On Wednesday evening, Lily and her two friends trouped down to the Quidditch pitch where James was holding the team trials. They found seats in the stands with Sirius, Remus, and Peter. Emmeline was a red figure on the field today; she actually was going to try out for the team, though Lily didn't quite know as what.
"You're his best mates, why don't you ever play?" Dorcas was saying to the Marauders. Sirius raised his eyebrows.
"Because Moony gets motion sickness when he's not—er, on the ground, and Peter is no good, and I am—"
"Too arrogant to put yourself out in front of everyone just on the off chance that you might make an arse of yourself," finished Remus. Sirius shrugged but not too belligerently.
"For whatever reasons, suffice to say that we don't. Your friend is trying out though, why don't you cheer her on and not ask questions?" Dorcas smiled peaceably.
"I'll do that, Black," she answered, and settled deeper into her cloak.
The breeze was cooling the dusky air as James and a large crowd of students of all ages climbed onto the pitch. James seemed to take stock of everyone. He was saying something (the wind whipped away his words) and several students left the field and clambered into the stands. Lily looked over and saw that the group comprised of people that weren't even in Gryffindor, including a very pretty Hufflepuff seventh year named Greta Catchlove that had made eyes at James before. Lily scowled.
"They're starting," nudged Dorcas to Lily.
First, groups flew around the hoops. The stands took on a sizeable number of occupants before a much-dwindled set began basic exercises. It was at this point that James took to the air.
Lily had avoided Quidditch trials since fourth year because of James' interest in her, but she could hardly remember being so in awe of them when she was younger. She had come first and second and third year because she was so taken by the novelty of a wizarding, flying sport. Now she was taken aback by the new novelty of James' flying, because he really was brilliant.
Not having gone to many Gryffindor matches for fear of him, Lily saw just how well her new boyfriend flew. He seemed infinitely comfortable in the air on his top-ranked Comet broomstick and he weaved effortlessly over the other players. His reflexes were astonishing and Lily caught herself sucking in air sharply when it looked—several times—like he would crash into the goal posts or other people. This didn't happen, and he was only hit with a Bludger once, even after the beaters' practice. Lily forgot about watching Emmeline and left that up to Dorcas, who would gasp every so often and explain to Marlene what was happening (Marlene was hopeless at sports).
It ended deep in the midst of a green-blue twilight, but James was an effective captain and had systematically rooted out the best players for the team. Lily and the rest trudged down to the pitch, Lily greeting James with a warm kiss.
He was breathless and delighted, perhaps a little maniacally, and immediately began explaining what just happened.
"I really think we've got another chance that the Cup again, though half these people came out of the blue. We'll manage to crush Hufflepuff and definitely put up a good fight with Ravenclaw—"
"—as long as Emmeline doesn't lose her head," interrupted Dorcas loudly. Lily looked over James' shoulder, surprised: Emmeline was packing away the Quaffle with rosy cheeks and a pleased smile.
James looked for a moment worried (Lily thought it was funny how James could take jokes about almost anything but Quidditch) but he smoothed it over.
"No, no, she's actually an excellent flyer. Should have tried out years ago, and she's said—"
"I'm only kidding," said Dorcas gently, moving over to hug Emmeline tightly. "Nice one, Emmy."
"Yes," said Emmeline happily. "I think so. I just hope I don't botch up this Keeper business…"
"Keeper?" asked Lily, confused since she hadn't been paying much attention. "Aren't you a little…er, aggressive for Keeper?"
"She couldn't bear to play directly against Caradoc, right Emmeline?" Dorcas asked slyly.
"And she can be damn aggressive at Keeper," added James animatedly. "You didn't see her dive in front of the Quaffle? I have to say, Emmeline, when you don't catch the thing you still don't let it get past—"
"She never had good hand-eye coordination unless it came to magic," said Dorcas critically. "And there'll be plenty of bruises if you keep blocking it with your body—"
Emmeline made a derisive noise.
"It gets blocked, doesn't it?" she said. "Besides, James or Chittock or Cresswell ought to be there anyway—"
"So who's on the team this year?" questioned Remus loudly, heading off a quarrel. Lily squinted around; no one else was left on the field but the seventh year Gryffindors. James ticked names off his fingers.
