Ludovic Bagman had been obsessed with quidditch for his entire short eleven years. He had every quidditch book imaginable, a world class racing broom (although he wasn't allowed to have it at school yet), and his collection of Puddlemere United memorabilia rivaled that of even James Potter. That's why when quidditch tryouts were announced on the notice board for the evening of Wednesday September 25th he didn't hesitate to write down his name. Even though he was only a first year he believed in his heart that he would be the greatest beater Gryffindor house had ever seen.

James blew into his whistle as the group of mostly fourth years and older gathered on the quidditch pitch for tryouts that evening. The chatter that had filled the air died down as they turned their attention to the heart and soul of the Gryffindor quidditch team.

"Alright, so we're going to start with tryouts for beater because that's the position we absolutely need to fill so everyone who's trying for that please step forward."

A number of boys and girls stepped forward, all at least a foot taller than Bagman, but he stepped up with them all the same. A smile spread across James' face at the boy before him, reminding him of another first year who had been convinced he would make the team and become the youngest Gryffindor member in a century. The kid certainly looked determined, his jaw set and his eyes not even glancing at his competition, likely for fear that he might chicken out.

"So, who wants to go first?"

The group looked between each other a little nervously before a small voice spoke up.

"I will."

Every head turned to the veritable child before them.

"Come on Potter this is a joke, seeker or something maybe, but a beater? This kid wouldn't survive ten minutes with the big dogs." A fifth year commented to which Ludo turned bright pink before speaking up.

"Like you have a better shot Reynolds? I've seen you fly, pretty sure a penguin could find a way to pass you on that Cleansweep One of yours."

The older boy's face turned red as a tomato at that, moving his far less impressive broom behind him.

James laughed out loud at that before saying: "Oh, the pup's got bite. Alright kid, take your best shot."

The boy nodded stepping forward. He was holding one of the school racing brooms, James noticed, first years having been banned from bringing their own in his own first year when two charming rascals decided it would be a fun idea to try and jump from one broom to another at the highest point of the castle to show off their quidditch prowess before tryouts. There had been many similar incidents before this, but this was definitely the final straw for that rule. James smirked at the memory of himself and Sirius in their first major confrontation with McGonogall who had used a lot of words that Sirius had aptly reminded her were likely not appropriate in front of two impressionable youngsters. This had only led to her face becoming even redder with anger and an extra detention or two, James couldn't recall, tacked onto their already substantial amount.

Bagman took off on the old shooting star like he had been born on a broom, despite the fact that the school brooms had an unfortunate tendency to lean to the left, having been purchased long before the Marauders had arrived at the school. James followed him on his Nimbus in order to watch his tryout from the air. He adjusted well, moving through the air like it was the most natural thing in the world, and James took note of the expression of pure joy that crossed his face, before signaling to Susan Zeller, his fellow chaser, to open the chest of quidditch balls to start the real test. Being a good flyer was great, but he was trying out to be a beater, and that took some skill that this twig of a kid was likely not ready for, in James' opinion.

"Alright, first bludger up!"

James shouted, giving Ludo advanced warning, as he held his bat in defense and preparation. The ball soared into the air, shooting right at Ludo who smacked it away with ease. It pinged off of one of the golden hoops, shooting back at Ludo who hit it again, sending it even farther that time. James had to admit, he was fair, but this was his second year as captain, and he was trying to make a name for himself. Fair just wouldn't cut it. Around the fourth time Ludo missed the bludger, and it shot right past him only for it to come back around and nail him hard in the back. To his credit he managed to stay on his broom, but James blew his whistle again, signaling the end of his turn. Ludo landed furiously, ears turning bright red at the laughter largely led from Reynolds over in the corner.

"Alright Reynolds, if you're so great why don't you hop on your dinosaur and show us?"

Reynolds shot James a furious look before doing just that, shooting up into the sky. James kneeled down at Bagman's level. He looked like he was forcing back tears.

"I know I can do this. I just got nervous."

"Ludovic, right?"

He nodded. "But I go by Ludo."

