A/N: Thanks for reviewing! I'm working on my grammar, but if anyone knows/is a BETA let me know if you'd like to help :) I've never had one before but if it helps, I think it would be a good idea. Anyway - enjoy!
Quidditch, Transformations and Pretty Girls
"Why can't you come watch Trials before you go, though?" James said, as the boys ate dinner the next week.
"Because I have a train to catch," Remus said patiently.
"We've only been in school two months. Does it really help when you go every month?" Sirius said, as he stuffed potatoes in his mouth.
"Yes," Remus said defiantly, ending the conversation. "James, I'm sure you'll make it anyway, you don't need me!"
"By the way, how did you get us out of the detention for the Halloween Prank?" Peter asked.
James shook his head. "I didn't. I just managed to convince MG to change it to next week, because of trials. She said, she misses having the Quidditch Cup in her office."
"Only you would get away with that!" Sirius said laughing. "If I'd asked Minnie, she would've murdered me. "
"Well, he did turn his bullfrgot in to a horn faster than the rest of the year," Remus said, reasonably.
"Only five minutes before me! But did I get points?…no," Sirius sighed dramatically. They spent the next few minutes discussing James' plans for the trial and finishing their dessert when finally, Remus looked up, a nervous look on his tired face.
"Mr Lupin, it's time," Professor McGonagall said as she approached them.
"Oh, yes…" Remus said, hurriedly standing up.
"But, where's your trunk?" Peter asked, but Remus and McGonagall ignored him.
"Good luck tonight Mr Potter," she said, quickly.
"Like he needs luck Minnie," Sirius laughed.
The professor and his three friends fell in to silence and Sirius suddenly realized what he had said. He gave her a sheepish smile. "Er…"
"I think you can do your detention tonight as planned, Mr Black. And don't ever, let me hear you call me that again," she said in a quiet, dangerous voice before ushering Remus away.
"Sirius!" James groaned, slapping his forehead.
Sirius laughed. "I can't believe I said that."
James sighed. "Well, I better go. Coming Peter?" he said as he stood, grabbing his Silver Arrow carefully from the seat it occupied, beside him.
"Good luck!" Sirius called as he watched them run into that awful Kelly Wood character and leave with her. "Stupid Minnie," he sulked. He wanted to watch James make the team and Wood fail.
"Is James trying out for the team?" Mary MacDonald asked him, leaning over from her place a few feet away. Sirius nodded.
"Wonderful. Another thing to make his damn head grow," Lily Evans said rolling her eyes. "It'll be the size of Jupiter by next month."
"You know you love it Evans," Sirius joked, making her mime puking.
"Aren't you going to watch?" Mary asked, to which Sirius shook his head.
"Detention."
"Again?" Mary asked in disbelief. "What for?"
Sirius grinned. "Calling McGonagall, Minnie."
Mary burst in to laughter and even Evans hid a smile.
"Well, tell James good luck," Mary said with a smile as she stood up. Sirius saluted and glanced at the clock. Deciding it was time to go, he walked with them to the entranceway, listening vaguely as Lily talked to Mary.
"I'm supposed to go do the Potions homework with Sev. Want to come?"
Sirius snorted but Lily ignored it.
Mary shook her head. "No thanks. He gives me the creeps."
"Mary!"
"What? You've seen who he hangs out with," she said pointedly.
"Slimy Slytherin gits? Oh ,and my brother?" Sirius put in.
"This is a private conversation," Lily snapped.
"While I'm walking right next to you?"
"No one asked you to, Black."
"Lily!"
"What? I don't care. He and Potter are always acting like they're such tough guys. It's ridiculous."
"I am here, you know," Sirius said, grinning at her annoyance.
"And I wish I weren't. See you later, Mary," Lily said, stalking away.
Mary chuckled. "She isn't always so moody."
"Yeah, she is."
Mary shook her head. "So, are you going to the Christmas Ball?"
Sirius frowned. "Thought it was only for fourth years and above."
"Yeah, but Liv Terrence said she wanted to ask you."
Sirius raised his eyebrows. Liv Terrance was one of the few girls Sirius noticed. She was gorgeous, in Fourth Year and had a new boy after her every week.
