Chapter edited and reposted – 19th July 2006

Added a little bit to the party and the kiss, but not much. Again, mostly description.

Disclaimer: Yada. It all belongs to JKR. How many more times would you like me to say this?

A/N: No reviewer responses today since I only actually got one review since I updated on Sunday. To all the LJ fans out there, this is for you! Dedicated to Daisy Pennifold, who wrote the guide to L and J fanfic. Thank you so much. This chapter would not have been possible were it not for you! Also thanks to my reviewers for sticking with me like glue.

Chapter 9

"Merlin, look at that rain!" Sirius said, running back into the changing rooms with his robes pulled over his head.

"It's going to be ugly," James said, impervious-ing his glasses.

"No shit," Jenny muttered, looking extremely pale and sweaty, rather like Remus did before the full moon.

"Just think Prongs," Sirius said, giving his friend a hearty slap on the back. "Fifteen or twenty years from now, Prongs Jr could be playing in weather like this, and he'll think 'if my dad could do it, I can too!'"

"Really? And who's the unlucky sod he's married too," Tash asked, sitting on the bench practising breathing techniques. Jenny snorted before going back to looking nervous.

"You got the Cirque du Soleil in your stomach?" Tash asked rubbing her friend's back. Jenny chuckled.

"Something like that," she said. In James's opinion Jenny looked much worse than that.

"Don't worry Jen," Sally Ericson sat beside her. She was a fifth year chaser. "Just hit anything that moves." Jenny grinned. "I mean it's not like James's position where he could fall for a Wronski feint and end up embedded in the ground..."

"Thanks Ericson," James said. "That's such a confidence booster." Tash and Jenny laughed at him.

"Right team!" James called for attention. "I know the weather's crap but that's why we've been practising so much. We'll be fine. Tash, Sally, Clarissa," he turned to the chasers. "Score as much as you can. Jerika," he turned to the keeper. "Don't let any goals past those posts. We need to keep them down on points as much as possible. I'll try and catch the snitch early. Jenny, Sirius, concentrate on their chasers, try and put them out of action. Okay?" Everyone nodded.

"Right, let's go," James grabbed his broom and the team marched out onto the pitch.

OOO

"There they are!" Remus pointed to the pitch. Lily peered through her binoculars and watched the seven scarlet figures walk out of the changing rooms. They were immediately soaked by rain. Fortunately the storm clouds were not dark enough to obscure vision that badly. But it was bound to be cold.

"And here come the Gryffindors!" Fifth year Hufflepuff Mark Drew was commentating. Like many of the Hufflepuffs he was supporting Gryffindor in this match. Lily swung her binoculars up to see Professor McGonagall hovering ominously by his shoulder. Mark however did not seem put off and was using every attempt possible to take less-that-subtle jibes at the Slytherins.

"Team captain and seeker Potter, followed by Ericson, Marquand, Travis, Black, Tailby and Burton. Superb line up there, obviously inhabiting more talent than the Slytherin tea…joking Professor!"

"Mount your brooms," Madame Hooch commanded. Lily watched Jenny and she was sure she could see a cold sweat forming on her head. Or was that rain water?

Madame Hooch blew her whistle and all fourteen players rose into the air.

"They're off!" Mark continued. "Gryffindor immediately take possession. Nice pass there from Clarissa Travis, back on the team after a years absence. Quaffle over to Tash Marquand. Great talent, been on the team since her third year…oh nice sloth grip roll. Passes it back to Travis. Goal's not far now! In the scoring zone, passes it over to Sally. YES! She's beaten the keeper! Ten points to Gryffindor!"

Behind Lily, Remus and Peter cheered loudest of all the spectators. Lily watched the Slytherin chasers who were now flying off with the Quaffle.

"Slytherin in possession. Bellatrix Black hands over to Iver. Dodges a bludger. Damn! It didn't break his nose…sorry Professor! Passes left…oh slips out his grasp! Blame the bloody weather! Intercepted by Marquand! Off she goes back towards the goals. Flips it over to Travis, who has a bludger on her tail. Passes to Ericson. Ouch! That must have hurt!"

The bludger that had been tailing Clarissa had swerved unexpectedly and knocked Sally off her broom. She landed on the ground in a heap. The Slytherins didn't waste time. One of the chasers grabbed the Quaffle and shot off towards the Gryffindor posts.

"GET AFTER HIM!" James shouted. Tash and Clarissa had been hovering in mid-air watching Madame Hooch help Sally up.

"Merlin, there they go again!" shouted Mark. "The chasers are going to be hard pushed to catch up with the Slytherins. It's all down to the keeper. Come on Jerika!"

