Chapter 5

James shouldered his broomstick and walked down to the Quidditch pitch that evening at five o'clock. He knew Sirius would be in the stands and he'd already offered to let Sirius have a go on his Nimbus 1000.

The Quidditch pitch was a funny sort of green in the setting sun.

As Quidditch captain, James released the balls and the team began to practice.

James was circling aimlessly, only half-heartedly looking for the Snitch, when he heard his name being called.

"James! Prongs!" called Sirius.

James looked over at him and saw him pointing discreetly at the other side of the stand.

James looked to where he was pointing and saw Lily Evans sitting there. He grinned and his heart leapt. Now he was determined to show his skills for Lily.

His sharp hazel eyes quickly spotted a glint of gold from near one of the Beater's ankles. He sped towards it and captured the Snitch easily.

He let it go and gave it a minute's head start. He looked over at the stands and still saw Lily. He wasn't imagining things, he thought. She really was there.

He turned back to the pitch. He soon spotted the Snitch again and sped towards it. He caught it nimbly just as it tried to get away.

After an hour, he called out to his team mates, "Ok guys. Great job today. We're all doing really well."

His team smiled at him and landed onto the pitch. They all headed towards the change rooms.

James landed skilfully and motioned for Sirius to come down.

Lily came down after Sirius.

"Can I have a go now, mate? Cool," said Sirius, taking the broomstick from James. He mounted it carefully and took off into the sky. He did a few tricks in the air, spinning around and so on.

James looked at Lily who was watching Sirius carefully. "You're quite good, Potter."

"Haven't you ever seen me at the games?" James asked her.

"Not really," said Lily, still watching Sirius. "I tend to bring a book down with me."

James didn't know what to say.

"It must feel wonderful to be flying," said Lily wistfully.

"It is," said James.

"But I could never do it. I wouldn't know how."

"Do you want a go?" James asked her, looking at Lily.

Lily turned to him. She slowly smiled. "As if you'd let me ride your most precious possession."

"I would. As long as I'm on it with you."

"Well, I'm glad you gave me that choice. Otherwise I would have said no."

"So do you want a go?"

Lily smiled. Her green eyes sparkled in the fading light. "I wouldn't mind one."

James looked up at Sirius. "Oi! Padfoot! Get down here."

Sirius expertly landed and handed James his broom. "That is such a smooth ride," he commented.

"Ok, Lily. Just put on leg over it and you're on!" James told her, excited about the prospect of riding his broomstick with his long time crush.

Lily nervously put her leg over the hovering broomstick.

James got on in front of her. "Hold on tight," he said to Lily.

She grasped his waist tightly.

"Not that tight," James gasped.

"Oh. Sorry," apologized Lily.

James gently took off from the ground and flew a few feet above the ground.

"How come we're not as high as you were?" Lily asked.

"I figured…well, do you want to go higher?"

"Oh, yes," said Lily excitedly.

James flew the broom higher into the sky, the wind whistling in his ears.

"This is fantastic!" said Lily over the wind.

"Do you want to do something fun?" James asked.

"What?"

James pointed the broomstick down to the ground. They began falling rapidly.

Lily could see the ground coming closer and closer. She closed her eyes, steeled for the impact, and then felt like she was rising again.

She opened her eyes slowly and found that she and James were flying into the sky again.

"What happened then?' she asked breathlessly.

"Evans, they call that the Wronski Feint."

After ten more minutes, James brought the broomstick back to the ground.

Lily got off and took a shaky step. "That was amazing. I should ride broomsticks again."

"Ask me any time and I'll let you have a go, Evans."

"Really, Potter? Could I?"

James nodded.

Lily squealed with delight and hugged him.

James looked shocked at first then hugged Lily gently back.

Lily suddenly realized whose arms she was in and stepped back. "Umm…well, we'd better get to dinner," she said awkwardly and began to walk back to the castle.

Sirius and James followed her, James shouldering his broomstick.

"Well, that went well," he said to Sirius.

"Yes, very well. It makes you wonder if she's forgiven you for what you did this morning."

"What did I…oh." James suddenly called out to Lily, "Hey Evans; does this make up for what I did?"

Lily looked at him. She thought for a moment then said, "Yes Potter, it does." She kept walking.

"Well, that went even better," said James, running his hand through his hair.