Ch. 13, Quidditch and Detention

The ball was long over - but would that stop James from making his first date with Lily even more of a success than it already was? Nope.

After the building was closed, and everyone kicked out, James took Lily for a romantic stroll in the Hogsmead park. There was no one about - it was only the stars and moon that lighted thier way. It was getting quite late. Lily guessed it was about 1:30 AM, and that the girls would be worried sick (Vera) or assuming that she and James were snogging or something of the sort. (Jane)

"James," Lily said tiredly. She was leaning her head on his shoulder, which was the perfect height for a pillow.

"Yes?" James asked worriedly.

Lily smiled. "First of all, you don't need to be so nervous. Second, not that I've had a wonderful time, but I'm about to fall asleep here. We have classes tomorrow."

James smiled a little. But he was still nervous about making this the best night for Lily. He stopped walking. "The carriages will have left by now," he stated.

"So that means we'll have to walk." Lily answered, in a tired voice.

"No, it doesn't."

Lily looked at him strangely. "Have you had too much to drink or something? No ride, we walk."

James smiled and took out two shrunken brooms from his pocket. Lily's face lit up and she laughed.

"You planned this, didn't you?" she mockingly accused.

"Who, me?" James played along as he re-enlarged the broom. But he was paying too much attention to Lily's face, and he wasn't concentrating on the spell. The second brrom ended up on fire.

Normally, Lily would have ordered it to go out right away, but there were two things stopping her. 1) She shouldn't use her powers in front of James right away, even though she completely trusted him it was mostly the other reason. 2) She was wondering what he would do. She considered it a bit of a test for him.

"Aguamenti!" James shouted, pointing his wand at the broom. But he was too late - the twigs were no more, and the handle was a large piece of ash.

"Oh boy." he muttered, and bent down to inspect the ruined broom. "That was on rental."

Lily stayed quiet.

James reached into his pocket and properly re-enlarged the other broom. Then, he handed it to her.

"Here. You fly back to the castle. I'll walk."

Lily smiled inwardly. That was the perfectly polite and gentlemanly thing to do. Therefore, he would get a reward.

"We can both fit on there, can't we?" she asked slyly.

James looked up in surprise. After he had closed his mouth, he nodded. She climbed on in front, and signaled for James to get on behind her. Still a little numb that she was allowing him to do this, he climbed on behind her.

Jane paced angrily. Her night had been ruined, and she didn't know if her boyfriend had gotten in okay. She, Vera and Remus were in the girls dorms (Remus knows the spell) and Vera was still out cold. She'd only just woken up herself. Not to mention that Lily was still not in.

She was curious as to why Vera's been out this long. She had been out cold for an hour now, and her ring was still sparkling. When she asked Remus, he consulted the book Jane had taken from the RoR, and said she should be out until around 3am.

This was a bad night.

As the single brrom flew through the night towards the looming castle, Lily had fallen asleep, leaning back against James' chest. He found it hard to ride - this was his dream, and he had to not pay all his attention to the beautiful sleeping redheaded beauty infront of him.

He felt it a shame when he had to wake her up. They had just landed on the Astronomy tower, so he gently shook her awake.

"Lily? Wake up Lils." he said softly.

She groaned and stirred. "Five more minutes..." she muttered.

"No can do Lily, we have to go. Filch is going to catch us if we stay here forever." James reasoned with a smile on his face. She was so cute.

Lily groggily opened one eye. "Where did we land?"

"We're on the astronomy tower. It's way past curfew and if we had landed anywhere else someone might have seen us from a window." James explained. She nodded and sat up.

"Lily, listen, before we go, can I ask you something?" James said nervously. Lily nodded.

"I had a great time tonight, and I really like you, although you knew that," James laughed nervously. "Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to be my girlfriend?"

Lily's breath cought in her throat. She was terrified of something like this - but she really liked James, if not loved him. Surely he wouldn't abandon her!

Then, as James was waiting for an answer, the words of Lily's mentor came back to her.

"Life is hard. You can either be afraid, and waste it away. Or, you can be brave, and live life to it's fullest. I know that you're not afraid. You'll be happy, one day."

