"Potter, on the grounds in an hour! Don't be late!" Oliver Wood barked before he all but flew past Harry and towards the Weasley twins, probably to deliver the same orders.

Ron suppressed a groan. "Come on, it's a Saturday and it's a Hogsmeade weekend. Does he honestly expect the team to be there?"

"Ron, this is Oliver Wood you're talking about. If it were up to him, I'd be skipping classes, food, sleep and all other basic human needs to train. You two go on without me. Wood will skin me alive if I don't make it on time. Besides, I really want to win against Hufflepuff."

He just wanted to win. To prove to himself that he deserved his spot on the team.

"Actually Ronald, we needn't go as well.

You are already late for Snape's essay and if you don't turn it in this time, you're bound to land up in detention."

Ron was about to open his mouth to vehemently protest, when a letter landed in front of Harry.

He tore open the envelope eagerly.

Hey pup,

Just wanted to let you know that I'm proud of you. Remus told me about the patronus. Brilliant work there, kiddo.

You haven't opened that mirror yet, Harry James. I suggest you do it soon.

Hope you're taking care of yourself, Merlin knows you're a thick-skulled boy. Don't skip any meals, get enough sleep and have fun. Stay out of trouble, pup. I'm far too young and handsome for (anymore) grey hair.

Stay safe. Love you, kid.

-Marauder extraordinaire.

Harry cracked a fond smile at the man's words and reminded himself to open that mirror Sirius had given him at the beginning of the term. He'd never gotten around to opening it since it always managed to slip his mind.

Although he loved Quidditch, playing with the school brooms was harder than he'd thought. More than hard, it was frustrating. The school brooms were old, slow and rusty in their functions.

The Nimbus had spoiled him and now it was gone.

With a sigh, Harry got up from the table and took off towards the pitch, leaving his two best friends to bicker.

"I was the victim of an ambush this morning," Regulus complained when he walked into Sirius' office that afternoon.

"How lovely. Feel free to regale me with the details." His lips instinctively curved into a smirk. If only Reg knew that Sirius was also an active, albeit absent member of this ambush.

"I'd gone to Malfoy Manor since Narcissa had invited me over for breakfast. She wanted to know how Draco was doing in his lessons, so I went over. Andromeda was there too. Turns out breakfast was less about Draco's progress and more about those two ganging up on me."

"Whatever about?" He asked, trying and failing to contain the large grin that was threatening to take over his face.

"The two of them wanted to set me up with one of Andi's friends younger sister. I told them it w— why are you grinning like that? You knew they were going to coerce me into it, didn't you? I should've known something was off when Cissa only wanted to see me and not the both of us."

"Guilty as charged," Sirius replied. "You should go though, it'll be good."

Regulus shot Sirius a betrayed look. "Right. Good. Because you dived right back into the dating pool the moment you were acquitted. When was the last time you asked a woman out?"

Honestly, he didn't remember. The last woman he'd properly dated was Marlene McKinnon. It was the first time he'd actually been serious about a girl. He'd loved her. He hadn't understood it until much later but it had been love.

And then she'd died. The war had ripped apart and destroyed several families and the McKinnons had been one of them. He remembered the crushing despair and the rage that had followed. Then when he'd heard that Regulus had died, the grief had been unbearable. It had nearly destroyed him.

He'd taken it all out on the Death Eaters, jumping headfirst into any Auror and Order missions that came his way. He had been ruthless, uncaring and his friends were the only reason he hadn't gone off the deep end.

After that, it was just a series of passionate nights with pretty witches. He'd even accidentally made quite the name for himself. The Serial Womaniser, at least that's what Witch Weekly has called him when his name had popped up on the Europe's Most Desirable Wizards list years ago.

And then the war got worse. Lily and James were murdered. Then Azkaban had happened.

Now with everything that was going on, a relationship didn't really seem like an option, neither was he interested in flings and one night stands anymore. He mentally shook himself and looked at his brother.

"Reggie, we're not talking about me here. Besides, it's one date. It's not as bad as you're making it out to be. Who knows? You might even enjoy yourself."

"I told them I'd think about it. Besides, for all we know, Andromeda's friend must be ambushing her sister too. She might not even want this date. We're merely two poor, unsuspecting souls trapped by our cruel cousins and sisters."

"And you say I have a flair for dramatics."

"Where do you think I learned it from?"

"Idiot," Sirius shook his head and rolled his eyes.

Regulus leaned against the desk. "So any news on Harry's game? Its this Thursday, isn't it?"

"Yeah. You're coming too, I already told him we'd both be there."

"Wouldn't miss it. He'd mentioned it in one of his letters too. Poor lad's bummed though. Can't say I'd quite enjoy playing on one of those old rickety school brooms after using nothing but a racing broom for two years."

