This one's for a friend Gwyn who love's my story as much as life... thanks for the support girl!

Chapter 16

When pushed, push back

"Okay, so I'm not that great at Arithmacy. It's annoying and long and you have to think way too much!" Nia exclaimed annoyed. "My first day and what do I get… a pop quiz! Their out to get me, I swear!"

Remus was smiling while Sirius seemed to be celebrating. "See Remus! Another person that hates Arithmacy! Ha!" Sirius was smiling.

"Owe me some coins Remus," James added. Nia couldn't help but snicker at that one.

"What was the bet? Another friend of Remus disliking Arithmacy?" she questioned.

"Well, sort of… why? What's it really matter, I got some more coins to spend, so I'm not about to complain."

Lily shook her head at the conversation. These boys never really did make much sense to her, but who was she to judge.

"So Lils, you wanna help me spend these coins this weekend? How 'bout we go somewhere special?" James smiled; trying to put his arm around her shoulders. On second thought, she was definitely someone to judge.

She dodged the arm and moved in between Sirius and Nia. They couldn't help but laugh, I mean, he was pathetic when it came to Lily Evans. Everyone knew that.

"So, how was potions class?" Nia turned to Sirius. "Boring. Another day of easy going. But now, Naomi DuBois, it's my turn to ask you a question," Nia hesitated. "Go on…"

"When, my dear friend, are you going to join us on the pitch?"

Everyone turned to Nia, even Lily. She was aware of the incident and was aware of her friends' fears. But she was also aware of her friends' relentless stubborn ego as well. When she was pushed she pushed back. When someone tugged, she tugged harder.

Not everyone had seen this side yet, but they were going to learn eventually.

"Pitch? You mean… Quidditch Pitch? Um… well, I'm not to sure…"

"Come on Nia, we can pretend the Malfoys are the rings."

"No, I'm not sure. I mean, I haven't been on in years…"

"Good players never forget how to play their game."

"But I'm out of shape…"

"In your dreams, maybe!"

"I'm not dressed, prepared to play…"

"You can be; and quickly."

"But what about my… my… uh, um… foot! Yeah, I hurt it this morning! Fell out of bed!"

"Really now? I don't believe you Nia, so lets' see if you're lying," Sirius smiled and then, out of no where, he started to tickle her. She struggled with all her might out of his grip and ran.

"Merlin, you're good for someone whose foot is hurt," Sirius won.

"Agh! Fine. I don't want to play though! So you better catch me or your damn life will be in danger!" she looked flustered and annoyed and boy was she not happy. They all just chuckled while she walked off in a huff.

"Where do you think she's going?" James asked.

"Diner," they answered.

"You're angry at me, aren't you?" Sirius said, sitting directly next to Nia.

"Give me a reason not to be…"

"Aw… the love birds are squabbling," someone said as he passed. They turned, only to find Snape looking right back at them. He had that genuine "Slytherin Smirk" sitting right on his face.

"I'd wipe that look right off your face Snivellous," James growled. "Before I decide to at least."

"James Potter! Stop calling him Snivellous! But you can go ahead and hit him," finished Lily.
"Gladly," and James went to move.

"Stop!" Nia barked. "I don't give a shit what it is you two have to fight about, but that was directed at Sirius and me. So we'll handle it ourselves James!"

Nia stood up, turned to Snape and glared. Slowly stepping toward him, she began to speak.

"It's obvious you don't like me, it's obvious you don't like them and it's obvious we don't like you. So I'm going to be nice this time, Snape. I'm going to let you walk by ME without a scratch but I can't guarantee that you'll walk by Sirius with your life."

"What, are you scared?" Snape mocked.

"No, I'm just better then you are," was all she said.

"I'd leave before she changes her mind Snape," Lily added.

As Snape walked off, Nia looked up from her food and smiled. "Now whose afraid Snivellous," everyone smiled.

The rest of the day went pretty smoothly, they finished up eating and left to study. At least some of them left to study. Nia, Remus and Lily were all busy preparing for the summer homework while James and Sirius were helping with the planning of the end of the year game. It was Gryffindor against Slytherin again… it was like that every year since they had come to be at Hogwarts.

"Well, Montgomery is still injured from the last game, so we're short a chaser. No one else will play, I've asked everyone. They're all afraid, last game is always the most deadly…" James said. He was aspiring captain for next year.

"We have to keep looking! If we can't find a chaser we might be disqualified… maybe worse, we might have to play…" the captain, Dawson, said sadly.

"What do you mean worse? How could that be worse?" Sirius asked.

"Because we'd have one less person for them to defend against. Which means one person for them to constantly attack us," James answered.

"But there has to be one person that'll help us… I mean Gryffindor are supposed to be the brave ones," Sirius responded frustrated. He suddenly got this look and started to smirk and whisper vigorously to the others. They, too, slowly had smiles crossing there faces.

"Remus I don't get this one. In Arithmacey… it's asking me too create an equastion that will help to prove my point. What the hell is my point?" Nia asked, annoyed with the subject.

"Well, Miss Vector assigned us points in class. We were supposed to mark them down," Lily said.

"Arg, I hate Arithmacey! It's just horrible," Nia spat. "Do either of you know…"

"Yes," they answered and got to work.

"It happens this tomorrow, she already promised but it'll be hard to actually make it happen," Sirius declared.

"It's gonna take time and effort Padfoot. We'll have bruises by the end of it too," James continued.

"But it'll hopefully be worth it. Good luck boys," Dawson finished.

"Remus!" Called Sirius. "We're going to call it a night. Coming?"

"Uh, sure. But why so early, guys?" Remus questioned.

"I practice tomorrow, mate! I want to get some sleep; and I'm forcing Sirius to come," James answered, they were now beside Lily, Remus and Nia.

"You three should come too," James added.

"No, they will; seeing as I have to go," Sirius grumbled.

"Oh, maybe I will come, just so that Sirius Black won't look like the loser he truly is," Nia piped. She got a look for that one.

"Alright, I guess we could go," Lily interjected.

"Yeah," Nia replied. "What about you Remus?"

"Sure, I'll go," he responded suspiciously.