Year 2: Chapter 26
Before anybody in Gryffindor tower realised, it was Friday night. Remus had returned to the tower on the Wednesday and by the Thursday Peter had been filled in on the news, he had taken it badly at first until he saw how upset Remus was by his reaction. The four were now looking into the solution for a way to help.
However on this night everything had been forgotten as people sat around the common room. A storm was attacking everything outside of the castle but inside everyone was snug and warm.
Sirius looked around them he was sat at a table in the corner of the room with James, Peter and Remus. Remus was working on his make up potion essay while James was trying to help Peter with the Transfiguration work.
Sirius couldn't be bothered with his history essay and watched around the room. Sitting by the fire was Andi with her head resting on Ted's shoulder. Sirius couldn't believe that they had been dating for four months and he hadn't even noticed until Ted had bought her a necklace for her fifteenth birthday back in September.
They suited each other they just fitted and after giving the elder boy a warning he had welcomed him 'to the family' laughing at the look on his face. Sitting with them though were a few other fourth years. Sirius could make out that Trinity girl with her purple hair and her friend Lauren and then Fred Young sitting between them.
He laughed as Trinity hit Fred for something he had said and allowed his eyes to move on. Kathy was sitting with a few of the fifth year girls he made out Jasmine Cartwright with her long curly hair that had been blonde up until three days ago when her boyfriend broke up with her and it was now midnight black.
Looking further he saw Frank sitting with Joseph Wild and Philip John, they were playing exploding snap and by the looks of it Frank was losing, pretty badly. Right behind them sat Alice and Ginny playing chess although it was easy to see that Alice was looking at Frank.
"Hey Alice watch what you're doing!"
"Sorry Gin, who's turn is it?"
Sirius chuckled lightly and moved his attention further on in the opposite corner to him Lily and Branwen were working on what Sirius guessed was Defence work judging on the book that Amanda was tossing back and fore in the air.
Sirius locked his eyes with Amanda's and she smiled before turning to answer Lily's question. The portrait door flew open and Christian entered the room looking a little flushed.
"QUIDDITCH MEETING NOW!"
Sirius sighed and stood up as James shook his head at Peter and pointed at a paragraph in the book.
"Just read that and I'll help if you need me to after the meeting."
Sirius and James moved over to the table by the fireplace. Christian had slumped down in a chair and instantly ran his hand through his hair. Sirius took his seat opposite the team's captain with James on his left.
Christian looked around the room, Amanda was still talking to Lily and Frank was concentrating on the cards in his hand. It was easy to see that Kathy was trying to cheer up Jasmine while Ted was trying to move Andromeda's head from his shoulder. Christian however didn't look happy.
"I SAID QUIDDITCH MEETING NOW!"
Frank dropped his cards as they exploded and looked straight at them as Amanda fell sideways from her chair. The pair quickly moved over to the table and sat one each side of James and Sirius.
Ted shook Andi who it seemed was sleeping and moved her head from his shoulder. He signalled to Fred who took his place and it didn't seem as if Andi noticed. Last to join them was Kathy who seemed the unhappiest about this meeting.
"Thomas couldn't this wait Jasmine's in a state Simon has started dating that Kim Howells and she needs her friends."
"I just found out the line up for the Slytherin team tomorrow."
All six fell silent and just looked at their captain. He looked at each person in turn and then began to speak.
"Their keeper is still Rodolphus Lestrange, he's their captain this year, but at least we know it's his last year, he's tough mind but I'm sure you three can get passed him."
Everyone nodded and waited for him to continue.
"They still have Bellatrix Black as one of their Beaters, but their second beater is a newbie his name is Crabbe."
They looked around so far it didn't seem that bad Sirius knew how Bella played knew she would aim for Kathy since she was a half blood to begin with but she'd go after them all and as for Crabb, he had no brains he shouldn't be anything to worry about.
"Okay now their chasers they have two new chasers to go with Malfoy, the first is that fifth year oh you know Macnair and the second is well Rabastan Lestrange."
He looked at Amanda and James at this point.
"You better be able to out fly him –"
"Christian no worries I've been out flying him for years. Every summer we draw teams and he's always left pouting over the fact he's beaten by a bunch of girls."
"Yeah that's because you always punch him at the end of the game Mand!"
She stuck her tongue out at Sirius as Christian nodded.
"Alright their last player is new as well its another second year by the name of Nott, he's good, really good Frank you're going to have to be your best to beat him."
He looked at all those around the table.
"We have a great team, the best we've had in decades but you are all new and that means we're at the disadvantage they have four new players which means they have one more experienced player compared to us. But, we work better as a team, I've been out there tonight and they aren't looking as tight as our chasers so that's our strong point. You three will have to pull together and then Frank you keep a look out forget the rest of the game and dive for the snitch, you have to be the one to catch it. Nott's fast but he's not as natural on the broom as you are."
Christian looked around the room and his eyes landed on the clock.
"It's eight thirty now, you all have to be in bed by nine thirty. We meet in the common room at eight and we'll head down to breakfast, then down to the changing rooms for nine thirty, the game will be starting at ten thirty. I want you all to forget whatever it is you were doing and relax, you need a good nights sleep tonight."
Then Christian stood up and walked up the stairs to his room already getting ready for bed. The others sat there a moment and then Ted spoke up.
"Well I'm going to wake Andi up and send her to bed, then I think I'm calling it a night, see you in the morning everyone."
"Yeah I'm going to take Jasmine up for a girly chat before I tuck in."
Frank smiled at the other three.
"You lot nervous?"
"Yes!"
Sirius and Amanda looked at James with surprise. Sirius was the one to speak up.
"We're not nervous we've flown with Bella, Lucius, the two Lestranges and Nott before they normally have Cissa and Snape with them but we can take them, you just have to know certain things."
James and Frank looked at them
"Like what?"
"Well Lestrange is always a little to the left when blocking the rings, so if you aim for the furthest right he has to work harder to save it."
"Yeah and Bella has strength but bad aim, so if you are close by always go to the left and she'll miss you."
"Yeah and the other Lestrange he's weak when it comes to passing, he can only pass below or to his right he's got no aim in his left arm, so if you stay below him and on the right you force him to the left and its easy to take the ball."
Amanda smiled at Frank before moving onto the next person
"Nott is the easiest person to predict. I always end up playing Seeker against him and I'm no seeker but I've managed to out catch him. You see he's got a tendency to shot up in the air before diving for the snitch. You can even tell what direction he's gonna go in because he goes up at an angle."
Frank and James smiled at their two friends and Frank was the one to speak up.
"Are you two sure about this?"
"Yep, Lucius is the hardest to predict though he's a solid player, I'd say the best on the team."
Sirius nodded at Amanda's comment but smiled at the other two.
"But it doesn't matter as long as we can work the other's we don't have to worry about him"
They all nodded and then bid the other goodnight heading up to bed to rest up before the big opening game of the season.