James nodded, "Ludo, you were great up there. But a beater needs more than skill, he needs to be bigger. It's unfortunate, but it's true. Come back in a couple of years when you've had a couple of growth spurts and I guarantee you you'll earn your spot fair and square."

Ludo nodded, sniffling and wiping his nose. James stood up, glancing at Reynolds who was looking down at them impatiently. Ludo looked up at James with pure admiration, and James ruffled his hair, turning back to his own broom and the rest of the tryouts. He turned back to Ludo one last time.

"Keep practicing kid. I have a feeling you're going to go far. And between you and me Reynolds has a few hexes coming his way after tryouts are over." Ludo laughed as James shot up into the sky, heading towards Reynolds who looked at him with an expression of great distaste. James blew his whistle right in Reynolds ear as the first bludger flew into the sky and clipped him on the shoulder.

"Ouch! Hey, what was that for?"

"Ooh, not good Reynolds. You've really got to pay attention if you want to be a good beater."

Just as he was about to talk again the bludger flew back, nearly nailing him right in the head. James pretended to write on a nonexistent clipboard.

"Can occasionally dodge but has yet to hit anything."

Reynolds looked furious once again.

"Oh, I'll hit something Potter." He flew forward, bat in front, clearly aiming to nail James in the head, but James dodged him easily.

"Oh, nice try."

The game continued for a few minutes with Reynolds trying to hit James all while the bludger was zooming in and out between them being ignored. Finally, James blew his whistle once again.

"As amusing as this was, I have other beaters to try out. We'll be in touch."

James said, flying down to the rest of the group, while Reynolds stared at him in disbelief, not noticing the bludger flying at him once again, going underneath him this time causing Reynolds to lose his balance and nearly topple from his broom.

The rest of the group went a lot more smoothly, some were better than others and James had compiled a list of about three suitable candidates to choose between when someone cleared their throat. He turned to see Lily Evans standing at the edge of the crowd with none other than Peter Pettigrew stood nervously by her side, wearing a helmet and holding his dad's old Cleansweep Five.

"Wormtail, what are you doing down here?"

"I found him hyping himself up in the common room and told him that he would miss tryouts if he waited any longer." Lily replied.

James looked at Peter who blushed, trying to hide his face.

"You want to try out for quidditch?"

He nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me Wormy?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise?"

James nodded, a silent understanding between them that he had been too nervous to mention it, and likely wouldn't have come at all if Lily hadn't encouraged him. He shot her a grateful look, which she returned with a soft smile before making her way to the stands to watch.

"Alright then Wormy, show us what you got."

And Peter did just that, somehow doing worse than Reynolds with far less distractions in his way. Even with James actively helping him out he only managed to bat away one bludger and James highly suspected it was an accident because when he had managed that Peter's eyes had been closed out of fear. It was the worst tryout of the day, and James felt his heart sink as he realized what he would have to do when he compiled the list of team members that night.

"Alright, that was good." James blatantly lied to Peter who beamed at the praise from his best friend. "Um…you're free to go Wormy. Let's fly down we've got a lot of other people here to try out so…"

"Yeah of course. Thanks Prongs." James nodded, landing next to Peter who took off quickly. Lily shot James a worried look before Peter approached her with a million thanks for encouraging him to which she smiled awkwardly, trying and failing to lie as James had done, her nervousness evident on her face. It was lucky that Peter was far too excited to notice. James turned to the waiting crowd anxiously.

"Alright, so keeper next?"

That night James was poring over some transfiguration homework when he was approached by Jane Walsh, a seventh year, and keeper for the Gryffindor quidditch team since her third year. If James was the heart of the Gryffindor team, she was its brain, and she was trying to exercise that part while James was agonizing over the decision he had to make.

"Potter, we need to talk."

James looked up from the homework he had made no progress on all night. She didn't miss the look of anxiety in his eyes, knowing him all too well by now. When you play with someone for three years you get to know exactly what they're thinking, you have to if you're going to be a team.

