Chapter 6

Silence hung over the Hogwarts grounds as the group of students stood clustered around a large crate, wearing gobsmacked expressions. Inside the crate were about a dozen tiny mole-like creatures with brown fur and large paws.

"Now these are nifflers. Very nifty creatures." Professor Kettleblack chuckled to himself. When answered with blank stares he cleared his throat and continued, "They are very useful in finding treasure. You'll be working in groups to raise up these beautiful creatures and at the end of the term we'll see whose niffler finds the most gold."

Being one of the kinder professors, he allowed us to form out own groups. We were in an immediate flurry. I ended up being pulled into a group with James, Lily, Sirius and Abi. Great. James would be fawning all over Lily and Sirius would be snogging Abi or something.

I went and selected a particularly shy looking niffler from the crate and brought it back to the group. Lily looked sceptical, James looked thrilled to be in a group with his 'Lily flower', Sirius looked bored and Abi seemed to be basking in the envied glares of the other female students who were infatuated with Sirius Black.

"Ugh. It's so hideous. Don't tell me we have to feed that thing." Abi attempted to drag Sirius a few feet away from me and the niffler.

"Lily I think he's cute" I said smiling down at the creature.

"He is but what about when he grows up? Those paws look like digging won't be the only thing they'll be capable of."

Insert obnoxious 'hero' James.

"Lily, Lily, Lily flower. What is there to fear when James Potter is here? I'll snap its paws right off its arms if it ever looks like it wants to touch you."

Laughing internally at James' sputtering at Lily's horrified reaction, I gently placed the niffler on the ground and began to play with it. I noticed a pair of legs approach and sit down next to me. I smiled, knowing who it was.

"I agree, he's cute. But not as cute as you, and he's certainly got nothing on me" Sirius winked.

"You're right you're just adorable." I answered with a smirk.

"In that incredibly manly way."

"If you say so." I answered, amused.

"Hey, after class can I show you something?" He asked, suddenly averting his eyes and picking at the grass.

I looked up curiously, but I felt the heat of Abi's intense glare as she marched up towards us (strategically stepping around the harmless niffler) and plonking herself between us.

"After class we were going to spend time with each other." She seethed in a dangerously low voice.

"Yeah don't worry about it." I told Sirius quickly, wanting to avoid all drama at any cost. "I thought I'd practice for quidditch trials anyway, maybe next time." I smiled and got up to go rescue Lily from a petulant James.

"That sounds like a good idea, I should really get some practice in too-" Sirius was silenced by another firm glare and I pretended like I hadn't heard the suggestion.

Even after knowing I'd been selected last year and had done a good job, as well as having practiced for a solid two hours, I still couldn't shake off the nerves that began to settle in the pit of my stomach as I walked down to the field, dressed in my quidditch gear. I pulled at the sleeves, a habit I'd acquired since a young age.

"You're nervous." Sirius came up behind me, bumping me lightly with his shoulder. "Don't be. You'll be brilliant."

"Easy for you to say. The only way you won't be selected as beater again is if Fletcher's lost his marbles." I countered.

He gave me an exasperated eye roll. "I could say the same for you Bells. And if he really has lost his marbles and doesn't pick you, I'll hit his head with my bat until he comes to his senses."

"Gee, thanks."

He threw his head back and laughed. How did he manage to be so easy going? I was about to die from stress.

"And by the way" He said in a milder tone, "I've still got a surprise to show you. After trials when we both get selected. Now come on I'll race you, don't choke on my dust!"

Quickly recovering from my surprise as he took off, running down the hill, I laughed and sprinted off after him.

I stared at Harvey Fletcher's face as he called out names. Sirius bumped my shoulder and leaner over to whisper, "You were amazing, and the captain looks like his brain's intact" I chuckled as he smirked.

"…Sean Thomas, Keeper, James Potter, Chaser, Sirius Black, Beater, Bella Harper, Chaser…"

I closed my eyes and let out a long baited breath.

I opened them to find Sirius beaming down at me. I beamed back.

James came over and knocked the wind out of us as he wrapped us in a bone crushing hug.

"WE DID IT WE DID IT WE'RE GOING TO BE THE BEST TEAM."

"James mate, we need to have our lungs intact for that." Sirius and I laughed. Feeling a rush of happiness I returned James' hug with a bone crusher of my own.

"AND LILY WATCHED ME THE ENTIRE TIME" James turned to the stands and blew kisses to Lily who had obviously come to watch me, her ecstatic face dropped to one of annoyance and she sat down looking miffed.

"Alright time for that surprise!" Sirius grabbed my arm and pulled me back towards the castle, laughing madly, completely unaware of the crazed shrieks coming out of his girlfriend from the stands.