James was getting really nervous now - why hadn't she answered? She just had this adorable thoughtful look on her face.

And that was when she broke into an adorable nervous smile, and answered, "Yes James, I will be your girlfriend."

"Really?" James asked, hardly daring to believe his ears.

Lily smiled, and kissed him.

About another few minutes later, they really had to hurry. James' watch read 2 am. Even Head Boy and Head Girl weren't allowed out this late. Lily was surprised - James seemed to know the passages that would get them to Gryffindor Tower quickest like the back of his head.

Then, as they exited a tapestry on the proper floor, they came face-to-face with a sneering Filt- oh, sorry, Filch.

"Well well well. Look who we have here. Both Heads, out in the middle of the night for a romantic stroll, are we? Well not any more. I'll have you hanging in the dungeons by you're ears. The clamps have been kept well-oiled, never fear. You two'll be coming with me." he sneered.

Lily was a little scared. Not of Filch, but worrying about her badge. Would McGonnagle take them away?

And then she appeared - McGonnagle came out, face clearly showing disappointment in her favourite students.

"I am very disappointed in you two." she started, stating the obvious. " I expected better out of you. Especially you, Miss Evans." she finished the disappointment-speech, then started the irrisponsible-speech, and made an exit with the detention-speech, followed by another round of disappointment.

So, later a sulky Lily and an indifferent James made their way to Gryffindor Tower. When Lily arrived in her Dormitory, she was met with two pillows hurled at her.

"Ah! What's the matter with you two?" she asked, sheilding herself with her arms.

"Well well well...3 am! It would seem that Little Lilsy just happened to come in at said time with a goofy grin on her face." Vera said teasingly.

"AND the last time she was seen, was with a certain James Potter, who just happened to be her date for the night. But that was at...midnight?" Jane continued.

Lily blushed.

"And now she's blushing!" Vera started again.

"Wow Lilsy, didn't know you were a first date kind of girl!" Jane teased. Lily turned redder.

"I did nothing of the sort." she stated clearly.

"But he did kiss you, am I right Lily?" Vera asked.

Lily was just about to get into bed. Right before she closed the hangings and put a spell on them, she said teasingly, "Isn't a boyfriend allowed to kiss his girlfriend?" and shut the hangings quickly, leaving a very stunned Jane and Vera.

"Lily!" they both shouted annoyed.

"You come out here right now and tell us what happened!" Vera shouted.

"If you tell us about your night, we'll tell you about ours!" Jane shouted out. she got no answer.

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When James got in, he was being similarily questioned. Sirius believed firmly that Lily and James had been doing some very innappropriot things, while Remus was curious how Lily reacted when she got detention.

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The first quidditch game of the New Year was today. James and Lily serve their detention tonight.

So, after Breakfast, when the Gryffindor team left the hall, it was to cheers to three fourths of the school, and James got a good luck kiss from Lily. The Slytherins left to jeers from the rest of the hall. Someone (not looking at the remaining Marauder) actually threw a glob of oatmeal at the Slytherins.

So, the Slytherins had to shower before the game, as most of the Gryffindor table had taken to throwing food at the them.

"Good shot Remus." Vera was heard commenting. She of course, could easily use her powers to control the food, as most of it had some organic substance in it.

Soon the school was in the stands. Vera had dragged them up to the highest seat available to students. Remus and Jane were okay, they don't mind being high up. Just as long as they had something sturdy supporting them.

The game started in a flurry of red uniforms on the pitch. Then, while the spectators were wondering if the Slytherins had chickened out, out came several freshly showered green figures.

Grudgingly, the captains shook hands. Then, both teams were up in the air, doing their jobs. Gryffindor scored the first goal, with the Slytherin keeper barely missing the quaffle.

James was circling the pitch, seeking out the snitch, but there was no sign of the tiny winged ball. Gryffindor scored another goal, making the stands (minus Slytherins) roar with applause and screams. I mean really, who claps at a quidditch game? Everyone shouts their approval.

James looked over at where his friends and girlfriend were sitting, only to see them not even paying attention. they were all bent over something.

