Chapter 21

It was 7o'clock in the morning in early March. Roseline, for some reason utterly unbeknownst to herself, had decided to get up early, and was now sitting in the common room, curled up on the sofa and doodling on a scrap piece of parchment. She heard someone come down the dormitory stairs, and looked up. Lily was standing in the doorway. Her red hair was all mussed up and she looked half asleep. She was still wearing her red and gold Gryffindor nightie, unusual for Lily, who was something of a perfectionist.

"Morning Lily,"

"Morning Ro," she yawned, coming over to sit next to her friend. "What has you up so early?"

Roseline shrugged. "No idea. I just felt like it. You?"

Lily grimaced. "I'm hungry."

Roseline laughed. "You sound like Sirius."

"You two are back together, then?" said Lily with a sigh. "Good things never last."

"Oh shut up," said Roseline comfortably. "Let's go get breakfast."

Lily eyed her sceptically. "Like this?" she said, indicating Roseline's rumpled blue pyjamas and her own nightie and untidy hair.

"Who cares? It's not like anyone's going to see us. Who in their right mind would be up at 7 o'clock on a Saturday? Besides us, that is."

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The answer to that question was waiting for them downstairs. They walked into the Great Hall, expecting to find it empty, but instead they found the whole Gryffindor Quidditch team, who were being force-fed sausages by their Captain and Beater, Markus Wiseman.

"Of course," said Lily quietly as they crossed the room. "There's a match on today, isn't there? Who're they playing again?"

"Ravenclaw," answered Roseline as she sat down at the table and pulled a plate of toast towards her.

"Morning," Chassie greeted them, her long red ponytail whipping Pauric Hooper, the Keeper, across the face as she turned to face them.

"Morning Chass," replied Lily absentmindedly, sitting down in the empty seat between Roseline and James. Lily opened her mouth to ask something, but was interrupted by a torrent of abuse from the Gryffindor Captain.

"You call this food, Cillian? Yum-Yum's Sugared Choco-Hoops? No wonder you keep missing the Bludgers! How can you expect to play well on this mush? I told you all to eat a DECENT breakfast! These do NOT count as a decent breakfast, Rooke!"

Cillian attempted a cheesy advertising grin. "They're yummy-yummy good! Sugared chocolately goodness, all the way!"

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT THEIR SLOGAN IS, WE NEED PROPER FOOD! SO GET RID OF THOSE THINGS NOW AND GET SOME PROTEIN INTO YOUR SYSTEM!"

Cillian shrank away from Markus, one palm raised in surrender as he pushed the bowl away.

"Geez, take a chill pill Mum!"

Luckily for him, Markus didn't hear. Down the table, Roseline and Lily were fighting to control their laughter. Chassie glanced at them, taking in their appearance.

"You wouldn't find it so funny if he was talking to you," she said dryly, rising to her feet.

"You! Reynolds!"

Chassie rotated slowly on the spot, eyebrows raised.

"Yes?"

"Have you eaten a proper breakfast?"

"Yep."

"Fine. Go and get ready. Meet in the changing rooms in an hour."

Chassie snapped to attention and saluted.

"Sir, yes sir!"

Markus grinned despite himself. "Off you go, Corporal."

As Chassie marched away from the table, the Ravenclaw Quidditch team entered. Lily glanced up and immediately dived under the table, her hands covering her hair.

Roseline lifted up the tablecloth.

"Lily, em- what the hell?"

"Shhh!" hissed Lily, making frantic flapping motions with her hands. "Timothy's over there!"

Realisation dawned on Roseline and she grinned.

"Ah, I see."

She dropped the edge of the tablecloth and stole a glance at the Ravenclaw table. Sure enough, Lily's boyfriend was among them, dressed in blue and bronze with his broom under his arm. Roseline smirked.

"Timothy?"

Roseline looked at James, the source of the voice. He was watching the Ravenclaw table, a scowl on his face.

"Yes….." said Roseline slowly, eyeing James with suspicion.

I swear, she thought, he better not say anything. He may be Sirius' best friend but in all honesty I will ring his neck if he says anything about this……..

