Silver Lining

Chapter 4

"No, I don't want to go!" I huffed, pulling my backpack up onto my shoulder as the bell rang that afternoon.

"Neither do I, but as a prefect, McGonagall wanted me to help supervise!" Lily explained.

"Well, am I am prefect? No!"

"You're my best friend! Duty calls."

Quidditch Trials were at the very bottom of my list of places to be that sunny Friday afternoon. Nevertheless, Lily was doing her best to convince me to accompany her so she could carry out her prefect duties without looking like a complete loner.

"Can't you just do it with Lupin? He's a prefect!" I wouldn't usually be so pressing for Lily to spend time with boys she wasn't particularly friendly with, but I really didn't want to go. Homework was piling up again, and I at least wanted to get some done before the weekend.

"No, you're coming. Would you really let me down like that, Vi?" Lily replied, innocently.

"Oh, you're pulling that card now?" I raised an eyebrow, but couldn't help laughing slightly. "Fine, I'll come, but you owe me one, Lily Evans." Lily clapped her hands happily and smiled, turning the corner to take us out into the sunlight. Today was unusually warm and sunny, seeing as it was nearing the beginning of October. All the better to play Quidditch, I suppose.

The pitch was particularly busy. There were a few scattered supporters in the stands, and out in the middle of the grassy space, scarlet-clad students waited for instructions. From my position in the stands, I counted about ten people down there. It seemed like a small amount of people at first, but then I remembered that not many people had the confidence (or skill) to try out against the golden team from last year - including, of course, James Potter and Sirius Black.

"I see Potter and Black are playing again this year," I commented, trying to make conversation with my red-haired friend who seemed lost in thought.

"Oh, yeah," she nodded, turning her attention to the players on the field. "I'm not surprised - they're the best chaser and beater the school's ever seen." Lily always managed to find something nice to say about everyone, including those she didn't like. "They love it as well, I suppose."

I nodded, recognising a few more of the players walking around below. "You know what else James loves?" I smirked, looking up at Lily again. She looked over in interest, rolling her eyes and shaking her head as soon as she spotted my smirk.

"Oh, don't you start." Around James, I was intent on telling him to back away from Lily and leave her alone like the good friend I am. When it was just Lily and I, teasing her about James' crush on her was one of my favourite hobbies.

Before I could reply, a loud whistle echoed throughout the pitch. My attention was turned back to the players on the ground, all of whom now stood at attention. The coach - a burly, seventh year boy - began shouting orders that were almost audible from where I was sitting, and I was considerably far away. Soon enough, brooms were mounted and the players were kicking off into the air.

That's when I zoned out. Quidditch had never been my biggest interest, and unless it was an intense game (which, admittedly, many Hogwarts games were), I wasn't eager to watch it - especially not try outs. I trusted Lily to tell me if something interesting happened.

"I'm just going for a walk, okay?"

My gaze travelled around the edges of the pitch as I walked, my thoughts turning away from everything Quidditch. It had been a few days since I found out Remus' secret, and since the Marauders confronted me about keeping that secret. I'm not entirely sure why I didn't freak out, to be honest. I just discovered one of my fellow Gryffindors was a werewolf. At first I wasn't sure I believed them, but after little while it just made sense to me. The scars, the Marauders slight air of secrecy, the play dates we'd have to cancel because he was suddenly sick every month...