It's not mine; it's all J.K. Rowling's.
Chapter 14: In Which Lily Meets a Snitch
or
In Which Lily Practices Telepathy
Our heroine's last (and most enlightening) thought:
The Slytherin seeker … it's Mr. Hulk!
ooo…ooo
Mr. "Ugly as a Rutabaga Hulk" or Bryson or whatever he's going by these days, but the point is, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
How could I never have noticed before?
He's a bit large for a seeker, if you ask me (which no one did, but if they had, I'd sure have told them). Mind you, he does look much smaller when he's so far up in the air. I watched as he followed James through a few loop the loops.
How could he be the Slytherin Seeker and I'd never noticed? I go to every Quidditch match. Am I that unobservant! Maybe he's new! Yeah, I bet that's it! He's probably a last ditch attempt by the Slytherins to beat the legendary (and extremely HOT) James Potter (who is all mine (well, sort of), so hahaha).
Well, he'll never succeed because … because I said so! (And James is so much nicer than him and for once the nice (and extremely sexy) guy is going to win.)
Hey, this completely explains why James and Mr. Hulky Boy aren't getting along very well (or at all). Not only is James a Gryffindor and Mr. "I Suck at Quidditch (Especially Seeker) Because I'm a Huge Hulk" is a Slytherin, but they're both the team seekers. Yeah, that definitely explains the hostility.
I let out a shout, "Heck yeah!" as Emerson dodged the Slytherin keeper and slammed the quaffle through the left hoop. If there's a Quidditch version of a slam-dunk, that's it.
I ducked as a couple of 3rd years behind me let their banner fall on my head.
"Watch it!" I bellowed, shoving it back at them. "Don't mess with my view of the game or there'll be severe pain. Got it?" They nodded vigorously, looking terrified.
Did I mention that Quidditch against Slytherin brings out the most terrifying in me? Yeah … just don't obscure my view … or else … terrible things will befall you.
I looked back up at James, he was still fine (both meanings), scanning for the snitch while pulling crazy twists and turns to keep Mr. "Vaguely Sloth Like Hulk" occupied.
Hold on. Now shouldn't there have been a few attempts at murdering James by this point in the match? I mean, this is Slytherin, trying to murder people is what they do best.
I checked the score, 110-70, Gryffindor. Yeah, those homicidal maniacs should be crawling out of the woodwork any minute if they haven't already.
I tore my gaze away from James as the boy standing at the spot next to me screamed bloody murder and dove cowering for the floor.
What in the biosphere? This fellow's clearly got problems (and is a complete sissy). I looked back to the game and then I saw it, the bludger, heading right for our section of the stands. I screamed too and did a fair imitation of the diving and the cowering. And I admit I was obviously a wee bit unfair when I said the boy was a sissy, clearly this is one of those times that calls for sissy-ish behavior.
I peeked under the railing and saw Sirius racing for the bludger. We are so going to die. There's no way he can get here fast enough. This is so ironic. I mean, what is it that compels the universe to try to kill me as soon as I'm ready to live happily ever after and all that jazz?
I figure I've got about a millisecond left to live and I haven't done anything useful with my life! I've been made Head Girl and I've broken up a bunch of victory parties in the wee hours of the night, but other than that … I've done nothing.
Well, actually, I did kiss James Potter and you know … fall in love with him. I guess that's something to be proud of. So my life isn't all that bad; I've done a heck of a lot more than some people, like … the sissy boy I'm cowering next to. I bet he hasn't done anything remotely as awesome as me.
Oh no! Self-delusion alert! (The boy's probably invented some wicked awesome way to end world hunger or discovered how to bake already sliced bread.) Alright, I'm going to stop thinking about death because obviously what I think about it isn't going to do anything to stop it.
OH MY GODS!
I LOVE (from the deepest depths of my heart) Sirius Black! He's my new hero! Oh wow, that was so awesome. That bludger had to have been like a few yards from obliterating this section of the stands when he practically dove off of his broom to connect his bat with the bludger and sent it whizzing in the opposite direction!
Oh gods … I nearly died. As in wasn't going to be alive anymore! That was so scary! Sirius slumped on his broom, looking relieved and more than a bit worn out.
I know he just saved my life and all, but shouldn't he be protecting our players! What is he doing? Saving my life isn't a valid excuse! This is Quidditch!
