It was destined to be a dirty affair. Last game of the season, winner takes all and just to make it that bit better it was between the bitter rivals of Slytherin and Gryffindor. No other combination could lead to worse inter-house relationships. Slytherin where hated in the same way Man United are in football, they were absolutely despised by all but their own. Therefore it wasn't just about the red and green houses, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff where also dragged into the fray as no liked to see Slytherin win, with the exceptions of the Slytherins themselves. Another reason the comparison with Manchester United is valid is because the Slytherins were also cheating scumbags who would try anything to gain silverware, weather or not it was moral or even legal.
The Gryffindors weren't worried, they had the strongest team inyears and their egos wouldn't let them even contemplate the thought of failure; unfortunately the same applied to the Slytherins. Their goalie, Emma Greenhalgh was, to most peoples disgust, damn good. All season she had only conceded 2 goals and both of them had been the result of penalties; on the other hand Gryffindor had 3 fantastic chasers. James himself was aiming to break the record for most goals in a single season, he needed 97 to claim the title, and he currently stood on 82. The other chasers were Nicky Hunt and Kevin Nolan, the latter was still buzzing after securing a first team place at the Appleby Arrows in August, just after finishing his seventh year. It was Kevin's record James was trying to beat, it was set last year but this year Kevin had to miss the first match of the season so was only on a relatively poor 37 goals. That was still the kind of score most people would be envious of (especially after only playing in one match) but a source of great shame for Kevin. Every one favoured Nicky to follow him into professional quidditch in a few years time, but currently he was only 15 and despite being over shadowed by his team-mates he just kept getting better and better. People were already betting that he would have a place on the England team by seventh year, and the odds were not all that long either.
Slytherin's weakness had to be Snape as seeker, he had only caught the snitch twice in the past three years, unfortunately one of them was in the last match meaning Slytherin were still in the running and with Emma in goal nothing was for certain. Without a doubt Jay Jay Okotcha would almost certainly catch the snitch before Snape. Maybe if the slimy future potions master actually invested in a bobble he would have a better chance of seeing the snitch and maybe even catching it as a result.
The beaters for both sides were built like brick shithouses; even Sirius looked imposing in his pre-Azkaban days. The Slytherins had 2 dull stupid looking blokes who were obviously going to be bouncers, or whatever the wizarding equivalent was. Alex King and Ben Tattersall where imposing to say the least, each standing over 6"3'. The main threat came not from the bludgers but from them losing it and throwing their clubs at people, if it wasn't for them Emma would have kept a clean sheet so far this season. When angry they were a liability, giving away penalties like there's no tomorrow. James had clocked this and if the game was getting dull might have a little fun. Sirius was Sirius, enough said on the subject really. Harry knew for certain he wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of a bludger from him, his fellow beater was called Stelios Giannakopolous, a name which was great fun to try and put onto banners. Along with the Gryffindor keeper Jussi Jaaskalienan the commentator had a hard time, frequently giving up and getting on first name terms.
James found it hilarious, 2 of the longest and most obscure sounding names to ever come through Hogworts and they find themselves on the same team at the same time. Harry was unable to say Stelios' name unless it was to the tune of Go West by The Pet Shop Boys, a song not even released in the 70s yet being used as a chant in Hogworts thanks to the trio.
The Slytherin chasers were nothing to write home about, the whole team was being carried by one girl. Otis Roscow, Nathanial Clarke-Collins and James Parr were the remaining three members of the team. Unfortunately not even the marauder's would prank the little blonde keeper, they refused to say whether it was because they stood by the old "I won't fight a girl" stance, because they didn't want to get caught and banned from quidditch or (and this was most likely in Harry's opinion) because they wanted to run it in the Slytherins faces when, and there was no doubt in the marauders mind that they would, win. Beating the team at full strength would mean the Slytherin's would have to admit true defeat and couldn't rant about weakened sides. Actually any side that included Snape could immediately be seen as weakened in Harry's opinion.
Both teams were being followed by crowds of people trying to prevent last minute nobbling, and if the teams crossed on the corridors there was a lot of snarling and throwing of sarcastic comments to each other. The build up peaked the night before the match. Nolan was the captain, and cast in the same mould as Oliver Wood. He sat in a corner with a quill and parchment working out possible strategies and marking down last minute comments. He insisted everyone, weather or not in the team were in bed by 8pm for the pure reason that his players needed their rest and no one would be allowed to disturb them. No one wanted to get on the wrong side of this boy, a boy who got 370 points in the last quidditch match yet was deeply disappointed with his performance. He kept calling in the dorms every 15 minutes just to check there were no parties going on, and for once even the marauders were being quiet.
