James was up early the next day as he had to organise every thing for the try out which began at ten. Lily on the other hand was enjoying the lye in, as she had no homework as they had not had lessons yet. Still she would have to be up later to go see Emily and arrange the next girly night with her friends.
James was gathering together every thing he would need for practice and set off to make sure Sirius was a wake. James wandered up to his old dorm he could hear Sirius snores from out side of the door and shuck his head not up on a quidditch day tut tut James thought to him self. James flung open the door pointed his wand at Sirius so water shot out of it covering Sirius who woke up startled by the rudeness of his waking.
"What the hell? James" he growled
James stood in the door way laughing. He bounded over to his old bed and lay down on it arms behind his head.
"Rise and shine mate we got to put a hell of a lot of Gryffindor to the test"
Sirius smile brightened at this thought
"Still you could have woke me in a different way. Do you always have to wake me like that?"
" I have tried other methods. It's just the most affective. Now get you arse out of bed" he threw a pillow at Sirius
Sirius bounded into the bathroom for a wake up shower singing at the top of his lungs waking up any of the Gryffindor's still in bed.
"What the hell is that?" moaned peter from under his cover
"Sirius of course" James replied, "Hey where is Remus"
"How should I know I was a sleep. I thought there as a silencing charm on that bathroom"
James laughed, "there was. Must have been taken off." James waved his wand towards the bathroom to silence the room so the rest of Gryffindor's didn't have to put up with Sirius interesting music.
Remus wandered into the dorm "was that the tones of Sirius I could here?"
"Yep, alright Mooney?" James excitedly slapped Remus on the back
"Prongs gracing us with your presence in your old dorm" Remus bantered back
"Yep I do miss the old place but it good to have room to spread out in, still I can spend time here too".
The both embraced like brothers
"So where you been?" asked James with a twinkle in his eye
"Just getting a book from the library?"
"What we haven't even had first lesson yet" James looked gob smacked
"I know this is one for personal interest." He threw the book to James
"Interesting" a wicked grin crossed James face
"Would the head boy still be up for a spot of pranking?" the grin crossing Remus face also
"Always" James eyes flashed with mischief
"Right I'm ready boomed Sirius" as he came out of the bathroom. "Time for breakfast" he rubbed his hands together.
The three maunders wandered down to the great hall for breakfast leaving the fourth in bed. James was filling Sirius on some tactics for try outs to really push those applying so they would get a good chaser who would fit in with those already on the team whilst Sirius was stuffing his face.
"You ever thought about eating more slowly?" Julie asked as she sat across from Sirius.
"Ready for a pounding?" Sirius sneered
"What from you? You couldn't hurt me even if you tried," laughed Julie
"You watch your self I'm not the best beater in Hogwarts for nothing" grinned Sirius
"I'm sure Julie can give you a run for your money Black" retorted lily as she approached the table.
"Have you seen Katie?" lily asked turning to Julie
"Yeah she went off to the library had some thing she wanted to find".
"You left these on your bed" Lily handed over some quidditch gloves
"Thanks Lils I wondered where I had put those down."
Sirius laughed, "You can't even remember all your quidditch stuff"
Lily and Julie turned and scowled at Sirius. Sirius instantly shut up not wanting to get caught up in the temper those girls could release.
"You coming watching me try out?" asked Julie
"I would love to see you kick Sirius butt, me and Katie promised we would organise the next girls night and invite Emily. We will come after wards though"
"Don't worry about it Lils"
"Girls night? Could I come? As an honour girl for the night of course" Sirius joked wiggling his eyebrows at the girls
"No! The idea is it's for girls only" Julie retorted
They all carried on eating through breakfast being slowly joined by more Gryffindor mainly those who were trying out for the chaser position. The girls chatting between them selves now with Katie who had joined them and was showing them the book she had found in the library.
James and Sirius left toward the qudditich pitch closely followed by the rest of the team and those trying out. There was quite a crowed of them. The Gryffindor team had been doing very well since Sirius and James had joined the team in their second year so a lot of people wanted a slice of the action. The two maunders talent on the quidditch pitch had helped to grow their reputation into being two of the most desirable boy in Hogwarts.
Lily and Katie wandered over to the Ravenclaw table to join Emily and Sam to put some ideas together for their next girly night.
James and Sirius surveyed all those trying out. They both knew that most of them wouldn't even make it threw the warm up. The Gryffindor team split every one up into groups in order to question their loyalty and whether they would put quidditch before other club they were in. I few left at the stage James was fuming "what the point in even coming if they are not going to give it their full."