There was a cheer from the Slytherins as the Quaffle flew through the left goal post. From her place in the stand Lily could see Jerika cursing

"Damn! Slytherin score!" Mark shouted to the crowd. "Ten all."

Sally got back on her broom to join Tash and Clarissa in the air. James cursed at the goal and continued to look for the Snitch. Five minutes later, Slytherin had scored twice more and James was starting to get worried.

"Gryffindor have possession…Slytherin take the Quaffle, AGAIN!" Mark was becoming exasperated. "Ooh! Bellatrix Black knocked over by a bludger. Nice work from Jenny Tailby. Travis takes the Quaffle. Slytherin chasers closing in on either side. Great pass to Marquand. She's tearing up the pitch, the goals are in sight… what in the name of Merlin was that!"

Lily had been focusing on Tash and had seen it all. The Snitch had gone flying in to the back of her head. James had seen it also and was tearing after it, followed by the Slytherin seeker. Unfortunately, Tash had dropped the Quaffle again.

"Slytherin have possession," said Mark, now not sure whether to follow the seekers or the chasers. His head was flicking back and forth between the two unfolding events. "Seekers after the Snitch. Slytherin score! Potter inches just ahead."

Just as James reached for the snitch, Bellatrix Black came speeding out of nowhere and slammed into him. James spun into the ground, his head slamming against the ground. The Snitch disappeared. Bellatrix was wearing a triumphant smile.

"FOUL!" the Gryffindor supporters screamed.

"Is he okay?" Lily asked, her voice high pitched with concern.

"He'll be fine," Remus assured her. "He's been through worse."

"Death to Bellatrix!" Jenny screamed, loud enough for everyone on the pitch to hear. There was a roar of support from the scarlet clad Gryffindors.

Down below, James was getting back onto his broom. His head was throbbing, but it would be okay. Madam Hooch gave one final yell in Bellatrix's direction before turning back to the waiting players.

"Watch your back Potter if you know what's good for you," Bellatrix snarled as she set off into the air again. High above her Jenny and Tash were both making rude hand gestures.

"Penalty shot to Gryffindor!" Mark proclaimed. Clarissa flew forwards to take the shot.

"Gryffindor score!" Mark cheered along with the Gryffindor supporters. Lily cheered with Remus and Peter, as Clarissa soared round the pitch in victory. Peter was cat calling. Remus thwacked him on the back of the head.

As play continued, the moves got more impressive despite the steady downpour of rain.

The Slytherin chasers flew close together in a Hawkshead attacking formation. The Gryffindor chasers closed in.

"Bludger takes out Iver, sorry Sirius but THAT'S THE WRONG CHASER! Bellatrix still has possession. Getting closer to the goal…Nice move!"

Tash had flown underneath Bellatrix and punched the Quaffle up and out of her grasp. As the ball flew up Clarissa who had been flying above, caught it looped backwards, and all chasers shot off to the goal.

"Come on Gryffindor!" Mark and the rest of the Gryffindor supporters were beside themselves. "Passes to Marquand. SHE SCORES! Forty thirty to Slytherin!"

But James had just caught sight of the Snitch again and flew after it. Simon Maxwell, the Slytherin seeker was hot on his tail.

"Come on James!" Lily shrieked. The rest of the Gryffindor supporters screamed along with her. James inched forwards, but Maxwell was ahead of him…

Just as the Slytherin made a grab for the golden ball, a bludger flew out of nowhere and went crashing into him. James stretched out and seized the snitch tightly in his fist.

There was a roar from the spectators as James raised his hand. Lily screamed in joy with Remus and Peter. Sirius flew at James and thumped him on the back with his club, cheering loudly. The three chasers sped over, Tash screaming in victory, Clarissa and Sally were hugging each other.

"Who hit that bludger?" James asked as they flew back to ground. He had suddenly remembered the Slytherin seekers abrupt halt in pursuit.

"It was Jenny!" Clarissa said. "I saw her do it! She saved the game!" She pointed to Jenny who was flying down to the ground with Jerika. Everyone hurried over to them.

"God bless you Jenny!" Tash shrieked hysterically, flinging her arms around Jenny, who looked very pleased with herself. The rest of the team crushed Jen in a hug.

"What a way to play your first game!" James said, thumping Jenny on the back so hard that she almost fell over.

The Gryffindors came pouring out from the stands. James immediately caught sight of a familiar head of red hair. Lily was beaming at them all.

"You were all fantastic!" she cried, grabbing her two friends and hugging them. She then turned and hugged James and Sirius each in turn. Jenny squeaked and found herself being picked up and spun by Remus. The team paraded back to the castle on the shoulders of the rest of the house.

OOO

"Wahoo! We won!" Tash was still tearing around the common room, which was currently the setting of a huge party. Lily smiled at her. She couldn't blame her for being a bit hyper. Sighing, Lily sipped her butterbeer and looked around the room.