Sirius smirked knowingly. "About that..."

The mornings before a Quidditch match were always unpleasant. Harry hated the nausea that clawed at him before the game. There was a perpetual nervousness simmering under his skin right up until the moment he got on his broom.

Once he was in the air, his instincts would take over and he felt completely at ease.

That morning, the usual set of nerves were ten times worse. The breakfast spread that normally had him drooling, now twisted his stomach into knots. Despite Ron and Hermione's prodding; he was unable to eat anything apart from the single slice of bread that he'd all but forcibly crammed down his throat.

He wanted to win this game. He needed it. The last one had ended quite spectacularly and it had been an utter debacle.

"It's going to be great. You're getting worried over nothing." Hermione reassured him again and he wanted to believe her. It wasn't like he wasn't prepared. The team had trained vigorously for the past month and Harry had almost worked himself to the bone, so much so that Wood had to bodily drag him off his broom and order him to take a break.

Quidditch training combined with school lessons and his sessions with Remus, Harry didn't find any spare time at all. He'd skipped quite a few Hogsmeade weekends as well, much to his friends' chagrin. If he wasn't training, he was studying and if he wasn't studying, he was with Remus for his Patronus lessons.

Quite a bit had happened ever since the term had reopened after Christmas. First, it was just him, Hermione and Ron who hung out. Then Draco had joined them a few months ago. Not too long after that, Blaise Zabini, Draco's (other) best friend had become part of their little circle. Soon, Theodore Nott joined them too.

Harry liked Blaise well enough. He was surprisingly nice, fun and like Harry, he'd made it his mission to annoy Draco Malfoy at least several times a day. He got along with Blaise fabulously.

Theodore Nott on the other hand... he was a different matter altogether. Theo wasn't rude, not at all. He was smart and possessed a rather wry sense of humour that infuriated and amused Harry in equal parts.

He glanced over at the Slytherin table where Draco and Blaise were engaged in an animated conversation with Theo Nott. Draco noticed Harry's staring and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

When he affected a nonchalant shrug, Draco rolled his eyes and jerked his head towards the Great Hall entrance.

Only too happy to find a reason to push his plate away, he stood up and went to meet the other boy after reassuring his friends that he was indeed okay and wasn't about to go and vomit.

"You look like hell," Draco offered in lieu of a greeting. The words lacked any heat or malice.

"Did you call me here just to mock me?" Harry retorted, clearly not in the mood for their usual banter. He knew he was being snippy but his nerves were getting the better of him.

"No you dolt. Although you probably do deserve a smack upside the head. You're working yourself up over nothing."

"Hermione just said that."

"Great minds think alike, Potter. You should listen to us. It'll do you good."

"You've seen Cedric Diggory play haven't you? He's good."

Draco rolled his eyes again, hard enough that it travelled through his whole body. "Okay so Hufflepuff got themselves a half decent seeker this year. You're Harry sodding Potter. It's Diggory who should be worried. You're better than him, no matter which broom you use."

"Since when did you get so good at speeches?"

"I've always been eloquent, Potter. Now come on,

Sirius and Regulus are coming today. That should cheer you up alright."

Harry had almost forgotten about that. The past month had been a blur and he'd missed his godfather much more than expected. "I remember. I think I'll go right now, take a couple of warm up rounds on the Cleansweep."

"See you after the game, Potter. Try not to fall off your broom and you'll be fine." The words weren't spiteful, just teasing, so Harry grinned and shoved the other boy's shoulder playfully. "Blaise and Theo wish you luck."

He went to the locker room where he'd kept his temporary broom and took it out with him to the pitch. The pitch was empty and the morning breeze felt amazing. Inhaling large gulps of fresh air, he allowed himself to calm down. He sat down on the grass and leaned back on his hands and shut his eyes.

He sat there like that for a couple of minutes and was surprised by how at ease he suddenly felt.

"I thought I might find you here."

He whipped around to see Sirius standing a few feet away. The man was smiling down at him, that indulgent, soft half smile that never failed to sooth Harry. Had it only been two months since he'd seen the man? It felt like ages.

He got up and dusted himself off.

"You know, James used to come out here be—" the rest of his words were cut off when Harry all but threw himself at Sirius, wrapping his arms tightly around the man's middle and squeezing the air out of him.

"Missed you." His words were muffled against the man's shoulder but Harry felt himself flush all the same. He felt Sirius's hands settle on his back and hair as his godfather hugged him back. He hadn't realised how much he needed this, not just before the game but just... because.

"Pup?" Harry caught the slight note of worry in Sirius' voice.

He pulled away and grinned sheepishly "I'm okay, Dad. I just really needed that hug. It's just... it's been a long month that's all."