"I know." He said, pushing the papers away and gesturing to the chair next to him. She took a seat, looking at James with an expression akin to pity which he hated.

"Potter, I know he's your friend, but."

"I know. He's terrible." He said, referring to Peter's abysmal performance on the quidditch pitch earlier that evening.

"We can't have him on the team." She said. "I'm sure you've made a list. Alex or Rose would be my choices, but you're captain."

"Yeah, I'll post the list tomorrow."

Jane nodded, walking off, while James was left to ponder how he was possibly going to tell one of his best friends that he wouldn't be making the quidditch team.

The next morning Gryffindors gathered around the notice board with bated breath, all reading the list James had posted in the early morning on who would be staying on the team from last year, and who would be taking up new positions. Only one member who had made the team the year before was cut, Oscar Burton, had not been invited back. He was their old chaser who James had often butted heads with, and he had failed to make as many goals as their new choice, Olivia Marsden, so the team agreed that losing Oscar was the best move for everyone. But the real buzz in the common room was about who was going to be chosen as the new beater after Leo Byrne graduated the year before. The group gathered around the paper, Peter trying hard to push his way to the front, but unable to bring himself to actually shove. Remus stood next to him, ready to comfort him through the inevitable rejection, and try to defend James for having to make such a tough choice when Peter spoke up:

"I made the team!" He shouted, pumping his fist excitedly.

"Really? That's great." Remus said looking at James who avoided his eyes, quickly sneaking out of the common room before the word could spread.

It takes little time for that to happen, with the entire house in an uproar about the favoritism shown by James Potter and his lack of care for the house cup, and how Gryffindor would be lucky to win the match against Hufflepuff this year.

"Potter. Please tell me you didn't do this." James was sitting at breakfast eating some eggs and bacon when Jane approached him. It had taken all of five minutes after the announcement for her to find him.

"Didn't do what?" He asked looking at Jane with what he hoped was an innocent smile. All he got back was a death glare.

"Alright, I did it, but for good reason." He replied.

"Potter, he can't play. What possible reason could you have had?" She asked.

"Peter's been having a rough go of it. You know how he is. With classes and everything getting harder, and stuff going on at home, he really needed a win. Plus, he was just nervous on Wednesday. He's got some untapped potential."

"Bullshit Potter." His smile fell, his white lies being picked up on right away.

"You couldn't tell him because you're a weak-willed coward, now are you going to cut him, or shall I?" She looked at him and he rubbed his hands through his hair before putting on a charming smile again.

"Come on Jane, I can get him up to scratch. Just give me some time please?"

"You have three weeks. After that we'll need to start training a new beater for the first match." She said walking away without another word to him.

"Ok." James said to himself quietly.

"Peter! You ready to work?" James entered the common room without hesitation. Peter looked up from his work in shock and fear, noticing the manic expression across James' normally handsome face.

After three weeks of intense training with James pushing him every spare moment Peter was not any better than when he'd started.

"Come on Peter you've just got to hit the ball when it comes towards you!" James shouted, Peter bruised and shaken before him, sweat dripping down his brow from the hot fall sun.

"I'm trying."

"Well try harder!" James shouted, his anger and frustration getting the better of him.

Peter looked like he was about to cry. A feeling of guilt quickly overtook James who ran a hand through his own sweaty hair making it stick up in all directions even more than usual.

"Alright, let's take a water break, yeah? Five minutes then we can keep practicing." Peter nodded, landing clumsily next to James who landed flawlessly as usual.

James let out a deep sigh, rubbing his eyes, not noticing Sirius approach the two of them.

"How's practice going?"

James looked at Sirius with a troubled expression.

"That bad huh?" He glanced at Peter who was gulping down water, spilling it down his front.

"Maybe you should consider…"

"No, I can't do that."

"Well, he's not giving you much choice Prongs."

James looked back at their friend, realizing that Sirius was right. They had been training apart from the team so that James could reveal Peter with his newly found skills at his first team practice, and now this seemed really foolish to him given Peter's complete lack of progress.

