A/N: Sorry this is so late you guys. AGAIN! SUPER busy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the stuff J.K. Rowling created.

Chapter Eight

Quidditch Tryouts

I walked downstairs, not bothering to wait for Lily and Tonks. When I got to the foot of the stairs I saw James in the Common Room, hanging something up on a board.

I walked over to him. "Mornin James."

He turned away and walked back up the stairs.

"Jeesh," I muttered. And I thought I had issues. I looked at the board and read the sign. It said;

Gryffindor Quidditch Tryouts

When: Today during free time

Where: Quidditch field (you're completely mental if you thought otherwise)

I'll be looking for two Beaters, three Chasers, and one Keeper.

Good Luck!

Team Captain: James Potter: Seeker

Note: Yes, Sirius, you HAVE TO TRY OUT!

Quidditch tryouts…was that what he was upset about? Did he think I wasn't going to come? Aww well, whatever. Who understood guys anyways? But as of right now, I couldn't wait until free time.

The day just got weirder and weirder, and I didn't like it. For some reason James, Remus, and Sirius were ignoring me, even openly saying they didn't want me around anymore. I don't know why, but that hurt. Especially when Remus was the one doing most of the hateful talking to me. I felt closest to him out of all of them…but now I felt like they all didn't want me. They avoided me when possible and just left me out in the cold.

Professor McGonagall seemed to notice the change when I was sitting far away from them and alone. She looked at me questioningly, but didn't say anything.

During flying lessons, they kept to themselves while Derek, Amata, and Jean explained the sport of Quidditch to me and discussed today's tryouts. Adda didn't seem too happy about that, but she was happy to keep me company too and give me some pointers.

Weasley noticed, too, but he had to leave early because of some emergency in the Charms classroom that had something to do with some kid hurting himself with some pretty dark stuff. So class was dismissed, much to our disappointment. I think everyone was actually enjoying the Shape-shifter unit.

I wandered around the courtyard alone since I had nothing else to do. When I passed by this creepy forest that was along the outline of the grounds, I was tempted to go in and check it out, but stopped when I heard voices.

"We can't take it anymore Lily!" James cried. What? Lily and James were alone and talking and not yelling at each other?

"You're going to have to try James. You promised me," Lily said kindly. Spoken kindly. To James Potter. From Lily Evans. That was another first, I was sure.

"But I feel horrible! We all do! You should've seen the look on her face when Remus told her to go away and never come back."

"Remus said that? I expected that from you. You should be used to being a jerk. What's the difference with her?"

"She's—"

"If you say 'just like us' I swear I'll slap you." I stifled a laugh despite everything. I could actually see Lily doing that.

"Fine! She's different."

"Tonks and I know this. She's special, and we feel like we have to protect her—"

"So do we," James agreed. "But we can't figure out why."

"Exactly! And trust me when I say you are helping her by staying away. I overheard Professor Vera, Professor Damant, and the Minister of Magic talking, and they said that if she does something 'dangerous' that harms someone else, she's going to Azkaban. And I don't know if you three purposely find it, or if it finds you, but wherever you five are, trouble's right behind you. And she doesn't need that, especially since they won't be lenient. You can bet that if someone in this school gets hurt, all the blame's going to be on her if it has to do with magic and fighting."

There was a stunned silence. I wasn't sure who was more shocked, me or James.

"You've got to be kidding me!" James laughed humorlessly.

"I'm not."

"Then it was good that Sirius stood up for her."

Lily hesitated. "Yes…and no. You know how Malfoy is; it's just going to get worse for her."

"So it would be better if we're with her just in case we need to step in when the time comes. Soon we're going to have almost all classes with Malfoy, and she's going to be in for it then. Huh, we all will."

"Leave her alone James," Lily warned. "You can be nearby and still be able to watch over her if that's what you want. Just stay away from her unless absolutely necessary. If you care about her so much, then do this."

James sighed, aggravated. "Fine, we'll see if that's true and your plan works. But what about Quidditch?" James changed the subject. "Nike's the best Keeper in the whole school! Probably the best in the whole world! By you saying that we have to stay away, that means I can't have her on the team!"

"Oh my gods James. I wonder about you sometimes. You're so self-absorbed, but then you're not. What is with you?" I could picture Lily rolling her eyes. "No James. You keep your end of our deal, and I'll keep mine."

