The next few days passed in a blur as Rana counted down the days till Saturday afternoon. Sirius had yet to apologize to Rana. Rana honestly didn't care whether or not he apologized, but James was stubborn. He refused to speak to Sirius until he apologized to Rana. Sirius in his own right was just as stubborn. As promised, Rana stuck close to Jeremiah and Michael during DADA. Surrounded by two guys and four girls, the Slytherins did not try to bother her in class, although they were likely scheming on how to best corner her.

As for James, he took to walking Rana to class, even if it meant he would be late to his own. The two continued to be inseparable. People often wondered if they were together. Rana shrugged it off. Occasionally, she would have run-ins with jealous girls, but Rana was rarely alone. When she was alone and was threatened by such girls, James would come to her protection. He always seemed to know when she was in trouble. Char kept an eye on Rana as promised as well.

Rana could often be found flying or buried in books in the library. Such was the case Saturday afternoon. However, unlike previous times, she could barely concentrate on the book in front of her.

"Rana!" Kameko jogged up to her, earning a glare from the librarian. Kameko quickly apologized before looking at Rana, twirling her shoulder length hair around her finger.

Rana looked up from the book she was staring at upon hearing Kameko's friendly voice. "Hi, Kameko." There was a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Kameko smiled. "Relax, Rana. You're guaranteed a spot with your talent."

Rana sighed. "I'm still nervous and I'm sure there are people better than me…" she trailed off.

Kameko laughed. "I doubt it, Rana." She looked at her watch. "Speaking of which, we better get to the pitch. Tryouts will be starting any moment."

Rana nodded. Gathering her books, the two of them raced out of the library, earning a disapproving look from Madame Pince. The two of them ran through the corridors, not wanting to be late.

"Miss Chang! Miss Rai! No running in the corridors. Five points from Ravenclaw!" McGonagall yelled after them.

"Sorry, Professor. Don't want to be late!" Kameko called over her shoulder, slowing down. McGonagall just shook her head as she briskly walked away. She felt sorry for Madame Hooch. All four teams were holding tryouts today. Ravenclaw was up second, right after Hufflepuff. Why they didn't split up the four houses in two days, she would never understand.

Rana turned to give Professor McGonagall a smile before running to catch up to Kameko. She crashed right into Sirius. She blushed. "Sorry," she mumbled before getting up quickly and scurrying off towards the castle doors. "Kameko! Wait!" she shouted.

Kameko stopped by the doorway. "Hurry, Rana," she teased. "Adriana is nervous enough as it is."

Rana rolled her eyes as she caught up to her. "I don't see why. She gets to choose her team!" Rana laughed as Kameko pushed open the castle doors, leading out to the grounds.

Sirius blinked, watching the two girls, as if deciding something. He watched as Kameko rushed outside, Rana following at a run. Mind made up, he ran after the two. "Rana, wait!"

Rana sighed, rather irritated even though she may not really care whether or not he apologized her. What was the point of an apology if he didn't really mean it? She was annoyed mostly because she had more important things to do than talk to Sirius Black. No one came in the way of her and Quidditch. It was the third most important thing in her life, only being preceded by her parents and James. Rana pointedly ignored him and kept running towards the Pitch.

"Rana! Please stop!" Sirius yelled, running after her now.

She sighed in frustration. "Go on Kameko and tell Adi I'll be there in a second."

Kameko nodded and broke into a sprint. Rana turned around and faced Sirius, irritation written across her face. "What is it, Sirius? It better be important enough as I'm late for tryouts."

Sirius backed up a bit. No one came between Rana and Quidditch. Even an idiot knew that. Rana tapped her foot impatiently. "Well?" she asked, her voice cool.

"I... I.." He sighed. Taking a deep breath, he said "Rana, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

Rana narrowed her eyes. She would not listen to him if he didn't mean it. "Are you really sorry, Black? If this is just a way to get James to talk to you again, you can forget it. Need I remind you he started to ignore you on his own accord? I had nothing to do with his actions except by being his best friend."

