A/N: A new chapter...and in reasonable time, too! Thanks to those who were kind enough to review the last chapter. As always, I really appreciate your thoughts on how the story is going.
VIII. The Devil You Don't
"Winning is not a sometime thing, it's an all time thing."
– Vince Lombardi
"The game is in less than three days. How the fuck is he going to play?" Sirius exclaimed angrily.
"Mr Black, I will not have that language in this Hospital Wing," Madame Pomfrey warned, bustling past him.
"FUCK!" Marley swore, in frustration to rival Sirius.
"Marlene McKinnon!" Pomfrey admonished.
Two more of Gryffindor's players, Chaser Lucy Doherty and Seeker Alistair Thomson, burst through the entrance.
"We came as soon as we heard. How is he?"
"He's out cold, looks like shite, and there's the small matter of him not having any fucking bones in his arms!" Sirius said bitterly.
"All of you, OUT!" Pomfrey ordered, pointing to the exit.
"But–" Marlene began.
"OUT!"
A small crowd of Gryffindors had gathered around the team as they held an impromptu council of war in the Great Hall over lunch.
"What the fuck happened, Padfoot?" Remus asked, joining the table with Peter in tow.
"I leave him alone for ten minutes," Sirius replied. "You'd think he wouldn't be stupid enough to get himself ambushed, but here we are."
"Who did it?"
"My prick of a brother and his mates, no doubt," Sirius replied sourly, glancing over at the Slytherin table.
"We reckon he copped a Stunner, maybe two," Marlene said. "There's bruising all over his face and neck–"
"I mean, his face wasn't too pretty to begin with, but this won't be of help," Sirius quipped.
"–and whatever hex they got him with, it took out all the bones in his arms. Vanished," Marlene added.
"It's bloody disgusting," Sirius said. "They're just dangling there."
"Like that time you tried that spell on your–"
"Shut up, Wormtail."
"Pomfrey's trying to get him right, but he'll have to grow the bones back overnight," said Marlene. "Even if he does, there's no guarantee he'll be in any shape to play."
"Or if he can, if he'll be any good," Peter replied.
"Prongs has played through injury before. If we dose him up, he'll be alright," said Remus.
"You can't seriously be thinking about getting him to play," Lily said.
"Evans, we need three Chasers," Sirius replied.
"Can't you find a reserve?"
"Yeah, but they're all shite," Sirius replied. "James on his worst day is still better than any replacement."
"It can take up to a week for a person to regain full motor function after Skelegrow," Lily pointed out. "He'll be lucky if he can even hold onto the broom!"
Sirius glared at her.
"Thanks for the optimism, Evans."
"I'm just saying–"
"There's no point arguing about it until tomorrow morning," Remus interjected, heading off an argument. "If he's still out to it then, we'll think about the alternatives."
That evening, Sirius, Remus, and Marlene approached Lily as she was studying in the library.
"Evans, can we have a word?" Sirius said in a quiet tone.
"I'm busy, Black," she replied, pulling down a couple of books from the shelf.
"We need your help. Or rather, James does," Remus interjected. "I know he's a shite, but you're the best option we've got."
"It's not happening."
"He's been less of an arse lately, you have to admit," Sirius pointed out.
"Coming from you, Sirius, that's not worth much."
"Come on, Lily, please?" said Marlene.
Lily sighed.
"What do you need?" she asked.
"Is there a potion or something you can brew? Something that'll get Prongs right for the game?"
Lily looked down, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Maybe. But it's not easy. And the ingredients - there's no way you'd get them in time."
"What would we need?"
Lily led them to the next aisle, and took a hefty book from the shelf, and flicked through it.
"Here," she said, pointing to a page with several years worth of scribbles in the margins. "Aconite, armadillo bile, salamander blood, powdered lacewing - these are all easy enough, but tooth of wolf and unicorn hair are locked away in Slughorn's private store, and he'll only let me use them under supervision. And then there's the Re'em blood. It doesn't keep, so it's got to be ordered in specially. And it's tightly regulated by the Ministry. Slughorn has a hard enough time getting it. I can't imagine a way that we can."
Remus and Sirius shared a look, and then Sirius made an exasperated noise.
"Looks like I'm calling in a favour."
"What do you mean?" Lily asked.
"If we get you the Re'em blood, will you do it?" Remus asked.
"Well, I've never–"
"How long will it take?" Sirius interjected.
