A/N: alright the actual first chapter is up and just because some kind soul from Harry Potter Fans on Ivillage asked me to post more. This is tweeked a little from when I first wrote it (gee was that really 4 years ago) I'm trying to get it to remain as true to canon as possible but in my world there will be Quidditch at Hogwarts for Harry's seventh year. I just can't get around that. Also Harry will be spending some of his time at Hogwarts despite his assertion that he would not be going back. He just has to and that's that.
i edited this today (5/7/06) i just added one paragraph so if you read it yesterday you may want to read it again. it doesn't matter now but it will later in the story.
as always Harry Potter and co. are not mine even though i love them dearly. they will always be the property of JKR and God bless her for it.
"Mari. Mari, wake up."
Marian Potter opened one eye to see her best friend Sita Sharma sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Today's the day."
"Oh, yeah," Mari jumped up and pulled on her robes. "How late are we? Did I sleep through breakfast?"
"No Lily's still doing her hair."
"Alright I've got plenty of time then." Mari began to put her own hair up in pigtails.
"So Mari, are you nervous?" Sita was always nervous. The slight Indian witch was shy and very superstitious.
"Well, not about the game, but Sirius is commentating. He'll have to look at me. Maybe he'll actually realize I exist." Mari fell back onto the bed dreamily.
"He knows you exist. He's your brother's best friend."
Just then Lily Evans came into the girls dormitory looking perfect as always. "So today's the big day," she smiled at Mari. Lily was in her seventh year at Hogwarts just like Mari's brother James. "Don't worry. James said you've been practicing all summer. You'll do great."
Mari had been practicing all summer. She had a lot to live up to. Her brother James was the captain of the Griffindor Quidditch team and the best Chaser anyone had seen in years. But he wouldn't be playing Chaser today. The team's Seeker, Amelia Hooch, had not come back to school yet after her father, who played professional Quidditch, and his entire team were murdered in their locker room before a game by You-Know-Who.
So, until further notice James would be playing Seeker, leaving his Chaser position open for his little sis. Mari was a great flyer. She would have loved to join the team last year, but first year's never got picked for the house teams. Now she was a second year with her very own brand new Silver Arrow broom.
The three girls walked down to the Great Hall together. James and his friends were already sitting at the Griffindor table.
Remus Lupin, one of James' friends stood and bowed to the girls, "The lady Marian of Nottingham has decided to grace us with her presence."
"Shut up, Moony," Mari rolled her eyes at him and noticed that Sirius Black was smiling at her. Mari blushed and took her seat next to Sita.
"So Sis, ya ready for the game today."
Mari had regained her composure and grinned at her brother, "I was born ready." Sita nudged her and pointed under the table. Lily and James were holding hands. Mari was glad Lily was her brother's girlfriend. Lily was so nice and they were head boy and head girl and they just looked so cute together.
"I wish it was Sirius and me," Mari whispered so only Sita could hear.
"Your lucky you've got a choice in the matter. My marriage will be arranged."
After they had all eaten and the plates had been magically cleared James jumped up and called the team together.
"Let's go on down to the field and get warmed up."
Mari's heart skipped a beat. Maybe she was a little nervous about the game.
Lily gave James a kiss on the cheek, "Good luck."
Mari tried to look elsewhere while the boys gagged ("Are we gonna have to separate you two.")
Then her eyes met those of someone she didn't want to think about today of all days. His lank greasy hair didn't cover the memory of the deep red gash that had run across his face only a little over a month ago. It had been healed by the matron shortly after the awful event but the hatred was still in his eyes. Mari turned away and tried to refocus herself on the game that lay ahead.
"Good luck, Mar. You'll do great," Sirius patted her on the shoulder.
Mari couldn't move. She thought she would faint.
"Come on, Sis."
She ran to catch up with the rest of the team, Flashing Sita a thumbs up.
On the field she was in her element. She scored twice within the first ten minutes of the game.
"There's another one for the prettiest chaser on the field, Mari Potter," Sirius called into the mic.
Mari nearly fell off her broom. Never mind that she was the only girl chaser on the field.
But then she saw it, the golden snitch. She knew James had seen it too. He was diving at brake neck speed towards it. She saw him. He was right there. He almost had it.