He wants to be more than that, even if he denies it, Sirius muttered to himself before looking back up at Rana. "I am sorry, Rana, and I mean it. It was wrong of me to call you a child when I'm supposed to be your friend."

Rana studied him for a moment. Deciding he was sincere, she nodded. "I forgive you, I guess. Now, I really have to go."

Sirius smiled. "Good luck!"

Rana grinned and scurried off towards the Pitch. "Rana! There you are; I was wondering when you were going to show up," Adriana commented, looking up from a sheet of paper.

"Sorry, Adi; I got held up." She smiled when she saw James wave to her. He loved watching her fly and since it was just tryouts, Adriana made no protests. Amos winked at Rana as he hurried off. James scowled while Rana just stared after him, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. She shrugged it off as nothing and turned her attention back to Adriana.

Adriana smiled. "No worries; Hufflepuff just finished with their tryouts and now it's our turn. What position did you want to try out for?"

Rana looked around. There were a lot of people trying out. She bit her lip. "Well, how about I try out for both seeker and chaser and if I make it, you can decide which position best suits the team?"

"Sounds good." She smiled. "Alright; everyone line up! I want the beater applicants in one line, chasers in one, all the seekers in another, and finally all the keepers in another line. We are going to be starting with beaters, then chasers, seekers, and finally keepers, so if you would like to try more than one position and see which you are best at, please join the line that will be trying out first. There are six positions open. Hurry! We have a lot of applicants and only two hours to get through all of you. I will first be testing your ability in the positions. Then, once I have narrowed it down to a few, I will be seeing who works best together in a team."

Rana bit her lip. She glanced at James. He smiled encouragingly at her. "Rani?" Rana walked over to him and he kissed her cheek. "You'll be fine; go on." She slowly nodded, smiled brightly, and scampered off. She took a spot behind Michael, trying out for chaser.

Rana watched silently as several Ravenclaws tried out for beater. Most seemed to be able to fly, but were unable to actually knock the bludger out of the way. There was only one spot for beater and they would have to work well with Adriana. Many seemed to think a girl couldn't play beater. Of course, they were sorely mistaken.

Finally, it was Jeremiah's turn. Rana smiled to herself, her eyes following his every move. He was a natural. Every time the bludger came his way, he was quick on his reflexes and knocked it out of the way. Adriana smiled, jotting a star next to his name.

"Great job, Goldstein!" Adriana yelled into the air as he descended. It was down to one more Ravenclaw. A fifth year by the name of Jason Corner quickly shot into the air at Adriana's whistle. Adriana watched him for a while before she put a star next to his name. The beater was between Jeremiah and Jason. "Thank you, Corner!"

He smiled before descending. "Is that all?"

Adriana shook her head. "I will need you and Jeremiah to stay behind so I can see how you work as a team."

He nodded and quickly took a seat in the bleachers.

Adriana looked at her sheet. "Michael Davies!" Michael slowly mounted his broom and looked to Adriana for direction. "I am going to toss a quaffle into the air and I want you to put it through as many hoops as you can in ten minutes. When we narrow down the list of applicants, bludgers will be added to the test. On my whistle…" She blew her whistle and Michael shot into the air. Adriana tossed the quaffle into the air. Michael easily grabbed it, tossing the Quaffle through the hoops. Adriana blew her whistle and called the next applicant.

Emily Turpin turned around and glared at Rana. "You really think you're good enough? Friend or not, I doubt you'll succeed."

Rana rolled her eyes. "As a matter of fact, I do. You on the other hand, I'm not so sure about."

Emily scoffed. "A child? You really think a child is cut out for Quidditch?"

Rana raised her eyebrows. She was modest about most of her abilities, but her Quidditch abilities were something she was proud of. Rana knew she was talented. You didn't beat James Potter in a friendly game of Quidditch when you were ten years old without having talent. "It's your turn," Rana said simply. "And we'll see who the better chaser is, hmmm?"