"Two, three hours to brew, then it's got to settle overnight," Lily replied. "I can do that. But how are you going to get the blood?"
Sirius gave her a scowl.
"I'm going to talk to my mother."
"James is awake," Remus reported.
"How is he doing?" Marlene asked.
"He's able to move his hands, but there's still a lot of pain. Pomfrey's not prepared to let him play, but McGonagall's going to have a word with her."
"Nice to know she's concerned about student wellbeing," Lily remarked.
"Here," Sirius said, handing her a parcel wrapped in brown paper. "Re'em blood."
"How on earth did you get this?" Lily exclaimed.
"Trust me, you'll be happier not knowing," Sirius replied.
"How fresh is it?"
"Taken three days ago."
"That must have cost a small fortune!"
"Lucky me, my family has a large one," Sirius replied sullenly.
"How are you feeling?" Sirius asked.
"Like shit."
"Can you catch a ball?"
James scowled.
"Bit optimistic, aren't we?" he replied.
"Merlin, you're as much a pessimist as Evans."
"Can the both of you please shut the fuck up?" Remus said sharply. His face was drawn and pale, and his hands were clutched around a goblet of a foul-smelling potion.
"Sorry Moony," Sirius replied.
"S'alright," Remus replied. The werewolf kicked off his shoes and sat down on the next bed to James. "Can you tell Flitwick and McGonagall know I'm in the Hospital Wing this afternoon?"
"Sure mate."
The Gryffindor Quidditch Team were lining up and waiting to walk onto the pitch as Lily entered their changing room under the stadium.
"Evans!" James exclaimed as he saw her. "You're a bloody beauty!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, students, teachers, honoured guests, welcome to the Hogwarts Cup final!" blared the commentator.
"Evans, I don't know what's in this potion, but it's fucking marvellous."
"No problem, Potter," Lily replied with a tight smile. "Black, can I have a word?"
Lily grabbed Sirius' robes and pulled him to the side.
"Is he…high?"
"As a kite," Sirius replied gleefully.
"How much of that potion did you give him?"
"Half a vial, like you said."
"Diluted?"
"No, I didn't think–"
"You gave him half a vial of concentrated potion?" she exclaimed. "Sirius, I explicitly said you needed to dilute it first!"
"He'll be fine, Evans, don't you worry."
"It'll be a miracle if his heart doesn't give out!"
"Please welcome your defending champions to the pitch! IT'S GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius picked up his broom as the crowd roared.
"That's my cue, Evans."
"Black, I swear–"
But Sirius had already left, leaving Lily standing alone in the tunnel.
"Fuck."
"Captains, shake hands," Hawthorne instructed.
"Always a pleasure, Warrington."
"Get fucked, Potter."
James smirked, and beckoned his team over.
"Slytherin sure as shit weren't banking on me being here today. So that's an edge. Hit them fast, hit them hard. Get in their heads. We get momentum, and we win early," he instructed, looking around at the group of determined faces. "Last game of the season. Let's make it count. Gryffindor!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Moments later, Hawthorne flung the Quaffle into the air, and James bolted for it, dropping a shoulder into his Slytherin opposite as he won the ball.
"And we're off! Despite rumours that Potter wouldn't be available, he's in the thick of it early, streaking down the left wing and into the area with a clever cut across! He feints to McKinnon, but keeps it…scores in the centre hoop! It's ten-nil to Gryffindor!"
A huge roar went up from the Gryffindor end.
"Potter's Nimbus has lethal acceleration, and if he finds space, it's hard to keep up. Slytherin ball now, and they're running it low. Paisley crosses, as Warrington gets a good shot in with the Bludger - and just in time too. McKinnon was looking certain to steal."
"Ten-all. And Slytherin answer! Paisey puts it through. Potter retrieves the Quaffle and we're off again."
James tore downfield, before dropping the ball to Marlene as Paisey closed in. Sirius smashed a Bludger from above, and the vengeful black ball smashed into the back of the Slytherin Chaser's head with a sickening crunch. Another roar went up from the crowd as the hapless Slytherin careened into the ground, blood streaming over her emerald robes.
"Gryffindor's Black draws first blood! That's one of the most vicious hits we've seen this season! Paisley simply never saw it coming."
Warrington signalled for a timeout, and Hawthorne blew his whistle to pause play.