James suddenly seemed to become aware of the murderous glare Roseline was giving him. Contenting himself with a snort of disgust, he got to his feet and left with the rest of the team.

"Roseline!"

"Huh?" said Roseline, looking around in confusion.

"Down here, you twat!"

"Ah." Roseline bent and looked under the table. "What's up, Lils?"

"Is Timmy gone yet?"

"Ooh, its Timmy now, is it?" smirked Roseline. "How sweet." She regretted saying it, however, when Lily's hand shot out and yanked a chunk of hair.

"Ouch," grumbled Roseline, now crouched next to Lily.

"Serves you right," said Lily haughtily. Roseline scowled and sat back on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest.

"What now?" Roseline was watching the door. More and more people were entering every second as the time of the Quidditch match grew closer. A sea of blue and red, scattered with the unsupporting black of Slytherin. Lily sat down, folding her legs together neatly as she smoothed her nightie.

"We wait."

"Hmph."

Five minutes later, however, Roseline decided that enough was enough. She had just discovered half the breakfast table stuck to her pyjamas from sitting on the floor, and her ass was cold from the marble. Miss Kehst was not a happy camper.

"Oh here, I don't give a damn. Lily, I'm going. Sure nearly everyone's gone, anyway."

Lily scowled. "Timmy isn't."

Roseline smirked. "Lucky I'm not his girlfriend then, isn't it?"

Roseline stood up and smoothed down her pyjamas, amid cat-calls from all four tables. She grinned at the attention, and sauntered over to the exit, blowing a kiss to the Gryffindors before she left.

Once back in Gryffindor tower, she set about the task of getting ready for the match, which was starting in little over half an hour. It was cold outside, so she put her cloak on over her robes and wrapped a long Gryffindor scarf around her neck, slipping a pair of stripy gloves into her pocket. She brushed her hair, leaving it loose for once, and finished off the effect with fluffy red and gold earmuffs, which she hung around her neck for the moment.

She glanced at her watch- twenty minutes- and left the room. She still needed to get a seat.

Roseline didn't see Lily until she was almost at the stadium. Lily was wearing black mostly, but was wearing a red and gold scarf. She was with Timothy, who seemed to be trying to- God knows- seduce her, or something. Blegh, thought Roseline, wrinkling her nose as Lily giggled and started to kiss Timothy's ear. Unfortunately for Roseline, however, Lily and Timothy were right beside the steps up into the stand. Trying not to look, Roseline edged by the couple, who now seemed to be glued together at the lips. She escaped unscathed, and shuddered as she climbed the stairs. She had no idea how Lily could actually like that guy. Roseline shuddered again at the thought. Even James was better than him. And anyway, why wasn't he in the changing room with the rest of the team, where he should be, instead of slobbering over Lily?

Roseline found Cennia, Shonelle and Daniea in the back row, where they had saved two seats for herself and Lily. Lily joined them several minutes later, flush-faced and slightly out of breath.

Cennia smirked. "How's Timothy?"

Lily swatted her. "Shut up."

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Hogwarts students, one and all! Welcome to the third league match this year- Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw!"

A roar of sound greeted these words as the school rose as one to its feet, yelling and screaming.

"And now without further ado- the Gryffindor team!" The commentator, Quentin Jurey, a Gryffindor sixth year, paused for dramatic effect before continuing.

"And here they are- Wiseman, Rooke, Hooper, Reynolds, Hennessey, Somers and Potter! Wiseman's been working his team hard for this game, I've heard rumors of midnight practises and protein-only diets, but hopefully that's a lie……."

"We wish!" yelled Chassie and Cillian together.

Quentin grinned. "Well, only time will tell if it's paid off. Here's the Ravenclaw team now- Kingston, Ennis, Phelke, Kennedy, Somers, Daunton and West! Captain Kian West's put a strong side together, although his training I hear hasn't been as tough of that of the lions. But we shall see. This will be an interesting match in more ways than one though, thanks to a bit of sibling rivalry! This is the first time Chaser Kelly Somers of Ravenclaw will face her younger brother in a league match! Robert Somers was taken on as a Chaser for Gryffindor at the end of last year, so we shall see who wins this one!"

