I see you in the stars - Jegulus

Chapter 4 - James

Quidditch training was cold. James couldn't even deny that as he watched over his team run through different formations. Despite it still being September and relatively warm during the day, six in the morning was another story. He rubbed his hands absentmindedly, eyes darting to the different members as the other chasers tried getting to the Keeper. The Gryffindor keeper was new, in his fifth year and had tried out for the team, securing the position with ease. He was good, James simply having to incorporate him into the rest of the team members. Out of the two beaters only one was new, and James just had the two working together so they became in sync with each other. They were throwing the bludgers at the chasers so they could learn to avoid them. It was looking good. James felt a proud smile spread across his face as he called the team to the ground. Marlene, who was their seeker, came down with a flush, grinning from ear to ear as she looped around everyone. During the practise when James was focusing on the chaser formations, she had been trying out new techniques and tricks which would hopefully help her get to the snitch faster than the other seekers.

Marlene was brilliant, there was no denying it. She would have been the best at Hogwarts, if not for Regulus.

Although James hated to think it, Regulus was out of this world - the best seeker there had been in many years. And he didn't even achieve that by playing dirty like the rest of the Slytherin team. He was simply that good. James shuddered as he thought about the matches against Slytherin. In previous years, they were brutal. Injuries left and right, and there were always calls for rematches and foul play at the end, no matter who won. They were going to be tough games.

"Alright, we're looking good. Brilliant actually. But not perfect. Macdonald, you're still a bit sloppy during our Hawkshead attacking formation. Come a bit closer as Bell comes in front of you, should make our arrowhead tighter." James commented, studying the team and Mary, who nodded with a focused face.

"Alright, let's try our reverse passes, make sure everyone can do them correctly." James soared up into the air again, the rest of his team following. He felt like he was made for Quidditch Captain. He knew exactly what to do, what to say to his team along with encouragement and advice when they needed it. Head boy was getting harder, with having to go to various meetings with the rest of the prefects, and Lily constantly being on his arse to go patrolling. James hated patrolling with a passion. Having to wander down corridors hours on end with nothing to do was basically torture for him, and if he did come across students breaking curfew he felt awful giving out punishments. It was also clashing with the very little studying he did. When all the other seventh years were studying, Lily was forcing him to go on patrol, and then when he came back everyone was done - and there was no bloody way he was going to miss out on anything because he was too busy studying.

He was tired. Oh so fucking tired. But he couldn't give up any of his roles without letting anyone down, so he pushed through the exhaustion that constantly threatened to pull him under. James scrubbed his face, forcing his tiredness and other feelings away, focusing on his team beside him.

"You think we can win?"
James turned to the voice next to him. He had just finished the practice, and everyone was starting to go back inside where it was much warmer. It was Marlene, who had seemingly decided to lag behind instead of walking to the changing rooms with Mary. James sighed as he locked the case which held the quidditch balls. He knew that Slytherin had their practice soon, so he decided to leave them out on the pitch for them.

"I think so. Our only competition is truly Slytherin, although we shouldn't slack against Ravenclaw. As for Hufflepuff.. Well hufflepuff's hufflepuff." They both laughed as they slowly walked to the changing rooms. Marlene groaned quietly before turning to face James.

"You think I could get the snitch before Black?" James snorted before he could stop himself, but quickly tried to backtrack when he saw Marlene's fallen face.