"Good start," James said. "But we need to be better on defence - they answered far too quickly."
"Paisey won't return - that's got to be a blow for the Greens. And now Warrington is storming over to the Gryffindor huddle!"
"What are you playing at Black?" Warrington yelled. "That's a blatant foul!"
"You're a fucking hypocrite, Warrington," Sirius replied. "Saw you pull the same move on Hufflepuff."
Warrington turned to James. "Keep your dog on its fucking leash, Potter."
"Fuck off Warrington," Marlene replied, as Sirius reached for his wand.
James pulled Sirius back. "Not now," he warned.
"Looks like things are getting heated early - but that's what we've come to expect from these exchanges. Warrington's only ever had the better of Potter once, and that's got be a frustrating factor coming into today's match."
The game had only been going for half an hour when James careened into the pitch with a thud, tumbling across the grass.
"And Potter is down! He's lucky his broom is still intact - can't say the same about his shoulder from the looks of things."
James grimaced as a splitting pain spread across his left shoulder. Sirius signalled for a timeout, and a moment later, Hawthorne blew his whistle. The Gryffindor side quickly descended to the pitch.
"You alright?"
"Shoulder."
"Broken?"
Marlene poked at his shoulder with her wand, and James let out a string of expletives.
"Nah, just dislocated I think."
James sighed.
"Get on with it, then."
Trying miserably to hide the grin on his face, Sirius drew his wand.
"Hold your arm out," he instructed, and James did so.
"Looks like Potter is getting a bit of medical attention down on the pitch, folks."
"Alright," Sirius said, pressing his wand into James' shoulder.
"Make it quick."
"Three, two…"
Sirius' wand let off a gunshot-like crack that ricocheted across the pitch, as James swore again.
"Better?"
James rotated his arm.
"It'll do."
Hawthorne whistled and play resumed, with Gryffindor and Slytherin trading two goals apiece.
"We need some fucking separation!" James yelled at Marlene, as she took the Quaffle.
"I'm bloody trying!" she replied.
"Words between Potter and McKinnon - these two normally have a stronger defensive showing but both dealing with injuries today. That's a nice pass to Potter, and now he's moving in for another goal. Centre hoop - but it's saved!"
A cheer went up from the Slytherin end as James circled around.
"And now Slytherin get a chance to pull further ahead - and they do! One-hundred ten to ninety. Can Gryffindor answer? Potter with the Quaffle."
James offloaded the Quaffle a moment before a Bludger hit him low in the stomach, and he swerved off course, gripping his broom tightly. He dry-wretched, and then leaning over his broom, threw up the contents of his stomach.
"That's a Bludger to the gut for Potter! Not a pretty sight! Warrington is really finding his mark."
"You alright?" Marlene asked.
James gritted his teeth.
"Fine."
"Slytherin answer with another score! They're up by thirty!"
James shot down the pitch and feinted a pass, swerving past a Slytherin Chaser. Tucking the Quaffle under his arm, he crouched low to his broom and accelerated into the area.
"How's this for a piece of individual brilliance! Potter can't be caught! The Bludger is well wide - that's good cover from Black - and Potter's clear into the area! He scores! Left hoop - makes it look easy!"
James pumped his fist as the crowd roared.
"Slytherin get the ball back - that's a risky pass from Nott - and it's intercepted by Potter! No one will catch him, and he puts it through the middle. It's a tie game!"
"Thomson sees the Snitch! He's diving for it - oh!"
A roar went up from the crowd as Gryffindor's Seeker took a bludger square to the face and tumbled off his broom.
"Thomson is out cold, as Slytherin return the favour. He's lucky to been hit so close to ground. Potter's calling for a time out. What will he do here? He's got a couple of options - you'll recall he played two games as Seeker in his third year, and the final in his fourth."
James drew the team into a huddle as his Seeker was stretchered off the pitch.
"It looks like Marlene McKinnon will fall back into the Seeker's slot. Reserve Chaser Zoe Knight will join the match."
A nervous looking fourth-year mounted her broom on the sidelines and flew up to join the Gryffindor formation.
"And we're off again, Gryffindor now up by forty. Don't be fooled by the scoreline - this is anyone's game, folks!"
Lily watched as the Gryffindor and Slytherin Chasers traded three more scores apiece. James was a scarlet blur, twisting, diving, and rolling as he led the Gryffindor assault.
