Chapter 2…
'Okay team. The usual, do your very best and make Gryffindor proud. We have 10 more minutes before the game. Better relax now. Don't get too tensed up later.' James hurried with his speech.
Everyone could see that James was the most nervous amongst them all.
'Prongs? Moony?' Sirius called out. James and Remus shifted their attention to him. 'This is gonna be our last year. We're going to win this, challenge Slytherins at the finals and win the Quitditch cup of this year right?' Sirius asked expectantly.
With a grin, James turned to Remus. No matter how strong Sirius looked on the outside, sometimes he still needed that reassurance.
'Yes padfoot. We will.' James and Remus chorused.
'Great!' Sirius said, breaking into a grin.
BANG!
The doors to the changing rooms flew opened and in ran no one but Melody potter. Immediately, she flung herself onto James.
'Potter. You did better win this match or I'll never forgive you. Understand?' Melody warned with a motherly tone. James can't help but smile at his baby sister's antics. They were rather amusing at times.
Without a second warning, she flung herself onto Remus and giving him a kiss full on the lips. 'Do Gryffindor proud eh?' she said, a smirk lingering on her face.
'I will honey.' Remus said kissing her temple.
After which, she gave Sirius a bear hug. 'Siri-poo. You are the best beater!'
'Thanks for the ego boost, Mel.' Sirius smiled.
'Ann dearie! You have to work along side with them and put up the best game and make history in Hogwarts eh?' Melody ranted frantically.
'No no sister dear of mine. That would be the next game. The one against those slimy gits!' James reminded her.
'Oh whatever. Just do your best out there. I'll be going to the stands now. All the best!' Melody wished the team luck and left. But not before she got a kiss from Remus.
This was the scene of every game. It had become a routine ever since the Marauders got into the Gryffindor quitditch team. Surprisingly, if Melody turned up before the game, the game would go extremely smooth sailing for the Gryffindors. It was widely acknowledged that Melody was the Gryffindor's good luck charm.
'Come on team. Its time.' Potter said with a determined voice.
'Lily! Where were you?' Melody queried when Lily approached the quitditch stands.
'I forgot about the game.' Lily answered sheepishly. 'Was at the library getting information on the project Shelby gave us.
'Man Lily. You're a slave driver!' Melody snickered as she watched Lily color.
'Er, I don't think "slave driver" is the correct term, Mel,"
'Hush! It's starting!"
'Now, the Quitditch match of the year. Let's welcome the Gryffindor team! Captain cum seeker, James Potter! Our strongest beaters, Sirius Black and Emily Jones! Our magnificent chasers, Annabelle Lumbers, Joel Matchwood and Timothy Andrews! And last but not least, your number one keeper, Remus Lupin!' the commenter was none other than Noelle Sniggly. A fellow fifth year Gryffindor who was absolutely a fan of the marauders. She then introduced the Ravenclaw team but with a significant drop in enthusiasm.
'Now captains, shake hands,' Professor Huesly instructed. James and the Ravenclaw captain, Javial Liam moved forward to shake hands. The clasped each others hands so hard that you almost could see their veins popping.
'Okay… let the game… BEGIN!' Professor Huesly released the quaffle, indicating the commencement of the game.
After ten minutes, the Ravenclaws were still unable to get through Remus. The Ravenclaws were playing very badly this round. It seemed that the Ravenclaws didn't have a plan and despite appearances, Remus wasn't keeping extremely tight watch over the posts. Sirius didn't have much to do either; the game was so relaxing that he could take a nap there and then. The chasers also didn't have much to do. The keeper of Ravenclaw was totally distracted. Allowing Annabelle to pass through every time she attempted.
'There she goes again… and she SCORES! Whoo hoo! Lumbers is really playing good this round!' Noelle commented as Annabelle high five-ed Joel. 'Gryffindor is leading the game. 90-0! Whoa! The Ravenclaws better buck up! Go Gryffindor!' Noelle shouted over the loudspeakers.
'Ms. Sniggly! Comment properly!' Professor McGonagall reprimanded.
'Opps. Sorry professor M!' Noelle said with a slight grin that showed no sign of remorse.
'Ooohhh! I think Potter saw the snitch! He's diving!' Noelle said a little too loudly.
In deed, James had just saw the snitch hovering over Dumbledore's head. Apparently, Dumbledore didn't seem to realize and continued watching the game intently. James swooshed in front of Dumbledore, gave him a grin and stretched out his hand to grab the snitch.