They made it back to their room where Remus was clearly trying to fight through some intense pain to get his assignment done. Sirius sighed, realizing that the full moon was approaching once again, and feeling great pity for the pain that his friend had to endure every month. James stalked in right afterwards, Peter trailing behind him, noting his friend's frustration.

"I'm going to take a shower." Peter said receiving only a grunt from James.

Remus glanced up at them, wincing at the quick movement, before rubbing his eyes and jumping back into his essay. Sirius didn't hesitate to make his opinion known.

"Moony, just take a break. You know Slughorn won't care if you can't get it in on time." He said.

Remus shook his head.

"Why should I get any more special treatment than anyone else."

James clenched his jaw at that, glancing at the bathroom where Peter had disappeared.

"Because you're ill Remus, and you deserve help and care."

Sirius glanced at James, understanding the subtext behind his words, before turning back to Remus.

"Just let me finish your paper Moony, get to the hospital wing, and it'll all be over in a few days."

Remus glanced between Sirius and James and sighed before sliding his work across the table. Sirius smiled, grabbing a quill and beginning to work on the rest of the paper, having not even thought about starting his own.

"But I'm not going to the hospital wing yet. I can handle it." Remus said, limping to his bed where he collapsed as James and Sirius glanced worriedly between each other before turning back to helping finish Remus' paper.

In potions class the next day James was cooking, glancing at Remus who was sweating and shaking all the time. Sirius only had eyes on James, his expression set into a stern look of frustration and anxiety. He glanced at his cauldron, which already looked far different in color and texture to his fellow students, and seemed to decide something, dropping a final ingredient into the mixture. It quickly exploded landing on everyone in the class, screams erupting as every bit of exposed skin or hair was dyed in the colors of the rainbow. Sirius laughed as everyone else in the class, covered in red, green, purple and more started to run to Slughorn in a panic, trying to get help.

"Padfoot, can you just leave it alone?"

James shouted, immediately leaving the room, his own arm died a bright pink while his face had patches of yellow and green.

"Prongs!" Sirius shouted, running out after his best friend. "Prongs, come on it was just a joke. Color potion, completely harmless."

James left the room staring in fury at his hands before kicking a wall in anger. Sirius had followed him out and watched stunned by his normally good-natured friend's unfamiliar anger. James took a few deep breaths before turning to Sirius significantly calmer.

"I'm sorry. With Remus transforming again this week and everything with Peter, I've just been stressed."

"We all get stressed Prongs, but that's what friends are for. It's ok to lean on us sometimes you know?"

James nodded, biting his lip.

"I can't." He said, looking back into the room where Peter, who looked like a fireball in his orange and red, approached Slughorn along with the rest of the class for the antidote.

"Peter's balls at quidditch and you can't tell him because you're scared?" Sirius guessed.

"Not just scared Pads, he, he's never had anything his whole life, and then his dad this summer…how can I take this away from him?" He said, glancing at Sirius who shrugged, thinking hard.

"Maybe you don't have to." Sirius said.

"What do you mean?" James asked.

Sirius glanced at him, dragging him to an empty classroom where they could discuss the plan in more private quarters.

"Sirius we can't cheat." James responded after Sirius had explained his thoughts.

"It wouldn't be cheating; it would just be helping him along. He's not going to be good enough to make or break the match, but if we can just give him a little help, like training wheels." He said.

"Sirius, I…" James replied.

"Would you rather he be humiliated in front of the whole school Prongs?" He said.

"No."

"I'll take care of everything, I'll be in the stands, and I'll handle it ok?" Sirius said, clapping Prongs on the shoulder before leaving him alone in the classroom to consider the proposition.

"Moony?" James called out looking for his moral compass only to find an empty room.

"He went to the hospital wing." Peter spoke up from his bed, where he was reading James' book on quidditch plays. "Seeing his skin covered in that vomit green didn't help his stomach."

"Right." James replied.

Peter closed the book, something clearly on his mind.

"What's up Wormy?"

"Prongs, I don't think I should play next month." He said.

"What do you mean?" James asked, a feeling of relief filling his chest.

