So this is going to be one of the last filler chapters. The bigger stuff is going to start after Christmas break, so you are just going to have to hold on.

"When did Longbottom say he was posting the results?" Sirius asked for the millionth time that day. He and James were in the common room, playing a game of exploding snaps while the other's did their homework around them.

James rolled his eyes but answered anyway, "He said tomorrow morning before classes. I grabbed my cloak yesterday and followed him around; he was telling his friends that he knew but he wanted everyone to stress out about it."

Sirius physically deflated, "Ass." He mumbled under his breath.

Quidditch try outs had been two days ago but Frank, the new captain, still wasn't telling anyone who made the team. The majority of the team was already picked; Frank didn't even make last year's team retry out. James was extremely confident that he made it, but Sirius was not as sure. The try out didn't go that well for him and his sister.

As they were walking to the pitch the morning of try outs, an owl swooped down in front of them and dropped a letter in Ursula's hands. She told the rest of them to go ahead while she stopped to read the letter. She was missing for fifteen minutes – almost missing call time – before she showed up. It didn't look like anything was bothering her but Sirius knew something was seriously wrong. They barely made it through try outs without being killed by a bludger. The second they landed, Ursula ran off to her dorm, claiming she had to do her potions essay, but Sirius knew better. But he also knew well enough to not bother her until she came to him.

Sirius was broken out of his thoughts when Frank Longbottom came down the boys' stairs practically skipping. He stuck something to the wall before he ran back up to his room to avoid being trampled by the horde of hopeful Gryffindors.

"Who wants to face that?" Ursula asked, motioning towards the giant crowd that was groaning in disappointment.

Elyse was the one that surprisingly stood up after the two boys failed to react. She worked her way through the crowd and was back within two minutes with a solemn look on her face.

"James…I don't knew 'ow teh say'dis but…"

The look of complete and utter disappointment rushed over James's face. His hazel eyes dimmed and he looked like he was ready to throw himself off the astronomy tower.

"I didn't make it, did I?"

She looked at him sadly, "I's joost wonderin' 'ow yeh's gonna survive witoot us fer practice." She started to smile and then laugh loudly at the look on his face.

It took James a minute to comprehend what she had just said. His eyes widened significantly and a goofy grin spread across his face as he looked up at her. In a child-like voice he would later deny, he asked Elyse, "I made the team?"

"Yup."

Like a bludger just released from its constraints, James jumped from his seat and grabbed Elyse in a suffocating hug. He gripped her tightly and spun around the common room with her in his arms, laughing in joy the entire time. Elyse was laughing too as the tower spun around her. He put her down, kissed her on the cheek, before grabbing Ursula's hands and pulling her up from her spot on the floor, sending all her homework everywhere. James started to dance wildly with her like he was dancing the jive on a sugar high.

"This is brilliant! I made it Ursula! I did it!" He shouted in joy.

Ursula for the first time in days laughed with him as he spun her around in circles. Finally the shock seemed to wear off and James let her go. He stumbled backwards and practically collapsed into his seat.

"I made the team," he said in an awed tone.

Remus snorted while flipping through his herbology book.

"Really mate? Had no idea."

James rolled his eyes at his friend's sarcasm, but he was in too much of a good mood for that to bring him down. He looked over at Elyse, "Who else made it?"

Elyse smiled sadly at the Black twins, "Cormac 'n Liam are teh beaters. Sorry."

Ursula didn't seem to be affected by the news but Sirius looked crushed. James had the tact to be sorry for his closest of close friends and offered his condolences.

"Sorry Sirius. Once they graduate in a few years, I'm sure the position will be yours. Beaters don't make it until fourth year and up usually." James tried to reason with Sirius.

Sirius put on a fake smile of James, knowing that James would never be happy on the team if he thought his friends were upset about him being on it, "No, it's alright James. Now I can devote more time to pranks."

The group of friends laughed at the devious smile that had formed on Sirius's lips when he said that. It was a true statement that none of them doubted.

"I'm going to go write my parents." James said while jumping off the chair. "They wanted to know the second I found out."

He ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, to get some paper and a quill to write the news of his making of the Quidditch team to his parents. Ursula had no doubt that Mrs. Potter would be thrilled at the news. She would probably drop the letter in shock and then rush to find Mr. Potter to tell them the news. Together, they would write James a heartfelt letter of how proud they were of him and how they would buy him a new broom. Maybe Mrs. Potter would brag about it to all her wizard friends or maybe tell all her muggle ones that her son got put on varity (variety, varsity, varitey something like that) football.

