Hey everyone... so here is the first of today's updates. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter... ebonbon, willtheranger, and Jannice Sace.

Chapter 67:

Harry sat on Sirius' bed watching his father read one of the animagi books. James tutted looking briefly at his watch. They were late. He smiled at the spell on the page in front of him and pulled out his wand, "Humana ad simian TRANSVERTO!" James tapped his own head with his wand and transformed into a monkey. The monkey sat on the bed looking at the book before him, searching for the untransfiguration spell. Before he could cast the spell that was on the tip of his tongue – so to speak as he could no longer talk – Alice ran into the room, "Frank! Frank, are you here love?" She opened the door fully and saw the monkey sitting on James' bed, screamed and ran down the stairs. When she reached the common room she began telling her best friends about the monkey in the boys' dorm room. "No joke – there is a full on monkey!"

"Sure – whatever you say…" Kate laughed as they followed Alice back up the stairs. They walked into the room and there sat on the bed was a monkey.

"See – I told you so," Alice began.

Lily walked over to the monkey. She recognised those eyes. She looked at the book in front of the monkey. James quickly thought the untransfiguration incantation in his head, Simia ad humana reverti. Lily gasped as the monkey before her transformed into James Potter. "What do you think you are doing James Potter? We're not supposed to learn human transfigurations for ages… you could hurt yourself!" Lily told him off.

"Now now Evans," James laughed, "I'm absolutely fine."

Kate smiled at him, "will you do another one?"

"What would you like?" James asked her.

"A… A turtle," Kate asked.

"Sure thing," James searched through the book for the spell he needed, "humana ad turtur TRANSVERTO!" He tapped his wand on his head and watched as he transformed. The girls giggled happily. Kate picked the turtle up and touched its nose.

"He makes a pretty cute turtle doesn't he," Lily remarked.

James silently incanted the untransfiguration spell, turtur ad humana reverti. The girls laughed happily as James reappeared with his wand in his mouth.

"You think I'm a cute turtle?" James asked, turning to Lily.

"Only because your head is so much smaller as a turtle and you can't talk," she replied, blushing slightly.

Quidditch practice was incredibly tedious the following night. Astrix had become something of a slave driver. He was adamant that they should and would win the final match of the season against Ravenclaw. He had them practicing new tactics and strategies and James had to admit – they probably had it in the bag. "The Ravenclaw captain is a bit of a douche – don't know why he was sorted into Ravenclaw if you ask me… no brains at all - but he really knows his team… he'll be making the most of their strengths. So we need to know their weaknesses…" Astrix explained.

Etta stepped forward, "their captain is their seeker. He's a sixth year – Gilderoy Lockhart. He has a tendency to dive a lot to distract the other players. He wants you to think he's seen the snitch even if he hasn't."

Cynthia smiled, "Weakness?"

"Simple – laziness. He'll be watching Astrix… he's not going to bother looking for the snitch himself… He relies strongly on the fact he has a pretty fast broom…" Etta explained.

"Right – so note to self don't make it easy to follow me… and note to everyone – don't get distracted," Astrix noted.

"Play him at his own game… good old Wronski Feint…" Cynthia laughed.

"What about their keeper?" Rob asked.

"James Bloute," Etta replied, "sixth year… really swell guy actually. Fast on his feet… rarely lets a goal in. We need to get the snitch to be completely honest. His biggest weakness is when the quaffle comes from above or below… it's like he just doesn't see it."

James nodded.

"Chasers; Sarah Cerrone, Paula Strickler and Howard Marcucci – all really good. They're all fourth years. Cerrone is ridiculously fast. Paula's less confident – should be easily intimidated. Marcucci is good enough – not up to your standard though guys."

Astrix smiled, "Rob, Sirius go for Cerrone… kills too birds with one stone… it'll slow her down and terrify Strickler. James – have you ever heard of the Hawkshead Attacking Formation?"

James nodded, "I want you to run it against Strickler when she's in possession – it's going to petrify her."

James smiled.

"Beaters?" Sirius asked.

"Gayle Ozuna (5th year) and Richard Rosas (7th year)… both really good. Ozuna is slightly weaker but don't underestimate her because she's a girl. Weaknesses? Her broom – really slow… she's also quite light so hit her with a bludger and she's out for the rest of the match… Rosas – he's big – even a bludger won't take him down…" Etta frowned.

"Right – Sirius, Rob… I want you guys to keep the bludger away from Ozuna unless it's going to hit her. As for Rosas – try and hit his arm with the bludger… try to weaken him… remember last match you used the dopplebeater defence?"

Sirius and Rob both nodded, "that's probably your easiest way to weaken him."

The team spent the next couple of hours practicing the different tactics that they had decided to use. By the time it was time to return to the castle, James was exhausted and ready for his bed. "I can't wait for this match," Sirius yarned.

"Me to," James replied. "It's going to be great – just think we might win!"

When they arrived back to the common room James slumped into a seat by the fire. "How was it?" Remus asked.

"Good," James said with his eyes shut, "I think we might have it in the bag."

Lily snorted at his arrogance. James' eyes snapped open, "Got something to say, Evans?"

"No – just that's a bit arrogant isn't it?" Lily squared her shoulders.

"Maybe – but we're good, we've been practicing non-stop and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a little confidence."

Lily laughed, "Confidence? You're not confident – you're big headed."

"Maybe – but at least I'm not a know it all."

"I think I preferred you as a turtle," Lily laughed.

"That's funny because I think I preferred you when… oh wait nope that was a lie…" James sighed, "Right. I'm off to bed. See you in the morning." There was a flash of hurt in both James' and Lily's eyes but neither saw the hurt they had caused.

Willtheranger - in response to your idea about Quidditch - unfortunately we've already had a Quidditch attack (the first game against Hufflepuff) but thanks for the idea. Keep them coming... :)

Please review guys... I really do love them... We have a total of 148 at present. So thank you very much for all your encouragement...

Next Chapter:

1. The Attack

2. A Prank

3. Animagus Fun