Chapter 93

Quidditch and Feelings

Note from J.M. Jackson: I want to thank all our readers for their support, and continue to assure you that despite the trolls and bigots, still leaving reviews such as Freak, and the hate, I'm never giving up on this story, and I'm not giving up on any of you. If any of you need someone to talk to, about any of the situations seen in the story, facing bigotry, or struggling with your own identity, please do feel free to message.

By the time the week had ended, Lily was starting to understand why Hermione was stressed by the amount of studying they were needing to do. Non-Verbal spells were being required in almost every class, and they were taking a lot of effort to get used to. Her week had also been taken up with preparing for the Quidditch team try-outs, dreading them in a way. There had been a lot of talk about her and her friends, and Padma had warned them that some people from Ravenclaw were planning to watch. It wasn't because they were interested in the rival Quidditch team formation but because they wanted to know more about Lily, and even try to date her.

That part annoyed Lily the most. She was happy with Ginny, and didn't want, or need, anyone else to romance. They had been going out for a long time now (well, compared to most students their age) and the two were certain they weren't going to break up any time soon. In a state of slight paranoia, Lily even wrote to Fred and George, asking if they had a list of people who had brought their love potions. Sadly, they hadn't kept a list.

As Lily headed to the Quidditch pitch with Ginny, Ron, Lavender, and Hermione (the others were having a well-deserved lay in), she saw there was a large crowd gathered already. She closed her eyes, and sighed, shaking her head.

"How many of them aren't from Gryffindor?" Lily asked.

"Too many, it looks like," Cormac said, having joined them. "Want me to clear those out?"

"Would you?" Lily pleaded.

Cormac nodded and stepped forward, casting the Sonorus spell. "ANYONE NOT FROM GRYFFINDOR, CLEAR OFF!" his voice boomed. A large number of people began to mutter as they slowly walked away,

Lily led the way to the front of the gathered Gryffindors, and took a breath, before casting the Sonorus charm herself. She was thankful that her voice was always feminine, thanks to the necklace. According to Professor Flitwick, he was close to figuring out how to make her voice permanently feminie without the need of the necklace.

"I'D LIKE EVERYONE TO SORT THEMSELVES INTO GROUPS, SO THOSE WHO WANT TO PLAY AS BEATERS, CHASERS, OR KEEPER," Lily said, her voice carrying through the group. She saw the groups divide up and noticed several first years in the groups. "FIRST YEARS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO JOIN THE TEAM WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION, AND I KNOW NO ONE HAS THAT, SO ANY FIRST YEARS CAN GO TO THE STANDS!"

As a few first years left, grumbling, she removed the Sonorus charm. "All right, let's start with the chasers. I want all of you to fly together around the pitch, and pass the quaffle between you," Lily instructed to the leftover students. She took her Firebolt, and kicked off from the ground, and flew around the Chaser hopeful's. She could immediately see that there was a lot of talent, especially with Ginny and Katie flying in perfect tandem with one another. Cormac was flying as a chaser, but before long, Lily made her way over to him.

"Cormac, you're doing great, but I want to see you try with the Beaters as well. You've definitely got the quick reflexes needed," Lily said.

Alright, I will," he agreed before leaning in closer. "Can I ask you a favour? Not to do with Quidditch."

"Sure."

"Can you see if you can get me a chance to speak to Padma Patil? I was thinking of asking her on a date when we go to Hogsmeade," Cormac asked.

"Yeah of course. When we're finished here, I'll ask Parvati to help," Lily grinned at him. "Padma's lovely."

"Thanks Lily, you're the best," Cormac said, before flying down to join the Beaters. Lily summoned the Beaters up, having them join in with the Chasers. Some worked well together, and others were trying to show others up, or were distracted for whatever reason. Lily noted that several students were focused on her.

It wasn't long before Lily had made her choice for Chasers; Katie and Ginny outflew everyone, and joined with Demelza Robins, who was gifted at dodging the Bludgers. When it came to Beaters, Lily had been right about Cormac: he had the strength, agility, and reflexes to keep on the Bludgers, aiming them perfectly. Lily paired him up with Dean Thomas who looked shocked that he had made the team.

