A/n: Yeah, I know, I promised that LAST Monday I'd upload this chapter - but on Monday night I realised at 11:59pm that I only had 800 words written. And I wasn't about to upload something that wasn't ready (though I'm cutting it pretty close with this one too). Anyways, university work is piling up by the minute and I can't promise an update every Monday, but at least every second Monday. Hopefully I can stick to that.
Anyways, enjoy!

Amelie

My jaw drops.

Like in a dream, this wonderful woman is standing before me. Her red hair, her brown eyes – every freckle is exactly as on my vintage Holyhead Harpies poster of her from before I was born, back in her prime. She hasn't lost her charm – a marriage, kids and thirty years later. She stands out amongst the regular Hogwarts students (all of whom are staring and whispering and pointing), much as the rest of her family does.

'Mrs Potter!' I cry in a strangled voice.

'Miss Perry!' She responds, planting herself in the seat next to me, Lily taking the other side. 'Mm, looks like some things haven't changed since my time here. The quidditch boys are looking as fine as ever, Harry certainly–'

'Mum!'

'Sorry, Lily.' Her mother apologises. 'Anyways, that's the reason why I'm here. Men dominate the quidditch world, and this even extends to Hogwarts. My own son – while I think it's absolutely darling that he's looking out for his sister–' She wraps her arms around Lily who simply makes a face. 'As a woman of sport, I can't say that I approve of his overtly male chauvinism.'

'He's been a right prat this year, Aunt Ginny.' Rose pipes up, pulling her eyes away from Scorpius who is doing rounds of the pitch.

'No more pratty than your father, missy. When he heard that you were spending time with Scorpius he nearly blew an artery. Hermione had to take his wand away.' Mrs. Potter says to her niece. 'But I congratulate you. He's a fine young man.'

'Yeah, I may have avada'd my chances there.' She grumbles, turning back to the pregame warmups.

'Damon is dealing with it.' Ida says, noticing my worried face.

'Anyways, I've come to put a stop to my son's reign of overprotective terror – and to meet you, of course. James never told me how pretty you were.' Mrs Potter complimented me. 'He talks about you often while at home.'

'I don't see why he would.' I say. I can't image the Potters sitting around the dinner table discussing how good I look when I fly.

'He says you've mastered Oliver Wood's signature move from when he was with Puddlemere United. James spent the entire summer complaining to me that he wouldn't be able to get any shots in.'

'Oh.' I reply, a little red from embarrassment. I had nearly fallen off my broom during the final game last year and just so happened to kick the quaffle during my struggle back on board. The hit shattered my ankle, but a managed a spectacular save (of points and face). Ginny Potter didn't need to know that though.

'I'd like to watch your team practice sometime.'

'Coach Wood promised me the pitch as soon as the game is over! If–' I check myself from sounding too excited. 'If you're staying then you're welcome to watch.'

'I'd love to.' Mrs Potter grasps my hand and smiles widely. 'But we've got this to watch first. So, which of my sons do you want to win?'

'Gryffindor has a strong team, though the Slytherins have a few tricks up their sleeve.'

'Such as?'

Just then the commentary beings, the speaker a young Hufflepuff. 'Here are the Slytherins – Captain and seeker Malfoy in the lead followed by keeper Potter, chasers Zabini, Vicker and Ton, and beaters Smith and Walker!'

'Walker is new. No one knows how he flies or any of his tricks. It's all new to the Gryffindors.'

'Oh, they know.' Ida says, the bearer of bad news.

'What?' I ask, turning on her.

'Potter said that a little birdy told him. He hinted that it was Rose.'

'I swear I didn't, Amelie.' Rose pleads, hands wringing her Ravenclaw scarf.

'You had better tell Scorpius that, and quick.' Mrs Potter says astutely, nodding her head toward the blond boy circling the pitch with his team. His face is hard and cold, as it was before Rose brought him out.

Albus flies past looking worried – then spots his mother and sister in the near-empty Ravenclaw stands and almost falls off his broom. Mrs Potter waves and blows a kiss, and I can see him redden from where we sit. His mother sits back with a satisfied smile.

'I love having kids, if only for embarrassing them.'

'And here are the Gryffindors! Captain and chaser Potter is in the air, followed by keeper Finnigan, chasers Scamander and Scamander, beaters Weasley and Weasley, and seeker Tate!'

The team circles the pitch in formation while Coach Wood carries the balls onto the field. The sound of his whistle is heard clearly over the cheers of the crowd and the two teams line up.

'Captains Malfoy and Potter shake hands – can you feel the tension? This is going to be a great game, Hogwarts.'

With the blast of the whistle, the players and the quaffle fly into the air. The bludgers join them after a moment and the snitch is long gone.

'Potter catches the quaffle and backhands it to Scamander. Vicker attempts a take but Weasley and Weasley are on him – that was a close call with those bludgers! Quaffle changes hands between the Scamander twins, then back to Potter. Potter faces off against Potter – oh, and Ginny Potter, will you sign my Harpies poster?'

Potter takes a poor shot, obviously distracted by the announcer's declaration. Albus easily makes the save.

