Chapter 4: Leap of Faith

"Potter, Troy, Potter with a nice swerve away from a Bludger hit by Bagman. Potter is still in possession of the ball... I mean Quaffle. He's heading down to the Ravenclaw goals now, passes it to Troy who passes it to Radcliffe. A nice pass back to Potter. He shoots he scores it's six-nil to Gryffindor. I mean 60 points to Gryffindor."

It was a gorgeous November day for the first Quidditch match of the season. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, although the temperature had plummet below zero over night and there was frost on the pitch and stands.

James flew by Marlene, "They've got a Muggleborn commentating."

"Nowt wrong with that." Marlene said rubbing her hands together. "He just keeps getting confused with Football. Look James I know you said hold of to give us a good lead in the standings but I'm bloody freezing."

James shrugged, "Up to you then, we are sixty up." He caught sight of the Quaffle coming his direction "See you in a bit."

"Potter, bad throw there to Radcliffe, now Ravenclaw's got the Quaffle with Meyer, Funke, Meyer again, A good save by the Gryffindor Keeper and Potters got it again. Passes it to Troy.... Ouch that has to hurt."

Marlene whipped round and descended quickly on her broom to avoid being hit by a rouge beaters bat. Apparently Ludo Bagman one of the Ravenclaw Beaters had swung back hitting Eoin Troy and causing his bat to fly out of his hands. She saw a glint of gold out the corner of her vision, she also saw a flash of blue robes heading in the opposite direction. Seeing the diversion techniques of the Ravenclaw Seeker: Gilderoy Lockhart, she ignored him and sped off in the direction she saw the glint of gold.

"Troy has just scored again folks that's six goals out of seven, he's on fire today. Eoin Troy was a very good find for the Gryffindor Captain and what's this both Seekers have sped off in different directions. Is this some sort of distraction technique or has one of them actually spotted the snitch?"

Marlene had spotted the Snitch: it was fluttering around the base of the Gryffindor goal post. A quick look over her shoulder told her that Lockhart had noticed what she was doing and was now staring at her. His face awash with confusion. He thought she was doing the same as him. Looking ahead again. Marlene reached out to grab the snitch but it moved out the way giving Marlene a little less than a couple of seconds to avoid hitting the goal posts. Deciding against potentially ruining her broom by sharply pulling up, Marlene jumped off her broom, fingers snatching at the snitch. Hitting the ground with a soft thump she proudly held the snitch up to show the crowd.

"That's it Marlene McKinnon had got the squitch... I mean Snitch. Gryffindor win with 220 goals to nil what a match! Gryffindor certainly have a good team this year considering almost all of them except McKinnon and Potter are new to the team.

"You got to admit Potter, 220 points isn't bad for a game that lasted barely and hour and a half." Marlene said smiling as the first Quidditch celebration took place.

Potter nodded and clapped Troy on the back. "Well done you keep that up and you could play for England."

Troy smiled blushing. "I could play for Ireland. You mean." His Irish accent making everyone laugh at James' mistake.

"What happened with Bagman?" Sirius asked. "Poor Marlene nearly got taken out by the beater bat instead of the Bludger."

Troy shrugged, "I think he meant to smash the bludger but as he swung the bat it caught on my arm and flew out of his."

Sirius laughed, "No harm done. And even Marlene's broom survived her leap of faith."

Marlene rolled her eyes and went and sat down next to Lily who was trying to concentrate on her Ancient Rune translations.

"You're not going to get that done tonight Lils. Attack it with me tomorrow."

Lily sighed and shut her books. "I'm trying to look busy so Potter won't come over. It's been a month and a half."

Marlene raised her eyebrows. "You're counting?"

"You know what I mean. If he passes me in the hallway it's: 'hi Lily how are you?' or "Lily have you finished with that book on ancient Charms?' He actually studies in the Library! It's driving me crazy." She slammed a book down on the table so hard that someone's plate of food fell on the floor.

Marlene casually waved her wand and the food flew back onto the plate. "Five second rule." She said to who ever saw the food on the floor and turned back to Lily.

"It's like someone actually listened when I said I wanted a less arrogant Potter."

Marlene looked at her friend surprised. "Huh?"

Lily blushed; "Erm never mind you go back to your party; my parent's have said you can come to mine for Christmas so I need to write back and thank them."

"Cool, thanks; I'll let my parents know they can work." Marlene gushed. She was looking forward to Christmas at the Evans'.

The party lasted well into the night and would've gone on longer if the two fifth year prefects didn't stop it by threatening to go and get McGonagal. The crowd went to their respective dormitories and soon only the four Marauders were left.

James and Sirius both raised their wands and the mess disappeared, flopping down on the sofa next to the other two they both put their feet on the coffee table and sighed.

Remus smiled at the double act. "Last month was the 30th, so keep you're diaries free for the 19th. Next Friday."

Sirius punched the air. "Yeah! Remember that small clearing we found in forest? Fancy exploring that a bit more?" Everyone nodded.

James turned to Peter; "You all right Wormtail, you've been very quiet this past month."

Peter looked up startled. "I have? Oh... erm... lalalalala." He sang tunelessly, his mind had obviously been wandering.

"What were you thinking about?" Remus was concerned, Peter was always listening to their conversations, butting in and giving him opinion in his small squeak of a voice.

Peter looked round, they were still the only four in the common room. "Defence." He whispered.

His friends understood immediately: out of all the Gryffindors in their year Peter was the only one who was unable to produce a Patronus.

