"Quidditch?" Remus asked.
James looked up from his pumpkin juice. "What?"
Remus raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be focusing on more important things? Like, studies?"
"We have 5 years left to do that," James said. "Let me have a little bit of fun."
"Quidditch is incredibly dangerous," Remus continued.
"It's also incredibly fun," Sirius said. James fist pumped him. "What spot are you going up for?"
"Chaser," James said. "I mean, I think I'm better suited as a seeker but I doubt they'll let me try out for that."
"Especially because we still have a chaser." Sirius laughed.
"Oh lighten up," Peter said, catching Remus' glance. "It's just a bit of fun."
Remus said nothing, his lips pursing. He picked up his coffee and sipped it thoughtfully.
"You sure you don't want to come down and watch?" Sirius asked.
"Quite sure. If you break your neck I want to hear about it whilst I'm writing my essay, not watching you fall off your broom." Remus said.
"I'll have you know I am an excellent Quidditch player." James pouted.
"No one is denying that," Remus replied. "But may I remind you that it gets very competitive out there?"
"No, you don't need to remind us," Sirius biting his toast. "Pass over the Prophet."
Remus folded the paper and handed it to him. Sirius read the headline before looking up. "Moony, will you please calm down. It's not like we're running around with a bloody werewolf every month."
Remus' face drained. Sirius grinned. "I think I win that battle."
"Maybe," Remus said. "But I will win the war."
"Ah, always so optimistic," Sirius said ironically. "Pete, you coming?" Peter nodded before getting up. Sirius tucked the paper under his arm. "Oh shit."
"Sirius," Regulus said holding out a letter. "Mother sent me this to pass to you." Sirius stared at his brother's tie and then at the letter he was holding out. Sirius sighed and took it. Regulus looked over at Remus, flashing him a dirty look before taking off.
"What's the bet that I am not going to like the content of this?" Sirius asked.
"One knut." Remus replied.
"One knut?" Sirius asked. "You're betting one knut?"
"Well, in case you haven't noticed I'm broke," Remus replied. "So it's one knut or nothing."
"I'll take that bet." James said. Sirius gave him a look. James shrugged. "Hey you never know, your mother could be writing to tell you that she's given up the pure-blood mania and joined the Weasleys."
Sirius' face broke into a smile, a glazed look over his eyes. "That would be nice." He said, pulling the letter out of the envelope and began to read. "'Dear Son.' That's never a good start. Better be prepared to pay up James." Sirius remained quiet for a second before scrunching up the paper and throwing it at Xeno's head. Xeno looked up confused, then picked up the paper and suddenly seemed a hundred times happier than he usually was.
"It's a Corconoro!" He cried. "Look!"
"What's wrong?" James asked.
"Oh some bollocks about how dad's been taken ill. Won't be able to take us home for Christmas – like I wanted to go home." Sirius' face lightened. "Oh my giddy aunt. That is good news!"
Remus grimaced and handed James a knut. He kissed it and put in his robe pockets.
"Anything else?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, my Cousin Andromeda is getting married." Sirius said. "To some bloke called Tonks. Mum's not too happy about this 'cause he's a muggle born."
"Yeesh," James said. "Hate to live at your house. I take it you can't go to the wedding."
"Nope." Sirius said. "But goddamn it I'm gonna try and piss mum off about this as much as I can."
"Sirius, I think the mere fact that you're not a pure-blood fanatic pisses your mum off," James said swallowing the last of his pumpkin juice before standing up. "Are you sure you don't want to come down with us?"
"Very sure," Remus replied. "Leave the Prophet."Sirius looked down at the newspaper tucked under his arm. He gave a small sigh before placing it in front of Remus. "Thank you!"
"See you later Moony,"
Remus nodded and returned to look at his breakfast.
"Should I apologise to you?" Asked a voice.
Remus looked up and saw Lily sliding across the bench, her expression sombre.
"I beg your pardon?" Remus asked politely.
"I mean, I would apologise to Potter and Black, but they're not likely to listen," Lily said. "And they're likely to hex Severus again."
"It's okay," Remus shrugged. "You were just defending you friend. I can understand that."
Lily sighed. "I shouldn't have... He attacked Black first." She looked at her plate. "I'm not perfect, and I don't strive to be. But I should have realised... Y'know...?"
Remus nodded. "I know what you mean."
...
All three boys trudged down the stone staircases to the front gates which were being looked after by Filch who was stroking his cat Mrs Noris. He looked at them up and down before giving a grunt and letting them pass. The cold winter air was picking up causing a light snow drift. There was a little bit of frost on the grass and it crunched as Sirius, James and Peter made their way across it. The Quidditch captain Lazarus Torus stood with a clipboard.
"Names?" he said drearily as if he would rather be anywhere else than testing out wannabe Quidditch players.
"Sirius Black," Said Sirius.
"James Potter,"
"And you?" Torus turned to Peter who hid.
"I'm not... I'm not trying out." Peter mumbled.