"I thought I could do this, but you've been helping me for weeks and I haven't gotten any better. I know enough about quidditch to know the beater has to be able to hit the ball. I know you gave me the position because you felt bad, but…"

"Wormtail that's not why." James lied, the relieved feeling being replaced with one of guilt and dread.

"It's ok, I'll be fine." Peter said, the disappointment evident on his face.

"Wormtail, just come to one more practice. If you haven't improved, then we'll throw the idea away, but don't give up yet." He said, the words like vomit on his tongue.

Peter nodded gratefully, before heading out of the room. James gulped; his decision having been made.

Lily had taken notice of Remus' most recent trip to the hospital wing, and as soon as her classes were finished for the day she had moved herself to the library. She was scribbling away on a piece of parchment, reading book after book on magical creatures, when she heard a familiar voice speak up behind her.

"What you working on?"

Lily started, quickly covering her papers and books.

"What are you doing here?" She said defensively.

"You missed dinner. I brought you something, figured you'd be hungry. What's all this?" He asked.

She glanced at him with a grateful smile, but quickly turned away at the question.

"It's nothing, just an extra credit project." She replied quietly.

"Really?" George went to reach for it, and Lily shoved the paper in her book.

"Please just leave it alone George." She nearly shouted earning a shushing sound from Madame Pince.

"Ok, ok, I'm sorry. I was just curious." He said, trying to calm Lily from her panicked state.

"Just leave it alone." Lily said taking off without another word.

George watched his girlfriend leave, confusion and shock etched across his face. What could she possibly be up to?

A few days later it was time for the full moon once again. Sirius had taken over the note taking given James' recent anxieties. It didn't help that the night of the full moon was also the night of the first quidditch practice in which Peter would be a participant, the practice that would determine whether or not he would stay on the team.

The group stood together on the pitch, Peter shifting his feet nervously as the team glanced between him and James, a couple of them holding bitter looks, Jane just looking prepared.

"Alright, let's see what you're made of Pettigrew." Jane said.

"Right, I'll just show you." He said, hopping on his broom and flying awkwardly into the air.

The rest of the team followed him, Jane giving James a pointed glance before taking off. James gulped, releasing the bludgers, and glancing at Sirius who was sitting in the stands. He gave James a thumbs up, completely at ease, and James rolled his shoulders, hopping on his own broom and joining the rest of his teammates in the sky.

"Alright, what were you thinking Potter?"

"Um…Expansion/Variation."

"Alright." Jane said, noting the easy drill James had chosen to display his friend's skills or lack thereof.

They flew through the air, and Jane launched herself towards the goal post, a couple of third year reserve members playing opposite the main chasers. James watched from his position as captain as the bludger launched itself at Jane and Peter raced towards it, beating William McKinnon, the returning fifth year beater and Marlene's younger brother, to the punch. He closed his eyes once again, and it looked as if he was going to miss the bludger completely when a sudden jolt of his broom placed him in the exact right spot to protect Jane from harm. James glanced at Sirius who was holding his wand casually in his right hand, and bit his lip feeling guilty as the team congratulated Peter on his save. Jane glanced at James and raised an eyebrow, shooting him an impressed look, and he just smiled nervously back at her. The practice went much the same way, Peter making a few fair saves with William taking the brunt of the work. He wasn't as good as some of the other options, but he had improved enough from his abysmal tryout that Jane was willing to relent to James' way.

"I have to say Potter I underestimated you. He can stay, but the minute he screws up in a real match he's out."

James nodded, giving her a grateful smile before saying: "Thanks Jane."

She nodded heading off towards the changing room while James glanced up at Sirius who smiled at him again before disappearing back towards the castle.

"You were right Prongs, I just had to practice a little bit harder. I've been practicing with Remus a little bit on my own as well, you know, before he had to go to the hospital wing again. Thanks for believing in me." He said, pulling James in for an awkward hug before literally skipping off towards the castle where Sirius was likely already preparing for their friend's monthly transformation.