'Quaffle in Slytherin hands, travelling fast down the pitch – Zabini is really flying! Exchange to Vicker who takes a shot on Finnigan, he scores! 10 points to Slytherin.'

There is a round of boos and cheers from the maroon and green stands, respectively. The two Potter women next to me don't know who to join, both neutral parties.

'Good attack, James!' Mrs. Potter calls out as her son reclaims the ball by blindsiding Ton. He seems not to hear her, but his scowl is glorious.

'Potter to Scamander, bludger by Smith and Scamander drops the ball, caught by Ton who passes to Zabini, interception by Weasley – Weasley, you're a beater!'

Hugo drops the quaffle to save his seeker from a direct hit by a wayward bludger, laughing all the while.

'When he gets carded it's not going to be so funny.' Rose comments, arms crossed and watching her brother.

The game is stopped by Coach Wood and the Slytherins get a free shot, which Finnigean saves.

'Game is back in play, quaffle in possession of Gryffindor. Scamander to Scamander, Scamander takes a hit from Walker! For a last minute replacement, the kid's not half bad.'

'Why did you know about Walker?' Mrs Potter turns away from the game with a quizzical expression on her face. I figure that it won't hurt me to throw her son under the Knight Bus.

'Potter promised me money for new quidditch kits, the one's we're wearing right now aren't up to snuff. He was just throwing in a little for shipping – you know how expensive gear can be.' I tell her.

'And what were you giving him in return? And what does it have to do with Walker?'

'Potter and his team were in trouble for spying on the Slytherins and they needed someone else to do their dirty work for them. So he came to me. I was ready to give him the information he needed–' I leave out the plot to lie to him. 'But the same day he discovered that Lily was training with us and refused to uphold the deal.'

'That son of mine is a proper prat, isn't he? I think a hex or two is required to set him straight. And a good talking to.'

I don't want to say anything, but I agree wholeheartedly.

'Bludger!' Rose suddenly jumps up, throwing her arms wildly in the direction of Malfoy. 'Bludger!'

Sure enough, there is a bludger heading straight for the stationary blond. At her cries he turns on his broom and quickly does a roll, the harmful ball shooting by overhead to where Smith is waiting to beat it into Potters path. Potter spins in a circle from the impact with the bludger, dropping the quaffle into Zabini's arms. Potter and Malfoy stare at each other for a long, tense moment that not even the announcer breaks, one hovering upside down.

Then Malfoy suddenly breaks into a dive.

'He's spotted the snitch!' The announcer shrieks, nearly wetting himself. 'Tate dives to follow him, but Malfoy's got a significant lead!'

Near the Gryffindor hoops, Zabini puts in a goal, placing the score at 20 to 0 for Slytherin. If Malfoy catches the snitch now it'll be a poor showing by Gryffindor. I still don't know who I want to win.

Malfoy lurches upwards out of his dive, arm outstretched, and nearly flies right into Tate. They both dodge to the side and spend a moment circling.

'Looks like the snitch has disappeared again. In the meantime, the score is in the favour of Slytherin with 20 points to 0!'

The seekers take off in opposite directions, scanning the area.

'Ton has the quaffle, takes a shot, deflected by Finningean to Scamander. Scamander speeds down the pitch. He shoots – and that's 10 points to Gryffindor! The Lions are putting the pressure on the Snakes to keep their lead. Is that Tate after the snitch again!?'

Everyone is on their feet, watching the painful moment unfold. Malfoy is too far away on the other side of the pitch to even catch him before the younger boy claps his hands around the speeding gold ball. There's a second of baited breath before it's announced.

'And the game goes to Gryffindor, finishing at 160 to 20!'

The maroon stands burst into cheers and Tate is engulfed by his team mates.

The Slytherins do the decent thing and gather the balls, the Bludgers putting up a fight. Ida winces as her boyfriend takes a hit to the gut. Malfoy drifts to the grassy field, clapping each of his teammates on the shoulder in a manly way. At this distance no one can tell what his expression is, but Rose has her face buried in her scarf and can't see anyways. Potter flies overhead, no doubt bragging, as the Slytherins disappear into their change room.

'Well, I suppose we can go see Albus. I don't really have it in me to congratulate James until I've sat him down for a chat about his behaviour.' Mrs Potter says to Lily, breaking our silence. 'We'll be back in a few minutes to watch your practice.'

I just nod, remaining sitting with my team as everyone filters out of the stands.

'Poor Scorpius.' Rose whispers. 'This is not his week.'

'Poor Levi.' Mariah agrees. 'He just started.'

'Poor Damon.' Ida sighs. 'Now I need to play up the sympathetic girlfriend.'

'Poor Romeo.' Ruth says. 'Maybe I can play it up too.'

'Maybe I'll be invited to the Gryffindor celebration party!' Coraline cheers, earning glares from the other girls. 'A girl can dream.'

'Time to practice?' Nell turns to me, raring to go.

'Yes. And let's make this one extra special. We've got a Potter to impress.'

Ida

I wait awkwardly by the door to the Slytherin change room, unsure of how to behave in this situation. What does a false-girlfriend say when her false-boyfriend loses a quidditch match? It's not abundantly clear to me.