Emily huffed and shot into the air. Rana watched silently. She admitted to herself Emily was good. Rana still wasn't worried. There was still the team test. Reina was up next. Rana smiled as she watched as Reina darted hoop to hoop as she threw the quaffle through the hoops. Rana grinned. Reina would be an excellent chaser if Adriana selected her.

"Rana Rai; your turn!"

Rana grinned and hopped onto her Comet and shot into the air. "I'm ready, Adi."

"Quaffle coming right up!"

The quaffle shot into the air. It was obvious that Rana was born to play Quidditch. She flew with a natural grace and the quaffle never slipped from her fingers. She was quick, agile, graceful, and could perform complicated moves that one didn't learn till they played for years. Rana never missed a goal. The quaffle went through a hoop and before anyone could blink, it would soar through another hoop. Students who had never seen Rana play before were utterly shocked and their jaws dropped in amazement.

"She could play professional Quidditch!" Jason Corner muttered.

"We're sure to win the Cup!"

Everyone was positive that Rana was one of the newest chasers. Emily just scowled. She would show them all. Rana slowly descended, quickly moving behind Kameko. She felt confident in both chaser and seeker. It was up to Adriana of course to make the final call. James glanced her way, smiling proudly. He, of course, knew of her talent. Ravenclaw was going to be tough competition this year! Rana blushed and then her eyes quickly went to Kameko at Adriana's voice.

"Okay, Chang; I'm timing you. Catch the snitch as fast as you can!"

Kameko nodded and flew above the goal posts, looking for the snitch. Soon enough, she noticed a golden glint in the distance. Steering her broom, she rushed after it. Within moments, she held the snitch in her hand as she descended to the ground.

Adriana smiled at her. "Great job, Chang! Twelve minutes!" Most good seekers caught the snitch in thirteen to fifteen minutes. Kameko had beaten that record.

Several more trials went by. "Rai, you're up!" Rana grinned and soared into the air. She hovered in the hair, looking out for the snitch. She flipped her broom around as her eyes caught a bright glint of gold. All attention solely on the snitch, Rana chased after it, her arm stretching out as the distance slowly began to close. Her hand deftly closed around it as she moved right to the edge of the broom, descending, not a moment later. "Ten minutes, thirty seconds! This will be a tough call, Rana!"

Rana grinned. She skipped off and sat next to James while she watched the last set of applicants. She, of course, was rooting for Arya. Rana for now was done until Adriana called forth the final test before making her decisions. James leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Amazing as always, Rani."

Rana blushed deeply. "Thanks, James," she said quietly before turning back to the field, hearing Arya's name.

"Rana, could you come here a moment?" Adriana called after thinking a moment.

Rana nodded and slowly walked over. "Yes, Adriana?"

Adriana smiled. "I want to see the two of you play together. Arya hasn't let a single charmed quaffle through the hoops." Her voice went down to a whisper. "Between you and me, I'm almost certain she's in. And you, Rana- you're just amazing. Let's see if she can avoid your goals. If she can, well, she is definitely in. I'm sure she'll work well with a team. Don't hold back."

Rana nodded. She smiled and hopped onto her broom.

Emily huffed and stormed over. "Hey! Why can't I be the one up there?"

Adriana looked at Emily, irritated. It was plain to her that Emily was a jealous girl who would not be good for the team. Emily could fly, but she had a real attitude problem. "Turpin, is it?" At Emily's nod, Adriana continued. "I have my own reasons for having Rana up there. She is a challenge to defeat. The rest of you may have been able to make goals, but Rana has a real talent and I'm not about to see good talent to go to waste. This is my chance to see how Arya fares against someone who was born to fly.

Quidditch is not just about skills; it is about working together. You, Turpin, seem to be the only one out here who has a problem with Rana. Now, I suggest you go sit down and watch if you still want me to consider you. Your other option of course is to leave, but I am the captain and I will not have you ruin our chances for the cup."