James put a remeasuring hand on his friends shoulder. "Don't worry Wormtail. It is advance magic, there were some in the other houses that couldn't do it."

"Majority of which are in Slytherin." Peter muttered sinking lower into his seat.

"Old Snivellus produced one." Sirius pipped up earning him a glare from James.

"Not helping mate." James turned back to Peter. "We'll help you. Just like we did with becoming Animagus. Hopefully it won't take us three years again, but if it crops up in the NEWT exam hopefully you'll be able to produce something. If it's anything like ours it'll be a rat."

"What makes you say that?" Peter said, sitting up and eyeing James with interest.

"Patronus' are said to reflect the personality of the caster, just like our Animagus forms. My Patronus was a Stag, Sirius' was a big dog like thing, Remus' looked like a cloud...."

"That's because mine wasn't corporeal, didn't you hear Professor Livingston. Performing it in an empty room is one thing but up against a Dementor or Lethifold is another. So even James in his big antlered glory might not be able to produce one when needed."

"So if on the off chance you do accidentally walk into a Dementor make sure you have chocolate." Sirius grinned and James rolled his eyes.

"Lots of people can't do it Pete, it is a highly advanced spell and Professor Livingston said that only the theory would come up in the exam." Remus said giving James and Sirius a glare to stop them contradicting him.

Peter looked happier; "He did I must of missed that." He smiled.

James – still confused about Remus statement stood up; "Then it's settled we will help you overcome your fear of the Patronus charm. We will even be your happy memory."

"There's a scary thought. If I had you as my happy memory I'd run towards the Dementor with my arms open, welcoming the kiss." Sirius laughed at James reaction.

"Thanks guys." Peter sniffed, his friends always made him feel better. He had a lot on his mind and a lot of thinking to do. Regulus Black and Barty Crouch wanted an answer before the end of term.

"Aw don't start crying Petey the school's only big enough for one Snivellus."

His worries forgotten, Peter laughed.

"Oh no." Lily moaned hiding behind her Ancient Runes book.

Marlene looked over and was surprised to see all four Marauders enter the Library armed with books and parchment.

Fortunately James didn't see the girls as he started looking in the charms section of the Library. Sirius did however and wandered over.

"Hey girls, Lily, Marl." Lily nodded still hiding behind her book.

Sirius looked at Marlene confused.

"She's hiding from Potter."

"Oh. I think he's gone off you Lily. No offence." He added when Lily looked a bit taken aback. "Anyway Marlene, I came over to ask if you wanted to meet me in the Common Room tonight after dinner?" Marlene nodded shyly and Sirius grinned. "Great so I'll see you then." He bent down and kissed her on the cheek before bounding off to join the others who all had their noses in books.

"He's like a ten year old with his first crush." Lily said standing up and making it obvious she didn't want to be in the library any longer than necessary now James had appeared.

Marlene sighed and started packing her books away. "Do you think I'm taking a huge leap just being with him?"

"Yes." Lily didn't even consider the question. "A huge leap of faith."

"It's like diving head first into a big cauldron of melted chocolate."

"Sweet and sickly?" Lily asked as they walked out of the library.

Marlene laughed, "Something like that."

At that point their seventh year friend Alice Tearson came running up to them. "Have you guys studied Amortentia yet?"

Lily nodded, "Why?"

"Well according to Slughorn it's going to be in the NEWT exam, but I missed that lesson because I was ill. Only no-one can find their notes. Even Frank is worrying."

"We can give you our notes on it." Lily said reassuringly.

Alice visibly relaxed and walked with them. She hadn't really spoken to them since the train journey. "Is it true you and Black are actually dating?" She asked Marlene to break the silence,

Marlene smiled, "I could ask the same about you and Frank Longbottom."

Alice blushed, "You always deflect personal questions with more questions, turning the focus of the conversation away from you."

Marlene shrugged, "Everyone has different quirks."

Lily smothered a laugh, she was used to Marlene's 'quirks'. "What does Amortentia smell like for you guys?" She asked changing the subject, but regretting it soon after.

Alice blushed even harder. "Frank's house, mint toothpaste and wood."

"Marl?" Lily turned on her friend

Marl was intrigued. "You first."

"So much for my business." Lily muttered which caused Marlene to smile sweetly at her. "OK erm... the library... erm a sort of woodland smell and the polish we use to shine our badges."

Marlene and Alice shared a look.

"Your turn." Alice and Lily said rounding on Marlene.

Marlene held up her hands in defeat. "OK... OK.... erm...Motorbikes...."

"How can you smell a Motorbike? And what is a Motorbike?" Alice asked interrupting.

"It's sort of an oily smell, and it's a form of muggle transport, like a cross between a car and a bicycle." Marlene said, she didn't pay that much attention in Muggle Studies.

"I'll ask Frank later." Alice mused motioning for Marlene to continue.

"There was also a cool damp smell, like caves and the smell of wet dog."

Alice and Lily glanced at each other before bursting out laughing.

A/N: I know the Amortentia thing is getting old which is probably why I added it in lol. Please Please Please Review. Even if it's one word I don't mind. I've had a few Alerts but no reviews. Next one should be up soon.... (she says) I had a bit of writers block couldn't think why Peter was quiet, then it came to me as I was watching a Stag and a Doe eat my neighbours plants. So I have Prongs and Faline to thank for curing my writers block. (Poor creatures we still have snow and they probably can't find food.)