You wouldn't have thought that it had been a black letter day that morning. It was now just past midnight and the Gryffindors had been celebrating for most of the day. The Marauders had disappeared for a while and Lily had strongly suspected that they had snuck into Hogsmeade. Sure enough, they returned later with plenty of food and butterbeer. Most of the Gryffindors were laughing, eating and watching Tash skip round the room to her music, which she had insisted on bringing down. Jenny and Remus were curled up together in a corner of the common room, in each other's arms and trying to remain inconspicuous. Lily smiled. They did look sweet together.

"Okay everyone!" Sirius announced to the room, apparently on some kind of sugar high. "I think we should give a round of applause to Jenny, who saved the game with a very well aimed bludger!"

There was an ear-splitting cheer from all the Gryffindors. Jenny's face went red and she snuggled closer to Remus.

"And also to our captain, the wonderful, extremely talented…"

"Get to the point Black!" Tash shouted, fiddling with her radio.

"Sure thing Tash," Sirius bowed to her. "Anyway, round of applause for Ja…actually, for the whole team! Cause we're all fantastic!"

"And modest too!" Tash added as everyone cheered and went back to the party. Lily chuckled at Tash who whacked her music up to full volume.

"Will you turn that noise down!" Sirius shouted to Tash. "I can't hear myself think!"

"Wow, you actually think!" Tash asked in amazement. "Okay."

She turned the volume down, leaving a couple of dazed first years who had been sitting to close the speakers to rub their ears.

"Thank you," Sirius said. He pulled a thoughtful face and went silent for about two seconds before announcing, "I want some biscuits."

"That's what you were thinking!" Tash asked in disbelief. "Honest to god! You disturbed the music!"

"You call that music!" Sirius asked helping himself to the party food. "It's more like organised noise if you ask me!"

"Don't diss Queen!" Tash said in a highly offended voice. "Queen are awesome!"

"God they bicker like a married couple!" James said, wandering over to Lily and sitting down beside her. Lily smiled at him. Despite his protest, Lily had insisted that he go to the hospital wing and get his head checked out. Bellatrix's early snickering had been wiped off her face by the end of the match, and she had left the pitch seething with disgust.

"You were brilliant," Lily congratulated him on the match again.

"Why thank you Miss Evans, but I do have to say, we have a very good team this year," James commented mildly.

Lily giggled at his tone. She was acutely aware of him sitting next to her.

"Don't they look cute?" Lily asked, nodding over at Remus and Jenny.

"Hmm," James nodded, swallowing more butterbeer. "I'm glad he's found someone at last."

Lily couldn't help think about her conversation with Jenny the night she had broken up with Ethan. How the hell did she feel about James? It was confusing to think about it when he was sitting not a foot away.

"Can I ask you something Lily?" James asked.

"Sure."

"What made you change your mind about me?" he asked. "Why did you suddenly start treating me like I was…well human?"

Lily sat in silence. She wasn't sure how to answer, since the truth would sound really harsh.

"Well…I think the truth is…I didn't know you," Lily said simply. James raised an eyebrow.

"That's not a reason why you suddenly hate someone," James said. Lily shook her head.

"You need to understand James, when I first came to Hogwarts, I knew barely anything about the magical world or the war against Voldemort, let alone the Slytherin's reputation," Lily explained. "When I saw you and Sirius picking on Snape, I just reacted how I would with anyone. I tried to stop it. I didn't see two Gryffindors and a Slytherin, I just saw two guys picking on another boy."

Lily looked up to see if James was still listening. He was leaning back watching her expectantly. Lily ploughed on.

"I didn't know that that house was good for nothing and that half the time they probably deserved it. Over the years I found out just what they were really like. I guess I just never had the nerve to apologise. Besides, you would walk around like you owned the place, and that was just really annoying."

"But," Lily continued before James could interrupt. "Ever since we came back for this year, you've been…well I don't know…different. Like you'd suddenly grown up and realised that the whole world didn't revolve around you. And maybe I realise now that if we don't fight back then we're just letting them take over. And maybe…" she trailed off. "Maybe I've come to realise just how good a person you are."

She finished, looking at James, worried that she had upset him. But to her surprise, he was smiling slightly.

"Well I'm glad you think I changed. Otherwise I would probably have to throw myself out of the tower window!"

Lily giggled, gazing at James. She could get lost in his eyes. There was something magnetic about them.

"Lily," James looked slightly nervous. "I know I've asked you the same question for the last two years, but I'm going to ask again. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Lily smiled. There was no doubt in her mind now.