"Oh okay, then get your ugly arse to the stalls and shut the hell up." Torus said. Peter obeyed. Torus then turned to the other two. He was a tall man in seventh year with soft blond hair and dark blue eyes. Torus was the kind of person that you think you could trust, but you probably shouldn't. "Have you got your brooms?" He grunted.
"Yep!" James said showing the new broom he had been sent earlier in the week. "Nimbus 1700,"
"What about you?" Torus asked Sirius who was looking over jealously at James' new broom.
"My parents are not so kind," Sirius said.
"Get one from the cupboard then," Torus said. "You, trek around the pitch whilst I get the rest of the little buggers doing something,"
James nodded and mounted his broom. He was about to kick off when he saw Lily and Remus talking earnestly to Peter in the stalls. Feeling more confident than usual he began to fly around the stadium. Sirius soared out of nowhere and hovered over the three rings scanning the field. Torus was bellowing something at a first year who thought it would be funny to play a prank on the fifth year seeker. Torus sighed and looked up getting on his comet and gliding around a little. He threw the quaffle at James.
"We've split into three," He said. "No beaters, just chasers and keepers. Black get your fucking arse over to the middle ring."
Sirius was too busy showing off to Rebecca Johnson. He grinned stupidly before flying over to the middle ring, swooping down over the circles.
Torus rolled his eyes before flying straight towards James. James dodged and managed to hit the quaffle out of Torus' hands. He dived, catching it and flew up towards the rings at the opposite side of the pitch. He hurled the quaffle at the bottom ring. The third year managed to block it. James pouted angrily as the one of the chasers playing them caught the ball and flew off, passing it to their teammates. James tried to catch up with them. The third chaser threw it towards Sirius who knocked it away lazily with his broom. James grinded his teeth.
"COME ON JAMES!" Sirius shouted. "I thought you were an expert player!"
James gave Sirius the two fingers before returning to the game. He passed the ball to Eric, one of the team members from the previous year, who passed it to another second year before they passed it back to Torus looking terrified. Torus was shouting again.
"I'M NOT FUCKING TRYING OUT!" He bellowed. "DON'T PASS IT TO ME YOU STUPID MOTHER FU-"
James took the quaffle from Eric flying around the pitch and attempting to dodge the other chasers. He aimed badly and missed. He was furious.
Torus blew his whistle. "POTTER WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
"Give me five minutes," James replied, flying down towards Remus who had gotten up from the stalls. Sirius still flew high above them watching curiously. Lily stayed back, her arms folded as Snape was talking to her earnestly.
"Decided to turn up after all did you?" James teased getting down from his broom.
Remus ignored him. "I've been making some notes," He said indicating towards the parchment he held in his hands.
"Yes, well good for you," James said. "But I doubt notes about Vampire wars from the medieval ages is going to help me fly better."
Remus decided it would be better to ignore this comment too. "What model did you fly before this one?" he asked.
James looked at his broom. "Er... A Comet... 260..."
"I thought as much," Remus said as Peter stood behind him, listening intently.
James frowned and looked at his friend. "You thought as much? You do way too much thinking. Relax, loosen up a bit."
"You're loose enough for the both of us," Remus replied. "Give it to me."
James reluctantly handed over his broom.
"Did you not notice it being lighter?" Remus asked.
"Is that important?" James replied.
"Do you actually know anything about Quidditch or do you just pretend for the ladies?" Remus asked.
"That question is unfair." James replied. "Of course I know about Quidditch. I just don't know muggle aerodynamics."
"That's unfair." Remus said. "Because I don't either. I've watched and you're leaning too far on the staff. The broom isn't weighted at the back and you're tipping forward. It's slowing you down."
James looked at the broom, a frown folding between his eyes. "Mm... That or..."
"Or you're a sucktastic flyer."
"Or..."
"There's no 'or'." Remus replied.
"Or..." James pressed.
Remus rolled his eyes. "Or Severus Snape is cursing your broom to make you a shit flyer. Listen, I don't care. I've told you what I think the problem is. Now get up there before Torus whips your arse into a frenzy."
"You said arse." James grinned.
"Get gone," Remus repeated. "Or I'll whip your arse into a frenzy."
"Cheeky," James said mounting his broom and winking. Remus was tempted to hit him but he zoomed away before he got the chance. He soared off as Torus looked on.
"Ready now?" He asked. "Got your make-up on? Good, play ball!" He gave a sharp blow on his whistle before the game once again commenced.
...
"THAT WAS BLOODY AWESOME!" James shouted.
"Shut up Potter," Lily said. "No one really cares."
James turned to her, his face covered in mud and grime. "Evans, have I not hugged you today?"
"What?" Lily asked confused.
James pulled her into a bear like hug. She looked as if she was going to throw up from the smell of sweat and mud. James let go and grinned stupidly. She wiped down her skirt and blouse to the best of her ability before glaring at him angrily.
"Look what you did!" She cried.
"Well, better mud than grease from Snivellus," Sirius said, getting off his own broom covered just as equally in mud.
"Leave Severus out of this," Lily replied, still trying to wipe herself down.
"You guys were awesome!" Peter squeaked.