The door creaks open and I step forwards, running into Albus Potter.

'Sorry.' I mutter, eyes on my trainers. He stares at me.

'Thanks. It wasn't our best game.' He responds after a moment. 'Why are you dressed for practice?'

'We train on Saturday mornings. Wood promised Amelie the pitch after the game. Besides, your mum wanted to watch us train so there's no getting out of it on account of the weather looking like it's going to storm.' I look up at the clouding sky mournfully.

'Right. My mum. I suppose I should go find her.'

'James is the one in trouble, you don't have anything to worry about.'

'Nothing to worry about?' Albus scoffs. 'My older brother just kicked my arse and now I need to go spend my time with him and the rest of my joyous, Gryffindor bred family.'

'Sorry.' I mutter.

He cracks a smile.

'Ida!' Amity comes running across the pitch, Hans and Niles trailing behind her. 'Have you heard from Damon?'

I turn to ask Albus, but he's already walking away.

'No, Amity, I haven't.'

'That looked like a bad hit. We're going to take him to the hospital wing. I'm going to assume you have practice.' She eyes my beat up quidditch kit. 'It would be a good idea to visit Damon as soon as you're finished. Posy'll accuse you of infidelity if you don't.'

Niles laughs, putting an arm around Amity's shoulder. 'Posy's dealing with their split however she can. Don't poke fun at your twin.'

'It's not proper how she's treating Ida.' Amity looks up as him with a pout. 'Hans and I are going to the kitchen to get a picnic lunch we can have at the hospital wing while the nurse is dealing with Damon. From that hit I'd say he's got a few broken ribs.'

'It certainly feels like it.' Damon groans, appearing at the door. He's got Zabini supporting him on one side and is dragging his broom in the other. He leans in and I give him a peck on the cheek.

'Good flying out there.' I congratulate him and the rest of his team who filter out behind him. 'Where's Malfoy?'

'Drowning himself in the showers.' Damon sighs, then winces. You'll visit me in the hospital, right?'

'Yeah, of course.' I smile, stepping aside to let Niles support his broom side.

Amity is tutting about, touching his side and looking for injury, but Hans takes her hands pulls her away. 'Come on, nurse Thorn. Let's let the professionals deal with him.'

'We'll see you later, Ida.' She calls over her shoulder as she's being led away.

I take to the sky to meet my fellow chasers. We begin with bludger drills, letting Coraline and Mariah launch the terrifying balls at us as we try out different rolls and tricks, all while not letting the quaffle drop. Amelie sits above us on her broom, explaining to Rose a new manoeuver. After some time Amelie splits us up, chasers with her to take shots on the goal posts, and beaters with Rose to practice their formation flying.

Amelie seems a little nervous, but I think it's because of our audience. Most of the school stuck around to see Ginny Potter, Ginny Potter stuck around to watch us, and her children are all there with a mixture of emotions displayed. Lily is beaming ear to ear and pointing up to us, no doubt explaining to her mum what we taught her. Albus is speculative, he is watching his competition afterall, and somber from his latest loss. James looks like someone hexed him where it hurts. And knowing his mum, it's likely that she did.

At the end of practice Rose is sent to find the snitch and Mariah rounds up the bludgers with Coraline. Amelie flies over to where Mrs Potter is sitting and I follow, eager to hear what she says

'So that's our team.' Amelie announces proudly.

'You've got some fine girls, Amelie Perry, and you're a fine captain.' Mrs Potter stands and leans over the railings. 'And I'd like to add one more to your team for training, if you wouldn't mind. I've always wanted Lily to learn to play quidditch and James isn't going to be in the way anymore.'

'We've loved having her and we welcome her back.' Amelie smiles at the younger girl, who then turns in her seat to punch her older brother.

'That's what you get for being a prat.'

'I'm also wondering if you'll do me a favour. I've been looking for a charity to support just as Hermione does, but I think that putting back into Hogwarts is a better use of my money – Hogwarts got me where I am today.' Mrs Potter announces. 'I'd like you to mail me your expenses. Your current kits really aren't up to snuff.'

'Thank you Mrs Potter.' Amelie breathes. She must think this is a dream.

'Please, it's Ginny.' Mrs Potter smiles, reaching out to give Amelie a hug. 'Now, kids, time to visit Uncle Neville!'

Lily and Albus follow her as she leaves the stands, but James takes his mum's spot at the railing.

'Trust me, Perry, if my mum didn't love you so much – for whatever deluded reason she does – I'd avada you here and now. And not feel any remorse.' He snarls through gritted teeth.

'Oh, it's a shame she does then.' Amelie coos at him, placing a tender hand on his cheek before slapping him lightly. 'Congratulations on your win.'

He storms off and the rest of the onlookers follow him, leaving the pair of us hovering.

'You know,' She says after a moment. 'It really doesn't bother me that they won. There's something about having the love of his mother which is more satisfying than watching him cry over a match. It's funny how today turned out.'

A/n: Congrats to everyone who guessed Ginny Potter! I like her character because she seems like the kind of mum who would take pleasure in torturing her children, and if befriending Amelie is what it takes to drive James up the wall, she'd have no problem with that.