Roseline grinned. Over the last few days the enmity between Robert and Kelly had reached a fever pitch. It got so bad that they had to be frogmarched to class by their respective friends, in order that they might both get onto the Quidditch pitch in one piece. Both had been subject to numerous hexes and Robert had only left the hospital wing a day ago after a particularly nasty Furnunculus jinx. Roseline could see them glaring at each other even from her place at the back of the stands.

Madam Hooch, the young Quidditch coach, blew her whistle and fourteen brooms leapt into the air, Timothy and Pauric both immediately speeding for their respective goal hoops as the Chasers got into position.

Roseline leaned across to Lily. "So, how is Timothy?" she asked quietly.

Lily sighed. "Difficult, I suppose. He doesn't like me supporting Gryffindor."

Roseline frowned. "But you are a Gryffindor- why shouldn't you support them?"

Lily shrugged. "I don't know. He wants me to support him, he says that a girlfriend should always support her boyfriend. I agree up to a point, but….I don't know. He can be so controlling. He wouldn't even let me wear the scarf when I was with him."

"God……Talk about a control freak. You need to stand up for yourself, Lils."

"I do! Well….sometimes. I try."

"You can't let him walk all over you, Lily, boyfriend or not."

Lily sighed. "Yeah, I know."

"GRYFFINDOR SCORE!"

Roseline looked up with a start, eyes once again glued to the match. Lily glanced at her friend, heaved a sigh of resignation, and turned her eyes to the game.

"And Sophie Daunton takes the Quaffle, reverse passes to Kennedy, passes back to Daunton, but the pass is intercepted by Chassie Reynolds of Gryffindor, and she's off away towards the Ravenclaw end- dodges a Bludger from Ennis, very neatly done, but wait, another Bludger from Ravenclaw, Kingston this time- Nice dodge!"

The Gryffindors roared their approval as Chassie rolled to avoid the Bludger, dropping the Quaffle to Ellen, who was flying beneath.

"And Hennessy takes the Quaffle, but it's going to be close, Kennedy and Daunton closing in on either side- oh, she might be in trouble now! Somers comes in from above-"

Roseline stood up, her fingers in her mouth. Ellen was still clutching the Quaffle, flying as fast as she could as she tried desperately to escape the Ravenclaw chasers on either side of her. She looked desperate- Kelly Somers was now speeding towards her, the two beaters circling beneath. Robert and Chassie were nowhere to be seen.

"Oh come on, guys," whispered Roseline as the Ravenclaws closed in for the kill. "Where are you?"

Kelly dived, and Roseline gasped as Ellen suddenly dropped, breaking through the two beaters. She had seen something Roseline hadn't- Robert Somers had come up beneath in the nick of time, and he now took the Quaffle.

"And that was a close one for Gryffindor! Somers takes the Quaffle, but- Merlin, what's this?"

Quentin, like the rest of the school, was on his feet, watching what was happening. As Robert had taken the Quaffle, Kelly had shot straight at him. She flew right into him, knocking him so that he was hanging from his broom by one hand, the other still desperately holding the Quaffle. Kelly swooped in to grab the Quaffle, but Madam Hooch's whistle rent the air.

"PENALTY TO GRYFFINDOR!" she screamed. "You should be ashamed of yourself, Miss Somers!"

Robert took the penalty. Timothy just missed the Quaffle, putting Gryffindor up another ten points.

Two more goals for Gryffindor, and one for Ravenclaw, with still no sign of the Snitch. It was 30 all.

Suddenly, James, who had been circling high above the stands, dived. Kian West, the Ravenclaw Seeker, saw and followed suit. They were neck and neck, racing for the ground with arms outstretched as the whole school held their breath. Inches before they hit the ground, James closed his hand and jerked his broom up. Kian didn't stop quite quick enough and he barrelled into James, knocking them both from their brooms onto the grass. But there was no doubt about it as the two seekers climbed to their feet. James held his fist up to the crowd, one of the Snitch's wings visible, flapping uselessly against his hand.

"GRYFFINDOR WIN!" yelled Quentin over the jubilant noise of the crowd. "RAVENCLAW DEFEATED!"

