Chapter 15: Grasping at air.
"Hey Black!" Marlene called striding over and cornering the younger Black beside the Slytherin table.
He looked up at her, surprised, they hadn't spoken to each other since their meeting in the library last month. Her robes billowed out impressively as she strode passed the tables to get to his. "What can I do for you McKinnon?" He asked as she came closer resisting the urge to be uncharacteristically polite. Out of the corner of his eye his team-mates flinch as they all spotted the badge pinned to her robes. He raised an eyebrow and stared pointedly at the badge. "I'm sure Potter won't be happy when he find out you've nicked his badge, he's very possessive, I thought he kept it under spell, lock and key when he wasn't wearing it."
"Potter and Black aren't playing on Saturday as they refuse to come clean and apologise for something they didn't do. I've been named replacement captain in his stead." She looked at the Slytherin table, and gave the Quidditch team a penetrating stare, her dark eyes shining malevolently.
Black shifted his glance and saw his team looking uncomfortable under her gaze, he remembered her brother, Martyn using that gaze once, it certainly shut Bellatrix up.
"Can you make what ever you want quick? I have the pitch booked tonight. Unless you're telling me you're backing out as well." His eyes lost his cool as he thought that they would win the cup by default, yes he was a Slytherin but he didn't want to win by cheating.
She took one final glare at the rival team before dropping her voice. "Maybe it would be best if others didn't hear what I had to say."
Regulus nodded and addressed his team; "As soon as you've finished I want you changed and running laps around the pitch. I'll join you as soon as I'm finished."
Six players all nodded affirmatively. "Yes, Captain."
Marlene couldn't help smirking as she led him into the entrance hall. Regulus had his team whipped whilst James like to have a laugh with his team, it was hard to forget at some times who was captain as they all pitched in ideas when it came to strategical planning.
They turned a corner and Regulus lead the way down into the dungeons. Ducking into a potions classroom he closed the door before turning and waiting for Marlene to explain what she wanted.
"I saw in your eyes that you don't want to win by default again, you may be a Slytherin, but you heart is in Quidditch, if we back out you would feel guilty for winning, therefore I have a proposition." Regulus nodded, she was spot on and wondered if this girl was using Legilimency to find out what she wanted. He shook his head at the thought, she probably didn't even know the meaning of the word. He stared back at her blankly, indicating for her to state her proposition. "We have reason to believe Black and Potter are being framed, at this particular moment Professor McGonagal has given them detention and is so desperate to get to the bottom of the latest prank that she has resulted to blackmail. We have calmly explained to McGonagal the situation we find ourselves in, we just need to prove it. That's where you come in."
"What makes you think it was my team, it could have been the Ravenclaws seeking revenge for their spectacular defeat last November." Regulus was grasping at air, he knew that, however he wanted to protect his team. Marlene raised an eyebrow disbelieving every word he said. "I'll speak to my team." He said resignedly.
Marlene nodded a small smile appeared on her lips. "Thanks, It was Avery and Mulciber who spoke up against James and Sirius."
Regulus looked pensive. "I can't promise you anything though so you better get training." He couldn't help but sneer he had the pitch booked every night until the match.
"Oh that reminds me I spoke to both Slughorn and McGonagal and due to the unfortunate situation we are in, Slughorn has agreed to give us the pitch for the next two nights." She smiled sweetly and Regulus could almost envision a bright white halo slipping down of its perch.
He sighed and looked at his watch. "I must go."
"Of course." She was still smiling and Regulus instead of feeling anger and resentment towards the older student, felt a sudden rush of appreciation. This girl was as sly and cunning as a Slytherin and her talents and efforts were wasted in her current situation. Yet he wanted to protect her as well. He shook his head at the jumble of emotions and left the room.
It wasn't until Friday during their double potions lesson did James and Sirius find out if they were allowed to play on Saturday. They had just put the finishing touches to their Hiccoughing Solution when Professor McGonagal asked to see them. Barely able to contain their glee they packed up, placed their vials on Slughorn's desk (while discreetly pocketing a few more) and followed Professor McGonagal out into the hall and up the stairs to her office.
"Well boys." She she said when Remus and Peter joined them, "I'm here to apologise for mistrusting you. You have all done well and within the rules to prove your innocence and I take great joy in telling you that you can play tomorrow. Your detention for the mistletoe will now take place after dinner on Monday, Mr Potter you will report to me, Mr Black to Hagrid, Mr Pettigrew with Madam Pomfrey and Mr Lupin yours will be on Wednesday with Mr. Filch." The four boys nodded in understanding, elated that they had tomorrow off. However McGonagal's eyes narrowed. "I just have one thing to say; You'd best win, I have grown accustomed to seeing the cup in my office, I'd hate to lose it now."
James and Sirius grinned and winked at the Transfiguration Professor. "Don't worry Professor, we'll exact our revenge for being framed by thrashing them in a nice fair fight."