Grey eyes softened in understanding and Sirius reached out to brush his fingers through Harry's unruly hair. "You weren't the only one who needed that. You doing okay?"

"A bit jittery. I have got a good feeling about this game. It's the first match after you know... and I did make an idiot of myself in front of the whole school last time."

"Harry, you were nearly attacked by Dementors. There's nothing idiotic about that. It's bloody terrifying. You've overcome that faster than anyone I know and that makes you remarkably strong."

Harry shrugged, turning slightly pink.

"I got you a little something. I was in Diagon Alley the other day and I thought you might like it," Sirius began with a little smirk. "Come on."

Curious, he followed his dad to the benches and stopped short when he saw it.

That was not a little something.

Wrapped in brown paper was the unmistakable outline of a broomstick. He flicks his gaze to Sirius who gives him an encouraging smile and nods towards the package. "Go on."

Fingers trembling, he untied the knot holding the wrapping together. Careful not to tear the wrapping even a bit, he pulled back the brown paper almost reverently to reveal a sleek black handle.

Merlin's beard

Hardly daring to breathe, he opened the rest of it and when it was fully unwrapped, he ran a feather light hand down the handle and stopped at the end. Inscribed on the end of the black handle in gleaming letters was a single word: Firebolt

A lump formed in his throat.

It was the Firebolt.

"I take that you like it?"

He jumped at the voice, having almost forgotten that Sirius was standing right next to him. Not trusting himself to speak, he nodded mutely.

He turned to Sirius and hugged him once more.

"I know how much you loved your Nimbus and how devastated you were when it was destroyed. Its not the same but—"

"It's brilliant. Thank you." Harry hoped Sirius understood that he was thanking him for more than just the broom. The man seemed to get it though and he tightened his hold on Harry, dropping a quick kiss on the messy black spikes.

"You deserve it, pup. So, think you've got the time to take it for a test ride before the game?"

He most certainly did. He nodded the same, still not capable of forming too many words.

"Have at it, kiddo."

Positively thrumming with anticipation, he picked up the Firebolt with sure hands and mounted it.

Riding the Firebolt was unlike anything Harry had ever experienced. It was speed, agility and flight in one unit. The moment he took off, it was as though the broomstick had fused with his body, become an extension of his limbs. While the Nimbus had responded to touch, the Firebolt seemed to know Harry's mind. The slightest pressure was sufficient to manoeuvre the broom in the desired direction.

Riding the bolt with the cool air against his face, Harry felt darn near invincible.

Cheeks flushed from the ride, he descended and dismounted, still grinning widely. "Did you see that? That was wonderful. Dad, it's amazing, it was absolutely brilliant!"

"I did. You were brilliant."

Sirius watched the boy's enthusiasm with warm affection swelling in his heart. Merlin he'd missed the lad. He'd planned to buy the Firebolt for Harry days after the Nimbus had been ruined. Whilst the boy hadn't even mentioned anything and had automatically resigned himself to using the school broom, Sirius had planned things differently.

Perhaps he was dangerously close to sounding like those parents who thought no end of their children, but his godson was the youngest seeker in a century. He deserved nothing but the best. That and with the way things had ended during the last Quidditch match, he figured his pup wouldn't mind a little cheering up.

"Potter! Team meeting in five!" They saw Oliver Wood waving at Harry from the entrance gate.

Sirius grinned and clapped Harry on the shoulder. "I'll let you get back to your team now. Is Mr. Wood still quite as enthusiastic about his pre-match speeches?"

Harry shuddered. "You have no idea."

"I might have a bit of an idea. Reg and I will see you after the game. You've got this."

"Gryffindor takes the lead with that rather amazing goal scored by Alicia Spinnet who looks quite remarkable today with her brown h—"

"Mr. Jordan!"

Right... sorry. The big excitement this match is the Firebolt that Harry Potter is flying for Gryffindor. According to Which Broomstick, the Firebolt's going to be the broom of choice for the national teams at this year's World Championship —"

"Jordan, would you mind telling us what's going on in the match?" interrupted Professor McGonagall's voice.

"Right you are, Professor — just doing my duty— the Firebolt, incidentally, has a built-in auto-brake and —"

"Jordan!"

"Okay, okay, Gryffindor in possession, Katie Bell of Gryffindor heading for goal . . ."

The game went on pretty much like that. Team Gryffindor was damn near unstoppable. There was no other way to put it. All those hours of vigorous training, the constant restlessness and tension that blanketed the team and those multiple injuries sustained during practice had paid off.

Each and every player was a force to be reckoned with, a formidable force on their own yet completely in sync with the rest of their team.

"AND ANGELINA JOHNSON SCORES! Yet another marvellous shot indeed with Gryffindor in the lead, 130- 50!"

