A/N: Wow, you haven't all forgotten me, I feel so loved. As always this is dedicated to all my reviewers and my very own Sirius and James, you know who you are! Also can I recommend Lava Twilight's fic because it is so genius. Go forth my minions and read not only my crap but hers! It is possible I shouldn't be allowed to update when doped up to the eyeballs on cough medicine.
Disclaimer: If I say I own all of this, will anyone notice? Does anyone read it? Would you believe me anyway?
Chapter 14: Quidditch 2
Sirius leant even further over the railing; eyes darting between players and his face alight with a sort of maniac glee that reflected his best friend's expression. Beside him Remus, Peter and Snape wore identical expressions of intense concentration. The scoreboard above the pitch read: Wimbourne Wasps 40: Appleby Arrows 30.
Thus far, it had been a hard fought game. Both keepers were doing a truly spectacular job, but the Appleby chasers seemed to be tiring, they hadn't assaulted the Wasps' hoops for at least five minutes, a match record.
Sirius kept his eyes on the beaters and the expert way they hit the bludgers, ensuring that neither team had an opportunity to score. He was hoping to be a beater at school next year and planned on picking up some tips. The whistle sounded loudly for a time out and all five boys exhaled loudly.
"Phew!" breathed James, glancing at his watch, it was nearly two o'clock. "We'll flatten you when they start playing again," he said, grinning at Sirius and poking him in the back.
Sirius winced at the pain which lanced through him but concealed it expertly. "Bollocks," he said, he was tempted to say more, to extol the virtues of his team at length, but seeing James's grin, he couldn't be bothered to rise to his friend's bait.
"I think both teams are doing well," said Remus, playing the peacekeeper as always.
"You would, your team isn't playing," joked James, making all but Snape laugh.
"Halfblood filth," snapped Snape, "You don't deserve an opinion; you aren't worthy to kiss my feet."
It was all Sirius could do to keep a blush from crossing his features. He shot Snape a hate filled look.
"Leave him alone!" spat Peter from the centre of the group.
"Black, may I ask you to keep your friends from being rude to me. And take that look off your face. I would hate for certain authorities to find out that you were less than cordial to me."
Sirius replaced his expression of pure loathing with a bland stare. "Drop it," he said calmly to the others, "he isn't even worth it."
Remus put a hand on Peter's shoulder and dug his fingers into the soft flesh to stop his friend saying anything further. "Yeah, leave it," he echoed. Even if he hadn't seen what he could only describe as fear, spark behind Sirius' eyes at Snape's threat he would have known something was wrong. Sirius never infringed on his job as the sensible one and that had been a reasonable and mature response. It was completely out of character.
Crisis diverted, Sirius put a hand into his robes and passed James some galleons, "Get me some food," he said, "I need the toilet."
And he turned, walking quickly away before James could see the tears of rage and shame in his eyes.
"What do you want?" James shouted after him.
"Something sweet!"
The remaining three marauders swapped dark looks. Sirius only ever craved sugar when he was unhappy. They edged away from Snape and began muttering furiously to one another.
If any of them had thought to look back, they would have realised that they didn't need to keep their voices low. Snape was walking hurriedly away, taking the route that Sirius had taken only moments before.
A/N: Sorry this is so short. The next chapter is a bit longer and I hope (hope, hope, hope) to get around to updating in the next couple of weeks. I hope you guys like this though, is it exciting? Suspenseful? In character? Let me know by pushing that shiny little review button and sending a comment of your very own.