Emily scowled and was about to retort when Jason Corner walked over and literally dragged away Emily, sending an apologetic look to Adriana. "Honestly, Em; do you have to be so bloody obvious with your jealousy?"

"I'm not jealous!"

"You are. Rana is obviously the best out there and I've had it with your jealousy over her and James's friendship. It's very unbecoming. Now stop before making a bigger fool of yourself."

Emily just scowled.

Adriana sighed, shaking her head. She crossed Emily's name off the list in her mind and nodded to Rana. "I'm releasing the quaffle. Arya, remember to block the goals. Just do your best."

Adriana released the quaffle and Rana easily caught it. Arya circled around the hoops and just narrowly missed catching the quaffle as Rana threw it through the hoops. Arya grinned and threw it back to the center field. Rana flew back, caught the quaffle and flew full speed towards the goals. She aimed straight and threw the quaffle left. Arya grabbed it at the last second.

"Bludgers, Arya!" Rana laughed. She was enjoying herself. "Let's increase the difficulty, shall we?"

"I'm not gonna let you win that easily, Rani." Arya grinned.

The two girls had forgotten they were actually trying out for Quidditch and were very much into the game. Rana flew with a grace. Every movement was delicate and intricate. Her movements were like a dance. Arya, on the other hand, flew with full concentration and her movements were simple and quick.

Rana performed a complicated figure-eight and shot the quaffle clear across the court. It zoomed right through the hoop before Arya could stop it.

Adriana smiled. "No worries, Arya. The best keeper would have had trouble stopping that quaffle from going through the hoop."

Arya had forgotten Adriana was there for a moment. She nodded before returning her attention to Rana. Rana smirked before flying full speed towards the hoops. She made a long throw as it soared towards the hoops. It was just about to make it through the goal when Arya caught it and threw it back. She smirked. "You're good, Rana."

"As are you!" Rana grinned as she knocked a fast quaffle through the center hoop.

Adriana clapped. "Ok, Kedar, you please hold on a moment?" She turned her attention to the beaters and looked down her list. It was down to two. "Ok; Goldstein, Corner; please join them." Adriana paused. What would make sense would be to hold a practice match. "Lopez, Davies, and Chang. You three also up there." Adriana scanned the crowd, quickly trying to put together another team. She wanted to see all of them play. "Madley, Brockelhurst, Perks." She turned to Emily and sighed. Even though she had crossed her off, she knew she had to call on her or Emily would make a big scene. "Turpin and Donaldson." She needed two more people. "Ackerly and McGregor."

Adriana waited patiently as her players situated herself up in the air, rolling her eyes at Emily.

"See Rai; when will you learn that you are not better than me?"

Rana raised her eyes in amusement. "I don't know what gives you that idea, Turpin. As you can plainly see there are fourteen of us." At those last words, she positioned herself centerfield.

Adriana scanned her applicants. As much as she hated to, she had to team Emily and Rana together. She needed to make sure her assumptions were correct in that Emily would not work well on a team.

Okay folks, we are going to do a mini practice game to see who works the best as a team. For Team One: Kedar for keeper, Chang for seeker, Corner and Perks for beater, Madley, Davies, and Brockelhurst for chaser. Team Two: McGregor for seeker, Ackerly for keeper, Goldstein and Donaldson for beater, Rai, Turpin, and Lopez for chaser. When I blow my whistle, I will release the balls. Just play."

Rana sighed at the fact she was teamed with Emily. Emily disliked her. She was sure Adriana had her reasons though.

"Rai," Emily scowled.

"Turpin." Rana rolled her eyes.

"Rai, Davies; you two up center." Adriana called.