When it came to the Keeper try-outs, Ron outshone everyone. Nobody could debate on favouritism when he was picked.

Lily felt confident with her choices, especially after a training session with the new team. She flew among the team, and spurred on with confidence, she was able to catch the Snitch in record time on several occasions. Now, she was even looking forward to the first match of the season, which was a good feeling since it meant she could focus on anything other than the war, or her exams, even if it was just for a short time.

Sitting in the common room that evening, Lily smiled as she was snuggled up with Ginny, listening to Parvati's excited chatter. She was telling everyone how excited Padma was to have been asked out, with Cormac looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

"Is this what the girls often do?" Cormac asked Ron, who nodded with a grim look.

"Sorry mate, but this is part of being friends with girls; they love talking about emotions and feelings," Ron confirmed. "Not that there's anything wrong with that!" He added as a handful of unimpressed female eyes turned to glare at him.

"Padma was almost floating when she told me about the date you're arranging for you both," Parvati said, smiling at Cormac. "Such a gentleman. I never knew you had it in you."

"I know, most people don't. Didn't used to, but being friends with Lily Potter has a way of bringing out the better side in people," Cormac pointed out.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Lily said, blushing slightly.

"Sorry? For what?" Cormac asked, confused.

"That's sort of a… ability, but not one I can control. It's actually how Crouch Junior switched sides as well. Apparently, I'm descended from an ancient magic line, and Ginny is the Seventh Daughter of a Seventh Daughter, which increases my powers, and I have an aura that brings out the good in people. It repulses those who are dark and truly evil, though," Lily explained with a small shrug.

"That explains Rita Skeeter going from poisonous reporter to being your friend and advocate," Cormac commented, looking impressed. "Please, don't apologise. I like this feeling."

"That's a relief," Lily admitted. "I'm always afraid people will be upset with me for it. I kinda feel like I'm influencing people's free will or something."

"For what? Making us better people, and finding the good in ourselves? Lily, if the good wasn't there, we wouldn't be finding it, and it's not like you forced me to be better. You helped me find it, but it was up to me to decide if I wanted to keep that feeling or ignore it," Cormac informed her, with an encouraging smile. "You've got nothing to be sorry for,"

"Lily apologises for a lot of things that aren't her fault," Ginny spoke up, rolling her eyes fondly. "We've tried telling her she doesn't need to, but she still does."

"Okay, so let's change the subject, shall we?" Lily suggested in a pleading tone.

"What about going to see Hagrid? I've seen him a couple of times, but he's not really seemed like himself," Hermione looked up from her book.

"You're not wrong. He's been… quiet in class. I thought it was something to do with the war or maybe an argument with Madame Maxime, but when I went to ask about it, he left quickly," Ginny said. "I was going to speak to him tomorrow."

"Let's go now," Lily stood up, stretching. "I know it's already dark, but Hagrid's our friend. We have some time before curfew so...""

"We'll go too," Ron agreed, as he, Hermione, and Ginny stood up.

"Want the rest of us to join you? We're happy to," Cormac offered. "I like Hagrid."

"You can, but you might be waiting outside. His place isn't big," Lily warned them. Cormac, Lavender and Parvati stood in answer. It meant a lot to see that so many people cared for Hagrid.

Hermione summoned some outside seating with some floating balls of light to illuminate the area. Hagrid looked… well, almost like he had been crying. It had taken Lily a few tries to get Hagrid to join them.

"What's going on, Hagrid?" Lily asked, sitting next to him. "Is something wrong with Grawp?"

"No, he's doing well, bless him. Wants to help me, and his English is improving," Hagrid said, sniffing softly. "It…" he began, then paused. "Most of yeh won' know him, but's about Aragog."

"The giant talking spider?" Ron asked, immediately looking around anxiously.

"Aye… he… he's dying!" Hagrid wailed, breaking down in tears. Lily gently patting his arm, since she couldn't exactly pat his back.

"Is… is there anything we can do?" Hermione asked softly.