'James potter has got the snitch! Gryffindor wins! Yay!' Noelle screamed, waving her hands so wildly that the microphone was in danger of dropping .
All the Gryffindors stood up and started shouting 'Go Gryffindor!'. Lily and Melody rushed down from the stands to congratulate their friends.
'Great job Prongs!' Remus congratulated flying over to James.
'Yes! I loved it especially when you smiled at Dumbledore, pal!' Sirius whooped.
'Remus!' came the voice Melody as she flung herself onto her boyfriend, slamming the both of them flat on the ground at that process and giving him a kiss. 'You did wonderful.' Melody smiled getting up from Remus.
'You know what this calls for? P-A-R-T-Y!' Sirius shouted over the noise created by the elated Gryffindors. Everyone cheered loudly.
'Well, well. What have we got here? Yes. That's right Potter. Enjoy while you can. This glory of yours will only be temporary.' Lucius Malfoy sneered.
'Shut that trap of yours Malfoy! You're just jealous!' Annabelle spoke up from behind with a deadly voice.
Lucius turned and glared hard at her. If looks could kill, Lily swore Annabelle would already have dropped dead there and then. 'Watch it Lumbers. Just watch it.' Lucius threatened.
'Oh well,' Annabelle spoke over the now quiet Gryffindors. 'Since smelly Malfoy is gone, what are we waiting for? Party!'
The tension was quickly dismissed and everyone was in high spirits again.
'Now, now. As you all know, your NEWTS would be in a few more months and that is the most important exam. You will be guaranteed a job upon your NEWTS results and thus cannot afford to skip any lessons or not pay attention during them.' Professor McGonagall stressed, looking sharply at the Marauders.
'This is the advance transfiguration class and none of you; I repeat NONE of you should expect this subject to be easy. Even for those more talented ones.' McGonagall said again looking at James this time round.
'Pranks and jokes should be cut down upon now.' McGonagall was now lecturing only the Marauders. Snickers passed through the room.
It was a normal day and everyone had normal lessons. Apparently, the Marauders decided that McGonagall's lesson was boring and decided to turn her hair electric blue, causing the whole class to erupt with laughter in the middle of the lesson. Today's transfiguration lesson was on animagus. And being one themselves –and illegal ones at that - they were extremely well versed in that chapter. It was no wonder why they found that lesson uninteresting.
'Stunning one back there Prongs!' Frank Longbottom, a fellow Gryffindor congratulated.
'Thanks Frank. It was nothing.' James shrugged it off lightly.
'Let's go to the great hall guys. I'm starving.' Sirius said rubbing his stomach.
'When are you ever not Padfoot?' Remus asked in a joking tone. Sirius smiled cheerfully at Remus. Several girls whom walked by melted due to his charming smile. Beside him, Peter snorted with laughter.
The girls had just finished advance charms. Very few people took that class as not many were talented in charms and could at the same time stay awake throughout Professor Nightlime's lesson.
'Did you hear bout James's prank on McGonagall during her lesson just now? It was soooo cool!' a Hufflepuff girl commented.
'Yes of course! He turned professor McGonagall's hair blue! James Potter is soooo handsome! How I wish he would fall in love with me.' Another girl chimed.
Lily, Melody and Annabelle were sitting behind the bushes and overheard the conversation between the six year Hufflepuffs.
'Nah! I think Sirius black is much better looking!' another girl chipped in.
'No! Remus Lupin is the best. Have you seen his eyes? It's such mysterious grey. Charming!' the first girl argued.
'Ahem.' Melody stood up, dusting her robes and clearing her throat to make her presence known.
'It's Melody Potter! Let's go…' one of the girls said in a hushed tone and they quickly scattered.
After their departure, the three girls burst out laughing so hard that Annabelle tumbled onto the floor with tears in her eyes.
'Am I that scary, girls?' Melody asked in an amused tone.
'You are. When it comes to Remus.' Lily said and with that, they exploded into peals of laughter again.
'But poor, poor Peter. No one seems to like him. I wonder why?' Annabelle sniggered.
'Hey boys.' Melody greeted as she sat down by Remus and gave him a peck on his lips.
'Hey honey. How's your day?' Remus asked
'Hmm… as usual I guess. Heard bout your prank, Jamesie-poo.' Melody said with a smile.
James smirked. 'Did you hear how wonderfully done it was sis?' he exclaimed proudly. 'I bet even Lily would be proud of me, right Lils?' James asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
'Sure James. Sure.' Lily said shaking her head with laughter in her voice.