Rana smirked at Emily before flying to the center of the field, opposite Michael, where the captains of the teams normally hovered at the start of a match. Adriana blew her whistle as the balls were released. Rana easily caught the quaffle and headed towards the goals, passing it to Reina or Emily as they headed downfield. Rana was close enough to make a goal when Emily literally shoved her. Rana quickly gained control, but dropped the quaffle in the process.

"Bludgers, Turpin! What was that for? We're playing for the same side!" She glared.

"Putting you in your place," Emily replied.

Rana scowled, going back after the quaffle. She tackled Brockelhurst and headed back towards the goals. She tossed the quaffle to Reina, who easily caught it, tossing it back to Rana. Rana was about to make a goal when Emily shoved her again and grabbed the end of her broom. With one hand, Emily pushed Rana off her broom. Rana felt herself falling.

"Rana!" James yelled, quickly summoning his broom to go after Rana. Jeremiah turned his broom and caught Rana at the end of his broom. James sighed in relief, cursing Emily. She would pay. Rana smiled gratefully at Jeremiah before pulling out her wand.

"Accio Comet 360," she muttered and jumped onto her broom when it appeared next to her in the air. Rana shoved her wand back in her pocket. Everyone was staring at her, mouth agape.

"What? I only fell a few feet." Rana laughed.

Adriana called everyone down. Rana sat next to James when he literally pulled her down on the bleachers, making sure she was okay. "I'm fine, James."

James looked at her worriedly before kissing her on the cheek. "I was so worried."

Rana smiled. "I know, James, but as you can see, Jeremiah caught me before I hit the ground so I'm perfectly alright."

Adriana gathered everyone near the bleachers and motioned them all to sit before rounding on Emily. "What in nine Bludgers was that Turpin?" Adriana all but screamed. "Rana could have been killed or seriously injured! What were you thinking intentionally knocking your teammate off her broom! Thank goodness Goldstein has such quick reflexes!

Emily glared at Adriana. "I was only going to make a goal."

Adriana rubbed her head. "Rana was doing just fine. She was passing the quaffle and was close enough to shoot at that point. Even so, that is no excuse for knocking your teammate off her broom intentionally. Quidditch is not just about making goals; it involves being able to work together as a team, something you have proven to me you are not capable of. I am sorry, Emily, but you have lost your chance. You may leave."

"But…" Emily protested.

"No ifs, ands, or, buts. Perhaps you have learned something today and you may try again in the future. Good day." Adriana turned back to her team when she noticed Char approaching. She waved.

"Hello, Adriana." Char smiled.

"Hello, Char. I'm almost done here. We had a bit of an accident. I just need to run one more test." She paused, thinking. "Do you mind if I borrow Potter? I want to test my remaining applicants and due to a little accident, I'm short. Everyone else has left except the ones you see here."

Char thought for a moment. "I guess it would be alright. James could just have an early tryout." Char looked at her clipboard. "Yes, he had signed up as chaser." Char looked at James. "Potter, go on. I'll count this as your individual tryout."

James nodded and slowly got up, pulling Rana to her feet. "You up to it?"

Rana pretended to look insulted. "Of course I'm ready." She grinned.

"Just checking, Rani." He smiled and summoned his broom.

Adriana smiled at him. "Thank you James. Could you please play the third chaser on Rana's team? I'll switch you around a few times, so I can see how everyone plays together."

James nodded and flew into the air after Rana.

"Davies, Lopez, please switch teams. Rai, Lopez- center-field, please."

Adriana released the balls and stood next to Char as the two watched the two teams compete in a mini practice game. Char and Adriana, though different years, were quite good friends. Sure, both wanted to win the Cup, but they both loved a good competition. They were not out for an easy win and so both often looked to the other when assessing their players.

"It looks like we'll have a bit of competition this year after all, Adriana. Rana is clearly a natural."

Adriana smiled. "That she is. It would be a crime not to place her on the team. James there is quite talented as well. I must say, if they were in the same house, it would be an unbeatable team."

Char laughed. "For sure." She studied them."Rana works well with Davies and Goldstein does splendid to keep the bludger far away."