I walked off, furious, not wanting to hear any more of it or hear James flirting with Lily. My mind was flying.

So.

Lily and Tonks were to blame for the guys' withdrawal. Okay, I could deal with that later. I focused on the bigger issue. If I screwed up, I was going to prison, and I'd probably be locked up for the rest of my life. And I was only thirteen and a-half; I had a lot of life left in me. With that looming over my head, I made my way to Divination.

The Quidditch field was packed. It was almost like the whole Gryffindor House and then some who must've heard about it had shown up, although I knew that wasn't it. There were kids ranging anywhere from their second to their seventh year, all looking nervous and out-of-place. I saw Weasley talking to two kids and waved enthusiastically at him. He grinned and waved back.

"Are you sure you want to try out?" Lily asked, looking around. I hadn't let on that I knew what they were doing, but instead I had started speaking to them again. When I had told them I was trying out for the team, they protested but eventually gave in and decided they would come and watch.

"Hey Miss Keeper!" Derek yelled. He, Amata, and Jean had agreed that was my "official nickname". I didn't mind. They didn't use it much anyways, it was normally just Nike.

"Hi Derek," I replied, walking over to him.

"Lily, Tonks." He nodded politely at them, giving them a warm smile. "Didn't expect to see you two here willingly."

Lily smiled back. "She said she was going so we said we'd cheer her on."

"I don't think she'll need that. She's amazing! No luck needed!"

"You're that good huh?" Tonks asked. She whispered to me, "Poor guy. He's starstruck." I rolled my eyes and she chuckled.

"Nike! Derek! You've got to see this!" Jean yelled from behind these wooden bleachers that were really high up off the ground.

"What is it?" I asked. Amata pointed and I saw Sirius James, Remus, and a short pudgy kid I didn't recognize. Sirius and James seemed to be arguing.

"Not this again," Derek moaned.

"Sure is," Amata giggled.

Sirius held up the flyer that had been posted in the Common Room. "But Jaaames, why do I have to try out? You don't have to!" Sirius whined like a little kid.

James shook his head, exasperated. "That's because I'm team captain Padfoot! We go through this every year. Why can't you be more like Moony? You don't see him complaining."

Remus grinned. "It's impossible for Padfoot to be like me Prongs."

"If you don't have to try out, then I don't have to try out," Sirius persisted.

"If you don't try out you can't and won't be on the team. At least, last time I read the Quidditch manual that's what it said," the new kid said.

"No one asked you Wormtail!" Sirius snapped.

"But he's got a point," James said, looking at Wormtail (?) thankfully. "You either try out or you don't make the team. And that's final."

Sirius glared at them. "Tryouts are stupid," he grumbled, and then he stalked away.

We walked back onto the field.

"That happens every year?" I asked, amused.

"Yeah, Sirius is a big cry-baby," Derek said.

"He is not!" Amata exclaimed.

"He's just funny," Jean agreed.

"Whatever," Derek replied. "See you three later tonight." He walked off and joined a group of guys I'd never seen before.

"He's just jealous of him," Amata told me and Jean. "All guys are."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Well, this is where we part. We'll be up in the stands, okay?"

"Okay."

Lily and Tonks left, and when they were at the top and sitting Tonks smiled encouragingly and gave me a thumbs-up. I grinned at them, repeating her gesture. Then someone just behind them caught my attention.

An extremely good-looking guy with short, curly dark brown hair and olive skin was staring at me with intense hazel eyes. His expression was emotionless, yet guarded at the same time. I'd never seen him before, so I knew he wasn't in Gryffindor. But…I don't know, something about him called to me, which made me extremely confused.

Someone shoved me, not hard enough to make me move but hard enough that my gaze was torn away from examining the boy. I turned and saw the Wormtail boy that had saved James in his argument.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! I'm quite clumsy," he rambled.

"No, you're fine," I said.

"Aren't you nice," he muttered. "Very nice." Okay, he was starting to creep me out the way his eyes darted back and forth and he seemed to be sniffing the air timidly. What was he? A rat? That's what it seemed like.

"Peter!" Tonks yelled. The Wormtail/ (he must've been friends with the three guys since he had a ridiculous nickname too) Peter kid looked up. Lily and Tonks beckoned him, so he left and went to sit next to them. Somehow I found it odd that James, Remus, and Sirius would be really good friends with this awkward kid.

