The Heartbreak Prince || Sirius Black

5. A Bludger Backbeat

"Do you want some tamales, Pete, Rem?"

Quidditch tryouts had begun earlier that day, and the Marauders had invited Andrew to watch 'real athletes at work.' Although he was never interested in sports, he could appreciate the amount of skills it takes to play.

He almost declined. However, after a bit of thinking—and seeing the large pile of Astronomy work on his bedside table—he decided to accept the offer. 

By the time he got there, Remus and Peter were waiting for him in the stands—wearing thick coats to fight against the bitter wind, that even a warming charm couldn't prevent it. Knowing how cold it could get in the field, the Veela had decided to bring in some hot food for the group.

"No, thanks," Remus said as his fellow Gryffindor excitedly grabbed a couple. "Did the house-elves make these?"

"Nope," the Hispanic boy said proudly, already opening the banana leaf wrapping. "They helped gather the ingredients, but I made these all by myself."

"They're really good!" Peter said with a mouthful. Seeing the red food stains around the boy's mouth, the Veela passed him a napkin from his pocket. "Do you have any more?"

Andrew shook his head. "Not with me. I'll grab you some before dinner."

The Ravenclaw looked at the field and saw a line of red robes standing before their captain, Orla Switch. She appeared determined as she instructed both the new and old recruits on the events that were to take place.

"Isn't it illegal to invite someone from another House to this?" the Ravenclaw asked, touching his blue-and-silver tie. 

Andrew knew how serious most of the school was about the sport, so if anyone were to see him, he would be criminalized on the spot. He remembered hearing that a member of his House was suspended from attending the game for accidentally showing up to the Hufflepuff practice.

"They won't care," Peter answered, causing morsels of chicken to fall from his mouth. "I'm pretty sure they all know about the first-year incident."

Nausea crept up on him as memories of their first ever flying lessons went through his mind. He could remember the feeling of absolute terror at the sight of his feet leaving the ground. Vowing to remain on the ground, it was one of the only lessons he ever failed to learn.

He would be lying if he said that it didn't haunt him at night.

Andrew grimaced at the reminder. "I didn't know I had a fear of heights!"

"Regardless, all of the captains determined you to be neutral," Remus assured him. "They know you don't have any interest in quidditch."

The Veela felt a little offended, but accepted the reply anyway. If he could walk the hallways without speaking about broomsticks, it was fine with him.

He held up his thermos to the boys. "Champurrado?"

Once Orla finished her speech, the future Gryffindor players rose from the ground and separated into their collective groups to prepare for their drills. Remus gave him a basic rundown of as he watched James join the Chasers and Sirius to the Beaters, who each held a bat at the ready.

He noticed someone familiar in the company of the latter group.

"Is that Mei Li?"

The Chinese girl had a passive look on her face as she stood amongst the boys. Her stance was defensive, avoiding as much physical contact with everyone else. She looked around her while she tied her brown hair into a bun as if calculating the group's weaknesses.

"That's definitely her," Remus said after some inspection. "Didn't you two date in fourth year?"

They had.