Chapter XIII

Gryffindor Versus Hufflepuff

((James's POV))

I woke early that Saturday; early enough that I had time to mill around in my room before going to breakfast. I shouldered my recently groomed Cleansweep Four after pulling on my robes and left my room. I could hear Lily's shower running (and her singing in the background), so I left without waiting for her.

Gryffindor table erupted into cheers when I entered the Great Hall. Well, the few Gryffindors that were already down there. I ate a quick breakfast, and then the team headed down to the changing rooms. It looked like a very overcast day, and it was also windy out there.

Kirke had come over to me after the team had finished changing. "Potter, just remember what I said about—"

But the cheering of the crowd interrupted him, signaling that Hufflepuff had flown out. We all mounted our brooms, then, and flew out onto the field in a line, receiving cheers and boos from all over. There was wind, and we had to concentrate on not allowing our brooms to be steered off in another direction. Luckily it wasn't raining, because it was very cold outside.

Once Madam Hooch released the balls and threw the Quaffle for the Chasers to catch, the game began.

"And it's Hufflepuff Chaser McKinnon in possession—ooh, gets hit by a Bludger from Gryffindor Captain Kirke," said the commentator, his voice booming over the stands. "Now Gryffindor Chaser Par in possession—passes to Chaser Carlson—dodges a Bludger—and ooh. Ran into the Hufflepuff goal posts. You forgot your glasses again, Carlson!"

I scanned the field for the Snitch, but it was nowhere to be seen. The Hufflepuff Chaser, Carl McLaggen, was impressing the girls by doing flips in the air on his broom.

About five minutes after the game had started, rain started coming down. The crowd groaned as they realized it was rain and sleet.

"Gryffindor isn't doing so well," shouted the commentator, about twenty minutes later. "Potter still hasn't found the Snitch, and the score is seventy to zero, Hufflepuff in the lead. We all knew the Hufflepuff Keeper Williams was good, but not that good! Maybe the Hufflepuffs can withstand more cold and wetness than the Gryffindors—"

"Focus on what's going on, boy!" everyone heard Professor McGonnagall saying. "Just because you're in Hufflepuff doesn't mean you have to start bragging about them!"

Far off, over by the Slytherin stands, where Snape was watching, I saw a glitter. I was closer to it, and the other Seeker was flying around the stands, holding out his hands for people to high-five. I pressed my body low to my broom handle and sped off to the Snitch. The Hufflepuff Seeker noticed me, but he wasn't close, and he had a Cleansweep two…

I caught it before it had even realized that I was after it. The crowd erupted with cheers; I gave Snivellus a look before I sped off, holding the struggling golden ball high for all to see, shivering in the sheets of rain and sleet that were coming down.

"Excellent, Potter!" said Kirke. "We were really worried about you. It took you almost twenty-five minutes to find it!"

"There are Quidditch matches that last months, Kirke," one of our Chasers, Amanda Par, said.

But he had no time to respond because the Gryffindors were rushing out onto the field to congratulate us, and I saw Lily's face among them. She ran for me, and I quickly shoved my broom in Peter's hands so I could pick her up and kiss her.

"You were brilliant," she said. "And you're all wet. Better get inside."

So after we had showered and wrapped thick blankets around ourselves, we had a party in the common room.

"That was a brilliant game, James," a second-year girl breathed as I walked by.

"Uh, thanks," I said, hurrying off to find Sirius.

I saw him sitting with a circle of first years around him. He was teaching them different hexes to use on the Slytherin lot, Peter acting as his dummy with several cushions around him that he could land on. I heard Sirius say, "Petrificus Totalus!" as all the first years gasped and watched Peter fall over like a stone.

Just then, Lily walked up to Sirius and started scolding him. "What are you doing? Isn't Peter your friend?"

"Why, yes, Lils," Sirius said casually. "I was just teaching these here first years how to protect themselves against the future Voldemort-lickers."

"Voldemort-lickers?" Lily snorted. I appreciated it that she said Voldemort's name. "You mean the Slytherins? Only a few of those are future Death Eaters."

"My point remains. I was teaching these children how to hex the Slytherins."

"Still, I don't think it's right. You should go back to the party."

I walked forward. "C'mon, Lily, Peter agreed to it. I think it's good teaching younger students how to jinx the Slytherins."

"What about the second years?"

"I taught them last year," Sirius explained coolly, examining his fingernails.

"Just let him," I said quietly, taking her hand. She looked up at me and stepped away.

"I…want some more butterbeer," she said, rushing off.

"Nice job, Prongs," Sirius said as he helped Peter stand. I looked at her leave, thinking about how tender her feelings were. Either that or how little it took to make her angry.

A/N: I know, it took me forever to update. But that's because I went to this wedding over the weekend, and then I danced for like five hours, and then I had to sleep a lot because, well, I was tired. So there you have it.

BILLY JEAN IS NOT MY LOVAH--

Okay, sorry. That song justmakes me want to dance like Fred and Angelina at the Yule Ball. Sometimes Michael Jackson makes me happy, when I forget that he could be lurking outside my window, waiting to jump in and, well, you know the rest.

I know this chapteris short, but I'm putting up another onetomorrow for you guys to look forward to.

I've decided to reply to some of my reviews. There's not really much I can say to "Oh my gosh, this fic is great!" except thank you, over and over again. It's not that I don't love those of you who say that, because you have all of my love, but you know I'm grateful that you read, and I don't need to tell you. So, if you say something that needs responding to, like a question or, oh, perhaps something about bubbles and chickens, I'll respond. Savvy?

Queen of Duct Tape: I love the book. It is TEH BOMB. Except, you know, the git brain that occupies Snape's head. Thanks for reviewin'!

P.S. I love dead chickens.