"Potter has been exceptional on offence today. That's his seventeenth score today, with four intercepts under his–it's the Snitch!"
Marlene and the Slytherin Seeker, Pucey, shot out of the sky in unison, both intently focused on the fluttering golden speck in the distance.
"Pucey's closer, but only marginally. McKinnon is catching up, she's neck and neck, she's pulling ahead…but Warrington's going to intercept, he's right in her path! Wait, Potter is–"
James streaked across Marlene and hit Warrington face-on with a sickening crunch, sending them both careening towards the grass.
"–Merlin almighty! Potter deliberately collides with Warrington at speed! That's a vicious hit! But now McKinnon's clear!
James hit the ground, rolling away from his broom as a sharp pain spread across his left shoulder for the second time that day. A few feet away, Warrington was struggling to rise.
"McKinnon's ahead. She's closing in…Pucey's too far away…it's all over! McKinnon's got it! GRYFFINDOR WIN! GRYFFINDOR WIN!"
"You're a prick, Potter," Warrington said. His voice was nearly drowned out by the mob of cheering Gryffindor fans, who were climbing down from the stands and storming onto the pitch.
James sat up and laughed. His ears were ringing, his shoulder was definitely broken, his wrist probably too - and his robes were covered in vomit and blood.
"Go fuck yourself, Warrington."
Marley touched down nearby, grinning from ear to ear, still holding the Snitch aloft as Gryffindor House stormed the pitch.
Sirius and Peter had snuck several large kegs into the Common Room, and celebrations were in full swing by mid-afternoon.
"Two days ago he couldn't move his arms! Seventeen goals, and what has to be the stupidest block I've ever seen someone pull - James fucking Potter!" Peter yelled to raucous cheers.
James emptied his drink into the Quidditch Cup and raised the trophy aloft, before downing it in one giant gulp.
"Nine goals, and the catch to win it all - Marlene fucking McKinnon!" James shouted in turn, beckoning her to the front. She took the trophy to cheers from the crowded Gryffindor Common Room and raised it above her head.
The sun was setting over Gryffindor Tower when James made his way over to Lily.
"Here," James said, handing her a drink. "On me."
"Haven't we had a conversation about you drinking after a Quidditch match?" Lily replied, taking the proffered Butterbeer.
"I think my reply was 'I hurt like a motherfucker' and drinking numbs the pain."
"That's what the painkillers are for, Potter."
"I though they were just for fun."
"Your liver's days are numbered."
"Why Evans, I didn't know you cared."
"I'd rather be spared the sight of you dying from organ failure during lunch."
"I suppose it's the sort of thing that would put a witch off her meal."
She cracked a smile.
James took a swig of his drink. "Thanks, by the way."
"For what?" she asked.
"The potion. I'd be fucked without it."
"It was nothing."
"It's a tricky piece of magic."
Lily shrugged.
"Don't be modest, Evans," James said. "Re'em blood is a shite to work with."
"Well, you're welcome."
"Prongs! Prongs!" Peter shouted, interrupting them.
James made an exasperated noise.
"Wormtail, I'm–"
"Danielle's looking for you. Said she wants to–"
"Thanks Wormtail!" James interrupted loudly.
He turned back to Lily.
"Impeccable timing from Wormtail," he said lightly, but the redhead's features had set into a careful mask.
"Don't keep Fenwick waiting," Lily said evenly, and turned into the crowd.
It was close to midnight when Sirius clambered through the portrait hole with a dark look on his features.
"Where the fuck have you been, Padfoot?" James greeted him.
"Snivellus," Sirius spat. "It was fucking Snivellus. He designed the hex that took out your arms. He planned it with my brother and Warrington."
"How do you know?"
"I ran into him."
"When?"
"Just now," Sirius said.
"And?" James pressed.
"I confronted him - told him I'd heard a rumour it was him, Sirius added. "But he couldn't have cared less. He had this look on his face - he was happy, Prongs. Bloody unnatural."
"Why?" James replied, confused. "What the fuck is going on?"
"He told me he was going to get Moony kicked out of Hogwarts."
"What?!"
"He said he knew about Moony. Said he had the proof," Sirius replied.
"What did you do, Sirius?"
"Told him about the tunnel," Sirius replied darkly. "Said to Snivelly that if he wanted to know the truth, he'd best visit the Shrieking Shack."
A/N: Thanks for reading - let me know what you think.