"Because not every one thinks quidditch is the end all and be all," piped up Julie.
"Does that mean we should send you away with them?" Both boys asked
Julie laughed "you would be sorry if you did that"
"Right we will go through some warm ups." James commanded
James had the team stretching and doing some sprints in order to do a quick check on fitness. He marked some people who would probably not be fit enough. As they were trying out for the chaser position he had them on broom in a circle passing the quaffel around them to see people reflexes. just from this first set of tasks the team had managed to get the number down to 10.
"Right were going to run some drill then set up mini games," James shouted whilst looking at his notes
Katie and Lily chatted with Sam and Emily about where to have their girly night and made their way down to the kitchen to be able to carry on drinking tea as Lily was feeling a little under the weather.
"It would have to be on a weekend it the only way" Katie said "there is no way the professors would allow us into each other dorms on a week night"
"Where would we have it though? There are more Gryffindor's involved in this night so it would make sense having it in your tower rather than all of you having to traipse your stuff through the castle to ours" said Emily
"We could use my new dorm. I could ask Potter to stay in Gryffindor tower for the night. We wouldn't be interrupted by any one then and there is plenty of room." Said Lily
"Brilliant idea. And no Sirius to annoy Julie" Katie laughed
"I always thought he fancied her," piped up Sam "Emily always says that he is looking at her"
"No way" said lily and Katie
"He doesn't fancy any one. Black and Potter are players" lily stated
Emily shook her head " they are not that bad Lily"
"Any way we will have to speak to the professors to see if we can have this get together" interrupted Katie "we will ask McGonagall" indicating Lily "and you ask Flitwick"
"Agreed" smiled Sam
"And we will ask the house elves about food" said Katie
"We have to be off. Need to go vote in the new study group leader," said Emily while she rolled her eyes.
Sam and Emily made a move towards the door in the kitchens
"Speak to you during dinner this week some time to check every thing is sorted" said Lily as they we about to go through the door into the corridor
The two Ravenclaw's set off to there tower. Whilst the two Gryffindor pulled up chairs near the fire and ordered some more tea.
"Feeling warmer now Lils?"
"Yes very much"
"Good because we are going watching the rest of Julies tryout" Katie said as she pulled Lily up with her
The two girls wrapped their cloaks round them and slowly wandered to the quidditch pitch taking in the beautiful grounds of Hogwarts as they went.
"I can't see any one flying" Lily said as they approached the quidditch pitch
"They must be taking a break and it is nearly lunch"
"It could be over?" Lily asked hopefully
"Nooo way did you see how many people were trying out"
"It's just I'm finding it so hard to keep warm at the moment" Lily moaned
"Aww Lils, are you ill?" Katie asked with concern
"I hope not"
They walked under the small arch way on to the huge green pitch rather than going up into the stands.
"Hey" waved Julie happily as she ran over too her friends
"Hey" shivered Lily
"How's it going?" Katie beamed all excited for her friend
"Not too bad thanks, there is only four of us left, James is a right slave driver, but he has organised lunch in the Gryffindor tactical and changing rooms. Want to join us?"
"Sure your captain won't mind?" giggled Lily
"Hey did I hear me being mentioned." Asked James as he wandered over running a hand through his hair
Lily rolled her eyes to the other two "whispering here we go"
"We were wondering if we could join you, as we only just came from the castle and it would be stupid to walk back for lunch then come all the way here again to see Julie." Katie boldly argued "and Remus is here and I'm sure your not going to turn him away"
"Sure you can join us." James smiled turned back to the team herding them in to the changing room for lunch. The girls followed after.
Lily headed straight to the tea pot to get a hot drink but her hand were so cold that touching the pot felt like it was burning her skin. She scowled at her hand rubbing them together to warm them up
"Here" said James pouring Lily a cup and passing it her
Lily took the cup in her hand savouring the warms and smell "Umm thanks"
"Your welcome" James quietly replied
Lily wandered back over to her friend unaware that James was still watching her. Sirius slapped James back bringing him back to reality. The two boys were soon laughing over some thing Sirius had said whilst Remus just shuck his head at them.
Lunch was quickly demolished by all and James gave them a break so there food would settle before herding them back on to the pitch. Just as Lily was about to leave James stopped her and passed her his school cloak
"What's this for?"
"You look cold. I'm sure Julie wouldn't want you to get ill from watching her."
"Thanks, why are you being nice to me?" Lily said looking a little stunned
James was a little taken aback and started running his hand threw his hair looking towards the door.
"Wouldn't want Julie to kill me especially as it looks like she will be on the team"
"Really she will be so pleased" gushed Lily
James smiled at Lily being delight for her friend.
