Chapter 6:
Professor McGonagall came up to James on Monday morning at breakfast; "Mr Potter."
"Professor," James nodded his head.
"Are you happy with the Quidditch team this year or do we need to have a tryout?"
"I think we're ready," James smiled. "We've got Holly Moresby as keeper again this year, Alice Prewett as Seeker, myself, Will Stone and Ava Hobbs as chasers, Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon as beaters."
"Sounds good; just make sure we win," McGonagall smiled, "when do you start practice?"
"Tuesday and Thursday night this week," James told her.
"Fantastic," McGonagall grinned, "I've gotten quite attached to the Quidditch Cup… I'd quite like to keep it in my office a little longer…"
James smiled, "Don't worry Professor."
If Professor McGonagall had any doubts about whether they would win the cup again this year, she would only have had to attend the Gryffindor's practice on Tuesday night. James was working the team incredibly hard right from the start of their time together. "This year we are going to work harder than ever before," James told the team. "And we're going to win!"
"Practice will be on Tuesday and Thursday nights – every week without fail. I don't care if it's snowing; we still play. I will be on the pitch every morning from 5:45 to 6:45 every morning; feel free to join me… I won't force you but I do hope you all care enough about winning to put every effort in."
After his speech, he told them to mount their brooms and do a few quick laps around the pitch before they start properly. James was hard on them. He was determined to build their endurance before teaching them any new plays. They took it in turns to race each other across the pitch with the quaffles and dart between the bludgers. By nine o'clock, they were all seriously sweating and breathing heavily. They quickly changed before making their way back to the castle. They couldn't help walking with slumped backs as they approached the large front doors; they were truly exhausted.
The Gryffindors second week of lessons produced just as much homework as its predecessor, much to the irritation of the students. Peter was working harder than ever as his remedial exams approached. He worked solidly in the library, only venturing out to eat, sleep and attend class. Remus tried to help him as best as he could but Peter didn't seem to be grasping Defence at all. James took some time to help him with his Transfiguration and could really see an improvement. The week went quick and before the Gryffindors knew it, they were entering their third week back at school.
Peter took his remedial exams on Monday morning whilst his friends were in their Defence lesson practising their non-verbal spells. His hand shook violently as he performed a simple blocking spell for the examiner. He was incredibly anxious, although he couldn't help but feel grateful that he would know whether he'd failed or not, the very next day. James, Sirius and Remus made their way to potions after lunch. The Gryffindor girls were already sat at together on the front row. Lily smiled at the marauders as they passed. Professor Slughorn grinned at the class, "I've got a little project for you all…"
There was a murmur of excitement from the front row. James laughed, Only Evans could get excited about a projects. Lily and James ended up being paired together; "should we meet in the library tonight?" James asked.
"Sure… after dinner?" Lily replied.
"Sounds good," James grinned before leaving Lily in Professor Slughorn's empty classroom.
After dinner, James and Lily got a heads start on their project, "So basically, he wants us to prepare the polyjuice potion…" Lily smiled.
"Should be easy enough," James winked.
"You can be so arrogant sometimes," Lily complained.
"I don't mean it arrogantly," James frowned. "Come on, let's just get on with it."
"How did you mean it then?" Lily asked, suddenly interested.
"Only that I've… I've done it before so…" he looked suddenly sheepish.
"You've done it before?" Lily asked.
"Yes."
"Right," Lily frowned, "we'll let's get on with it."
They began preparing an ingredients list and instructions on how to make the potion. They worked for over two hours straight. When it was finally time for them to return to the tower, Lily was yawning heavily, "so if we order the ingredients, hopefully we can begin making the potion in a few days."
"Sounds good," James smiled as he cleared the books away with his wand.
"Great," Lily nodded her head. "You know Potter, you're really not as bad as I thought you were."
James laughed slightly, "Thanks Evans."
"That doesn't mean that I like you or I want to be friends but you're not quite as annoying as I thought…"