Soon enough the Quidditch season had come on swift wings. The excitement that floated in the air the November morning of the first match was contagious, especially where three young Gryffindors were concerned. James Potter bore the appearance of someone literally bursting at the seams with concentrated euphoria. His hair was as messy as ever and would undoubtedly reach a new level of unkempt as the day went on. Sirius Black wore a clean and calm façade to anyone who didn't know him well, but to his best friends the nerves were evident in his anxious grey eyes. Evie Bloxum was positively glowing- a myriad of jumbled excitement and nerves. They had trained hard for two long and grueling months alongside their teammates and were ready to prove themselves.

"The Ravenclaw team doesn't look too worried," said Remus over breakfast.

They all looked over at the Ravenclaw table to see a collectively calm and relaxed team enjoying their breakfast. James smirked, "Well that's just because they don't know what's coming to them yet, do they?"

Evie grinned as equally conspiratorially over her porridge, "Like sitting ducks."

"You're not nervous?" asked Peter from across the table.

Sirius cast his friend a lazy glance. "Of course we're nervous, Pete. Just like we were nervous for that Transfiguration midterm on Thursday."

"But you said that was easy as cauldron cake."

James grinned the type of grin only seen on maniacs and fanatics. "Perspective, Pete. It's all about perspective."His grinned deepened only when a familiar red head came into view. "Hello, Evans. Come to kiss me good luck?"

She shot him a look of heavy disdain. "Not on your life, Potter," she turned to her best friend and managed a smile, "Good luck, Evie. Mar and Til wish you luck too. They're just upstairs finishing off a banner for you."

"Thanks, Lil," she said before dropping her voice to a whisper, "How's Tilly?"

"Oh you know her. The only time she doesn't complain is when there's actually something to complain about," she brushed some hair back and shot James a reproachful look for his continued staring, "I think she's just really trying not to let on that anything's bothering her."

Evie rolled her eyes. "Of course she is. But then again I wouldn't be surprised if it really didn't bother her. I don't think she cared too much for Gudgeon to begin with."

"I suppose you're right. Anyway I just wanted to wish you luck. I'm supposed to meet Bertram before the match."

Evie rolled her eyes, "Lily, I know you think he's a perfect gentleman and well-mannered and all that garbage, but can't you at least admit to yourself that he's boring?"

It was Lily's turn to roll her eyes. "We all have our types, Evie. Need I remind you of yours?"She walked away leaving Evie with a sheepish blush. She ignored Sirius's questioning gaze. James was preoccupied looking wistfully after Lily, and Peter was preoccupied with breakfast.

"Well I agreed to find Emma before the match," said Remus standing up.

James gave a sigh, "Not you too? I mean sure the bird's a good sight. But who are you trying to kid on that mouth of hers, Remus?"

Remus simply said, "Good luck," and walked over to the Hufflepuff table.

"And it's Lowry, Ogden, Lambert, Ogden again. Intercepted by Potter. Potter passes to Prewett. Prewett to Prewett. Prewett back to Potter. Potter throws to Prewett but is intercepted by Lambert. Lambert drops the quaffle as a well aimed bludger by Black takes him in the shoulder. Back again to Potter. And Potter scores! Gryffindor leads 140-20."

Evie smirked as Gilderoy Lockhart's voice reverberated across the pitch announcing their lead. Never had she known this type of exhilaration. It wasn't like playing Quidditch with her cousins, and it made their practice sessions look like a lofty joke. No, this was Quidditch. True Quidditch as it was intended to be played; yards apart, wind blowing at you from all directions, and the constant buzz of the crowd. She was snapped out of her reverie by a crack sounding a few feet in front of her. She saw the bludger zooming to the other side after Sirius's bat made contact with it. He gave her a wink before going to block another bludger from hitting Fabian.

"And it's Ogden to Lowry. Lowry to Lambert. Lambert back to Ogden. Ogden to Lambert. Intercepted by Prewett, not quite sure which one at the moment. Prewett to Prewett. And Prewett takes a bludger in the face sent by Corner!" The crowd gasped as bright red blood spewed from Gideon's nose where the bludger had connected with it. "Back to Ogden. Ogden to Lowry. And they make their way to the posts. Lowry to Ogden and Ogden shoots! Ooh! And blocked by Bloxum!"

Evie tossed the quaffle back to James as he flew by her. She beamed when she looked into the Gryffindor section. Easily spotted by the banner they carried were Lily, Marlene, Matilda, Remus, and Peter. It was a cartoon depiction of Evie kicking a quaffle away from the goals and read in great big gold and crimson letters "Bloxum Blocks 'Em!"

"And Prewett scores! Gryffindor now leads 150-20! Gryffindor captain Robert Johnson has called a time out. A fantastic opportunity to read a monologue from my newest literary endeavor, Hardly Handling Herbology."

"Lockhart!"

"My apologies, Professor McGonagall!"

The team flew over to the Gryffindor goal posts. The game had gone on now for near three hours with the end very narrowly in sight. Evie smirked at the goofy yet determined grin on her best friend's face as he approached with Gideon and Fabian and threw an arm around her shoulder. They all looked just as worn an beaten with the same rushing adrenaline evident on their faces, except for maybe Gideon's- the only prominent feature on his face at the moment was the blood still leaking from his nose and the bruises already forming under his eyes.

"Alright, James?"

"Alright. I'd ask how you are, but given the score I'd say you're doing alright."

Johnson and Jones were the last to fly over to them, both with apprehensive looks on their faces.

"Listen up you lot, either way we've got a good shot of winning this thing. We need one more shot and even if they manage to catch the snitch, the win is ours. What I want is points," he turned to Sirius, "Black, I want you to keep your eyes on their seeker Cotton. The second you see him go after the snitch I want you to tear him a new one. Lane's got to get that snitch," he looked back to James and the twins, "You lot, just keep aiming as many goals as you can. I'll do my best to cover you on your own, and I'm more than sure you can out-fly those bludgers if you try. Watch out for Ogden as well. He's a little too fast for my liking," finally he turned to Evie, "Bloxum, just keep blocking out those quaffles. Just one and the whole game could be thrown for us. Got it team?"

The murmurs and nods were good enough for him. James gave Sirius and Evie one fleeting grin before flying off with Fabian and Gideon. Sirius looked at Evie for a moment of insecurity. Her reassuring smile was all he needed before flying off to tail the Ravenclaw seeker.

"And Prewett sinks another one in! Again, I'm not sure which one, but good on him! Keeper Edgecombe throws back to Lowry. Lowry dodges a bludger. Lowry to Ogden. What's this? Lane Jones has seen the snitch! Jones heading around the south end of the pitch tailing it, Cotton right behind him. Ouch! And Cotton is out of the running with a bludger sent by the ever beastly Black! And Jones catches the snitch! Gryffindor wins! 310-20 Gryffindor!"

The party that night in the common room was just icing on the cake. The thrill of their first match had been enough for James, Evie, and Sirius.

I needed to get this one out of the way so that I could get into the real story. It's going to get about 10 different shades of interesting after this.

Thanks for reading & reviewing!

LBM