"Alright! Everyone shut-up and listen!" James yelled, standing in the center of the field with a clipboard in his hands, which was a weird sight considering this was James. The field went quiet. "If you aren't going to try out, either exit the field or go to the stands at this moment." More than half the people climbed the bleachers and either sat or stood. Nobody left the field. When they were settled, James continued.

"When I call your name and the position you wish to have, step up next to me. We'll be put in groups, and it'll be kinda like a scrimmage. Does everyone understand?" There were choruses of "Yes" and I heard Sirius yell sarcastically,

"Yes sir Prongsie!" Now I saw were Peeves got it from.

James glared at him. "We'll play without a Seeker, obviously, and the first team to get one hundred fifty points wins."

"What's the point of this scrimmage?" someone yelled.

"It will help me decide, so just play your best." James looked at the clipboard. "Remus Lupin: Beater; Sirius Black: Beater; Nike: Keeper; Jean Redgrave: Chaser; Amata Capaldi: Chaser; and Derek Farr: Chaser. Team one, have a seat over there, you'll play last." Our team went over and sat on the ground in front of the stands. Remus sat at my left, and next to him sat Sirius. Even though they were sitting next to me, they were still ignoring me, as I had expected.

"Oh yeah! We've got this game in the bag!" Jean yelled.

"Savin the best for last!" Amata agreed.

"Go Remus! Go Sirius!" Peter yelled. "You've got this game in Merlin's purse!" Some people looked at Peter oddly while others laughed at his stupidity. Remus just shook his head and Sirius yelled,

"You got that right Peter!" he turned to Remus. "Merlin had a purse? How come I didn't know this?"

"No, you idiot, Merlin did not have a purse." Remus rolled his eyes.

"So. You saw something you like in Napier?" Jean asked me, sitting on my right side while Amata sat in front of me.

"Who?" I asked, looking away from Remus.

"Gary Napier. Fifth year Ravenclaw. Best Chaser in the school, even better than me and Jean put together, and that's saying something. He's also totally gorgeous, definitely equal with Sirius Black, James Potter, and him," she nodded her head at Remus, lowering her voice so they wouldn't hear her "insulting" them. "And he's maybe a little bit above them all," Amata explained.

"I'm still confused," I said, unsure just what they were trying to talk about here.

"Okay. So I'm just gonna come straight out and ask this," Jean said. She looked over her shoulder, and Amata and I followed suit. "That guy, right behind Lily, is Gary Napier." Oh. That guy. As if he felt our gaze, he looked down at us each in turn, then his eyes went back to James. Amata and Jean giggled.

"Uh-huh," Amata said triumphantly.

"That's what we thought," Jean said. "You were checking him out. You see something you like."

"What! Pssh! No…" I started to protest.

"Whatever," Amata said. "We won't argue 'bout this right now."

"Nervous?" Jean asked me, changing the subject.

I looked at her, confused. "No, why?"

"Good. Another fact that you're a natural. You'll make the team, and if you don't then James is going to have some serious explaining to do and he'll leave that discussion torn up." We laughed as the other teams formed and either sat or grabbed brooms.

"They rigged it so they'd be on the same team," a sixth year boy muttered as his team sat down.

"This can't be rigged. James called the names in order that you signed up," Remus said. The boy ignored us and we sat back and watched the tryouts.

To be honest, none of them had a chance compared to the people I had on my team. By the time we were up, I had counted only two people who had some talent, and by some, I don't mean a lot. I mean very little. Like no-talent-but-just-pure-luck type talent. Make sense? No, didn't think so. These tryouts were a joke.

"Take your positions," James yelled with no enthusiasm. I could tell he was ready for this to be over.

"Good luck," Derek told me.

"I thought I didn't need luck," I teased.

He smiled. "Just to be on the safe side."

I flew up to the goals on my side of the field and watched as my tryout began.

Right off our team scored. I could tell we were going to win; the team we were against wasn't any better than any of the other teams had been.

I heard something coming towards me, so I quickly dove and missed being hit by a Bludger (the wicked black balls).

"Oops. Sorry about that," Sirius said, flying over to me. "I mistook you for someone else. All of us Gryffindors look alike."

"Well look at you," I said dryly. "Aren't you brave."

His smile melted off his face. "What's up?"

I looked at the teams fighting. The other team was nowhere near scoring on us. In fact, the only reason there was a "fight" was because our team was barely even playing.