Marlene was less than happy to hand over her newly found power. "Aw I was going to have a bath." She sighed as she handed over the badge to James.
"A badge hasn't stopped you before." Muttered Lily from the table where she was working on her Arithmancy homework.
Marlene blushed and James laughed. Sirius however looked up thoughtfully. "That's an idea. Hey Marlene how about you and I go there once everyone is in bed." He slipped and arm round her and pulled her into a kiss.
"Hem Hem. The Gryffindor Common Room is no place to express public displays of affection." James said disapprovingly in a high pitch voice.
Peter laughed as both Marlene and Sirius pulled away from each other looking embarrassed.
"There's a woman at the ministry that sounds just like that. She's a right toad." Marlene said joining Lily at the table.
"Ah wait don't sit down!" James exclaimed holding out his hand as if it would stop Marlene from sitting.
Marlene paused in a sort of half crouch her bum inches away from the seat of a chair, her arms flapped wildly to keep her from falling over. A couple of first years laughed as she regained her balance and stood back up again.
"Quidditch practise, after all you managed to book the pitch." James shrugged when Marlene gave him a glare that said 'Is that all?'
The next morning was wet and windy. James groaned it wasn't the perfect weather conditions but it would have to do. After dragging his team out of bed at the crack of dawn (he sent Sirius in dog form to lick Marlene awake), he had them all running laps and doing a complete fifteen minute warm-up before dragging them back to the great-hall and piling their plates with eggs, sausages and toast.
By the time Lily, Remus and Peter came downstairs, bright eyed and bushy tailed – in contrast to the irritated and tired looks from the team – James was hurrying them out of the hall and pushing them all in the direction of the pitch. Marlene shot Lily a terrified look before whispering to Sirius: "Who is he and what has he done with James, he's never been this strict before."
Sirius just shrugged and followed James out of the hall – who had just started up a round of singing.
"I don't know what you've been told...
But we are going for the gold!"
"A bit enthusiastic, isn't he?" Remus stated as he, Lily and Peter sat down and had a quick breakfast.
Lily was about to retort when a large eagle owl flew down and landed in front of Remus. "Isn't that Potter's?"
Remus nodded and extracted the letter from it's leg. "It's his fathers I think, or one that is used for official business." He stroked the proud bird's beak and fed it a few bacon rinds that were left on a plate. "I'll pass this on." He told the bird in a soothing voice. The bird clicked it's beak affectionately, it obviously knew Remus was one of James' friends and then flew off. Placing the letter in his jacket pocket he stood up.
Peter stopped him from walking away by placing a pudgy hand on his shoulder. "Wait." He said with a mouthful of toast. "Maybe it'll best to give it to him after the match."
Remus looked pensive but nodded in agreement and sat back down again waiting for Peter to finish eating. He turned to the red-haired girl who had been spending a lot more time with them now that she knew their secret. "Would you like to join us? You can hide behind me and Peter if things get too intense."
Lily smiled, she didn't really like Quidditch and only went along to cheer Marlene on. Although she did find herself silently cheering James on when he did something spectacular – like score a goal. She nodded and once Peter had finished eating the three of them – along with everyone else in the hall – made their way across the grounds to the pitch.
"Why is it whenever we play Quidditch it's either cold, raining or both?"Marlene muttered as she flew a couple of laps to keep warm. About half an hour into the game the rain had eased off and allowed them to keep playing – just as long as the wind didn't blow them off their broom. On the other side of the pitch she could see Regulus scouting for the Snitch, flying one-way then turning the other way – like a swimmer doing lengths of a pool. They were over three hours into the game and the score was evenly tied at 90-90. Although they could see clearly now the rain had gone, the wind was causing problems with the Quaffle as it kept throwing it off-course.
She watched as Slytherin managed to score past the Gryffindor Keeper then followed the Quaffle as Gryffindor immediately scored afterwards keeping the score tied. Turning in the opposite direction she flew around the pitch once more. She heard someone whistle and she was surprised she heard it over the wind. It was low and long then followed by another short higher pitched whistle. It was a sign a Bludger was coming her way, dropping a couple of feet she looked up and saw a green clad flyer hit a Bludger towards the Gryffindor goals. Thankful for the different signals they had come up with Marlene went back to scouting the pitch for the little gold ball.
Across the other side of the field, Regulus saw Marlene drop a couple of feet. Desperate to end the game he shot off in the direction of where she went only to realise she was dropping to avoid a Bludger and not because she had seen the snitch. Flying in the opposite direction to Marlene, Regulus cursed the wind and desperately resumed his search. He kept trying to keep his mind on the game but every so often the conversation about being fair in a game they all love and her face kept interrupting him. He had spoken to his team on Wednesday night after training and although he tried to keep it from sounding to Gryffindor-y he was surprised when Slughorn came up to him on Friday and said that; Avery, Mulciber and Dulaney had come clean regarding the prank they blamed on the Gryffindor's, Slughorn said it was partly guilt from Dulaney about attacking his sister and partly that his speech actually struck a cord.