The cheering in the stands was deafening. The arrival of the Firebolt had boosted the team's confidence tenfold.

"A brilliant save by Captain Wood! Brilliant indeed, but not as brilliant as the Firebolt's precision balance and sleek per—"

"LEE JORDAN! You're NOT being paid to advertise the Firebolt! Get on with the commentary or you will be removed from your post!"

Lee Jordan cackled almost manically as he danced out of McGonagall's reach, megaphone clutched tightly in his hand. "Sorry, professor. Got carried away!"

Harry grinned to himself. His spirits had never been higher.

His eyes roved over the pitch, frantically trying to catch a glimpse of fluttering gold wings glinting in the sunlight.

And there he spotted it. The tiny golden ball was hovering around the Hufflepuff goal post, whizzing in and out of the hoops. He'd already seen and missed it twice. He wasn't about to let it out of his sight for a third time.

He narrowed his eyes and shot up ten feet higher in hot pursuit of the snitch. He didn't have to turn to know that Cedric Diggory was tailing him.

Diggory hadn't seen the snitch. He'd chosen to follow Harry instead.

A plan formed in his mind and he smirked mischievously to himself. The snitch was still hovering near the Hufflepuff post but instead of diving straight down towards it, he increased his speed and shot ahead, right towards the stands.

He was getting closer with Diggory hot on his heels. Thirty feet... twenty... ten... five and then just when he was about to crash, he jerked the handle of the broom sharply and shot upwards.

The Hufflepuff seeker wasn't so lucky. He fell straight into the crowd.

With him out of the way, Harry zipped after the snitch until it was within arms length.

Unwilling to let it escape, he thrust his arm out and in one swift sweep, his hand closed around the fluttering little golden ball.

He had caught the snitch.

From his position up in the air, he faintly heard Madam Hooch blow the whistle, signalling the end of the game.

The crowd erupted in cheer.

"HARRY POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! Gryffindor wins!"

Grinning madly, he headed towards the ground, the snitch still firmly clutched in his fist. He'd hardly touched the ground before Oliver Wood was tackling him with a hug.

"That's my boy!" He sounded nearly hysterical with joy as he banged Harry on the back several times. The rest of the team joined them in celebration.

The cheers and enthusiasm from the Gryffindor stands was deafening. Fred and George lifted him onto their shoulders for a victory lap around the pitch.

It was nearly an hour later that the celebrations on the pitch had been paused. There was going to be a (secret) party in the Gryffindor common room that evening. As a good teammate, he'd dutifully promised the other players a go on the Firebolt after his friends had finished their turn. He was a little thick, sure, but not utterly stupid. Ron and Draco would definitely murder him in the cruelest of ways if he let anyone else ride the it before them.

Harry was still grinning and he was pretty sure his cheeks were hurting by the time he could finally pull himself away from the team and go find Sirius and Regulus.

They were still by the stands. Sirius saw him first and smiled. It was fond and proud and brilliant. "Merlin's beard, pup. You were—"

"Awesome?" Harry guessed with a smirk.

"That's what I was going to say but now I think I'll settle for big headed," Sirius teased.

"You wound me."

"Mission accomplished." Sirius cuffed him gently on the back of his head before ruffling his wind blown hair. "Try not to go too wild in the party tonight."

"What... what party?" Harry asked as innocently as he could.

Sirius raised an incredulous eyebrow at him. "Really? That's how you want to play it? I was thirteen once and on the Quidditch team as well. Just promise me you'll lay off the Firewhiskey, at least for the next couple of years."

"Promise." He had no intention of drinking. He wasn't certain if he even liked Firewhiskey.

"Attaboy."

Regulus grinned at him and raised his eyebrows in greeting. "Anymore compliments and your head might not fit through the door, mate. I think I'll settle for saying that your skills today were... perfectly ordinary."

"Thanks, Uncle Reg," Harry rolled his eyes.

"I want a go on the Firebolt by the way. My dear big brother wouldn't let me touch it until you'd tried it out."

"You will have to wait for your turn, Uncle Reg. I've already promised Ron and Draco a go first."

Regulus placed a hand over his heart and sighed dramatically. "The betrayal! You'd pick those two over your favourite uncle?"

"I want to stay alive, so yes."

Regulus snorted. "Yeah yeah."

After another half an hour they said their goodbyes and Harry made his way back to the castle.

It was great day.

Wow! I'm so thrilled I finally managed to update again! A big thank you and shoutout to all those who waited and didn't lose hope, you're awesome.

I decided to take a break from the whole Bellatrix angle for a bit and write about our favourite boys instead. I felt it would be better to start off on a happy note.

Speaking of boys... what do you guys think? Harry, Sirius, Regulus and even Draco... what does the future hold?

Don't forget to review!