felid." The fans in the stadium went wild. Not only were the Gryffindors cheering, but Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff wanted to see Slytherin lose. "And here come the Slytherins!" The stands erupted with groans and boos at the sight of the second team. However, the Slytherin supporters made themselves hears also.
"Team captains Potter and Malfoy shake hands." They gripped each others hands with piercing stares. "Watch it there! Don't break your arms! Honestly if there weren't two worse enemies than the pair of them, I'd -"
"Jordan. Please. The game," came Professor McGonagall's voice from behind him.
"Right you are, Professor. Just letting everyone know the tension between the teams. Adds a bit of color. Anyway, Madame Solo has just released the balls, and they're off!"
Lily immediately streaked to the end of the stadium, her hair flapping in her face. Upon reaching the goalposts, she looked below her into the stands to see Remus and next to him was Sirius with his arm around Carmen's shoulders. They smiled and waved up at her.
"It's Slytherin in possession." Lily directed her attention back to the game. "Jackson flies toward the Gryffindor keeper, Evans. What a superb keeper she is, too. An excellent choice of Potter's. Wait a minute. Is she in any condition to play? I thought she wasn't allowed! James - you lied to me!"
"Jordan!"
"Okay, Professor. I'll just have to knock him out later. Only joking, Professor!" he added hastily. "Like I really could. Anyway, Slytherin in possession. Jackson passes to Millon. Millon flies to the goalpost and - SAVE! Good one, Evans!"
"Team captain Potter takes the quaffle. The chasers get into position, and it's Fay, Potter, Daniels, James. James takes the quaffle to the hoops - and - and - he scores! Ten, zero Gryffindor!" The Gryffindors erupted into applause.
"The quaffle goes back to Slytherin. McCluskey takes it. He speeds to the end of the field. Ouch! Nice bludger work from Hackle. McCluskey drops the ball, which is caught by Fay. She approaches the keeper, she feints it, and she scores! Another ten points to Gryffindor."
Just then, a bludger came out of nowhere and hit Morgan in the back. Remus straightened up. She slipped sideways off her broom. Dangling upside down with her ankles wrapped around the broom, she looked into the stands. Within a few seconds, she swung herself upright, though wincing slightly.
"Oh! A bludger sent by Malfoy rams Fay. But she's fine, folks!" Jean said. "She flies to the other side. What a brave girl she is, too. I wonder if she'll ever go out with me. Maybe I should ask her.Hey, Morgan!"
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall stood up. "Honestly, I'll never trust another student to commentate again!"
"Come on, Professor! I'll be good! Jackson takes the quaffle. He passes to McCluskey to try again. He shoots, and miss! Evans circles the hoop and passes to Daniels right below her."
Lily smiled to herself. That was a tricky little move that James taught her.
Over the next ten minutes Gryffindor scored another three times. The score was then fifty - zero. Velma was above the game, looking for the golden snitch. Suddenly, everyone was on their feet. "Watson's seen the snitch!" Jean yelled. "She dives. There's no one in her way. Come on, Velma! She reaches out her hand and - foul!" he shouted. Malfoy had just come sweeping out of nowhere and hit her straight on in the face with his beater's bat. Clutching her bleeding face and spinning around on her broom, she lost the snitch.
"What dirty playing, Malfoy! You cheat!" Jean shouted.
Madame Solo blew her whistle and called, "Penalty shot for Gryffindor!" James took the quaffle and easily scored.
"Slytherin back in possession. Doesn't seem like they're quite up to scratch this year, doesn't it?" But then Slytherin scored twice.
Suddenly, there was a cheer from the Slytherin supporters. Their seeker, Fret, was streaking upward. It was the real thing. Velma went flat on her broom and spend off after him. Soon they were neck and neck. The stands were silent, even Jean put a halt to his commentary. Both seekers stretch out their hands, both inches away from the snitch. A bludger belted toward Fret, crushing his arm, and he sped off course. Velma reached onward, and her fingers closed around the little golden snitch. She sat up and raised her arm in triumph.
"Gryffindor wins! Gryffindor wins!" Jean shouted. "Two hundred and ten to twenty!"
Velma tumbled to the ground. The rest of the Gryffindor players flew toward her. They reached the soft grass, cheering and hugging each other all the way. James and Lily found themselves in an embrace. There was a moment where they remained still, then suddenly pulled apart from each other. They looked at each other while the others remained celebrating.
"Er... I've got to find Andrew," Lily said, her face turning a brilliant shade of red.
"Right. Err, me too. I mean, I need to talk to Natalie," James answered equally as awkward. They turned and walked away. Lily looked behind her shoulder to see a last look at James, but he wasn't looking back. A second later, James did the same, watching the back of one of his best friends, wondering.
~*~That's it. What do you think? It's going to start getting more interesting in the next few chapters. Trust me. Now review! Love always, Carmen