Wakey wakey time, James thought, and decided to go into a pointless dive. The people watching held their breath, wondering if he had seen the snitch so soon in the game. The incompetent Slytherin Seeker tried to keep up, but he just didn't have the trust in his brrom that James had. James was confident with his broom, even though a model behind the fastest, but he kept it in such great care that it didn't matter.

When he was just at the ground, he pulled up, saw the Slytherin seeker had already left, he looked to hte stands.

His friends now were dangling a large banner, with a Gryffindor lion (animated, thanks to Lily) and a big sign saying GO POTTER!

While James was starring at the sign, his captain shouted, "Potter! Get back in the game!"

James grinned, pleased at annoying his insane captain. McGonnagle had told him that the only reason he didn't get Quidditch captain was because of being Head Boy, she thought that he would have enough on his plate. The captain was now an over-eager sixth year, Grelta Isnaney. James, once after a particularily hard practice, rearranged the letters in her name to spell, Greatly Insane.

Just in time, he heard something whoosh by his ear, but was barely quick enough. He flung his left arm up to protect his head, where the bludger was aiming. But then, with a feeling of whiplash, he was now certain that his arm was not in it's socket. The crowd screamed, then 'boo'ed the Slytherin beater, who was now getting applause from his side of the court.

And then the other bludger came by, and because of his arm, he had been unable to get the broom out of hte way. James was starting to feel beat up, because he now could not lean forward on his broom. He was sick of this. He had to find the snitch NOW. He pulled his broom upwards (with his right arm) and circled the pitch, looking and scouting for the snitch.

"What's going on Prongs? You don't usually get htis beat up." Sirius said, as he swung the beater's bat at another bludger coming to James.

"I don't know. But I do know they're ganging up on us."

Back in the stands, Lily was on the edge of her seat. Most would think she was merely interested in teh game, but no, that wasn't Lily. She was more worried that her boyfriedn was going to get himself killed. The crowd gasped - several people screamed. Sirius had jsut turned for a moment, to beat away the bludger heading for one ofthe chasers. James had just turned for a second, to check the other side of the pitch.

Now, James was falling. The last bludger had knowcked him offf of his broom.

But then, the screams tuned down. Something very strange was happening, and no one could explain it. Thanks, that is, to Vera, who had luckily chose the seating spot so far away from everyone else. Lily and Jane were working a tricky trick. Jane put a very thin layer of water below James (while he was falling). Lily put a bonfire under the water, causing the water to heat up like a bubble. They made several bubbles, while Vera tried to use air to slow his fall.

When James landed, he was unconscious, but alive, from a 100 foot fall, thanks to First, Second and Third.

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James heard voices. It was strange, he doesn't usually hear blury voices. He opened his eyes, or tried to. They felt very heavy. He wanted to know what was going on.

Oh conscience!

Hello? Anyone there?

--On Vacation in some tropical place. Back later--

sheesh, I didn't know consciences could take vacation.

Groggily, James opened his eyes. Then, he shut them again. You see, after being knocked out, James didn't really appreciate the blaring white. But at least he knew he was in the hospital wing.

He opened his eyes more carefully this time, and was able to see a large mass of red. As the quidditch match came back to him, he realized that htis must be the Gryffindor quidditch team. But he was proven wrong. Or at least partially.

The team was there, of course, but the main entity of red was staring down at him with a flurry of emotions on her face. First, worry. Then, anxiety, relief and happiness followed.

"He's awake!" the figure that James now recognized (he had gotten his glasses off of the bedside table) as Lily.

All of a sudden the crowd around his bed was much bigger. He noticed Sirius and Remus, both with relief etched on their faces, pushed their way through to them.

"Thank goodness." Remus sighed.

"Yes. We thought that the gigantic bubble that Dumbledore must've conjured would trap you!" Sirius exclaimed.

Of course, James noticed, the corners of Remus' mouth twitched at that statement. There were similar sentiments, before Madam Pomfrey bustled about, sending people off to their rooms.

"We're postphoning the party, James, 'till you can get out of there!" Sirius yelled behind his back.

"The same with you're detention - Lily has her's tonight though." Remus called, as he walked off with Vera, probably for a congradulatory thanks-for-saving-my-best-mate snog.