"From last year we've got me, Dirk Cresswell, Mallory Twiddle, and Warty Harris. Emmeline and Glenda Chittock are new, along with our Seeker Otto Bagman. Cresswell's got fantastic aim and Glenda's got speed—she's good for a third year—and of course Twiddle and Harris are practically made for beating things with sticks. Harris took three Bludgers to the head in one game last year, didn't bat an eye and kept playing. Course he wasn't much with smarts to begin with, but damn good Beater… and Otto's clever with his hands, I saw him nab the Snitch while practically looking the other way… We'll need to work on formations of course, and a few trials at diving maybe… but that should—"
"I'm sure your Quidditch schemes for this year are very interesting James, but it's getting cold and we have essays," interrupted Lily gently, taking him by the arm. He absently allowed her to lead him into the castle, Sirius sniggering all the while as the Gryffindors wandered through the growing night.
"Right right…but Glenda's got that speed…we can work it in—"
James was absorbed in his Quidditch thoughts all evening until patrols, when it was hard to be absorbed in anything but Lily and himself.
The next few weeks were like discovering magic all over again. Lily and James talked, laughed, learned, ate, drank, and lived to each other. They became closer than either of them thought possible. Their friends sat together everyday and Lily would often do her homework in her favorite spot (in front of the Gryffindor fireplace) in her favorite position (nested in James' arms). September progressed into early October with nary a blip on James or Lily's radar for truly, they were too busy falling in love.
Many Slug Club dinners and patrol sessions and Quidditch practices later, middle October rolled around and James took Lily aside one day after Transfiguration.
"Sprout will kill me if I'm late again, James. C'mon, we'll do this later—"
"Lily," said James, and he looked serious. Lily sobered up and waved Marlene on, signaling she'd be along in a minute. "I have to miss patrols tonight."
"Is this about Quidditch?" she asked suspiciously.
"No, no. It's that… thing I have to do sometimes—"
"Have to do?"
"Lily, we've been over this," said James desperately. "Please. I need to—" Lily sighed.
"I'm not saying a word James. Just be careful." James' uneasy face broke into a huge grin.
"Thanks Lily. And you know me, would I be anything but careful?"
Lily laughed and pushed him playfully.
"We all know the answer to that one, James," she said, dispelling the queasy feeling she had about his midnight adventures. "Always." James grinned even more broadly and pulled her into his arms, kissing her on the lips.
"You're great, do you know that?" he whispered, staring into her eyes. She smiled back and James felt her happiness like the sunshine on his face.
"It's nice to be reminded, yes."
"Well," said James, leaning close once more, "I'll just need to—"
"Enjoying yourself, Potter?" came a nasty tone from somewhere to Lily's left. James picked his head up swiftly and had his wand out and Lily half behind him before she could say 'reflexive'.
Snape, Rosier, Travers, and a boy that was not immediately recognizable to Lily stood sneering in the corridor.
"We've got a gang today, Potter," continued Snape softly, "and who would notice if the wonderful James Potter didn't go to his last class slot? Especially since we know it's a free today, why, no one would find you until maybe after dinner, and then only if they searched well…"
"Get out of here, Snivellus," said James in a cold voice of disdain. "You brought this with you just to threaten me? Not man enough to do it yourself?"
"Man enough?" hissed Snape with something like hatred in his voice. "What about you and yours, Potter? It was never a fight unless it was four on one—"
"Are you here to prove that now, Snape? With your four? We can have at it right here—"
"And it won't be four on one either," said the sharp voice of Sirius Black. He and Remus stepped out of a tapestry, wands outdrawn, looking just as stern and blasé as James. They took places on either side of him, Sirius standing carefully in front of Lily, who removed her wand from her robe carefully.
"Ah," whistled Rosier, a manic light in his dark eyes. "Excellent. But where's the other pillock?"
"Nevermind about Peter," said Remus in a voice that Lily had never heard him use before. "We're suggesting that you take yourselves out of this hall, or—"
"Or what?" said Snape in a pitch that was rising to a howl. "You'll—"
"Regulus, you stupid bastard," said Sirius in a contemptible voice, effectively undermining and insulting Snape by cutting him off and so turning the attention to the fourth boy. "What are you doing with this scum?"