I stood up, struggling to my feet with the support of the stadium rail. Since I was the first person up, I was able to look over and spot Ally crouching about 2 rows back. So that's why Sirius nearly killed himself trying to get that bludger. Then I saw that another timeout had been called, so that was why Sirius was floating tiredly over here, the game was on hold. I guess that's alright then.
James was over arguing with the referee, Professor Davenport, gesturing angrily.
"I hope Potter's telling ol' Davenport that Washam was deliberately aiming for the Gryffindor supporters because that had to be the most obvious attempt at sabotage since last year when Sawyer tried to bite off Potter's ear," the announcer shouted over the outrage pouring from all sections of the stands, Slytherin exempted.
James gave a final shout and flew off, clearly still angry. I guess Davenport is showing his bias for Slytherins. Just because he was in that house doesn't make it the best; in fact, I think that might even make it a little worse.
"No penalty! That's outrageous! … get some new eyeballs you stupid scum…"
There was a collective "Boo" from the Gryffindor supporters as McGonagall yanked the microphone away. Sirius shot a last look at Ally, who was blowing him a kiss, and flew back to the center of the game.
The whistle sounded and the match resumed. I cheered as Sirius sent a bludger whirling rather viciously toward Washam. Washam rolled over, barely avoiding the bludger.
James was back to searching for the snitch, but I didn't see Mr. Hulk. I wonder where he is. Hmm … wait, isn't that him? But what's he doing on the other side of the pitch? So, he's no longer marking James … odd. Why would he suddenly change tactics?
Slytherin scored three more times is the next ten minutes (rotten, garbage dwelling, filth bathing cheaters).
"That's 110-100, Gryffindor's game, but barely. They're taking a real blow without Jennifer Bell here. Potter needs to catch the snitch soon if he doesn't want to endanger Gryffindor's chances of winning the cup."
James was indeed frantically searching the pitch for the snitch, but he obviously wasn't having much luck.
I have figured out Mr. Hulky Boy's new plan, though. He's basically doing the mirror image of whatever James is doing. An odd tactic to be sure, but probably more likely to work than the whole marking idea. If Mr. Hulk gets lucky and the snitch is spotted closer to him than James he might be able to get it.
An annoying flutter brushed my ear. My hand shot up reflexively, attempting to bat away whatever had touched me. I assume it's those stupid 3rd year banner wavers. If you can't keep your banner under control don't bring it! I mean that's completely common sense!
The banner brushed my ear again and I swatted at it without looking behind me. My hand hit cool metal. I whipped around and went cross-eyed focusing on what was fluttering right in between my eyes, namely the snitch.
The SNITCH!
Oh my gods! Oh my gods. Shoo … go away! I flapped my hands desperately at it. Go away. Please, please go. Shoo …
"Come on," I begged silently, "Please go away." It didn't move. My day has just taken a turn for the worse (not that it was going so swimmingly before). Why is the snitch here? I bet that secret government agency, which is listening to my thoughts, sent it to punish me for threatening to permanent stick their underwear to their heads. I knew I was being too harsh. Still, doesn't this seem a bit extreme? Everyone knows what happens when the snitch is spotted in the stands (and in case you don't let me just say that it generally involves spectators spending weeks in St. Mungo's). This is so unfair. This snitch needs to leave me alone and go bother some Slytherins or something.
Maybe if I ignore it it'll go away. Yes, I'll ignore it. Good plan. I turned back around.
There is not a snitch fluttering by my ear.
There is absolutely not a highly important snitch fluttering most annoyingly by my ear. No there's not. Nope.
The snitch abandoned my ear to float by the front of my neck. I guess it doesn't like being ignored.
It's kind of cute though, isn't it? Like a baby bird. But it's not here, of course, not here at all.
"You aren't fooling me," I whispered, "I know you're not here." If anything the snitch's fluttering became smugger. Stupid smug snitch. I tried to shove the snitch away again and it just dodged my hand and stayed where it was, like a gold little locket by my neck. Mind you, it was a moving gold little locket without a chain, but still I need to get James' attention somehow.
I wish the seeker didn't have to be the one to catch the snitch because then I could just nab it and hand it to him, but nooo … only the seeker can catch the snitch. Stupid rules of Quidditch.
I shot a desperate look at James and tried to shoot him a telepathic message, "James, darling, I know you're busy but if you could come take care of this snitch, I'll give you a nice kiss."
He didn't notice! Why didn't he notice? Alright, he's probably just distracted, I'll try again.
I concentrated firmly on James, "James, dearest, the snitch is right here come and get it. Please!"