"She was going to ask a Second Year?" he asked in a disinterested tone, though he was quite interested.
"Lots of them wanted to ask you. I suppose they think you're mature," Mary said laughing.
"They're wrong."
"I know."
Sirius laughed. "Well, I don't care either way."
"It'd be quite cool to go though, wouldn't it? I'd love to be asked," Mary said dreamily.
"I don't really fancy a Ball. I have better things to do than dance."
"Your loss I suppose – I heard they're getting really great food; the stuff Slughorn gets for that club of his. Well, see you," Mary said as they reached the Transfiguration corridor and Sirius stood in front of McGonagall's classroom.
Sirius shrugged and knocked on the door before walking in to do his detention.
"Sorry to make you come down here so early, Remus. It's just, Quidditch trials will be going late and Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to take any chances," Madam Pomfrey said, as she and Remus walked through the deserted grounds. Remus simply nodded. He couldn't think right now. He could hear cheers and whistles from the Quidditch Pitch and tried to think of James acing his trial.
"Oh, where's that stick," Madam Pomfrey said, looking around and grabbing the long branch on the ground. She looked around cautiously and carefully touched the knot at the bottom of the Willow, making it freeze. She and Remus then walked down the steps and through the long passageway to the end of the tunnel. She attempted small talk about his classes but Remus answered curtly and eventually, she gave up when they reached the shack. She ushered him in to the dusty bedroom.
"Hmm…we should get the House Elves in, to clean up a bit," she said, blowing some dust off the bedside table, where she conjured a glass and poured water in to it from the end of her wand. Remus wished she wouldn't. It would only give him more things to break and cut himself with. He thought of the blood leaking from his wrists and cringed.
Pomfrey looked at him pityingly and he was reminded of his mother as she fussed over him, fluffing the pillows and dusting the curtains.
"I'll be here at dawn to collect you," she said staring at him. He could see the same things as he saw in his mother's eyes. Pity, worry, fright.
"Bye then," Remus said glumly pulling a novel from inside his robes and settling on the bed to wait for dark.
Pomfrey touched his shoulder, opened her mouth to say something and glanced out of one of the windows noting the dimming sky.
"Bye Remus," she said before she hurried off to lock the door and exit through the passageway.
"Bye Remus," he muttered to himself, sardonically. It would be a few hours before he turned, but being in this room made him anxious and twitchy. He almost felt as if it was starting already, though the sun was still in the sky and the moon had yet to make an appearance. He concentrated on his copy of The Tales of Beedle and the Bard, which was worn and dog-eared from the many times he'd read it growing up, but it was no comfort to him. He wasn't any of those heroes. Soon, it was dark and Remus was holding his knees and rocking back and forth. He could see the moonlight slither in to the room, dimly from between the thick curtains and suddenly, it felt like his bones were cracking through his skin and he was screaming and biting anything to feel as though he had control of the pain. His face was wet with tears, but it was nothing compared to the wetness he felt as the blood trickled down his arms. There was a crash as the glass of water fell to the floor and more screaming, as he cut himself and lapped at the blood. And then, Remus was no more. He didn't even hear the loud whistle from the Quidditch Pitch and the raucous clapping, as three new Gryffindors made the team.
"Are you nervous?" Kelly asked when she and James had left Peter in the stands with the other onlookers.
James shook his head. "No way!" He glanced at her and saw her biting her lip and looking at her broom as she turned it over in her hands. "You're not, are you?" he asked in disbelief as they stood around waiting for Devon and the rest of the team to begin the trials. Kelly shook her head furiously and scowled. He patted her on the back.
"You were great when we practiced. My ribs still hurt. Don't worry."
"Who's worried?" she said irritably as she narrowed her eyes to scope out her competition. They were the only second years, but there were four third years and four fourth years, two fifth and sixth years and one seventh year, who looked very bored.
"Devon says that Seventh Year has tried every year since his second," Kelly said pointing him out.
"He must not be very good," James said.
"No, there was never a Beater spot open and he wasn't better than their old one."
"Well…" James trailed off. The Seventh Year was huge: there was no way Kelly would out power him. He chose not to say anything, however and was thankful when Devon stepped forward.