James was lying in his bed, staring straight ahead into the darkness, only just able to make out the outline of the bed next to him. He was damn scared in case there was a swap during the match. Harry would be wearing normal robes so if there was a change it would look odd as James robes changed colour. Usually it didn't matter, black Gryffindor robes were almost identical but now it would matter, it had the benefit of meaning each boy was always with their right wand and prescription strength glasses but now it might pose a problem. In theory Harry could just wear quidditch robes too but James was a damn good chaser, Harry was a damn good seeker; they had never really played in each others positions meaning that if they changed during the course of the match they might as well give the cup to Slytherin straight away. The only other option would be to get Harry to play seeker so if there was a change they call a time-out and swap positions. That was the logical answer but it wouldn't happen, no way would Kevin Nolan throw his plans away, Jay Jay would be playing seeker and there would be no way around it. The closest they could get would be to appoint Harry as a reserve which would almost certainly be as much use as a chocolate teapot, Okotcha wouldn't get himself injured today. It was too important.
Eventually James fell asleep, even though it was so light he fidgeted and kept waking up. At 5am when his charmed alarm (so only could hear it) went off he truly felt like he had had no sleep. This wasn't unusual although he did feel slightly groggier than normal. Determined about the job in hand though he got himself out of bed and started his usual pre-quidditch ritual which consisted of a 20 minute shower using his green shower gel and washing his hair twice with Vosene. Then he would use his blue towel and dry himself off, sit on his bed and say a little prayer, even though he didn't know if he believed in god.
James always wore the same things for quidditch, a pair of white pants, black ankle socks, a long red tee-shirt under which lay a gold necklace given to him by his mum. James always flew with his wand, he had no idea why but it was always tucked in his pants. Then it was the standard scarlet quidditch robes and leather pads.
Once the dressing part was over James would go down to breakfast at precisely 6.15, sit at the end of the table and eat 2 slices of toast, one with strawberry jam and the other with marmalade, a glass of orange juice, a glass of milk and an apple. Then he would make his way to the pitch. James was pedantic about his ritual, he figured superstition couldn't hurt and it had worked so far.
This morning was slightly difference though; Harry must have been woken up by James at 5am. He went over to his dad. "Er, good luck."
James smiled, "I don't need it", secretly his insides were squirming and he felt rather nauseous but he would never admit to being nervous before a match, the marauders probably worked it out by his ritual but he would never say.
"You lie" Harry said simply "I've been there and done it and no way in memory of man are you not nervous, you're up at 5am for god's sake"
James laughed, before quickly shutting himself up, remembering the people around him. "Yeah, OK, I'm nervous but if you tell anyone I'm scared I will personally kill you, blood ties or no blood ties."
"I feel really sick until I get up there, but as soon as I'm flying I'm fine. I love it, wouldn't change it for anything."
"Yeah, well I'd feel fine if I was on that beast you have. Sirius did you proud purchasing that beauty" James said
Harry threw a small key to James "Use it if you want to, you've used it before I hear and there's still time to practise if you want."
"You serious?"
"Of course, I don't want Slytherin to win and I might as well give Snape a proper reason to hate me. If you want to use it it's there waiting for you."
"I'll do that, thanks". James broke into a smile and gave Harry a hug before getting the broom from his trunk, removing it he put it on his bed stood back and admired it, "That is a fantastic broom, look at it, the whole aerodynamics, the handle, everything."
"Now go and do good things with it." Harry said, "And if Sirius is right you better go and get your toast".
"Oh, yeah, see you in a bit". James said, leaving Harry and the sleeping boys in the silent dormitory. Firebolt in one hand, the other messing up his still damp hair he descended the stairs to the Great Hall and completed stage 3 of his preparations.
By 9am James was by the side of the quidditch pitch with the rest of the team, listening to the pre-match spiel. James didn't bother listening anymore and just let it wash over his head. He knew how important this was he didn't need the neurotic Nolan ramming it down his throat some more. James found himself praying again, well his eyes where closed, his hands together and he was saying "god" a lot while hoping against hope that he could stave off another swap.
James knew that he was in his main form, it was complicated but when Harry and James swapped when they were in different times they still spent most of their time in the right timeline, even though they were now both in the 70s if the trio had never travelled back they would be in the right places as of last night when it appeared the pair swapped over. James had awoken in Harry's bed, a different one to the one he fell asleep in, so that had to mean he would get away with the match. James just hoped luck was on his side.
The team walked out onto the pitch, and assembled themselves in the correct position for kick off. Kevin stood opposite Nathanial, a small black boy and Slytherin captain who looked murderous.
Professor Bennett was the referee, a teacher in Hufflepuff (but not the head of house) seemed like the closest to a neutral ref there was in the school. "I know this is futile but I would like a civilised game, I will punish if you start playing dirty. Now shake hands". Nolan grabbed Clarke-Collin's hand and let it go almost immediately as if it was contaminated with some obscure stinksap and with that the whistle blew and the ball were released.