"She worked great with Reina as well." She looked up. "Halt. Potter, could you switch places with Lopez? Kedar, switch with Ackerly. Chang and McGregor, switch. Thank you."

She watched silently, watching each player. She did several more switches before calling them down. She turned to Char. "I think I have my team." Adriana turned to her fellow Ravenclaws. "Great job everyone! Results will be posted tonight! You may go. Gryffindor has the pitch now." Adriana waved to Char. "Good luck!"

"Thanks Adriana."

Adriana nodded and walked away, the Ravenclaws trailing after her. Rana bit her lip for a moment. "Char, do you mind if I stay? I wanted to watch James. I understand if you don't want me to."

Char smiled at Rana. "It's fine Rana. Besides, it's hardly fair for me to turn you away when Adriana didn't turn James away. I'm sure James would appreciate your support." She sighed, looking at her watch. Where was the rest of her team? The new applicants were waiting in a corner with her Keeper Elliott Wood. Paige and Sarah were late yet again. "Where are those two?" she muttered.

James smiled at Rana and sat her down on the bleachers, taking a seat next to her. He put a friendly arm around her shoulders, though he was visibly shaking. He was nervous.

"James, you'll do fine. Look, there's Sirius."

Sirius jogged up to them. "Hey, James, Rana. "

"Hi Sirius."

"How were tryouts?"

"Fine."

James muttered something under his breath. It sounded suspiciously like. "Turpin better watch her back." Sirius raised his eyes in amusement while Rana hid a smile, shaking her head.

"Okay, so there was a little mishap. As you can see I'm perfectly fine. James just worries too much."

Sirius looked at James, raising his eyebrows. "We'll talk later," he muttered.

"Rana, hello!" Frank Longbottom greeted her. Rana waved to Frank.

James raised an eyebrow at Rana. "Popular, aren't we?"

Rana playfully slapped him. "Oh, be quiet. I'm not popular. It's just happens that three of my friends are trying out for your house team."

"I'm still your favorite though, aren't I, beautiful?" He winked playfully.

"Yeah, yeah. Now go tryout, you big flirt," Rana teased.

"Why, I… " James started.

Sirius rolled his eyes and dragged James towards Char, who was pacing.

"Wood?" Char called.

"Yes, Char?"

"Could you go and find Caylor and Quintilianni? Tell them if they don't get here now, I am replacing them!"

"Will do." He ran off.

Char looked at her other applicants. "As you can plainly see, I do not tolerate tardiness. I expect you to put your full effort. Yes, I want you to have fun. The beauty of the game is the competition and having fun with it, but at the same time, I expect you to be serious and dedicated. Those of you who are not going to take this seriously may leave now."

She waited as about twenty giggly girls walked away. They obviously only showed up because of James Potter. Char rolled her eyes and sighed. "Now, I have already seen you play James so you may sit till I call you." James nodded and sat next to Rana. Char nodded. "We'll start with beaters, then."

Char took a seat next to Rana and James as she watched. She made a few marks on the list she held in her hand. Rana's eyes focused on Frank Longbottom as he knocked bludgers out of the way. She studied each move with fascination. She did the same for each Gryffindor who tried out. Quidditch fascinated her and she always loved to watch how each person approached the game.

Char looked up from her paper hearing hurried footsteps. "Paige, Sarah. Really, it is about time! I will tell you now; I will not put up with your irresponsibility this year, you hear me?"

"Yes, Char," they bit back a scowl. Paige's eyes wandered to the bleachers. She shot a flirtatious smile at James before glaring at Rana. She turned to Char. "What's she doing here! She's not a Gryffindor."

Char sighed. "Ms. Rai is here with my permission. She wanted to support James and as this is a simple tryout, I have no qualms about it. James wants her here. Adriana allowed James to watch Rana during the Ravenclaw trials. It would hardly be fair for me to not allow Rana to watch James."

"But…" She looked at Rana with hatred.

