AN: Hey guys! My exams are finally over and I'm back. Sorry for my absence but I will try to post as many chapters as soon as possible before my next set of examinations begin (yes I know, they're a pain in the arse) Thank you so much for reading and please review!
James was finding it hard to believe that Lily Evans had just rescued him from detention but he thought himself to be too cool to let it show. He, along with the other Marauders joined Lily and her friends in a civil meal, thoroughly enjoying the Halloween Feast.
"The elves have really outdone themselves this year," Sirius said through a mouthful of heavenly chicken and James couldn't agree with him more.
"Stuff yourself all you want 'cause we have Quidditch practice all day tomorrow," James reminded the beater, making Sirius glare at him. James was determined to win the Quidditch Cup since it was his first year as Captain and he didn't care how hard he had to train for that. He wanted to show McGonagall that she had made the right decision trusting him with the post. He wanted to make her proud. He wanted to make his parents proud. He wanted to make his house proud and show the school he wasn't only a good-for-nothing rebel.
The weeks went by and it was already the Quidditch finals. Gryffindor had entered the competition as an underdog of sorts since they had an untried captain but in spite of the odds being against them they had proved everyone wrong and would be fighting Ravenclaw for the Cup. The entire school was buzzing with excitement and no one could explain why but it felt like it was going to be an interesting match.
It was a frosty morning and James didn't want to leave his bed, not sure whether it was because he didn't want to leave the warmth of his duvet or because the butterflies in his stomach threatened to eat his insides. He tried to get himself to focus and played the strategies he had planned out with his team mates in his head as he got dressed. He dragged himself down this stairs for breakfast forcing himself to smile at everyone who was wishing him luck along the way. He was the last team member to arrive and although he was scared out of his pants, he put on a brave face for the other players. Remus gave him a concerned look which James chose to ignore. Leave it to his best friends to see right through him.
After breakfast, the team assembeled in the changing room where James would deliver his usual pep talk. He stood in front of his scarlet-clad team, completely blank, not knowing what to say. He opened his mouth and closed it several times, looking like a fish, and what came out was of it's own accord.
"I don't know what to say but I want you to guys to know that what happens today doesn't matter. You have worked your arses off and have trained hard and trained to the best of each of your abilities. Throughout the tournament we've surprised the school and I don't think today will be any different. I admit that Ravenclaw is a very strong team but I've seen you guys play, I know what you're capable of. You have proved those who said we didn't have a chance wrong. Today I want you to go out there and play the best game of Quidditch you can, the game of Quidditch I know you can play. So who's ready to kick some Ravenclaw arse!" A loud cheer erupted from the team and they thumped James on the back ready to go out and face the enemy.
"Great speech," Sirius said as they walked onto the pitch. James smiled as he went to shake hands with the Ravenclaw Captain. What came out of his mouth was of it's own accord, but James meant every word.
"On my whistle," Madam Hooch was saying and as soon as she blew all fourteen players rose into the air and the balls were released. James flew straight for the Quaffle, catching it with ease. He tossed it to Cole who zipped past all other players.
"AND GRYFFINDOR SCORES!" James heard the commentator Damon Hodge scream. Twenty minutes into the game, Gryffindor was down 50-30 and James was getting impatient wanting to equalise the score.
"Potter with the Quaffle, passes to Arquette, back to Potter. Those two are really teasing Ravenclaw. Potter headed for the middle hoop AND HE SCOREES!" Hodge was saying. James removed his hands from his broom to air punch in celebration and was nearly knocked over by a lightning fast flash of red which he later ealised was Marlene. He watched as she flew furiously to the other end of the pitch along with the Ravenclaw seeker at her heels. She stretched out her hand and the entire stadium erupted with cheers. James was being swarmed by his team mates and it took several moments before it sunk in.
"Beautiful catch by McKinnon and GRYFFINDOR WINS THE QUIDDITCH CUP!"
AN: I was really apprehensive about writing a Quidditch match because I wasn't sure whether it would turn out well. Please leave a review or send me a PM telling me what you thought about it! Please review because I need to know if people are still reading this. Thanks for reading!