"They're my friends, Sirius. I have as much right to my friends as you do to yours." The boy sounded as if he didn't think too much of Sirius' decisions. Lily looked more closely at the fourth Slytherin. There was now no denying the extreme resemblance to Sirius. His hair was coarser and he had dark eyes instead of grey. The aristocratic nose and cheekbones hardened heavily in his visage, but the two had the same pearly skin and the same devil-may-care faces. Regulus was almost as tall as his brother, and yet Sirius radiated an air of danger and disregard that Regulus did not match.
"Your brother's made the right choices, Black," said Travers quietly, stepping forward for the first time. "We can't say the same for you, blood traitor."
"What would you know about it, Travers?" sneered Sirius icily. Lily shivered: between Sirius and James and Remus she was extremely glad that the Marauders were on her side. "You've got no stake in it, you're not a pureblood. But I guess you haven't mentioned that to the other members of this little Voldemort club, have you now?"
All four of the Slytherins winced at the name.
"How dare you so casually use the Dark Lord's name, Black!" said Rosier, tightening his grip on his wand. "You will all pay for—"
"Something happening here, gentlemen?" Professor McGonagall peered sternly out her classroom door down at the group of students. "And Miss Evans? Aren't there classes still, or was there an announcement that I missed?"
Rosier scowled and Snape looked livid. Travers simply returned his wand to his pocket although his face was unreadable and deathly still.
"Move along," she said curtly, before shutting the door smartly.
"We'll see you later, Potter," snarled Snape.
"Not if I can help it, Snivellus," remarked James frostily. "Wouldn't want to catch sight of your face more than I had to."
"You won't need to in a few—" Rosier stopped as Travers stepped deliberately on his foot. Rosier was still quite angry, but eventually turned towards the stairs. Just before leaving, he turned and said venomously,
"And I'll be seeing you again, Evans." Sirius and Remus grabbed the back of James' robes. Rosier stomped down the steps, satisfied.
"What was that all about?" asked Lily, trying to keep her voice level.
"Lucky we waited around for you, Prongs," said Sirius nonchalantly. No one looked at Lily; instead, they were still staring after the Slytherins.
"They never would have done that before," Remus said quietly. "Never. Snape is working up his nerve, isn't he? And Rosier and Travers are more psychotic than ever. We'll need to do something about this."
"I'll take care of Regulus," said Sirius in a hard voice.
"Lily," said James, turning suddenly to face her with blazing hazel eyes. "Let's you skive off Herbology."
"James, I can't. I really need to—"
"Lily, you can miss this. We're spending the entire rest of the class time together. And tonight, you're taking someone with you to patrol."
"She knows you're not going with her tonight?" asked Remus swiftly.
"She's okay with it, aren't you Lily?" said James. Lily nodded.
"As long as you don't get hurt again, James."
"You were hurt last time?" Remus looked sad. "Why didn't you tell—"
"It's not important, Moony. And today, where the hell was Peter?"
"He took right off to the common room. Said he had Astronomy work to do," reported Sirius. James raked his hand through his hair.
"Fine, but make sure he knows he can't be alone. They mentioned him."
"Will do."
"Come on Lily," said James, putting a protective arm around her. "We're going to the lake and I'm treating you to butterbeer in the common room after dinner."
"But James, where will you get—"
"Doesn't matter," said James, and he abruptly turned to Sirius and Remus.
"Will you two be alright?"
"Aren't we always?" asked Sirius dryly. "Go snog your girlfriend, mate. Moony and I are plenty able to handle things here."
"Good." James led Lily down the stairs and outside. A strong wind whipped at her hair. Lily was confused; he was very tense now.
"James what is going on?"
"You and me, that's what." He suddenly turned to her and kissed her fiercely, probing her mouth as fire spread down her body. Lily didn't think of anything else until later that night, when she was patrolling alongside Marlene. They encountered only the Bloody Baron and a whispering wind along the second floor.
A possible pattern of things to come…
I just want to clarify things. No one can Apparate on Hogwarts grounds, but they Apparated thus: mountains to Hogsmeade, Hogsmeade to Hogwarts border, where Filch would be waiting since they were late returners.
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(sirius black and remy) (Redsoxfan90210)
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO READ THIS AND REVIEWED