"Yeah so don't get ill" James teased as he glanced back as he stepped on to the pitch.
Lily wandered out to join Katie with James cloak wrapped round her. She breathed in the deep smell from the cloak closing her eyes in the processes. She found it so relaxing and comforting.
The team was back in the air and the wind was picking up. Lily shivered because of being stood out feeling the cold more than ever. She collapsed down on to the groaned Katie turned quickly. Know one else had noticed being to consumed in the try outs
"Are you ok? Lily?"
"I'm fine. Just tired, need to rest, can you give me a hand up?"
"Sure. Come on lets head back"
"No I want to see Julie get on the team," Lily said stubbornly
Lily she said warningly
"Don't Lily me I want to stay I'm fine"
"Evans you're so stubborn" as Katie tried to convince Lily to head back
"You never call me Evans"
"I don't normally need too"
Lily laughed
Katie made them go a sit in the stands where it's a little more sheltered from the element and Lily could take it easy.
"Ouch bet that hurt" Katie cringed getting really involved in what was going on
"Well there is another that wont be in the team lucky for Julie but not for Ryan"
"Do you think he will have to go to the hospital wing?" Lily anxiously asked
"After being hit with a bludger from Black I would say so"
Lily cringed wrapping the layers she had on closer to her self
The game was picking up pace. Julie swerved in and out of players and bludgers. She moved with grace the broom moving to her every command. The red quaffel was in her possession skimming past George Fitzgibbon the teams other beater making her way towards the hoops the keeping waiting for her to make a move. Julie spied her other team mates closing opening up more options for her. James came to the left to her she passed the quaffel over to him effectively sending the keeper in the wrong direction as he was watching her over on the right and not covering the left hoops leaving them wide open for James to score. The mini games went on a little longer allowing Julie to score she appeared to have always been playing with the team it was like she could read there next move and play a supporting role in order to execute there tactics.
James called them all down and back into the changing rooms. Lily, Katie and the few others in the stands made their way down to follow in like wise. James called the team into the tactics room leaving every one in the changing room. Those left sat anxiously waiting the verdict of whether they would get on the team. Julie started biting her nail Lily slapped her hand away Julie scowled at her whilst every one else laughed breaking the atmosphere which had built up. Final the team clambered back into the changing rooms
James spoke to the crowed "I just want to let you know the decision we made was very difficult as each of you has qualities we could use in the team. But team is the key word and we feel that the team would work best if Julie joined us."
Lily Katie and Julie screamed both hugging Julie
"We knew you could do it" danced lily and Katie whilst keeping a firm grip on Julie
Julie just laughed with the biggest smile on her face which was turning slightly red.
"Well if you don't mind we need to get changed," James shouted over the noise
The spectators piled out heading toward the castle Katie, Lily and Remus hung back to wait for their friends.
"Celebrating tonight girls?" Questioned Remus
"Yeah I think Julie disserves it" beamed Katie
Remus smiled back at Katie
"But I don't think Lily will be"
"O whys that he said turning back towards Lily"
"She is ill and needs a good nights sleep. Especially after she collapsed on the pitch earlier"
"Katie shushhh. It was nothing honest I'm fine"
"You should see madam Pomfrey just to be sure," Remus added with concern
Julie burst through the doors from the changing room. Slowly followed by the rest of the team
"Hey we are having a party back at Gryffindor tower come on" the excited Julie griped onto her friend and pulled them along
They all headed back to Gryffindor tower but the maunders took a diversion on the way.
"Moony" Sirius whispered over to him nodding his head towards another corridor
Moony ditched him self from chatting with the girls to follow James and Sirius to the secret passage way into Hogesmede to get supplies for the party.
Pushing back a tapestry to reveal a portrait of a knight asking for a password "smugglers cave" whispered Remus. Quickly they made their way down the rough cave like passage to Hogesmede James in front with his wand lighting the way.
"Is Lily ok?" James asked
"Prong thought you were forgetting about Lilykins," said Sirius
"Shut up pad foot….So is she ok?" James asked again to Remus
"She says she is. But I think she is getting flu but she won't see Pomfrey"
"Right" nodded James
"Stop brooding. When are we going to pull another prank I'm itching to get old sniverless" winked Sirius
"We will do some thing after then next full moon. When I'm stronger. And I think we should leave sniverless especially if James wants a chance with lily." Remus pointed out
"Hey were here. Pad foot you get the butter beer Rosma loves you. Me and Mooney will go pick some stuff up a Honeydukes and meet you at the Threebroom's."