"Wormtail, knew you had it in you, sort of." Sirius said to which Peter just smiled in response.

Sirius glanced at James who looked more miserable than ever and shot him a concerned look. James shook his head indicating that he didn't want to discuss it.

"Come on, let's go see Moony." Peter said, a new spring in his step at his newfound confidence on the quidditch pitch.

The other boys nodded, following Peter up to their dorm room where they grabbed the map and James' cloak and threw it over the three of them, heading out of the common room and towards a back exit to the castle that they'd discovered in their first year explorations.

"Alright, you know the drill Wormy." Sirius whispered, heading towards the whomping willow.

They arrived, following their usual routine of Peter pressing the knot and James running through the tunnel in order to grab Moony, but it didn't feel nearly as fun as it had in the past. Even as a stag James felt the same knot in his stomach that had plagued him for the past month. Moony growled at the unfamiliar sight before seeing Prongs and changing to a friendlier yip. Prongs turned around, inciting Moony to follow, and the group made it out as usual, taking off at a run across the fields of Hogwarts. They made their way towards the forest, confident in their ability to protect themselves with a werewolf on their side. They spent the night running around the forest, Moony taking off to hunt, not finding any people, but managing to kill quite a few smaller animals such as squirrels and rabbits, and even chasing down one doe to which Prongs greatly protested, Padfoot helping him to distract Moony from the animal.

Padfoot and Prongs meanwhile played some games of chase, jumping from log to log, Wormtail always riding on one of their backs. They made it back towards the Hogwarts grounds just before sunrise, leading Moony back towards the shack so that he would have access to both his clothes and the help of Madame Pomfrey, unlike last time. As the sun rose the group watched as Remus reappeared, coughing and shaking as the pain of his return transformation overtook his bones once again. They all turned back again, Sirius grabbing his clothes and handing them to him, to which Remus shot him a grateful smile.

"Thanks, Padfoot." He said with a grimace, pulling his cloak over his body.

"Yeah of course Moony." He took a deep breath, glancing at his friends, who all looked down at him worriedly.

"You guys should probably get out of here." Remus said with a grin.

They all nodded, transforming back into their animal forms, Peter and Sirius taking off first, while James remained for a moment longer.

"What is it Prongs?"

"Nothing Moony, we'll come visit you in a little while, alright?" Remus nodded, giving James a curious look before taking a seat against the far wall of the shack, waiting for Pomfrey to arrive and help him back towards the castle.

James walked towards the castle, having transformed back from Prongs after exiting the willow. He saw Sirius and Peter ahead of him, Sirius giving Peter a lighthearted shove, and the two of them laughing at the antics of the night before. James, who was always one for an adventure, just felt exhausted. He was quidditch captain, and he'd shown blatant favoritism, as well as cheating just to make his friend feel better, and to get him a spot on the team. It was tearing him up inside, but there wasn't much else he could do. When it came to his friends James would do anything, and with Peter he saw no other way. Speaking of, Sirius glanced back to his friend who was dragging behind them.

"Come on Prongs!" He shouted to which James plastered on a goofy grin and ran forward to catch up with his friends.

"Great night, wasn't it?" Sirius said, glancing at James with a concerned look.

But James had always been good at lying, and his only response was to smile back, and say:

"Incredible, as usual. How about you Wormy?"

Peter smiled, walking across the castle grounds with his two best friends, their fourth member soon to be recovered and joining them, and better off than if he had transformed on his own. James thought back to his many decisions over the years, realizing that they bent the rules for Remus every month, more than bent them they broke them. And it was a good thing for him, for all of them, so maybe this was a good thing as well. James glanced at Peter who looked happier than he'd ever been, and he thought to himself that maybe if they can bend the rules for Remus, they can bend the rules for him, even if those rules involved Quidditch. After all, Quidditch rules weren't law, as much as James treated them as such, and maybe sometimes breaking the rules was necessary in order to bring happiness to others. Peter laughed as he and Sirius reenacted another scene from their night in the forest, and James took a deep breath, just hoping that he was right.