All the Young Dudes ( Sirius' Perspective )

Seventh Year : The Sister

“Don’t forget,” James said, breathing hard as he landed his broom, “Tomorrow at—”

“6 o’clock sharp, yes Potter, I know,” Sirius groaned, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Spring had finally come to the castle and, while there was still a lingering chill in the early morning or late evening, at midday, with the sun high in the sky, Sirius felt as though he were melting under his heavy quidditch kit – especially after an hour of relentless drills with James and Marlene.

His fellow beater laughed, landing next to him. “Poor Sirius,” she patted his arm sympathetically, “You’ll get used to Potter’s madness soon enough—one day, you might even forget what it was like to have a lie in…”

“Oi, I give you Fridays off!”

“And for that I am eternally grateful, o wise and benevolent captain.”

Sirius shook his head. “Forgot what a bloody sadist you are, Prongs.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’ll all be thanking me once we’re holding the Quidditch Cup.”

Marlene laughed again, oblivious to the girl coming up behind her until an arm snaked over her shoulders.

“What’s so funny?” Asked Yaz, smiling at her girlfriend’s flushed face. The two chasers followed behind her, ready to switch out for their own practice session with James. On Saturdays, he split them into three groups for more focused drills: beaters, keeper and chasers, and the seeker.

“Just discussing whether Potter’s practice schedule should be reported to the Ministry as a form of cruel and unusual punishment.”

“Ah,” Yasmin nodded, seriously, “That old ongoing debate…”

“Oh, sod off, you big bunch of babies,” James rolled his eyes, “Morning laps are invigorating. They help build team unity. I read it in—”

“Quidditch Weekly,” finished Yaz, Marlene, and Sirius. This sent the entire team into another round of laughter, while James looked on, frowning petulantly.

“Everyone’s a critic,” he muttered, re-mounting his broom. “Come on then, you lot—we’ve only got the pitch for another hour, chop chop!”

Sirius and Marlene watched as Yasmin and the chasers took off after him, zooming into the air on their brooms. From below, they could hear the piercing shriek of James’s whistle, and his faint shouting as he began to direct their drills.

“Going in for lunch?” Sirius asked, as he and Marlene made their way over to the locker rooms.

“Er—no, actually, I promised Mary I’d meet her in the library for Care of Magical Creatures revision.”

“Ugh, boring.”

Marlene laughed. “You can join us for lunch later, if you want? Mary wants to go down at 1:30.”

“But I’m hungry now,” Sirius whined. Marlene shook her head.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone to go with you; it’s a big castle, Black.”

He groaned, but she only smiled cheerfully as they parted ways, giving him a jaunty little wave as she disappeared into the girls’ locker rooms.