Hagrid sniffed again; tears caught in his face hair. "Thanks, but it's… it's his time, I reckon. Had him for over fifty years, which is a long time for his species." He wiped ay his face. "Means a lot ter me that all of yeh would come and check on me."

"You're our friend, Hagrid," Lavender said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You've always been here for us."

"I'd love yer help, but it's dangerous ter be near his home. Ron, Lily, I know in yer second year, yeh met Aragog, and not in the nicest way. But Aragog was sorry after I told him everythin' that happened," Hagrid explained, turning bloodshot eyes to the two Gryffindor's. "Now, his kids are getting restless."

"Yes, we met them as well," Lily replied, suppressing a shudder. "Is there anything that could help Aragog?"

"Not really. I've been getting his food fer him, giving him the best meats I can get," Hagrid glanced at the looming shadows of the Forest behind them.

"If you need help getting anything, let me know," Lily insisted. "I'll pay for whatever you need."

"I can't let yer do that, Lily," Hagrid predictably responded.

"I can, it's my money and if it helps one of my closest friends, then it's money well spent," Lily replied. "Hell, thanks to the interest and the income that's being made from my grandfather's invention, I've got enough money to last me three lifetimes, if not more, and that's for the moment. It'll keep going up. I don't like the idea of having more money than I can spend."

"Thanks Lily, 'preciate it," Hagrid sniffed once more before blowing his nose into a handkerchief he produced from his pocket.

"Have you spoken to Madame Maxime?" Hermione asked. "It's always good to have loved ones around when you feel like this."

"Aye, we speak every day, and she's bin coming ter see me at the weekends. She had ter go and fetch something, but will be back in a little bit."

"How are things going with you both?" Cormac seemed to be trying to shift the subject onto something more positive and with the soft, if watery, smile that crossed Hagrid's face said anything, bringing up Madam Maxime was a great idea.

"She's amazing. She's taught me a lot of magic, now I've got my wand. But it's just nice, spending time with her," Hagrid dabbed at his face again. "I'm lucky."

"When you love someone, it's always good to spend time with them, and to let them in to help when you feel low," Ginny commented.

"Well said," a feminine voice said from behind them.

The group turned to see the woman in question coming to the seating area.

"Madame Maxime, it's good to see you again," Hermione smiled at her. She looked at the questioning expressions on her friends' faces. "Madame Maxime and I converse often, especially with Fleur excited about our wedding when I finish at Hogwarts."

"Fleur has asked me to conduct ze ceremony," Maxime said proudly. "I was so honoured to be asked."

"She thinks the world of you," Hermione said, as Madame Maxime sat down after Hermione was able to conjure another chair from a nearby log.

"And I her. I see your magic is better than ever, Hermione," Maxime complimented. She then turned her gaze to the rest of the students. "To see all of you visiting my paramour, ah, it makes me happy to see how much his friends care."

"He was there when I was first brought home by Uncle Sirius, and he brought me Hedwig when I found out about my magic. He's always been there. How could I do any less?" Lily asked.

"Zis is why he speaks so fondly of you, Lily," Maxime said, with a proud smile. "Now, I think eet is time you went back to ze castle, ze hour is late, and you should all be resting."

"Aye, Olympe's right, but I'm thankful yeh came," Hagrid said. "I'll be around more for yeh than I have been."

"Likewise, Hagrid. Like I said, if you need anything, we're all here," Lily promised her friend.

By the time Madame Maxime escorted the group back to the castle, greeted by Minerva (who warned them about leaving Hogwarts so close to curfew), Lily was feeling exhausted. After kissing Ginny goodnight and wishing her sweet dreams, Lily climbed thankfully into her own bed. Despite being tired, her mind was buzzing. She had so much to be thankful for; her loved ones for accepting her and her quirks, the endless support that she received from them and others around her, and the hard work that people all around were doing to ensure that she could fully transition.

Yet with the gratitude came fear about what may come. She was scared of people being hurt, or worse, and of Voldemort's presence. She was anxious about exams and her future. There was a heavy, draining stone of dread settled in the pit of her stomach and a sense that things would get worse before they got better.