The fifth year Gryffindor girls all ran for the stairs, taking two at a time and jumping the last few steps. Screaming and cheering, they joined the mass of red and gold as they carried the house heroes across the pitch and back towards the castle.

"Lily!"

Roseline heard the shout and turned. Timothy was standing behind them. She tapped Lily on the shoulder, gesturing wordlessly behind her. Lily nodded and left the crowd.

"Hey Ro!"

Roseline turned back, looking to see who had called her. It didn't take long. Sirius was walking alongside her, dressed in red and gold from head to toe and wearing his trademark wicked grin.

"Hey Sirius!"

She smiled and took his hand as they merged with the crowd again, laughing and chanting along with the rest.

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"Checkmate."

Roseline slumped back in her chair.

"I give up. I'm never going to beat you."

Sirius smirked. "That's the whole point, m'lady. Care for a rematch?"

"Not another one. Five rematches is enough, methinks."

Sirius shrugged. "Fine. Remus, old mate, fancy a game?"

"Yeah, okay," said Remus amiably, taking Roseline's vacated seat.

Roseline was standing by the portrait hole with her back to them. She was talking to someone, although they couldn't see who it was.

"What happened, Lily? Are you okay?"

Lily nodded. She looked tired and upset.

"I'm fine, Ro."

"Come on," said Roseline gently, taking Lily's arm. "Sit down. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

She sat down on the couch, Lily obediently sitting down next to her.

"Timothy broke up with me," she said quietly.

"What? Why? What happened?"

Lily looked down at the ground.

"He said he didn't want a girlfriend who didn't support him. I said I did support him, but he said that he saw me celebrating when Gryffindor won, that I didn't care about him."

A single tear slid down Lily's porcelain cheek and splashed onto the floor.

"That asshole!" exclaimed Roseline. "You should be glad to see the back of him, Lils, you deserve better than that!"

"But what if he's right?" said Lily helplessly. "I really like him Roseline. Maybe I wasn't a good girlfriend. I wasn't there for him."

"Lily, listen." Said Roseline firmly, putting a hand on each of Lily's shoulders. "That is a load of crap. Timothy Phelke is just an ass, and you are not a bad girlfriend. Got it?"

"But what if-"

"Oh, come off it Lils, he's wrong! It's obvious! Don't let him get you down."

Lily gave her a weak smile. "Thanks Ro."

Roseline sat back and picked up a biscuit from the plate next to her. "No problem," she said through a mouthful of crumbs. "Biscuit?" she added, offering Lily the plate.

Just then the portrait hole was thrown open, and the Gryffindor Quidditch team climbed through, to a chorus of cheers.

"Hey James, congrats!" called Roseline, as James passed.

"Thanks Ro," he said, plonking himself down next to her and taking a biscuit.

"Well done James." Lily said quietly, but James still heard her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Lily turned to him, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"I mean why aren't you off comforting you precious boyfriend," he spat.

Roseline glared at him. "Shut up James."

"Why should I? We all know she's a traitor, so she might as well act like one. Being a traitor is bad enough, without being a bad girlfriend to boot."

This was the last straw for Lily. She jumped to her feet and bolted for the portrait hole, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"You ass James!" Roseline yelled. "You may be bitter, but that doesn't give you the right to say stuff like that to her, you worthless piece of shite!"

Fuming, Roseline followed Lily. She was fuming. That ass, she thought furiously. That utter bastard……..

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Hall of Fame:

TheBeautifulLetDown: Yay! A new reviewer! And I'll try and take a look at your stories soon.

badmoony: Thanks for being probably my most faithful reviewer!

Debz: Another new reviewer! Thanx for being so nice.

Lemonade101: I updated!

Aubrieanna: Yeah, I know. I try to create plots but I can't seem to come up with anything apart from little ones that only last a few chapters. But hey, not every character is meant to have extraordinary things happen to them. Or at least that's my excuse.

Jeladore Black: I didn't abandon it!

Sorry for the lack of updates recently everyone. Since school started back I've been uber busy, and haven't had much time to write. Unfortunately, its probably going to stay like that for a while, unless I can get some more in over Christmas, but I have no intention of giving up this fic just yet, so I will keep updating, however long it takes me!

-Doodleflip