"Righto see you to in a bit" Sirius wandered off towards the Threebroom sticks
The boys separated to gather supplies for the party.
"You really giving up on Lily" asked Remus a little surprised
"I don't know but even if I do I can still be concerned about her right?" asked James looking for reassurance
"Yeah sure…. So how's living with her?"
"Don't really know yet. To early to tell but I think it might be slow torcher for my self"
Remus just laughed
The girls made there way through the fat ladies portrait into the tower where the Gryffindor were already in the full swing of a party minus refreshments.
"Come on Lils we will sit by the fire to keep you warm and we can laugh at the chaos" Julie smiled will a devilish glimmer in her eye
"Fine with me" Lily smiled happily
They sunk into the rug next to the fire removing their clock.
"Wish we had some marshmallows" Katie looked dreamily towards the fire
They sat chatting happily for a while waiting on the return of the maunders who usually brought back supplies with them. When they were interrupted.
"Is that James cloak?" asked Maria looking thoroughly unhappy at the prospect
"Yes" replied Lily without an upward glance
"And why would you have it?" she giggled, "Did you steal it?"
Maria's friends joined her giggling also
"No I didn't" Lily said looking annoyed and insulted
"Give me the cloak I will give it back to my James. Do you understand? Stay away from him" Maria threatened
"Well that's going to be hard for Lily isn't it you idiot" defended Katie
The whole party was looking toward the group now
"Katie just leave it" Lily anxiously looked around "I can safely say Maria I have no interest in James what's so ever. And he doesn't even like me, he just likes annoying me"
"Hey" shouted Sirius over the crowed "this isn't a party"
The maunders had met back up at the Threebroom sticks where Sirius was still chatting up Rosma even though he had the surplice of butterbeer as well as a bottle of fire whiskey
"How did you get fire whiskey?" Asked Remus " I know you flirt with Rosma but she would never give us fire whiskey."
Sirius taped his nose. "It's just my charm"
"Pad foot be serious and don't do the stupid joke with you name"
"Ok ok. I bumped into an old pal"
"Who" James asked looking more interested in the conversation
"One of the Prewit twins he bought us a bottle. Told me to have a fun with my last year like he did so use the stuff wisely" Sirius winked
"I always like those two. Amazing duellers" James told Sirius
"Right let's head back before people realise we are missing." Said Remus
"They already know we are missing its not a party with out me" Sirius joked
"They will just think we are in the kitchens getting surplices, relax Mooney" James said looking over at Remus the more sensible maunder
"Bet Wormtail is already trying it on with a girl, we should get back to see that" laughed Sirius
The maunders walked into the tower seeing a crowed over by the fire and catching Lily's last words James heart sunk Remus patted his friend on the back whilst Sirius tried the old change the subject by announcing they were back.
"Hey" shouted Sirius over the crowed "this isn't a party"
Pretty much every one turned round to look a Sirius carrying loads of supplies along with James and Remus. Maria rushed over with her two friends to help set up all the food whilst Sirius sorting out the music to make the party really swing. James headed up to his old dorm with the fire whiskey and stashed it under Remus bed. This was defiantly not the party for fire whiskey.
"Hey Remus" shouted Katie he instantly looked over and smiled at her
"I was wondering if you had any marshmallows in that assortment of goodies you brought back?"
"Amazingly enough I had an idea you would want some." He rummaged through the bag to find them. Once he found them he wandered over and placed them in Katie's hands.
"I have another bag but I think we need to limit your surplice," he teased
Katie pouted at Remus as Remus stared into her beautiful eyes a smile stretching across his lips as his eyes slowly wandered over Katie's face. Lily and Julie looked at each other with a knowing smile and interrupted this little moment
" Very thoughtful of you, any chance you have sticks too" they laughed, "so we can toast them"
James had over heard them and wandered over
"Here" James said as he handed over some transfigured spoons.
"Showing off Potter?" joked lily
"No just making sure you don't all burn your selves"
"Prongs" shouted Sirius as he noticed James was back from hiding away the whiskey
James walked away slightly annoyed that Lily thinks even when he is being nice that he is showing off
"Bit harsh Lils" says Remus
"Well he shouldn't go on about how he is so good at transfiguration and stop showing off every time he get the chance and anyway I was only joking." She defended
"One he doesn't say anything about being good at transfiguration Sirius says it to annoy you, two he was being nice, three you did ask for sticks so what if it was him that transfigured them its not like we had any, at least he used his head." Remus counted off sounding slightly annoyed that Lily always rejecting James even when he hasn't done any thing annoying.
