Tie Game
Chapter 2- Quidditch
Over the next few weeks James had not once mentioned Lily's agreement to participate in this competition with him. Lily was not sorry, the less time she had to spend with James Potter the better. Actually this year, he had at least refrained form hexing the innocent, but it was only October he still had plenty of time to screw up. And he was still irritating and arrogant.
One day though, he did mention it. He had not forgotten as Lily had hoped, merely waited for the Quidditch season to begin so they could have their next task. One cool but bright October morning, he approached her and her friends Mirena and Catherine in the Common Room. "So Evans," he began, "How about we hold the next leg of our little contest tonight after Quidditch practice. I've already asked Alanna to be keeper for us and she agreed."
"Of course she did, she'd do anything to spend more time with you. She's in love with you." Said Mirena, "And what's this contest you're talking about?"
James opened his mouth, but Lily cut in front of him, "I stupidly agreed to enter this ridiculous contest with him." She said, "It's to decide who's better at everything. Well at: Potions, Quidditch, Chess, Cooking, Dueling, Eating, Swimming and Acting. And so far, I'm winning." She added smugly.
"Well, not for long," said James, "You may be better than me at potions, but I'm much better at Quidditch."
"We'll see about that, won't we Potter? Tonight after practice it is." She replied, and she and Mirena and Catherine went down to breakfast.
A short while after they had taken their seats, The Marauders joined them, "Hey Red, Bookworm." Sirius greeted Lily and Catherine respectively, whispered "Hey Love." and slipped in next to Mirena, while James, Peter and Remus took the other side of the table. Lily turned her head to exchange exasperated looks with Catherine over the fact that Sirius was still refusing to call anyone by their actual names and they would once again have to eat with The Marauders just because Sirius and Mirena were going out. Catherine however was busy; she waved and smiled at Remus, then quickly put her head down and stared at her porridge to hind her flushed ckeeks. Lily rolled her eyes and enjoyed a quiet, uneventful breakfast; until Remus and James began playing "monkey in the middle" with Peter's orange, got told off by Professor McGonagall and fled the Great Hall, heading towards the Quidditch pitch.
James, Sirius, and Lily continued along the lawn to the change rooms, while Remus, Peter, Mirena and Catherine retreated to the stands to watch.
After the practice, everyone left save Alanna, James, Lily and Sirius, who was there to be the referee. "Ok," said Sirius, "Here's how this is going to work; Prongs and Red each get 10 shots on the hoops. Most goals wins. Freckles," he said indicating Alanna, "You're gonna try and save the shots. Easy enough?" they all nodded in agreement. "Alright Red, Ladies first."
Alanna soared up to defend the hoops, while Lily mounted her broom and picked up the Quaffle. She took aim and threw it easily through the left hoop, Mirena and Catherine cheered. Alanna retrieved the Quaffle and threw it to James, he too scored easily his friends went wild. Lily missed the next two, scored three more, missed one, and scored two more. James scored three, then missed two, then scored one, then missed one, then scored one. "It's tie game," called Sirius, "One more shot each. This was her last shot; Lily deaked left, then threw the Quaffle to the hoop on the right. Alanna dove quickly and knocked it away from the hoop at the last second with the tips of her fingers. It was James's turn; the Quaffle soared through Alanna's outstretched arms into the centre hoop. "And Prongs is the winner." Announced Sirius.
Alanna flew down and to congratulate James, but he shook her off and went to go join Lily in the change room.
James and Lily took a long time in the change room because they were still arguing over that last goal. They exited the change room together. "It's tie game now Evans." He said with an air of supreme arrogance that annoyed Lily tremendously. "Only because Alanna's completely gaga over you and let that last goal in easily. It really was a terrible shot." She said justifying her loss.
"Ok, Evans, whatever you say." He said.
"And like I said before, Quidditch is hardly my best sport, I'm much better at swimming, just wait until we go swimming, I'll beat him by a long shot, I'm an amazing swimmer. Well at least I used to be before I came to Hogwarts, when I was still living as a muggle. Now I only swim in the summer. I should start practicing! But where to practice? The Lake is freezing this time of year. I guess there is always the Prefects' Bathroom tub, even if it is quite small. I don't practice Quidditch very much, that's why I'm not as good. I don't even like Quidditch all that much." She continued on like this, for quite a long time. She didn't even notice Mirena, Catherine, Remus, Sirius and Peter joining them. They let her ramble on; evidently she was not used to losing at anything.
James had never before realized how sensitive Lily was about losing. He used to be like that, but after numerous blows to his ego, and Lily constantly telling him how arrogant he was, he had deflated his head a bit. Now that he thought about it, Lily was being a little hypocritical; she was almost as arrogant a James was. By the time they had reached the portrait hole, her rambling had built up her confidence again.