"I don't know. How about you tell me?"

"What are you—oh. That. Listen—"

"I already know about the promise and I already know 'why', just like I know James can't have me on the team. But I still don't understand the 'why' part. Is there really a threat of me going to Azkaban?"

His face darkened. "You're going to Azkaban?" His voice was angry and distraught.

"Not now, but there's a chance. The first time I 'hurt' someone, I'm gone." Oops. Obviously James hadn't told them about this yet.

"Where'd you hear all of this?"

I hesitated. "I overheard James and Lily talking earlier."

"You can't go there. That place is horrible. It's maddening." The way he said that made me think that he had memories from there.

"How do you know?"

"I just do. I don't know how, but I do. It's like a memory that I have, but I know it can't be a memory." I left it at that as he watched our team score again. That's fifty points. "I'm sorry about today. All of us are. James is trying to change Lily's mind, and if it makes you feel any better, I don't understand this whole situation either. Neither does Remus. So just be patient. And you will be on this team."

"How?"

"I've got my ways."

"Like putting my name on the sign-up sheet?" I asked, smiling. I hadn't known we'd needed to sign up. "Or throwing a temper tantrum when you're told you have to do something you don't want to?"

"Yeah, uh, like that. So…you saw that."

"Uh-huh. I guess it's a yearly thing for the team. S– Look out!" Two Bludgers were just a couple feet away.

"Those two might have some talent. A miracle," Sirius said to himself, moving in front of me. "Watch out. Do your job and I'll do mine." I looked up and saw the other team's Chaser approaching while my team just hovered and watched. I shrugged and moved away from Sirius and got ready.

I heard Sirius' club connect with one Bludger and I turned just in time to see the other connect with his stomach, making him fly off his broom. It must've not been hit too awfully hard because from what I've heard, those things will break bones or even kill. They were no joke. Sirius grabbed a hold of his broom, and when he tried to climb back up, the Bludger would dive for his head, which he would narrowly avoid by lowering himself. After a few more tries, he gave up. I turned and grabbed the Quaffle (the red ball) that was thrown at the goal and threw it to Jean, who looked impressed all over again. I hadn't even been paying attention to the other team or the goal. I just knew.

"A little help?" Sirius asked. "I'm strong, but I can't hold up for long."

"Umm…no thanks, I'd rather not." I flew down farther so I was above him but out of reach of the swarming Bludger. "I don't want to ruin your moment, superstar. And besides, you're doing just fine."

"Sadly I don't agree."

"Why don't you show off those arm muscles?"

"Mm, no thanks."

"Hey Padfoot! Whatcha doin?" James yelled.

"Oh I'm enjoying the sights from up here and asking Nike how her day's been. And you just interrupted a lovely discussion," Sirius said sarcastically. James grinned and stood there, watching his helpless little friend. "Moony!" Sirius hollered. I looked over and saw Remus was chasing the other Bludger.

"I already said I was sorry," Sirius said, this time talking to me.

"You did?" He glared at me. "What do you want me to do?" I huffed, giving in.

"Here." He tossed me his club. "Just hit it and it'll find a new target."

I caught it easily and, taking my time, I asked, "So I just hit it? That's all?"

"Yes Nike. Maybe you're denser than we thought." I smacked the Bludger and it flew and knocked a kid off his broom.

"Sorry!" I yelled. "That was definitely unintentional!" The kid froze two feet from the ground and was set down carefully. I looked over at Lily, who was…smiling? I looked for James and saw throw his clipboard and stalk off the field, livid. I smiled at him. Poor James.

"Tha—"

"Hey, you're forgiven. Keep talking and you'll ruin it," I mocked him.

"Fine. But may I say you'd make a damn good Beater too." I tossed Sirius his club back after he remounted his broom.

"Yes you may. Thank you."

"For what?" He looked confused.

"I'm not sure. For everything I guess." I don't know why I even said it.

"You're welcome. I guess." He paused and we watched as our team scored the ninetieth goal. "Thank you."

"For obvious reasons?" I asked.

"Yeah. For obvious reasons."

"You're welcome then. Sirius?" I asked after a moment.

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you—"

"Okay! That concludes Gryffindor's tryouts! Thank you for coming and the results should be posted by tonight after dinner!" Tonks yelled when our Chasers finally got bored and scored the rest of the goals real quick.

"Well, our time's up," Sirius said. "We'll talk again when we can."