An hour later and James could see the crowd was getting restless, they were still excited due to the fact that neither team were pulling in front, they were always tied or ten points ahead and everyone knew the only way to find a clear winner was to catch the snitch. But neither seeker had seen it. There had been a few false alarms, one had been a sweetie wrapper that had blown on the pitch, the other had been James' watch strap. That false alarm had nearly cause a mid air collisions, because James had the Quaffle he had three Chasers heading for him and two Seekers.
He was pretty sure this was the longest Hogwarts match, he had heard of matches that had lasted for five days once, but normal Hogwarts matches only lasted two hours at least. Not four. He almost thought about calling a time out when out of the corner of his eye he saw both seekers shoot towards the ground. He heard the whole stadium hold their breath as everyone watched what the two seekers were doing. Even the Chasers and Beaters had stopped to watch. James hoped it wasn't another false alarm or diversion tactic, a quick scan of the floor and he too spotted the Golden Snitch slaloming in between the Gryffindor goal posts. He watched as Marlene said something to Regulus – who in turn nodded and did a quick turn so he was facing Marlene. James frowned they must be desperate to end the match if they were working together. Remembering he had the Quaffle James sped of in the direction of the Slytherin goal and brought the score to 150-150. The Slytherin Keeper was so engrossed in watching the two seekers speed towards the snitch that he didn't even notice James had scored. James turned back to watch the seekers. They were now both hurtling towards the Snitch and towards each other. He saw the snitch dart straight up and Marlene and Regulus followed it. Both Marlene and Regulus had their hands outstretched grasping at air in an attempt to catch the tiny ball.
He saw Radcliffe with the Quaffle come hurtling towards him; flanked by two Slytherin chasers. Radcliffe chucked him the Quaffle and he deftly caught it before speeding towards the goal posts. He swerved a Bludger and dropped underneath the other Slytherin chaser before attempting to score. Unfortunately the Keeper saw it coming and caught the Quaffle. He whirled his broom around and started to mark the Slytherin who had the Quaffle when a huge roar went up from them crowd. Someone had caught the snitch. He whirled around to see the score board but his view was blocked by Dulaney and Sirius. He heard the commentator read out the scores and strained to hear: "300-150"
"Who won?" He shouted at nobody in particular as he lowered his broom in a desperate attempt to see the scoreboard. He was angry that he hadn't been paying more attention to the Seekers. Everyone was cheering so he couldn't make out which supporters were the loudest. Everyone was happy that the game had ended. Then he saw Marlene's smiling face grinning up at Sirius.
People were still celebrating the next day at breakfast. Every time James passed someone in the corridor they stopped to congratulate him on such a long and intense game. Even Dumbledore had told him that he had never been kept on the end of his seat for that long before. Finally reaching the Great Hall James slid into a space between Remus and Lily and helped himself to some cereal.
"Congratulations James." Lily said next to him. He blinked and looked at her. She had just called him James.
He returned the smile nodded his thanks.
"What did your father want James?" Marlene asked from across the table. She was sitting in between Sirius and Peter and still had the same grin from yesterday. The grin that told everyone that they had one the cup yet she had no idea how.
James put down his goblet of orange juice and looked at her. "What do you mean?" He asked clearly confused he hadn't spoken to his father since Christmas, he was expecting some post and presents for his birthday but that wasn't until Tuesday.
"Lily said last night that you got a letter from your father..." She trailed off as she picked up on Remus' pale face.
"You're looking paler than normal Remus." Sirius commented knowing that the Full Moon was tomorrow.
Remus nodded and pulled a slightly crumpled letter from his jacket pocket. "It arrived before the match yesterday, I didn't have time to give it to you and completely forgot afterwards due to celebrations." He passed the letter to James with an apologetic look.
James took it and noticed his fathers handwriting. He ripped open the envelope and scanned it's contents. His face turning paler with every word.
"What wrong mate?" Sirius asked concerned at his friend's pale face.
"It's my mother." James whispered barely trusting himself to speak. "She's in intensive care. My father says he's contacted Dumbledore and that I should pack and that he'll come and pick me up today at twelve."
Lily glanced at her watch. 11:45.
James quickly stood up upsetting a jug of orange juice. Stuffing the letter in his pocket he ran out of the hall. His friends all watched worried for both their friend and for Mrs Potter.
A/N: I apologise for this chapter being a little choppy and vague but I think and I hope I covered the main points. I just had so much to write in and I actually struggled with this chapter. I'm like J.K Rowling I hate writing about Quidditch lol. Please review and I hope the next chapter will be up soon.