Just Give it Some Time
Chapter Four: Cheers, Whistles, and Other Assorted Nonsense
A/N Thank you for all of the lovely reviews. I would like some more, if you all don't mind. They help me update faster. ;-)
I apologize for errors in the last chapter. I didn't realize that doesn't recognize the "plus" symbol. It should have read "Severus (plus) Lily" Also, I realize the last chapter was rather... Out of character I suppose you could say. I'm really sorry about that. Just wanted to write some sop. Don't sue me, and I promise future chapters won't be like this. At least, not all of them. This chapter probably won't be that funny, but I absolutely promise you that the next chapters will be. And they won't take so long to write either.
And now, on with the story.
((OMNIPRESCENT))
It was February when Dumbledore announced the contest that would be taking place in just a few short months. Lily and James had been ignoring each other, or at least attempting to. They of course would sneak glances at each other. Anne-Marie and Sirius noticed though. Meanwhile, Anne and Sirius had hooked up, and had been going out for about a month, which was a new record for Sirius. It was brought on by the mutual feeling that Lily and James were meant for each other. Both had been scheming for quite away to get those two together for a long time, but by putting their heads together, they might be able to find some way to get it together faster.
On the first Sunday dinner of February, Dumbledore stood up in front of the Great Hall.
"As you all know, we here at Hogwarts encourage relationships between different houses. But, in the course of events, occasionally something comes along where we want to have some competition between each of the four. So, for the next three months, forget all bonds of brotherhood between your fellow Hogwarts houses. I have decided to introduce the TeamMAGIC competition."
He paused here for dramatic effect. The crowd just stared at him, boredom evident in their eyes.
"Ahem. Well. This competition will consist of three competitions, one a month, hence the three months we will be spending on this. Each competition will challenge a different strength. One competition will test your physical strength, one your intelligence, and one will test your emotional strength, as well as your ability to handle situations thrown your way.
"Each house will have four competitors, to form a team. The first two will be the prefects from your house, and the other two will be students of their choice. The rest of you will be involved though. You will be able to assist your house's team with advice and reassurance. You all will be present at each one of the competitions, and because you will be missing classes, I have decided to cancel all exams for the next three months."
This brought scattered applause. Dumbledore stood poised, waiting for more, but none came.
"And you will have no classes for each week in which there is a competition, in order to help your team succeed."
Finally, the crowd yelled, screamed, cheered, clapped, whistled, and made all other sorts of noises. Dumbledore couldn't help but grin.
"Settle, please, students. Just because you are getting out of classes, doesn't mean there won't be work to be done. Each house will be in setting up a competition, and the fourth house will be in charge of refreshments and cleaning up after the events.
"With that in mind, let us have each of the prefects from each house come up here to announce who they have chosen and to pick what their house will be in charge of."
Two people from each table stood up and walked to the front of the room. Each person then announced who they had picked. When it was Lily's turn, she confidently said Anne-Marie Johnson, then stepped to the bowl full of numbers. She drew one, and said loudly "Gryffindor will be in charge of the third and final competition." James stood up and shouted "I have chosen Sirius Black as my partner in the competition. Gryffindor will kick all of your rear ends!"
"Quite enough, Mr. Potter. Please sit down. Now, in case all of you were too busy chattering amongst yourselves, Hufflepuff will be in charge of the first competition, Ravenclaw the second, Gryffindor the third. Which leaves Slytherin to refreshments and garbage duty." Dumbledore stepped down and said "Now, dig in."
James and Lily walked back to the Gryffindor table, and were received with cheers, whistles, and other assorted nonsense. James and Sirius hit knuckles, and Anne gushed to Lily.
"Lily, I can't wait! This is going to be so much fun. All you have to do is go out with James, and then all the competitions will be a double date!"
"ANNE! How often do I have to tell you? I don't like Potter! Get used to that!"
"Yes, Lily, I'm sure. And the Earth is flat."
Shooting Anne a dirty look, Lily ate the rest of her dinner in silence.