"And it's Hunt with the quaffle- passed to Potter - oh that was close a nice swerve by Potter though to avoid Clarke-Collins.- And the quaffle is passed to Nolan - OUCH that must have hurt, a bludger sent by Tattersall and Parr gets the quaffle, shooting off to the other side of the pitch but James Potter is fast catching up, looks like he has a new broom there, never seen anything go so fast and he's on a level. - oh that was naughty, a little ram to the side but Potter gets the quaffle, passed to Nolan, of course captain of the Gryffindor side"
James watched around as the quaffle was played expertly between Hunt and Nolan, he zoomed forward with the idea of giving Greenhalgh a little bit of a hard time while Gryffindor could work at getting some silverware.
"And it's back to Nolan, looks like his aiming for the left hoop, Potter is occupying Greenhalgh at the far side, she's got a lot to do now. And it's a goal 10-0 Gryffindor, only the third goal conceded by the young Emma all season."
James hugged Nicky as the returned to the centre of the pitch again. James was half-listening to the commentary; whoever was commentating was doing a far too diplomatic job of it for his liking. Jay Jay was still circling above the game, Snivellus was, erm, on a broom although it looked like only just. James really couldn't believe such a crap player was on the team, he must have some incriminating photos of someone in a compromising position. Jussi had done nothing so far, hopefully it would stay that way.
"And the quaffle is back in play - bloody hell!" "MUSCAT!" "Sorry professor, but Slytherin keeper Greenhalgh just took a bludger to the face, too busy looking at the quaffle. She's back up although she appears to have busted her nose. Play continues, and it's Potter, straight down to the rings. That broom is quite something, I'd say it's probably 5 times faster than the Comet 260, maybe it's custom made" "MUSCAT!" "Sorry professor, anyways Potter is down the far end. Keeper Greenhalgh comes out, quick swerve by Potter and its the second goal in the second minute. 20-0 Gryffindor."
Greenhalgh should have easily have prevent James' goal, but she looked in a right mess, the bludger hadn't just got her nose but above her eye too, she was bleeding and the gooey liquid on her hands coupled with the blood going into her eyes were the reason she didn't make that save. Really she should be replaced or at least given a bandage. Not that James actually cared, if she was a mess it made it easier for him to get the required goals.
"And it's Roscow with a rare touch at the quaffle, darting down the pitch, nice avoidance of Black's bludger there, another swerve for its counterpart sent by Gyn - Gee - Gianka – Er - Stelios. No one there to block Roscow, Jussi makes attempts the starfish and stick, Roscow throws the quaffle a little low, and it's 20-10."
The game was going to be a damn site closer than James wanted; he could here the chants in the back ground, "STE-LI-OS GI-ANA-KOP-O-LOUS!" (the Gryffindors seemed rather impressed at their ability to say the tongue tier) and "GO, GO, GRYFFINDOR!". 75% of the crowd where behind them, but this looked like it was in for the long haul and the longer the match the greater the chance of Harry and James ending up in the brown smelly stuff. The stands where a mass of red and gold, almost reminiscent of a Christmas grotto, banners waved and pupils screamed chants at deafening volume. This time it mattered. James turned back to the centre and did a dive on The Firebolt, just to wake himself up a little.
"And the quaffle is taken by Hunt who tucks it under his arm, looks like he's going for a quick retaliation, and he gets it, no messing straight through the middle hoop. Greenhalgh appears to still be bleeding and having some difficulties. May be a substitution for the Slytherins soon if this continues. 30-10 Gryffindor, that was Hunt's 10th goal of the season, a player somewhat over shadowed by his team-mates at the moment."
The game continued in much the same way, Emma's face was still covered in blood but her goalkeeping ability had improved a little, currently the score was 200-170 to Gryffindor. James had equalled the record, all he needed was an extra goal and Nolan would love him and hate him at the exact same time. The snitch, which in all honesty was probably Gryffindor's best chance of winning at this moment in time, was absolutely nowhere to be seen. James didn't know how long they had been playing but he would have bet it was well over an hour, maybe even 2. The sunny day was becoming overcast and it looked like the game may totally change direction with a change in conditions.
Nolan called a time out, and the 2 teams gathered in groups at opposite sides of the pitch, "We knew this would be tough, but at least Greenhalgh is struggling. Jay-Jay, we need that snitch, you are a damn site better seeker than that pretender Slytherin have. Jussi, watch out for Roscow, he's a sneaky one he is and that's your weakness, you are underestimating him. Sod Parr, he's crap. Focus on the other 2. Chasers, don't lose possession as much, we are scoring all right but making stupid mistakes midfield. Sirius and Stelios, be evil little fuckers. Ok, let's get up there and get some silverware."