"I'm sorry I was only joking. Didn't think he would be upset by my comment." she tried to explain not wanting Remus to be upset with her or to ruin the party
"Well maybe he is sick of you judging him all the time." Remus stood up and left
"I'm a really that bad, am I?" Lily interrupted the conversation the other two were having
"No Lils, I mean he has always done stuff that annoys you" Katie gently soothed
"Your just extra defensive, perhaps a little harsh this time though as he was just being nice." Explained Julie
"Great now I feel guilty" sighed lily
"Well don't look he is having fun, have a toasted marshmallow" Katie smiled as she passed one over to Lily
"Thanks." She sadly replied looking toward the direction James was in
The party was dieing down around one o'clock and many of the Gryffindor's were very sleepy
"I'm going to head back now" yawned Lily "see you guys in the morning"
"Yeah if we wake up in the morning it's Sunday tomorrow and some off us like having a lye in Lils" Julie yawned
"So do I" she defensively teased
"Night Lils they" both laughed as the wandered up to their dorm
"Night"
Lily wrapped up and graped James cloak and added that to her layers as well she would give it him back tomorrow or later in the head dorms. She started making her way toward the portrait when James voice asked her to wait up so he could walk back with her.
They both wandered in silence back to the head dorms Lily's teeth chattering a little.
James settled her down in front of the fire
"Stay there I will be back"
She just nodded her head.
James exited the head dorms and made his way down to the hospital wing hoping not to be caught by the caretaker or any professors that might be patrolling as it was very late. He entered the hospital wing glad to see madam Pomfrey still awake as he would not like to have disturbed her if she was a sleep
"Mr potter, what injury do you have now" the matron sighed
"Thankfully none" he answer cheerfully
The matron's eyebrow raised
"I'm here on behalf of the head girl she has a cold possible getting flu"
"Miss Evans?"
"Yep"
"Yes she can be an awkward patient, here you go some pepper up potion should do the trick, if not send her to me, in fact you would probably have to bring her." The matron chuckled.
James head back with the potion to check on Lily.
He wandered in to the heads dorm where the heat of the fire hit his face but Lily was still sitting there shivering. Even in her ill state the fire was dancing across her face her eyes sparkling as she looked up to see him staring.
"James?"
He smiled towards her holding out the potion.
"Thought you could use this"
"Thanks"
She downed the potion and steam shot from her ears. James smirked slightly at the effect it had making her look like her hair was actually on fire. Her eyes narrowed seeing his smirk
"You can see why I don't like going to the hospital wing now"
"Sorry" he chuckled "you still look beautiful just a little more fiery than usual"
She just stared back at him blinking slowly try to comprehend the fact he called her beautiful with out being a prat. His eyes widened as he realised what he just said
"Right well I'm gona head of to bed" James said looking a little awkward keeping his eyes from her face "good night Evans"
"Night" she replied still in shock
James wandered to his stairs and into his room where is slid down the back of his door as soon as it had closed. Taking deep breaths even when she is ill she is beautiful he was pleased they had managed a civil conversation. He worried about how it might be awkward between them tomorrow because of what he said. But his expression was still sad with thought that he would never be with her and never even be able to kiss her especially with what she said at the party.
Lily was not awake long in front of the fire she was grateful that Potter had gone for the pepper up potion she really wasn't feeling to well. With aid of the potion and the hot temperature of the room she was finally feeling warm and drowsy she curled up and laid her head on a pillow watching the flames of the fire dance over the logs as she drifted off to sleep.
Unable to fall asleep James made his way back into the heads common room in order to find a book to tire his over active mind. He noticed the fire was still lit and slowly beginning to die down but the room was still very warm. He made his way over to the collection of book the room had and noticed a peak of red hair lying over some pillows on the floor as he rounded the couch to get a better view he saw her there sleeping like an angel. He instantly made his way over and threw more logs on to the fire to make sure she stayed warm. He surveyed the room not finding what he was looking for so headed back to his room. He looked through his half unpacked trunk to find what he was looking for. The blanket his mother had made for him a few years back when he made onto the Gryffindor quidditch team. The comforter was Gryffindor red with little golden lion and snitches sewn on with care. He softly placed it carefully over the sleeping angel making sure she was covered. Lily moved slightly in her sleep bringing the blanket more closely round her self. James softly brushed some of her hair back of her face.
"Sweet dreams Lily," he whispered with his hand slightly hovering over the hair he had just brushed away. He stayed for a little while just watching her sleep. Her chest rising slowly the small movement she made in order to tuck her body further into the blanked. James felt a wonderful feeling of joy and contentment watching her.