Prongs {Book One}

Chapter Eleven - Broomsticks and Butterbeer

JAMES.

My head was mostly fixed when we left the hospital wing at 8.30. The match was in an hour.

"Well, good luck, James," Paula said, rubbing her temples, "Let's try not to fall off of our brooms."

"Yeah," I agreed, and we went our separate ways to our common rooms.

When I got inside the common room, I was greeted by a cheer, as per usual of the team that was playing that day - but I could tell it was less enthusiastic than usual, because all the Gryffindors felt strongly about the fifty points I'd lost.

I slumped in a chair next to Sirius, and proceeded to groan and continue massaging my forehead.

"Rough night?" Remus said, looking pointedly at his books.

"You're telling me," I moaned, "You can't do anything about this headache, can you?"

"Come here," Remus smiled resolutely and tapped my head with his wand. I wasn't sure what he did, but the throbbing disappeared straight away.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"I'm sure the match will be fine," Peter said, feverishly writing his potions homework.

"We'll just have to hope that Paula doesn't have a best friend who knows how to fix a headache," Sirius said.

"Yeah, well, as long as the rest of the team is good, we'll still flatten them."

"Don't forget, you've got to catch the snitch to end the game," Remus pointed out, still reading.

"Don't remind me," I groaned, leaning my head against the back of the armchair, "I'll be lucky if I can get on my broom without falling over."

"Why don't you cancel the match? You and Paula are both-"

"I am not cancelling the match because of a headache," I cut Peter off with finality.

"Alcohol poisoning, Potter?"

I looked around a sighed, "Mary-"

"That's what I heard," she cut me off, "You and Paula in the hospital wing for alcohol poisoning."

"Not alcohol poisoning. Just a hangover," I said, frowning.

"You got in the hospital wing for just a hangover? And underage as well?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"You're only supposed to be allowed in there for alcohol poisoning at the least!"

"Probably 'cause of the match today," I said, screwing up my brain, "Yeah. McGonnogal put us in there, said we needed to play later."

"Honestly!" Mary exclaimed, huffing, "All anyone cares about in this school is Quidditch," she glared at me, as though it was somehow my fault that the fire whiskey had been alcoholic, then stormed off.

---

"Right, team. What we really need to concentrate on for this match is getting past the keeper. Paula's.... pretty good. I guess. So, chasers, remember your formations. Work fast. Score as many goals as you can.

"Beaters, aim for the other seeker more than the chasers. Everyone got it?" They all nodded. "Let's flatten them!"

We headed out onto the pitch to tumultuous applause, the stands half scarlet, half yellow. The canary yellow Hufflepuffs already stood in the middle, their brooms by their sides. I clutched my Silver Arrow, trying to look more confident than I felt.

"Captains - shake hands," said Madame Hooch, and I shook hands with Paula.

"Good luck," she muttered. I nodded in reply, feeling queasy. If I embarrassed myself in this match...

Madame Hooch blew her whistle, and we kicked off to another round of applause.

I flew high up in the air, feeling the wind in my hair. My head felt cleared with the cold breeze, and I started to look around for the snitch while keeping an eye on the other players.

I looked towards the stands, and saw a huge banner on the scarlet side.

GO WESTIE! KICK THOSE QUAFFLES!

I smiled at first, but then I saw Lily holding up one side and scowled. Of course she'd go out with Mark West.

I turned back around just in time to see a scarlet blur throw a Quaffle past Paula at the goals.

"10-0 to Gryffindor with an excellent shot by beautifully skilled chaser, Ayla Toms!" Sirius called out through the commentator's microphone.

"Yes," I muttered under my breath, then averted my eyes to the Hufflepuff seeker, John Hale, just as a bludger from our side almost collided with his head. As he spun to avoid it, my heart leaped - a flash of gold by the Hufflepuff goals.

I streamlined my broom and leaned forwards all the way so I shot like an arrow towards the snitch.

Hale noticed too late, and spun his broom around - but I was already on top of the snitch, and it was in my hand, raised in the air to cacophonic yelling.

"And James gets the snitch! Gryffindor wins, 160 - 0!"

Grinning ecstatically, I landed on the ground as the rest of the team gathered around me, all yelling and shouting.

---

I was the last one out of the changing rooms, and I walked back to the castle with them, Sirius and Peter chorusing Gryffindor for the cup! Gryffindor for the cup! While Remus laughed and clapped me on the back.

As we entered the common room, we got a round of cheers and applause, as drinks were thrust into our hands.

"Fire whiskey?"

"I'll, uh, I'll have a butterbeer, thanks."

"Bad experience, Prongs?" Sirius smirked.

"Shut up," I grinned, punching him playfully. Sirius, Remus and Peter all took butterbeers too, and we sat down by fire, Sirius and I grabbing some cake on the way. 

"Oh, go on then, Potter," it was Mary MacDonald, "Give us your fascinating blow-by-blow of the match."

"Well, seeing as you're so keen," I muttered.

"You sure you don't want to inflate your ego anymore?"

"Seeing as you asked so nicely, sure. So, it started with-"

"No one actually cares, you know, Potter," she narrowed her eyes at me, then stalked off. It was a moment before I realised the people around us were quiet. 

"I think her fire whiskey needs to be spiked," I said, smiling to shut off the silence. Laughter followed and the noise started up again.

"Seriously, though. What did I ever do to her?"

"Maybe it's just that you exist, mate," Sirius shrugged and leaned back in his chair.

I rolled my eyes, but forgot about Mary MacDonald as the party continued. I forgot about almost everything as the clock ticked, the butterbeer started making me feel drowsy, and the talk had died to a gentle hum. It was well after midnight when we finally retreated to our dormitories, full of food and warm drink.

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Yay happy chapter ^.^