"Yes," she said simply. James smiled at her and pressed his lips against hers. Lily felt shivers go down her spine. All thoughts left her head. She didn't even notice when people started staring nearby. All she could feel was James next to her, his arm around her shoulder, his lips gently brushing hers. She had kissed other guys before, but this was something new, something different that she never felt with any of them. The feeling was something sweet and whole that she could only identify as James.

Only when Sirius gave a particularly loud cheer and started to laugh triumphantly, did they break away.

"Finally!" Sirius shouted, pointing at them. Lily felt herself go slightly red. Practically the whole common room was staring. Jenny and Remus were grinning from their corner, and were both wearing identical looks which, to Lily at least, looked as if they were saying quite smugly 'we knew it!'

Tash, who had also been watching open mouthed, picked up a cushion and began to beat Sirius around the head.

"You!" she yelled, puncturing each word with a thwack from the cushion. "Are. An. Insensitive. GIT! Sirius Black!" she finished dramatically putting the cushion down and sitting down with a thump in a cross-legged position.

"I've said it before an I'll say it again," Sirius said. "Stop abusing me woman!"

"You wait! There's more to come!" Tash said, pulling out her wand and hexing Sirius into a tap dance, which went in time to the music. Everyone laughed. Lily smothered her laughter in one of the cushions. From their corner, Jenny and Remus applauded.

"Don't like Queen hey?" Tash said tauntingly. "I'll make you like it Sirius Black! Make you! If it's the last thing I ever do!"

She gave a sinister cackle and settled back to watch the show. Sirius grinned at her.

"Was that a declaration of love I heard from you Tash?" Sirius asked. Lily and James both laughed at the astonished look on Tash's face.

"You wish! Cantareus!" Tash shouted pointing her wand at Sirius. Sirius burst into song.

"Tonight, I'm gonna have myself, a real good time. I feel alive. And the world, turning inside out. Floating around in ecstasy. So don't stop me now. Don't stop me now…"

James was laughing at his friend so hard that tears were rolling down his face. Tash had started singing along happily. Over in the corner Jenny was going purple from lack of air and Remus was beating his fist harmlessly against a pillow. Lily leant her head against James's shoulder and he wrapped an arm around her waist. Lily sighed feeling quite content.

"Coz I'm havin' a good time! Havin' a good time!"

After ten minutes, Tash finally took pity on Sirius (who had now worked his way through three Queen songs) and went to remove the curse. Looking exhausted from his hugely long tap dance, he traipsed upstairs.

"Well," James said, removing his arm from Lily's shoulder, "I suppose I should follow him. After all, it is nearly one o clock. Good night Lily," he kissed Lily on the cheek.

"Night James," Lily smiled again, noticing that it was indeed well into the night. She almost floated upstairs and was immediately bombarded by Tash and Jenny.

"Aww! You guys looked so cute together!" Tash cooed.

"Totally!" Jenny agreed.

"Yeah funnily enough," Lily said. "James and I were saying the same thing about you and Remus." Jenny blushed, looking like tomato soup.

"So are you two going out then?" Tash asked. Lily couldn't stop grinning.

"Yes we are," she confirmed. Jenny seized her in a huge hug, before collapsing on her bed, completely exhausted.

"Phew! Did we really spend all afternoon and evening partying?" she asked, from behind her curtains.

"Yep," Tash said. "Fun huh?"

"It never usually feels this tiring," Jenny said.

"That's because you were in the match this morning," Lily said.

Jenny didn't answer. She was so tired that she had slipped off to sleep with her glasses still on and her legs dangling over the side of her bed.

"Night then!" Tash said sarcastically, getting out of her bed and pulling Jenny onto her bed properly. Lily laughed as Jenny mumbled something in her sleep and rolled over.

"Night Lils," Tash called pulling the curtains around her bed.

"Night Tash," Lily yawned.

"Night Mrs Potter!" Jenny called hysterically, making both of them jump.

"Thought you were asleep Jenny?" Tash said.

"I was!" Jenny called. "Then you moved me Tash!"

"Jenny if I could see your bed I would throw a pillow at you!" Lily threatened. Jenny gave a huge yawn and went back to sleep.

Still, as she rolled over in bed, Lily could help but smiled at the events that had unfolded that day. The unthinkable had happened. She, Lily Evans, had fallen for James Potter.

A/N: Aww! Who loves Lily and James out there! I know I do! I loved writing the Quidditch bit. It was a good excuse for me to go hyper. Thanks to all my reviewers. Review again please! And wish me luck. My last two exams are tomorrow!

Next chapter: Third duelling round. Snape vs James, Remus vs Wilks and Tash vs Bellatrix. Things will get violent! All you little kids toddle off to bed! It might get a bit too violent for you!

Please review guys and I will send you...hmm what can I send over the computer...? Virtual good luck!

May Stardust fall in your dreams!