"No buts, Caylor, and that's enough with your jealous fits. I am sick of it. You have no say in this. I am captain and given your irresponsibility, I hardly care to hear what you have to say. Now up on your brooms and no arguing."

Scowling, Paige and Sarah hopped onto their brooms.

"Potter, if you could join us?" Elliott called to him.

James nodded and quickly shot into the air. Char used a similar system to that of Adriana, only not as extensive, given they were only looking for two new beaters and one new chaser. She sighed. Ravenclaw was going to be tough to defeat. James, Sirius, Frank, and Wood seemed to work pretty well together. It was her other chasers that concerned her. Sure, they had the skills and worked well together, but something was missing.

"I could replace them," she thought to herself, but shook her head. Unfortunately, other than James, the other applicants for chaser, while they had good teamwork, simply did not have the quick reflexes necessary for a position as chaser. Char was going to have to rely heavily on James, Wood, and herself. That would still be a challenge. She was sure what she had seen at tryouts was not the full extent of what Ravenclaw was capable of and she wasn't sure of who would be on the team. She only knew Rana was definitely one of their newest chasers and Rana was born to play.

As she noticed Rudolphus Lestrange approaching with a group of Slytherins, she called everyone down. She had seen enough and was not going to deal with that despicable Snake. "Ok, folks. I've made my decision. You all did great, but I only have three positions open. Potter for chaser. Longbottom and Black for beaters. Congratulations the three of you and thanks for trying out to everyone else. Practice schedule will be posted as soon as I have booked the field. You are excused."

She quickly headed back to the castle, while keeping watch. She wanted to make sure the Slytherins did not attack her fellow students.

"Chevalier," Rudolphus Lestrange growled. "We have the field. Leave."

Char rolled her eyes. "We still have five minutes, but we're done. Just hold on. Let people walk." She retorted.

The pitch slowly emptied. James took Rana's hand. Rana turned to kiss him on the cheek in congratulations when James suddenly turned his head. Rana's lips landed at the corner of his mouth.

"Erm, sorry," Rana muttered, blushing slightly.

James smiled. "For what?" If only it hadn't been an accident, he thought. Even so, he'd be lying if he said he didn't like what had happened. Mentally shaking himself, he pushed the thoughts aside. She's my best friend. It was a friendly kiss, he told himself. It wasn't even a kiss. It was just like a kiss on the cheek.

Sirius watched the two and smirked. James obviously liked that little accident and was doing everything to convince himself he didn't. It bugged Sirius that James continued to deny how he felt. At this rate, it would be years before James admitted that he liked Rana, if he ever admitted it. James, in his opinion, was being ridiculous. He shook his head before walking to the castle.

Rana quirked an eyebrow. Sirius was odd.

"Well, what do we have here? Little Eagle was at Gryffindor tryouts? What's the matter? Too upset about failing trials?" Ebony Sage smirked.

"Shut it, Sage. I'll have you know Rana is the better than the lot of you!" James retorted as he squeezed Rana's hand.

"I have a hard time believing that, Potter," Ebony spat. "What, Rai? Too small you need Potter to fight your battles for you? You stand no chance, especially hanging out with losers like Potter."

It was so sudden and before James could stop her, Rana had slapped Ebony across the face. James' jaw dropped. "Rana…"

"Rai! That's 10 points from Ravenclaw!" Cyane Dammerung had seen the whole thing.

"You'll be sorry, Rai!" Ebony scowled. "Watch your back. You won't always be protected."

James glared at Ebony and growled. "I'm warning you, Sage…"

Rana shook her head. "No one speaks badly of James, Sage, and gets away with it."

"Hey! What are you two still doing here?" Lestrange glared.

"We were just leaving. Have your tryouts. You will be defeated."

"Don't be so sure of yourself."

Rana was about to retort when James shook his head. "Let's just go, Rana. I have something I want to show you." He smiled at her before leading her away to the castle.