A/N: I am so incredibly sorry about this chapter's long absence. I don't have any excuses, I was just being lazy. I am telling myself that you would have been too busy to read it anyway, because of the holidays. And I'm sticking to that. This is a filler chapter, but the next is the all-important Fifty, where we'll be seeing some cute little dates in Hogsmeade. I think you know who I'm talking about. Oh, and please check out my bio page where I clarify some things that are going on.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE A Change in Pace

It had been nearly a week since Ophelia's time in the Infirmary and things around school had returned to a somewhat normal pace. James, taking quite naturally to his captain duties posted tryouts for the much needed positions of Keeper and Chaser, the latter which had been filled by the recently graduated Frank Longbottom. James sat pondering the list of applicant's over breakfast one morning.

"This bloke has guts; putting his name down for Keeper in his First Year," cried James, gulping down a glass of milk. "I don't care how bloody talented you are, no one makes the team in their First Year!" Lily worried her lip and tried to approach him with care. "Maybe he's quite good, James. I know you would have joined the team if there had been an available position."

James went to reply but instead grinned at the redhead. "You're right, Lil. Come on, I'll take you to class."

"You know, James," she began, "I'm quite capable of--" Ophelia elbowed her in the ribs and shook her head slightly. Lily nodded, "Sure, that would be nice."

The others watched as James and Lily left the Great Hall, fingers interlaced and smiles broadly stretching across their faces. "Aww, they're adorable," crooned Vega, her eyes sparkling, "I bet they've always been together. I'm right, aren't I?"

Sirius howled with laughter and patted Vega's hands, "Oh, you have much to learn, young one. Much to learn."

"I'm older than you!" she retorted happily, sticking her tongue out at him. "Only by three weeks; that barely counts," muttered Sirius. Ophelia rolled her eyes and planted a kiss on the top of his head, "Don't be a grump; you're so unattractive when you're moody."

"Impossible!"

Remus munched on a slice of toast, happily ignoring the banter. "Where's Talia?" he asked, "I haven't seen her in a few days..."

Vega craned her neck to look round at the other students. "There she is!" she exclaimed brightly, "Over at the Ravenclaw table. With Caradoc, of course." They all followed her gaze to the table, where sure enough, Caradoc's arm was draped over the witch.

"Hey Talia!" hollered Sirius, getting to his feet, "What are you doing over there?"

Talia's eyes grew wide in embarrassment as she attempted to hide herself behind her new interest. Ophelia tugged hard at Sirius' sleeve. "Leave her alone!" she scolded, willing herself not to laugh at her sister's maroon complexion. "It's too early to go about teasing her."

Sirius reluctantly sat back down and returned to his apple. Remus was staring across the Great Hall at Talia, his face slightly shadowed. "Really, am I the only bloke left in this school without a girlfriend?" he sighed, pushing his juice goblet away from himself.

"Thanks mate," said Mai stone-faced, "You really know how to make a witch feel special." He frowned and thought of how to reply. "Don't strain yourself, Remus; I was only half-serious."

"Sorry, Mai," he frowned, "On the bright side; I would stake a bet that you're single out of choice. Whereas I'm unattatched because I'm a social leper. Excuse me, I'm off to class."

Ophelia watched as Remus left, his shoulders slumped down to a gross height. "Well that was a tad depressing."

"I'll go with him, make sure he doesn't try to walk off the Astronomy Tower," said Vega, quickly gathering up her books and running after him. Sirius stood up and offered an arm to Ophelia, who was still a bit wobbly on her feet. "I wouldn't worry too much about Moony," he began, "He's got a flair for the dramatic; he'll be fine."

"I could have a boyfriend if I wanted," muttered Mai angrily from beside them, "I have it on good authority that I am quite desireable."

"Seriously; is there somewhere you can go to find this out?" Ophelia asked. "Everyone has it on good authority that they're liked. Where do I go to find this out?" Sirius gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm with you, that should be evidence enough."

She grinned and shook her head. "You're so bloody cocky, I don't know why I put up with it."

"And this?" continued Mai, waving an angry finger at Sirius and Ophelia, "It doesn't help very much."

"What doesn't help with what?" frowned James, as they entered Professor O'Leary's classroom. "Nothing." retorted Mai, slumping down in her seat.

James turned to his friends with a goofy smile plastered across his face. "Lily and I are going on a date!" he told them excitedly. Ophelia began unloading her textbooks. "Like a real date? With a set time and everything? Or did you just ask her to go out 'some time'? By the way, don't do that again."

"You heard about that?" replied James, turning a bit red in the face. She scoffed, "Of course I heard about that, Lily tells me everything. She thought it was cute..."

He brightened, "Really? She thought I was cute?" Sirius grinned and leaned into Ophelia, "Shouldn't of told him that."

"Put your things away," instructed Professor O'Leary, stalking into the room. "Today we will have our first practical field lesson. Please follow me out onto the Quidditch pitch."

James stood up, rather alarmed. "I swear to Merlin; if that man has done anything to interfere with tonight's tryouts... I cannot be held responsible for my actions."

Sirius laid a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder and led him out into the corridor, Mai and Ophelia trailing slightly behind. "He was only taking the mickey, right?" asked Mai worriedly. Ophelia shrugged her shoulders and skipped to catch up with the others.

As they approached the pitch, James was distraught to see a large obstacle course had been erected on the grounds. "Aw shite," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

A few hours later, once they had attempted the course, James was busy overseeing the Professor as he cleaned up the pitch. "I-I don't think that was there this morning, Professor O'Leary. In fact, I know for certain it wasn't."

"Where's Talia?" asked Lily, glancing round the Hall. Ophelia instinctively turned to the Ravenclaw table, only to find Caradoc sitting with his friends. She shrugged, "I have no idea; she's been kind of absent lately."

"I know!" cried Lily, seeing that it was now an opportune moment to release some frustrations. "Did she even sleep in the dorm last night?" Sirius cackled with laughter, "Are you serious? Talia's a tart? I never would've guessed..."

Ophelia smacked him across the chest. "Talia is not a tart. You're more of a tart than she is and you've only dated me. She probably just got lost on the way back to the Tower."

"Don't fool yourself, Phe," said Lily, "She very well knows where she lives."

At that moment, James and Remus ran up to the table, completely out of breath. "T-Talia..." Remus wheezed.

"Yeah? Have you seen her then?" replied Lily, pushing a glass of water towards them both.

James shook his head. "N-No... Quidditch." Lily rolled her eyes, "Who cares about bloody Quidditch? Have you seen Talia or not?"

"I'm right here," she said, sauntering up behind the two wizards, balancing a broomstick over her shoulder. Ophelia giggled, "Where on earth did you get that, Tal? Do you even know how to fly?"

"I would take offense from that if I had not just made the new team Chaser," she beamed. "You're on the team?" Lily giggled, "Are you serious?"

James took a sip of water, "As serious as she is good. Which is... very much so." Talia grinned and handed James her broom. "Thanks for the spot, captain. I'll see you later." Lily watched as their friend headed over to the Ravenclaw table. "Hope so."