James didn't even glance in my direction on his next sweep of the pitch. Sorry, worthless, unobservant, telepathically deaf seeker! Ok, I'll try one more time, but this is it!
"James, you donkey butt, get your sorry bow-legged self over here and catch the darn snitch."
If possible he looked even less in my direction than he had before (which was rather hard seeing as he hadn't looked at me at all before). Ok, clearly the telepathic communication isn't going to work. I need a new idea.
Umm … I have no new ideas! I'm a failure! I can't even telepathically contact the man I love! Wait … that could be due to the fact he doesn't know I love him.
"I LOVE you, Potter!" I shouted at the top of my lungs as he pulled a feint (which only I knew was a feint, seeing as he wasn't anywhere near the bloody snitch since it was here with me!).
No one even looked in my direction after that outburst. Not that I'd expected them too because not only was everyone watching Mr. Hulk desperately trying to avoid slamming into the ground, but declarations of love for James are quite normal at Quidditch matches.
Do you know how many marriage proposals he gets per match? I'd say about 50 or so. It's ridiculous. I'd be jealous, but he always ignores them. Ok, so I'm a wee bit jealous I suppose, but at least there's no carrying or riding on the same broom involved! Ok, you know, I wouldn't be terribly upset if all of those girls (and the few boys) just fell off of the stands or met with some other sort of misfortune. But I won't dwell on it. It'll just make me bothered.
Alright, let's give the telepathic thing one more try. After all, I'm sure he heard me. He might not know it, but it must be lodged somewhere in his subconscious.
"James! The snitch is right here with me!" I thought as loudly as I could.
I nearly fell over the edge of the stands as James pulled up mid-flight and whirled around, his eyes going directly to me. Yes! I am the woman! I am the Mistress of Awesomeness! I am the Queen of Telepathic Communication! I deserve a prize or a medal or at least a cookie. I am the … what's he doing?
WHAT is he doing? Why isn't he coming over here? He's turning back around. Why? WHY? The snitch is right here. As in right here. As in not over there, but over here next to … oh buggers.
Stupid, sneaky, silent, no good, worthless waste of metal! It just had to choose the moment when I'd finally succeeded with the whole telepathic thing to drift around behind my back … silently. Silent as a … a … grave or turnip or something.
Argh! I'm so angry I can't even come up with a properly descriptive noun or verb or adjective or whatever part of speech I'm actually talking about. I collapsed down on the bleacher seats and put my head in my hands. I'm so having a bad day. I can't even think in correct grammar.
The snitch fluttered comfortingly by my right eye. It's really not all that bad for a little hunk of metal without brains.
"I think we could get along if we put our minds to it," I confessed to it in a whisper. After all, I didn't want anyone hearing me (not that they would with all of the ruckus) and thinking I was possessed and talking to myself since I seem to be having that problem a lot lately.
The snitch fluttered up and down a bit, like a nod. If only we had met under different circumstances, but, alas, we didn't. It's a pity.
I looked at the score: 110-120, Slytherins. Emerson has the quaffle, but he's boxed in by the Slytherin chasers. I looked at James who was high above the Slytherin goal posts shouting advice to Emerson. Why isn't he looking for the snitch? I mean it's right here!
Hey, I've got it! I know what the problem is!
Alright, the reason James can't see the snitch is because he's looking for "the snitch" and this snitch is having an identity crisis! Poor baby, it needs counseling. Unfortunately I'm all it's got, so we'll have to make do.
"Mr. Snitch, I understand you're having a mid-match crisis," I whispered, "But the only way you're going to get over it is to get back out in the game and face your fears. Quidditch can indeed be a terrifying sport and frankly I don't blame you for not wanting a bunch of people chasing after you and trying to capture you. That must be a hard thing to do again and again, but some seekers are quite nice and don't abuse you after they catch you or rough you up. Of course, I can see that a few seekers would hardly make up for the other rude ones, but if you'd like I could give the seekers a talking to after the match and tell them to be nicer. I'm actually on decent-ish terms with one of the seekers, well, we were on decent-ish terms until last night, but I'm sure he'll listen to me and as for the other one, I would have to be very threatening and would probably have to put him in a full body bind, but I could do it. Would you like that?"
I waited while the snitch fluttered back and forth indecisively. Finally it moved left to right, indicating no.
"Oh … alright then," I said, feeling rather put out.
The snitch bounced around looking happy.
"Are you … feeling better?" I ventured, and it bounced enthusiastically up and down. Wow, I should have been a counselor! I am clearly awesome. I fixed all of his problems in one quick session.
