It was not so much a game of Quidditch than it was a game of Who can fly to the end of the field the fastest?
It was sheer freedom - no Quidditch pitch below, no borders in which they had to stay, no goal posts to dictate how the game was played.
And most importantly, no other team to beat.
The tennis ball worked nicely as a stand-in Golden Snitch, making the game a bit more interesting by its severe lack of flight capabilities. Soon, however, the two had it zipping around their heads erratically, poorly enchanted and rather deadly should it be aimed at one's head.
There was a strange haze that rested just above the horizon, cutting the tree line in two. From above, one could just distinguish through the thick mist the faint traces of the dry summer grasses and the minuscule stream that ran the length of the field, all of which, on a clear day, seemed to cover the ground with what appeared to be thousands of little people rushing through the wind-swept foliage.
Today, however, the boys could barely make out the shape of the Potter's house from their position in the treetops across the expanse which had begun to be engulfed in the rapid onset of night.
"Should probably head back," James said, taking notice at last of the dark that had begun to creep out of the forest. Sirius nodded in agreement, though smirked at his friends' uncharacteristic concern. He had to admit, however, that with all the recent Death-Eater activity, he was more than happy to take James' side and return.
James took no notice and together they hunted down the tennis-ball-snitch, stowing it in a pocket and returning to the house.
The moon shone brightly in an amber colored sky as they made their soft, practiced landings on the lawn. Mrs. Potter had arranged dinner already in the dining room for their return and ushered them in to sit, complaining their food would be cold by the time they got to it at the pace they were walking. James and Sirius laughed as she smiled at her own fabricated concern and laid out the plates of still hot food for the three of them.
They ate quietly as was typical in the Potter's house, but not unhappily. On the contrary, all three felt happier and more comfortable than they had in a long while, and certainly were the happiest they'd been yet that summer.
"So, how is everyone feeling about not returning to Hogwarts next year?" Mrs. Potter asked, having found the moment she needed to bring about the question.
The boys shrugged.
"Fine, I guess," James began. "Kind of sad maybe, but I dunno - excited, more than anything. Nervous about, well - " He trailed off, glancing at Sirius as he unintentionally broached the uncomfortable topic.
"Just about everything really," Sirius picked up. "Yeah, I don't know that anyone really talked about it, now that I think of it. At least not that I heard." James nodded in agreement.
"Well if the way I felt still applies, I'm sure no one really knows how they feel yet. It's a big jump, certainly," Mrs. Potter contributed. "But not so big that you have to forget everything you've done for the past seven years."
"Oh no, of course not," James said. "Good old Herbology, eh Sirius? Some nice Mandrakes to re-pot?"
"You never know," Mrs. Potter continued. "You might indeed need that someday. Don't discount it just yet!"
"The mandrake incident has stuck with Sirius since second year, Mum. I'm not sure he'll ever be around one again unless it's forced on him." Sirius nodded vigorously.
"Yeah no, I think I'll just stay away from any kind of plant-life, Mrs. Potter, no matter how important it might be."
She chuckled and pushed her chair from the table, standing and gathering her dishes. "I think I heard the owl at the window. I'm going to check, then I think I'll be headed off to bed if you two don't mind."
Neither did and they both wished her goodnight as she shuffled off around the stairs. The creak of the opening window echoed softly into them and the post-owl could be heard as it took back off into the night sky.
"Speaking of big jumps," James said. "I just remembered! I saw something down in Diagon, Sirius. Something about a house - "
"Yellow, lots of windows, no one to speak of around it?" Sirius interrupted gulping down a mouth-full of bread. "Yeah I saw that too."
"You going to look at it? Isn't that what you were thinking you could do?"
"Yeah I guess. I mean, I hadn't really thought anything of it, but I s'pose I could."
"Ha - alright, well if you need anyone to go with I'll tag along."
"Oh, thanks, Prongs. You know, you make me feel so much better about these things."
"I know don't worry. With your luck it'll probably only be haunted by one or two ghouls, or have some friendly boggarts living in the closets!"
"Fantastic. Now I'll be able to sleep."