"Hello everyone, I'm Devon Wood, Gryffindor Keeper and Captain this year. This is Liv Terrence, our Seeker. Jimmy Smith, Beater and Frank Longbottom, Chaser. So, there is three spots open on the team: One Beater and Two Chasers. I've decided to do this a little differently from past captains, because I want everyone to have a fair shot at making the team. We will run some basic drills: flying, catching and passing, before I eliminate people."
Devon Wood was stocky and tough looking, but he had a friendly smile on his face as he faced the many Gryffindors trying out for the team.
"It will be dark before some of you finish, so, see Liv before you leave to get a note if you run in to a Professor on your way back to the common room. Now, please line up in front of me and mount your brooms. And just as a warning, if you can't fly, you're out."
The scattering of students, including James and Kelly, hopped on to their brooms ready to take flight, as Devon blew his whistle. They spent thirty minutes going through drills and flying around the pitch following Jimmy and Frank as they darted around making exaggerated loops and dives. James and Kelly both did fine, better than most of the third years, and probably some of the rest. James was annoyed to see that the Fifth Year girl, spent three minutes holding on to his broom to keep up. He thought Jimmy might have seen, but no one stopped her, so he just managed to shake her off instead. Devon and Liv stayed on the ground, talking and pointing out players as Devon scribbled on his clipboard. When Jimmy and Frank landed, they joined them and the trials, landed in front of them. Two of the third years landed in a heap and Devon clicked his tongue.
"Sorry," he said pointing them out and gesturing to the stands. Jimmy, then whispered something in his ear and Devon looked surprised.
"Deborah, were you hanging on to someone else's broom?"
Deborah twirled her hair innocently. "Umm…no"
James kept quiet, though he wanted to scream that she was lying. Devon however, shook his head and looked at her coldly.
"I don't tolerate cheaters or liars on my team," he said, pointing to the stands. Deborah stared at him in shock and burst in to tears before she ran off the Pitch, her face in her hands.
"She's obsessed with him," Kelly whispered to James, making him chuckle.
"That's a warning to all of you," Devon said before his eyes rested on James and he smiled.
"James Potter?"
James nodded.
"That was decent of you: not to tell tales on her. Jimmy said you managed to shake her off?"
James was slightly red but he shrugged. "She didn't really get a good grip," he said with a smile making people chuckle. Devon nodded.
"Chaser, I assume?"
James nodded again, his heart racing.
"Stand over there. Everyone else trying out for Chaser, stand behind Potter. Beaters, over here."
James tried to smile at Kelly but she pushed past him, frowning and going to where Jimmy stood waiting.
"We'll try the Chasers first, since there are so many of you."
The two remaining third years, four fourth years and two sixth years stood behind James and got on their brooms, while only the seventh year, remaining fifth year and Kelly sat on the grass waiting.
Devon rose in to the air, motioning for them to follow. Frank tossed James the Quaffle, which he caught easily.
"If you miss, you're out," Devon said simply before nodding at James. The small Second year darted around, trying to confuse the much burlier Keeper, who was grinning at him in a mocking but friendly way, but finally beat him when he shot at the far post. James pumped his fist in celebration and went to the back of the line, grinning at Peter who was whooping with joy. The two third years missed and were sent to the stands followed shortly by three of the fourth years. Both sixth years made their goals easily and it was James turn again. This time, Frank marked him, but James dodged him easily and once again managed to fool Devon, who shook his head with a slight smile. Devon blocked the next two goals from the last fourth year and one sixth year and after James made another spectacular goal and the last sixth year, Sarah Bishop, managed to slip it past Devon's right glove; while both were marked by Frank and attacked with Bludgers from Jimmy, it was announced that they had made the team. Everyone cheered and Devon thumped James on the back.
"Well done kid," he said, as they all flew back to the ground.
The Beater trials were a bit more complicated. Now that they had their full team of Chasers, each of the Beater candidates had to dart around trying to either protect them from, or distract them with Bludgers, as well as keep tabs on Liv, the Seeker who was flying high up, spectacularly avoiding anything that came her way. To make things more complicated, they had to work with Jimmy, the current Beater. The Fifth Year was eliminated almost instantly when he somehow knocked himself out with his own Beater Bat. So, it was down to Kelly and Mickey, the surly seventh year. He went first, flying around the Pitch grazing almost all of the Chasers with well-aimed Bludgers, as he darted around with confidence. James glanced at Kelly, who had a determined look on her face, but she was biting her lip almost drawing blood. Mickey's trial seemed to go perfectly, though James thought he was a quite unaware of his partner, Jimmy, who twice, had to dart down out of Mickey's way when he pushed past him to get to a Bludger.