I patted the snitch a few times for good measure and it practically purred up against my hand like a cat. I smiled happily; it's always nice to know you're appreciated.
Suddenly I got that sinking feeling that hits you when you're being watched. I looked up and my eyes traveled straight across the pitch to lock with those of Mr. Beady Eyed Hulk.
I can see it in his eyes, in the way they're glinting … he's seen the snitch!
ooo…ooo
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this new chapter. I apologize again for the long wait on getting it up and how short it is now that it's up. Hopefully I'll manage the next chapter in a more timely fashion. If you're so inclined and aren't having problems with an emotionally defunct snitch, a review would be appreciated.
Daystar – What with history we won't have time to become famous authors or write fics. I'm impressed I even got this up.
Taniita – Mr. Hulk would be the fellow who tried to accost Lily in the halls after she was thrown out of Divination.
GoddessoftheMaaN – That is quite amazing.
LCH8292 – No, James won't be hit by a bludger.
HauntedAngel – There was a little bit of Sirius in this chap and there will be some definite action for him near the end.
Wishingbutterfly – I'm planning on writing to the end of the story, which isn't very descriptive I know, but if you're asking if I'm writing till their deaths, I'm not. It's going to end while they're in school.
Kez192 – The 13 thing was intentional, I'm glad you liked it.
Occhio di Lince – I'm afraid you misunderstood my comment to Daystar (which often happens with inside jokes between friends). I'm well aware of what Yom Kippur is and it's importance having several Jewish friends. What I wrote was in jest and if it offended you in anyway I apologize most profusely.
GaryLovesPickles – We'll just have to see.
Procrastinator-starting2moro – I don't know if James is a chaser or not. The books and movies make him seem to be a seeker, but I frankly think he was a chaser. Of course, I am ignoring that for now since I wanted to set him up against Mr. Hulk in a seeker battle.
TropicalTreat101 – The bang was the Marauders blowing something up. My suspicion is that the fault lies with Sirius and Peter's eyebrows are quite irregular now, but it really was just added by the author (me) for the purpose of distraction so that James could scamper away and further prolong the misery of unrequited love.
TajM – Thanks for the luck I'm going to need it. Sounds awesome, I would kill for some extended vacations. Hope you had fun.
Realmer06 – If you want you're more than welcome to use my quotes, but I would appreciate it if you use a direct quite you mention it's mine. As for ideas, just go ahead and take them. You're right on about the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, that's where I got my idea for chapter titles from.
Crystal tears x – Lily doesn't get to go crazy crazy, she does get to be inherently crazy, though.
Rubber ducky 9 – Sorry I didn't e-mail you, but I just read your review today and it seems kind of pointless now. Hope you'll forgive me.
Trapped Rabbit – No offense, but you weren't exactly nice in your review, but I owe you a thank you anyways. Yours is the only review I read in the past few weeks, quite on accident actually, and I felt so bad I skipped my English hw to try and get some work done and here it is.
Thanks and Hugs to: FrEgOrGeLuVeR225, sarah, genuinescence, famousindafuture, Boogie, CarbonMonoxide, missprongs07, Briee, Mischief16, Siriusly.Mad.for.Sweets, Hurleygurl, Silver Weasley, HarryluvsMoaningMyrtle, Miss Mady, me, innovator, eluding-you, xXfiRePhoEnixXx, vegetarians will rule the Earth, WhiteCamellia, Heiress-To-The-Dark-Throne, SuperSpy, psychobubble, Misha1989, I am blond, JAMES Blond., Artemisa27, Crystal Kisses, Jami, spoons are for marmalade skies, Bucky Katt Rocks, funkysirius, leeleigh, graceypoo, watersprite87, neha, october tuscany, pyromaniac2234, gldnsunsprite21, Janine, Sango-Inu-Yasha-lover, skyhoofhearted, siriusforeva, J.E.A.R.K.Potter, unknown-insanity, Deefa, LemonDropAnyone, sexyteluguchica, misconceptions, x-woman1, Luminous Star, hawaiiangirl, butterfly888, too lazy to log in, FirstDaysOfSummer, always-mr-moony, Charity Firewarden, m00nshine, UNLIKELYTOBEARIT, Nikki101, audreyblaine, Leigh A. Sumpter, deaths-NIGHTmare, Padfeet the Evil Twin, tee hee, Lmnop567, iheartyoo, and mga.orphan.