The Common Room was even more crowded then the Quidditch field had been. The room was full and so were the stairs (the kids on the stairs were first years staying out of the way, I think). James had yet to come with the results.

I thought this whole thing was a joke too; I already knew that Sirius, Remus, Amata, Derek, and Jean had made the team, and that I hadn't.

"You did great," Tonks said for the thousandth time. I had no idea where Lily had gone; I hadn't seen her since before tryouts.

"Nym–Tonks, can I talk to you for a second?" Remus asked. He didn't look too good. He looked kind of sick. Come to think of it, he'd looked pretty bad all day today.

To my surprise, Tonks didn't freak out on him. Maybe the rival groups were becoming united for some odd reason.

"Sure," she said. They disappeared into the sea of people.

"Make room people!" Sirius yelled. An aisle was formed and there was James and Lily, followed by Sirius and then Peter. Sirius spotted me and pulled me aside. "You won't believe—"

"Trust me; I already think I'm dreaming. First Tonks willingly follows Remus, you're breaking your promise by openly talking to me, and now Lily and James are publicly getting along!" At the mention of Remus he looked worried.

"Ah, I don't care about that promise. I didn't make it. Besides, you've got to be in on this. Lily and Prongs have been arguing," he continued.

"I can find that believable," I replied, looking at him closely. Was something wrong with Remus?

"But do you know what about?"

"No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me."

"Ha, you're so funny. Come on," he said, grabbing my hand. He led us right behind James, who was hanging up the results. "Hopefully Prongs made the right choice." He peered at the sheet, and then grinned. Sirius moved out of my way. "Take a look Witchy Nike," he said.

I stepped forward and read the names.

Gryffindor Quidditch Team

Beaters: Sirius Black and Remus Lupin

Chasers: Jean Redgrave, Amata Capaldi, and Derek Farr

Seeker: James Potter

Keeper: Nike

Tryouts were great, and I thank all of you who attended. I think Gryffindor will have a great team this year, and I can't wait to prove it to you.

GRYFFINDOR, FIGHT! FIGHT!

I was speechless for the first time in my life. I looked at James, who was glowing, and Lily, who didn't look so sure of what she'd done, and wondered why Lily had given in. I was about to ask but others had swarmed forward, so I lost sight of them.

"Told you you'd make it!" Sirius said triumphantly.

"What'd you do?" I asked. "How'd you do it?"

"You know how I kind of took a Bludger and fell off my broom and couldn't get back up?"

"Yeah. So?" I wasn't understanding.

"Well let's just say that that happened on purpose, trying to get you distracted. It worked, yet you still didn't let the other team get past you. Even Quidditch-haters like Lily Evans has got to see pure talent there. When James stormed off the field so he wouldn't lose it, Lily followed and they talked about it again. And here you are: a member of the team." He looked proud of himself.

"Let me get this straight. You purposely let a Bludger knock you off you're broom, you…"

"Put a spell on the Bludgers to attack me and made one try to knock me out if I tried to move… Truthfully, those kids who tried out for Beaters had no talent, it was all me…" he added.

"Right. You did that thinking what had happened would happen?"

"You're making it sound so complicated! But…yes."

"Did you ever think that your plan could've gone wrong?"

"Nope," he said, looking outside. He saw something and that worried look returned.

"Why not?"

"Because my plan revolved around you, and I knew that you wouldn't mess up." He said it so simply, like he had that much faith in me. Wow.

"Okay. Well, thank you Sirius."

"For obvious reasons?" he joked.

"Yeah, for obvious reasons."

A/N: Yes, I know James is still a Seeker, but you know what, I've got a plan. And that plan shall surface in book two. So please put up with this, even if it wasn't true. This is a new beginning, and James hasn't quite figured out what's his calling. But he will in the next installment, and yes, it will be Chaser.

Anyways, what do you think of this chapter? Yes, Lily and Tonks wanting the Marauders to stay away from Nike was/is stupid, but it makes sense when you think about it like they did.

And Sirius…man he can be…what's the right word? Umm…overconfident, can't he?

And let me just say this once to myself, okay? I'm going to be torn between Napier and Black! Okay, thanks. That helped me.

So, was that chapter long enough for you? Let me know!

Next chapter is full of surprises!

And to all my wonderful readers that are there but not reviewing and to the ones who are…

R&R please!

Nike