'What bout you Ann? How did you find our dear James's prank?' Sirius asked in a sing song voice.
'Lame.' Annabelle answered rolling her eyes.
'Well, well. Aren't you a woman of many words my dear?' Sirius asked with his eyes twinkling.
There was always an unknown tension around Annabelle and Sirius. Annabelle didn't like to talk to Sirius and often snubbed him. Sirius on the other hand loved to provoke Annabelle.
'Don't talk with your mouth full Sirius! Have some manners!' Melody reprimanded.
'Yes mother!' Sirius chimed.
'Oh shut up!' Melody huffed.
'Hey. Better hurry! We have astronomy after this!' Lily rushed. 'I have yet to get my books. And my astronomy apparatus! And-'
'Lily… Lily. We know. We know.' Remus said with a laugh.
'You're babbling Lils.' Annabelle laughed.
'Wow! The mighty Annabelle Lumbers actually opened her mouth!' Sirius exclaimed excitedly like a little kid.
'Shut up Black.' Annabelle snapped.
'James! Wake up! Lesson's over.' Remus said, shaking James.
'What was the question again?' James muttered sleepily.
'Lesson's over Prongs.' Remus said standing over James.
'Oh. I see.' James said stretching and letting out a yawn.
'Stop yawning Prongsie! Its Quitditch time and we're five minutes late already! Imagine what Lumbers would do to us.' Sirius sang merrily.
The sentence seemed to prick James with a million needles. Immediately, he shot up from his seat and ran down the long hall ways of Hogwarts, cursing all the way. Remus and Sirius followed close behind.
'I'm sorry I'm late!' James said barging into the room.
Only to find no one.
'What the hell? Have they forgotten bout the practice?' James asked in frustration.
'Relax prongs. At least we're not here to find a furious Ann breathing down our necks.' Remus sighed.
'Sorry I'm late!' Joel and Emily ran in red in the face.
'Where are the rest?' Emily asked curiously.
'Merlin knows.' James snapped. Emily shared looks with Joel. They're dead. Their dear captain did not seem to be in a good mood. That would mean double punishment for them.
'Sorry. Professor Shelby held all of us back. That bloody bitch.' Annabelle stormed into the room and threw her bag onto the floor, not realizing the tension James was creating in the room just yet.
'What's wrong? Where's Timothy?' Annabelle asked when she realized.
'Late.' Remus answered her question whilst signaling her to look at James's expression.
Annabelle's mouth formed a perfect 'o' shape as she slowly got the picture.
'Sorry! I'm late…' Timothy trailed off to see James glaring a hole into him.
'Because what?' James demanded.
'Because I forgot.' Timothy whispered.
'Sorry lover boy. Can't hear.' James said louder.
'I forgot.' Timothy said louder now, shutting his eyes immediately knowing what kind of violent captain James was.
'All of you get your brooms. To the pitch now.' James instructed. His instructions were not to be taken lightly when he was in such a foul mood. Everyone scampered to their feet, grabbing their brooms and ran meekly to the pitch outside.
'Now. Due to your tardiness, thirty rounds round the pitch. Now!' James ordered.
'WHAT?' The group gasped. They might miss dinner if they didn't run fast enough. Knowing James, he wouldn't let them off that easily.
'Did you not hear what I said? NOW! And following that, one game. GO!' James hollered.
Knowing there was no space arguing, the group had no choice but to run the pitch. James, Sirius and Remus were still the one leading. They were already at their 25th round and they were still going strong. Whereas, the rest of the group was already panting hard and could no longer run anymore. Annabelle who started slowly was now catching up the marauders.
Finally they finished their rounds, and surprisingly, they managed to complete earlier than they expected.
'Man! I'm beat!' Annabelle exclaimed upon reaching the Gryffindor common room. Flopping down onto the couch, she closed her eyes and immediately fell into slumber.
'Ann?' Lily asked. Melody pointed to the sleeping figure on the couch.
'Must have fallen asleep. Let's bring her up to the dorms.' Melody laughed.
'James really is a slave driver.' Lily said shaking her head in pity of Annabelle.
'Yep! That's my brother alright!' Melody sighed. 'Come on.'
NOTE: my second chapter. phew... okay here must thank a few people! first, my beta reader! thanks for helping Peachgirl1608. and of course my reviewers. yeps. i will keep your advice in mind! thanks:)
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