Kelly flew a little differently. She was less confident, sometimes allowing a nearby Bludger to get too close to a Chaser before she protected them, but she called out to Jimmy whenever it was more convenient for him to get it, and they worked well together. She managed to throw Devon off with a well-aimed and painful Bludger, just as James was approaching the goal and as he grabbed his shin, Devon announced he'd made a decision. They flew to the ground and he talked with Liv and Jimmy for a few minutes before turning to the rest of the team.
"Ok, I've decided that Kelly is best suited for our team."
A few people in the crowd gasped and Kelly's mouth fell open as James clapped her on the back in congratulations.
"WHAT? Devon, this is crap!" Mickey said, throwing his Beater bat to the ground. "She's a little, weak Second Year. I've been a reserve for years!"
"Well…I'm sorry but I think you'll be a reserve again this year," Devon said coolly.
"It's just because she's your sister! This isn't fair. I fly better, hit better: I was doing everything!"
"Exactly. You forgot that you had a teammate, something my sister didn't. Sure, she needs some work…but I want people who play well with others."
Mickey spat on the ground at Kelly and both she and Devon angrily lunged toward him, but since James was closer, he got there first and stepped in front of Kelly. Though Mickey towered over him, James was defiant.
"I think you should apologize," he glowered in his toughest tone.
"Excuse me?" Mickey said, glancing at James like he was a fly.
"You heard me."
"Look, I don't take orders from puny Second years, so just get the hell out of my way," he said, pushing James and walking away.
"Oh, he'll regret that," James muttered, glaring at his back.
"He definitely will," Devon said, standing beside him and putting a hand on Kelly's shoulder. "Congrats, Kel."
"Thanks…" Kelly said, her eyes on James, watching his irritated expression in surprise.
"Ok, back to your towers," Devon said, thrusting notes at them. "See you all next week for practice."
"You didn't have to do that," Kelly said after they had walked in silence and stopped in front of the portrait hole.
"People don't mess with my friends," James said curtly.
"But…"
"Or teammates. Whatever."
"I could've handled it," She said stiffly.
James rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"Whatever! See you at practice!" she said irritably, hurriedly saying the password and pushing past him, disappearing up her dormitory steps without a word to anyone.
Sirius and Peter were sitting together waving at him as he approached, his mind on Kelly. He didn't even notice that he bumped in to Lily, so that her inkbottle splattered all over her essay as he passed.
"You did it James!" Peter said happily, clapping his hands.
"Good one mate!" Sirius grinned, patting him on the back.
James grinned bac,k though what he said next, surprised them.
"I want to play a prank on a Seventh Year."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "To, er…celebrate?"
James nodded. He didn't think Sirius would help if he knew it was for Kelly's benefit.
Sirius shrugged. "Why not? What do you have in mind?"
The next morning Mickey arrived at Breakfast to a package sitting on the table at his usual place. There was a note attached and he read it, as he sat down with his friends.
" So sorry you didn't make the team! You were the best one there,
- J "
Mickey wondered who "J" was, but then remembered that his Hogsmeade date that weekend was called Jane and he smiled. He opened the box to find a bottle of what looked like, expensive cologne. Grinning, he splashed some on liberally, making a note to buy Jane something really nice at Hogsmeade. But as he dug in to his food, his friends started to groan.
"What is that smell? Oh Merlin, Mickey is that you? That's disgusting."
"What? It's only a bit of cologne!" Mickey protested, but he too, noticed a putrid smell that burnt his nostril hairs. Rubbing at his neck, he glared furiously at the bottle and then at the Hufflepuff table, where Jane sat with a confused expression on her face.
"Who sent you it?" his friend said, reluctantly reaching over him to look at the note as he pinched his nose shut. His eyes widened and he said nasally, "Uh, mate, have you pissed anyone off lately?"