"Get better soon!" Jane shouted, and headed back to the common room with Sirius. You could hear their light bickering.

"When you get better, I've got something to show you." Lily whispered, tingling his ear, right before she left.

He wasn't really that bad. Madam Pomfrey just wanted to check and make sure that there had been no permanent damage. At least, that's what he gathered from her mutterings of flying rocks, dangerous games, school settings, stupid dangerous games, violent children swinging bats, why the professors would let such a stupid dangerous game be played in a shcool setting with violent children swinging bats and flying rocks.

James got out late hte next day, which was luckily a Sunday. He got back in the common room, only to find...it was completely empty!

Well, except for some first years playing gobstones, but he didn't count that.

Just then...the portrait hole creaked open...and in came...the sound of recently gone-a-pranking Marauders!

Yes, that's right. In came Remus and Sirius, laughing their heads off, along with Jane, and Vera, both of whom were continuously giggling.

"What did you guys do, and who to?" James asked, smiling.

(Note: hyper moment)

All laughter immediately stopped. The first years no longer looked scared. Sirius and Remus looked up at him, an unreadable expression on thier faces. James realized what was happening, which was Sirius' tradition when a Marauder came back from the Hospital Wing, even if it was him.

"PRONGSY!" Sirius shouted at the top of his voice, ran and tackled James, and the first years, now thoroughly scared crept back upstairs to continue their game.

Remus rolled his eyes slightly, but still played his part. Smiling, he conjured a self-playing trumpet, which played something like da-dadada-da-DA! Remus never bothered to actually learn the trumpet, seeing as it was usually him coming back from the Hospital Wing, that was James' roll. Then, he went over and cuffed Sirius on his head, reminding him that James had been in the Hospital Wing because of injuries, not pleasure. This, of course, erupted in a small scuffle between the Marauders. But then, they all felt this strange sensation. They just couldn't describe it. Jane was crouched on the floor laughing, while Vera was using a nearby and conveniently placed armchair to support herself. But James looked beyond them. His eyes widened. (zoom in on a dark portrait hole, past Jane and Vera, imagine some sort of dramatic entry music)

Twirling her wand, walking graceful step after graceful step, (at least to James) and with a smug smirk on her face, entered THE Lily Evans, tickling charm expert, girlfriend of James Potter, genius, excetera.

And that's exactly what was happening to them - they were being magically tickled.

Remus was the first to fall, bending over laughing, and squirming. Then, for some unkown reason, both James and Sirius got into a contest, on who would be the first to break. Unfortunately for James, Lily was purposely being very distracting, whispering little nothings in his ear, thus furthering the tickling.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sirius noticed a certain brown-eyed girl, checking around, seeing her sister occupied by Remus, and drawing her wand. Then, Sirius felt the tickling sensation increase three-fold, and play-glared at hte girl, who gave a grin and a wink before re-stowing her wand.

(Okay, i think you've all guessed that Sirius is secretly dating Jane - if you want to know the reason for the secret, then refer to ch 12)

But then, trying desperately not to laugh, James gave Lily his best puppy-dog eyes, and then she laughed. Removing her spell, she signaled for Jane and Vera to do the same.

"Now that," Lily said dramatically, "was for almost getting yourself killed."

"You know, I really don't think that I should be punished for getting hurt." James reasoned, now on his feet and gave Lily a hug and a tentative kiss on the cheek. Smiling, she pulled him back down and whispered, sending shivers down his spine, "That's not how you're supposed to kiss me."

The occupants of the Gryffindor common room gave several wolf-whistles (marauders) cheers (boys) and erupted into giggles (girls), when James gave her a lop-sided smirk and kissed her thoroughly.

Next chapie is Lily's part of the secret. plz read the following note of apology.

i'm so sorry this has taken so long. I really meant for it to be done by the end of the march break, i have no idea where the time went. this week i have two projects, 4 quizes (one per subject this semester), sore feet (my schedule goes like this: Geography (third floor) Health (first floor) Lunch (second floor) Science (third floor) Music (second floor) and going to my locker on the third floor in between all of them.) I also have midterms coming up, which means even more studying.

I understand if you don't review out of spite...i'll still update.

Forgive me?