"Yeah," James said. "We know." They both struck a pose and Lily rolled her eyes.
"See you later Remus," She said before grabbing Snape's hand and stalking off. James rounded on his friend.
"You hitting on my girl?" He asked.
"No," Remus said flatly.
Torus landed and looked at the four boys. "Black, Potter, you were good today. Even with the way you were flying earlier. Team lists will be up by tomorrow in the common room." His girlfriend, Jenn walked over to him and though he was wet from the light shower that occurred a little before 11am, she hugged him tightly and kissed him.
"You were awesome," She said sweetly.
He grinned. "You're awesomer." He turned to look at the four boys who were staring at him. He cleared his throat. "Off you go then, there's nothing to see here."
"Let them watch," Jenn said playfully.
Sirius let out a groan before turning and walking over to the cupboard. James followed. "You stink."
Sirius frowned, looking over at him. "Eh?"
"I mean, literally. You stink." James said, pinching his nose. "Take a shower."
"You stink as well!" Sirius said.
"How dare you!" James said in mock outrage. He shoved Sirius who stumbled slightly. Sirius pushed back, sending James into the mud. He laughed, his face exploding into a huge grin. The rain began to start up again falling thick and heavy on the four boys. Peter pulled his hood up to stop himself from getting soaked. Remus stood admiring the colours the water made as it fell to earth with glittering beauty. James took off his glasses and tucked them into his muddy robes.
"Come on," Sirius said, helping his friend up. "I need a shower."
"You both do." Remus grunted. "I can smell you from here and it's disgusting."
"Scent of a man." James defended.
"Oh," Remus said. "I didn't know men smelled like a baboons arse."
"What?"
"Oh sorry. Elephant."
"I'm actually offended." Said Sirius.
"Okay," Remus pursed his lips frowning slightly as the rain got heavier and the clouds darkened. "Okay, you smell like a house-elf."
"I hope not." Sirius grunted. "My house-elf smells like cabbage."
"Okay then." Remus shrugged. "You smell like cabbage."
Sirius chucked the broom into the cupboard before they set off up to the school occasionally slipping and sliding madly as the mud trapped the soles of their boots.
"I can't see a sodden thing," James muttered sourly trying to be careful of his footing, the rain showing no signs of letting up. They all heard a crack in the distance and turned to see a flash of lightning cascade down the sky, splitting the clouds.
"Shit," James said. "Bloody Scotland. Why does it always have to be so wet?"
"Would you prefer it to be so hot you melt?" Remus asked, trying to save his book.
"Yes actually." James replied.
A sharp cackle was heard from above as they reached the front doors. They looked around but saw nothing. Sirius' face had drained of colour under the brown mud. James stared at him.
"Do you know who it is?" He asked.
Sirius licked his lips. He contemplated saying the truth for a second, then decided against it. "No," He lied. "It just reminds me of someone."
"Who?" Peter asked as they got inside.
"No one," Sirius muttered, he turned to see Filch still standing in the same position as he was earlier in the morning. Sirius almost jumped out of his skin.
"Detention," Filch wheezed. "For both of you for bringing your muddy tracks into the castle."
James and Sirius looked at the muddy trail they had brought in, then at Peter and Remus' feet.
"How did you do that?" Sirius asked.
"I wiped them..." Remus said. "Before we came in."
"Oh..." James pulled a face. "Bloody hell."
Filch just grinned.
...
The common room was packed as Torus put up the new list. He pushed his way from the crowd as they gathered around him. James and Sirius tried desperately to see over their heads.
"I CAN'T SEE A-" Sirius said. "MOVE YOU LITTLE F-"
"SIRIUS!" Remus said.
"WHAT? MOVE!" Sirius bellowed.
Peter ducked under and crawled under some of the students. Remus saw his head appear just in front of a first year. He looked at the list for a second then ducked back under as he crawled back to them.
"Well?" James asked eagerly.
"James you made Chaser." Said Peter.
"And what about me?" Sirius asked.
Peter frowned. "Oops," He ducked back down again. "Yeah, you made keeper." He said reappearing.
James and Sirius let out a celebratory cheer and began to hug each other. They stopped looked at each other for a second, shrugged and continued to celebrate. Remus held his ears and looked at Peter. "I think we better leave the lovebirds to their own little world," He said.
"You rock!" Sirius was saying.
"No! You rock!" James replied.
"Let's just get a bag of rocks and swing it at them." Remus suggested lightly to Peter. "Then they both rock."
Peter laughed. Sirius and James took no notice. "We're going out to celebrate." James said.
"Where?" Remus asked.
"I dunno," James said. "Do I look like I care? Wanna come with?"
"No." Remus said. "I think I'll stay here and finish your essays."
Sirius frowned. "You're doing that... Guilt trip thing." He said.
"Yes." Remus nodded.
"I don't care," James said. "I made the team."
"Right," Remus said sighing. "I'll be in the library if you need me."
"Pete, you coming?" James asked.
Peter nodded. James fished out his invisibility cloak and threw it over them and together they trudged out of the common room, no one , except for Remus knowing that they had gone.