Chapter 16

"Hey, Remus is alive!" Peter Pettigrew screamed as he saw Remus role into the Great Hall in his wheelchair. He stopped his wheelchair in the entrance as all the eyes of the Great Hall turned to look at him. Remus could hear hushed murmurs gossiping of what could have happened to his casted leg. He wheeled himself to the Gryffindor table in the awkward silence. He rolled into an open spot next to his friends and avoided eye contact with them, still unsure of his explanation.

"I'm so happy to see you, mate!" Peter shouted.

"Enough with the shouting, Peter." James muttered annoyed. He grabbed his head and massaged his messy black hair. Remus looked to Sirius. He had his head buried in his crossed arms, and gave out a moan. They are so hungover.

"Thanks, Peter." Remus said shily.

"So, are you going to explain why you're a peg-leg now?" James bluntly grumbled.

"Let's go somewhere in private." Remus replied. James pushed Remus's chair into the boy's bathroom.

"What happened to you?" Sirius asked.

What should I tell them? "I was so bloody drunk that I fell off my broom mid flight and broke my leg. And when I woke up this morning, Pomphrey already put this cast on it."

"What did you tell her what happened?" Peter asked. Shoot they want details.

"I told her that I was practicing flying because we all know how awful I am at that." Remus chuckled. The boys gave small chuckle as well.

"So she didn't know you were drunk?" James asked concerned.

"No. And I overheard her talking to Mcgonagall and they have no idea who tee-peed the whomping willow."

"Cush! The entire school is talking about who the marauders were who did it." James said. He had a sudden headache and grabbed his head.

"I think we shouldn't drink until our bodies can actually handle it, agreed?" Sirius said.

"Agreed. That was the stupidest decision of my life." Remus laughed.

"I was so worried for you guys last night. You were all crazy." Peter Pettigrew sternly said.

Over the next week, Remus decided to take it easy and focus on his studies, not marauding.

"Hey Severus, can I ask you a question?" Remus asked one night when they were alone in the library. Severus nodded.

"Do you fancy Lily?" Remus asked. Lily and Severus had been particularly close for the last month. Severus looked up in shock.

"No. No. we're just friends." Severus replied, though he wasn't too convincing. Though Remus didn't believe him, he didn't want to pry.

"I think she likes you." Remus said. Severus gave a small smile and the two went back to studying.

The first Saturday of November was the first Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. After struggling to get Remus up the stairs, Remus and Peter sat with Lily and Severus in the Gryffindor section of the stadium. Severus' green and white scarf stood out against the hundreds of golden and red apparel. Remus saw Mcgonagall in a haste, frantically talking to different groups of students. She approached Remus's group.

"Remus Lupin!" Mcgonagall yelled. She startled him and he spilt his water on his shirt.

"Yes, mam?" Remus asked.

"We need a student to announce the game. I overheard you explaining Quidditch to your friends in tryouts. Can you please do it?" Professor Mcgonagall asked.

"Sure. Come on guys, we get to sit in the best seats." Remus said excitedly. The six walked, and rolled, to the announcer's table and took a seat. Remus cleared his throat and adjusted the microphone. He looked nervously to Lily and Severus who were sitting very close.

Severus gave an encouraging look and Lily said "You're going to do great Remus!" Remus took a deep breath and said into the microphone.

"Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the first quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and here the players come." He watched the green and red athletes fly onto the field.

"On the Gryffindor team, Katelyn Domer, the newest Gryffindor who is playing seeker, is looking pretty." Remus said into the microphone without realizing it. The crowd laughed and Katelyn smiled at him as she pulled her brown-black hair (that was braided into tight marley twists) into a ponytail. James and Sirius nudged him and he blushed. "I meant pretty ready to win..."

"Gross, stop flirting with your girlfriend, Pegleg!" Sirius screamed.

"Moving onto the Slytherin team. They are looking mighty ferocious today. Their new member is Victoria, a fourth year." Remus announced while rolling his eyes at Sirius.

"Players, take your positions." Madame Hooch instructed. The players lined up at the center line. "I want a fair, clean match." She added. She put the silver whistle in her mouth and opened the chest of balls. She released the buckle, blew the whistle and the quaffles and bludgers flew into the air.

"And the game has begun." Remus said into the microphone.

"Tessia grabs the quaffle and passes it to the seventh year, Robert Flaneb, and he passes it to Henry Grant. Grant prepares to throw it into the ring but is, Ooh, hit by a bludger thrown by Slytherin, Maddy Springhetti. Victoria picks up the lost quaffle, dodges a bludger thrown by Reed, and passes it to Grout, and Suzzie Treffle throws it pass the Gryffindor keeper, John Popke, 15 points to Slytherin!" Remus announced in one breath. He looked to Lily and Severus.

"Wow, Remus, you're doing great! I bet you're happy, Severus." Lily exclaimed.

"I don't care for athletics." Snape replied.

"Thanks, Lily." Remus replied. "And we're back to the game." Remus said after the players got reset. "Once again, rookie Victoria takes the quaffle and she and the other chasers make their way to the Gryffindor rings. But look at this! Angie Yazbac hits the quaffle from Victoria's grasp and Robert Flaneb catches it and Gryffindor makes their way to the Slytherin rings. Flaneb throws and it goes through! 10 points to Gryffindor! Nice one, Flaneb!" Remus boomed.

Over the next half, Slytherin and Gryffindor remained neck and neck. Remus watched as Madame Hooch returned to the Quidditch chest and released the snitch. Katelyn and a beastly 7th year seeker flew from the benches and searched for it.

"The golden snitch and the seekers have been released! Meanwhile, Gryffindor and Slytherin remain tied at 50 points." Remus addressed. Katelyn and Crystal flew next to eachother. Katlyn small but athletic frame looked tiny next to the bulging muscles of Crystal. Suddenly, Crystal rammed her into the audience right as they were passing the announcers table. She flew clumsily off her broom and crashed right into Remus, causing his wheelchair to flip backward. He landed hard on his back and Katelyn landed on top of him. She smiled at him. Remus thought she was very pretty. Her eyes were like chocolate chips and glowed against her dark caramel skin tone. Catching Remus by surprise, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips and quickly got up. She grabbed her broom and chased after Crystal and the Snitch.

Remus was still on his back, in complete awe. Severus and Peter got up and helped him up to his wheelchair, his mouth still open.

"So?. . ." Peter piped.

"So . . ." Remus purred.

"Um, Remus, it's great that happened, but don't you have a job to do?" Lily interrupted Remus's silent deep though

"Right. Katlyn and Crystal are chasing after the snitch, but who will get it first?" Remus announced. They watched as Katelyn and Crystal weave through the pillars, and Crysal once again pushed Katelyn away, she spiraled downward. Domante approached the snitch and only was a half-meter away from his hand, but before she grasped it, Katelyn shot upward enraged, and snatched the snitch with a powerful grasp.

"Katelyn caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins the match!" Remus erupted in cheer and the players landed. Sirius and James went over to Katelyn in celebration and lifted her up onto their shoulders. Katelyn looked up to Remus and gave a wide smile. Remus applauded and cheered, excited for the win, and Katelyn's sudden interest in him.