James would be lying if he didn't say he was knakered, but somehow the time out had tapped into some extra energy stores and he was now ready to kick some scaled arse. Back in position James realised it was starting spitting and the sky was an ominous shade of grey. Jay Jay had taken Nolan's words to heart and he was prowling around obviously looking for the snitch, Snape was clinging to his broom as if he thought he was going to fall off. Fantastic stuff.
Suddenly there was a blur of scarlet which was probably at one point Jay Jay, he was zooming straight ahead, leaving a petrified looking Snape behind him, arm outstretched everyone knew what was a few seconds away.
"And Okotcha has the snitch, less than 30 seconds after the time out, where did that come from. 350-170 to Gryffindor, who also win the cup. An excellent match I'm sure you'll agree in which James Potter equalled Kevin Nolan's most goals in one season with 97. What a way for the captain to sign off, winning the cup." James was only partially aware of what the commentator, Muscat? Was saying over the tannoy, he quickly flew down and joined the group celebration going on, muggle-born Nolan had a couple of big bottles of champagne which were being used to soak anyone within range, the team all lazily swigging out of the top when they got a chance. James thought the stuff tasted foul, but it was a celebration. Even MacGonagol didn't chastise them, a huge grin plastered across her face.
Collecting the cup was a fantastic, James had been up there twice before collecting it but this time it was hard fought for. He was so happy as he grabbed the cup and posed for the official photographs which would no doubt make their ways onto the walls around school along with some amusing comments. James didn't care, he thought not getting the record would hurt, but he was too worked up about winning the cup, he never thought it would be so difficult.
Eventually the party moved up into the Gryffindor common room, despite Nolan's prudishness the night before now that the match was over the party was in full swing and he was joining in. The Marauders and the trio where in one corner, swigging butterbeer straight out of the bottle now the somewhat limited alcohol supply had been sufficiently squirted about and generally pissing about. Stelios and Jussi where obviously trying to chat up some third year girls. Nicky Hunt, who was still rather quiet and innocent, sat in a big saggy chair by the fire, sufficiently chilled with an involuntary grin plastered across his face. Nolan and Okotcha where singing along to some music which couldn't actually be placed, someone must have worked out how to tap into a muggle radio station or there was a charm out there that not even Lily knew about, if someone had a wizarding wireless it would have been found out about and utilised before now. The party was an all-nighter, MacGonagol came in about every 20 minutes telling them to shut up, but no one did. Eventually everyone just fell asleep in the common room; the floor was littered with sleeping bodies, trodden in biscuits and butterbeer bottles. The house elves would definitely be having fun when they were all at breakfast the next day.
James fell asleep with a grin on his face, Lily lying on his shoulder. The arrival of the trio had definitely changed something, shame neither of the pair were aware of it yet.
Wahey! I'm still alive, regarding last months, erm, incidents my mum came out with the classic line "You should have left it flooding longer, then we could have had the hall done on the insurance, it needs decorating anyway." Isn't that technically fraud though? God bless my parents. Since then though both computers have broken (only one of them was my fault) and lappy is still in a dead heap after being eaten alive by a virus (that will teach me not to use virus protection on a uni network). BUT big computer will be fixed next week, lappy should have been fixed 2 weeks ago, just need a disc from Advent and after opening this computer up with a pair of tweezers I've managed to get it to partly work and I'll go to the library to upload it ASAP. Go me.
Updates will be more often now.
This chapter is dedicated to Nicola Wilson who is going working in Atlanta for 13 months. I'll miss you; don't use American-English or lose the accent. I think drinking age is 21 in the states and she's just had to spend a fortune on insurance because in the USA you have to pay for healthcare. Tourist brochures for the UK should include the line "We officially serve at 18 (unofficially at 12) and the NHS will sort you out when your liver finally packs in".
The Slytherin players are all people from my year at school. Nathanial got done for the murder of his dealer who was in the year above us and one of the Parr twins (either James or John) is also in Strangeways. Emma...was actually an all right lass, we just didn't see eye to eye on lots of things. Our year was used as the moderation for GCSE speaking exams in English, so everyone in the country who took English Language GCSE in 2000-2004 was compared to Emma. She's a real person who might have changed your life indirectly, scary, non?
The Gryffindor players are all Bolton Wanderers players. I'm sorry, I am weak. The chapter is in celebration of Bolton being top of the Premiership (Bolton are the real life Chuddley Cannons, this is a very rare occurrence).
I'm editing this in Ramsbottom library listening to Friends Reunited – The 90s on CD. It's an absolutely fantastic album. I'm dancing about in my seat and I don't care. It's all warm and sunny and I am happy. Go on Amazon and buy the album and you to can dance about the library.
Hope you like the chapter; please review and I will love you forever. :)
Kimmiijay Kotchanski