Mickey shook his head in confusion and grabbed the note. The words had changed.
"Since you don't like to play with others, maybe you shouldn't play at all."
"Urgh, sorry mate, I have to go!" his friend said, standing and hurrying away. The surrounding people also got up and moved down the table away from Mickey. Only three boys remained in fairly close proximity and they all wore clothes pegs over their noses as they laughed. Mickey immediately noticed that one of them was the Potter kid who'd made Chaser at trials and had tried to defend Devon's little sister. Potter waved and mimed puking as he and his friends also moved down the bench, away from him. People began to laugh as Mickey furiously rubbed at his neck, threw a jug of water on himself and finally ran out of the hall, pushing people out of the way as they yelped in disgust at his odor.
"Good one James," Devon Wood said, clapping him on the back as he and his friends moved over to the open spot. "Now I feel so sorry for him, I won't beat him to a bloody pulp."
James laughed and bowed as Devon's friends congratulated him. Even Kelly caught his eye and gave him a small smile of thanks. He nodded back but frowned as Lily Evans rolled her eyes and whispered something to Mary. As he watched her walk to the exit to meet Snape, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see the team Seeker, Liv Terrence. Sirius busied himself with his porridge as she patted James' back.
"Hi everyone! Devon, McGonagall says we can't book the pitch for next Tuesday, so we either need to have our first practice tomorrow, or wait until Friday next," Liv said in her soft, airy voice. All of Devon's friends were watching her every move as she twirled her hair and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Liv was beautiful in an old fashioned, movie star sort of way with large brown eyes and caramel coloured hair that curled at the ends and never seemed a bit out of place, even as she zoomed around on her broom. Only Devon seemed unphased by her presence but more annoyed at the news.
"Damn! That's annoying. Well, I suppose we'll have to do tomorrow. James, you free?" Devon said, turning his head sharply to James who nodded, immediately feeling excitement bubble in his stomach.
"Kel! Quidditch tomorrow at six!" Devon yelled down the table to his sister who nodded but said nothing. "Liv, if you can round up the others and let them know; I'll owe you a million. I'll let McGonagall know we'll practice tomorrow and Friday," Devon said, jumping up to go to the teacher's table.
"Sure," Liv said smiling, as Devon patted her on the back. "See you later then, everyone," she said to the group of boys still watching her every move waving at her. Then she hesitated and said,
"Hi Sirius," with a small, shy smile.
Sirius looked up in slight surprise as the others watched in open awe. He gave her a half smile and said comfortably (though his ears were warm),
"Hi Liv".
She beamed and hurried off to her first class while Devon's friends, James and Peter stared at Sirius. One of Devon's friends let out a low whistle.
"Wow little man, looks like you're on Liv Terrence's radar," he said.
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Too bad you aren't, big man."
The older boy looked annoyed. "Merlin knows what a girl like that, sees in a kid like you though."
Sirius rolled his eyes and shrugged as the first bell rang. He, James and Peter got up, leaving the older boys to quibble about the second year but as soon as they left the Hall, Peter turned on Sirius excitedly.
"Blimey! Liv Terrence, mate! Liv, bloody, Terrence."
"She's so hot," James agreed, thumping his friend on the back. Sirius, though he tried to play it cool, couldn't help grinning.
"It's nothing," he said, trying to shake off their excitement and raising his arms trying to calm them down.
"But, you've seen….her…thingies, right?" Peter said gesturing to his chest with two cupped hands. Sirius laughed.
"That, I have."
"Oh man, I can't believe she might like you," James said shaking his head as they stepped in to the Charms corridor and stood outside Flitwick's classroom, not bothering to lower their voices as their classmates passed them.
"She just said hi, what the hell are you all talking about?" Sirius said, rolling his eyes. But he couldn't help but remember, that Mary said Liv was going to ask him to the Ball.
"James can find out though, can't you James? At Quidditch?" Peter said.
"Leave it," Sirius said, a hint of a whine entering his voice as they entered the full classroom. But as they sat down, and James reluctantly began to take notes for Remus, his mind drifted to the beautiful girl and his face was smug.
A/N: Let me know what you guys thought! Cheers :)