A Cup Affair

Chapter Six

Hi, everyone! Hope you've had a good week and a relaxing Sunday. I'm very excited because my favourite band's releasing new music on Friday!

For the record: I'm aware there are too many parties on this story, but since it's just a story, I took the liberty to change it according to what I thought was needed to fit my timeline. 

Anyway, hope you enjoy this! See you next Sunday!

James was slightly surprised when he saw that that Fenwick bloke was sort of cool. And he even knew quite a bit about Quidditch. And even then, he didn't try to get autographs or pictures with the players; he just sat on the stands with Marlene and Remus, while Sirius and Peter were on the grid near the field cheering rather loudly.

"So you like Quidditch, Fenwick?" James asked as he joined the others when the practice ended. Fenwick grinned and nodded.

"It's the best sport there is, ain't it?" Benjy replied with a smile. James grinned right back.

"The Aurors working on security will be allowed to watch the games?" James asked.

"Thanks Merlin, yes. It'd be torture to be here so close and not be able to watch."

"I just don't get why there are so many Aurors..."

"Well, it's not really that much. Most of the department stayed behind in London, but in events this big we've got to work, primarily to keep the secret and such."

"I'm sorry to ask, but how old are you?" James questioned curiously. Fenwick couldn't be much older than him, but he sounded like he was. Fenwick grinned.

"It's alright. I'm 25. Why? Wondering if they've handed you an inexperienced agent?" he joked.

"Nah, just curious. You sound older when you speak."

"Suppose it's all part of the training..." Benjy said, receiving a grin from James, "stress situations, and Moody demands this from us. Look at Lily, for instance. Everyone looks at her and sort of doubts that she's actually an Auror, because, well..." Fenwick didn't finish, but James got his point. Aurors usually were not such pretty girls, "that is, until she talks. Then everyone questions what the bloody hell they're doing with their lives and how a woman like that can be so young and yet sound so..."

James chuckled.

"Well, she's always been sort of like that, so I'll take a bit of the Ministry out of this..."

Fenwick grinned and put his hands on his pockets as they walked ahead. The others seemed to be a bit behind, and they used the memento to talk.

"That is true. I vividly recall her first day, everyone doubting her. Me included. At the end of the day, tho, I asked Moody to train her, and today... well, let's say she's the hero and I'm her sidekick," Fenwick sighed and lowered his voice, "I get that you're worried about Lily leading the investigation, with all the past Marlene has told me but... Lily won't... she's completely..."

"Yeah, I know," James interrupted, resting his broom on his shoulders as they approached the accommodations, "it's a knee-jerk reflex. I was just curious about how fast she's grown, not where she is right now."

"You figured she'd be one of the best of the department?" Fenwick asked.

"Are you joking? I was at the end of her curses for almost seven years!" James cried and turned to his friends who walked a bit behind. "One of these arses counted the number of times I've been ridiculously humiliated by that bird!"

The others laughed and when James turned, there was Lily, frowning at what looked like notes.

"Hey, partner," Fenwick called. Lily turned at once, and smiled as she saw the group, "alright?"