Afflictus

The Quidditch Match.

— Sirius's POV —

All of us were bustling about. It was the morning  of the match. All the houses were already passing snide comments about the other, and the amount of team spirit in here could probably provide enough energy to run Hogwarts for a week. 

I was really worried though. We went to see James last night. It really wasn't easy. James isn't the kind of guy that you would see lying around in a bed all day. It didn't help that everyone that walked in would try and talk to him, to figure out if he was playing. We didn't bring up the whole Cory situation either. Peter barely said a word. It was probably the most awkward hospital visit ever. I couldn't help myself. I had to keep glancing over to the door, to see if he would show up.

I felt a calm hand land on my shoulder. I turned in automatic response. "Oh. Evans." She had a sad, yet warm look on her face. "It'll be fine. Whether James comes or not, I know Gryffindor will win." She said it softly, but as confidently as if she'd seen the future. For a second I didn't know what to do, and then my body relaxed, and I sighed deeply. "I know Lily." 

She sat down next to me, and handed over a glass of pumpkin juice. "There's still time, keep up your energy." She smiled, and turned to talk to someone else like nothing had just happened. 

"James!" I second year called out over the table. My head whipped around, as did Lily's and a few others. Before I could even get out of my seat, Lily, Grace, and some of the teammates were running to him. 

Lily hugged him, as the others clapped him on his back and laughed. I could see James blush slightly. "God will he ever get over himself and ask her out?" Remus walked over and voiced my thoughts. "I'll talk to him about it later." I smiled as I got up and walked with Remus to James.

By the time we got closer I could barely comprehend anything. "James! Hey bro! Gryffindor! Gryffindor! We are going to win!" Random people were shouting phrases of approval and encouragement, cheering all the way. Not to mention in my ear as well. 

The other houses were just murmuring, definitely starting a new rumour. Their teams were huddled up, probably changing their game strategies. 

Finally the crowd began to deflate, as more people went back to eating. James, lily, Grace, Emma, and Peter walked towards Remus and I. "That was quite the entrance, Prongs." I remarked, taking his hand and shoulder-butting him in greeting. "Yeah, well, time to win." He said proudly, taking a seat.

We all sat around him as we continued to eat. "Is your hand definitely okay? You don't want to hurt it more, just because it feels fine, trust me I know." Lily said really worried about James. "Oh will you stop fussing! I spoke to Madame Pomfrey about it, and she gave me a syrup to drink if it hurts. I'll manage." James didn't bother to notice how worried Lily was. Lily didn't seem to get comforted by his answer, but she gave up.

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— Grace's POV —

There are no classes today, and that is just amazing. Except for the fact that in almost two hours from now we are having the annual inter school Quidditch competition, and I am on Gryffindor's team. I'm the keeper and I love it, but unfortunately, we keepers get hurt the most.

I ducked under the flying ball, flew around it, and used the back of my broom to hit it away, just in time. "Faster Grace! Faster!" James was in the air, coaching us all, and he was a pretty decent captain. He actually coached us all, as opposed to staring at the little figure of Lily which we could clearly see even from up here in the air.

The next bludger came to the lowest hoop. I flew straight down and did a flip sideways, and kicked it away. "Harder Padfoot! It should fly past! She shouldn't be able to see it!" James screeched out again before turning to the other side to watch other players.