Ursula could only image how different her mother and father's reaction would be if her brother or she made the team…

That thought brought her mind back to the two letters that were burning a hole in her messenger bag. Two letters that she needed someone else to see.

It was a Friday night in late October. Minerva McGonagall was sitting at her desk grading third year theory essays. She tisked at the major details the writer of one particular paper seemed to forget. She scribbled yet another note on the parchment when there was a soft knock at the door.

"Come in," she called as she scribbled a 'T' at the top of the scroll.

She heard soft footsteps; ones of a student. Minerva looked up at an uncertain looking Ursula Black. She let her shock show on her face for just a moment before it turned into the regular impassive look she had mastered over the years.

"Miss Black, what a surprise- it's after curfew." She said looking up at the clock.

Once again to her surprise, Ursula looked rightfully abashed, "Sorry Professor. I just needed someone to talk to and you said that your door was always open but you probably didn't mean at eleven o'clock on a school day. Sorry, I'll just be on my way."

Ursula spun on her heals and started to leave the room, but with a wave of her wand, McGonagall stopped the small girl in her tracks. The behavior of her student was frightening. Usually Ursula was causing mischief or causing some sort of ruckus with a smile on her face. All of her usual confidence was gone and Minerva had to wonder what on Earth had happened to make Ursula act like this.

"You will do no such thing. What is bothering you?" Minerva asked as she got out her tin of cookies she got from the house elves earlier that day. Ursula put two pieces of parchment on the desk before she grabbed one of the lemon flavored cookies.

McGonagall looked down at the papers and then up at the young girl but Ursula gave her no indication on what the letters were about. So Minerva picked up the first one and started to read.

Dear Ursula,

My name is Catherine Lupin and while I have not had the pleasure of meeting my son, Remus, has told me many wonderful about you and your brother. While the Christmas holidays are so far away, I was wondering if you and your brother would be interested in spending the second week of your Christmas vacation at our home. We would love to have all of Remus's friends over for the holidays and we have already spoken to most of the rest's parents. It is just your response we are waiting on. If you feel pressured or if you or anyone in your family is uncomfortable with the situation, please feel free to write back and express any concerns.

Have a wonderful term,

Catherin Lupin

Minerva looked up from the letter, wondering how this kind letter could get Ursula so upset. Ursula made a motion with her hand to read the other letter.

Sirius and Ursula,

Due to your behavior at last year's Christmas gathering, your mother and I have decided to ask you to stay at Hogwarts for your holiday break.

~Your Father

Now she understood. Her hand tightened slightly and crinkled the paper. How could a parent treat their children this way? Sure, the Black children might be a little more on the rebellious side, but they were still children that needed their mom and dad.

"How am I supposed to tell them?" Ursula asked softly.

"Who?" McGonagall asked, wondering who she was referring to.

Ursula sighed, "How am I going to tell Sirius that our parents don't want us home for Christmas. Or explain to Regulus that we aren't going to be there for Christmas for the first time since he was born. Or to Mrs. Lupin that we can't go spend part of Christmas break with them because we can't leave Hogwarts. Or to the rest of our friends on why we couldn't see them?" Ursula asked, all the questions seeming rhetorical in her mind.

Only, while she was asking those questions, she didn't see the determination building behind the Transfiguration Professor's eyes.

"Ursula," the child started at the use of her first name, "when one is in Gryffindor, you find that certain rules have ways around them. Give me some time to try to work things out but in the mean time, I suggest you telling your brother and your friends about the situation. They will understand, trust me."

Ursula smiled, "I do Minnie. Thanks for listening."

The younger girl jumped from her seat and started to walk out of the room. McGonagall almost laughed at the obvious change in the girl, but she couldn't help but say at her retreating back,

"It's Professor, Miss Black, you will do well to remember that."

Ursula didn't turn around but she waved behind her back while replying, "Alright Professor Minnie."

Minerva shook her head, she could never win; not with that group. And to be perfectly honest, she didn't want to.

So only James made the team this year. What that will mean for the rest of the characters, well, I don't want to give a lot away (also because I am on the fence about the idea) but it is likely that DobbysArmy will be a very happy reader in a year or so (a year in the story, not real life!) But you never know what might happen in a year. You might get some say in it if you review! So tell me, Ursula- chaser or beater? I think I know what I am going to do (something like 80% sure) but I am interested in seeing what you guys think.