Turn back time - Hermione Granger in the Marauders era

Chapter 12 - The Quidditch Game

"I'm in love with her," James insisted to Sirius the next evening.

"Really? I never would've guessed." Sirius replied sarcastically, stretching out on his bed.

"This isn't a joke, Padfoot! I'm in love with her!"

"What's new?"

James smacked Sirius over the head with his pillow.

"You arse! Listen to me! I am in love with Evans! Do you know what that means?"

"You'll ask her out another hundred times?"

"No! It means I'm in love."

Sirius smacked his friend's head with a pillow back.

"No way, genius! I figured that out."

"But that means. I want to be her boyfriend, but she just keeps saying no."

"That's because she thinks you're just joking with her. Besides, you are an enormous dickhead."

James flung himself at his bed. "Well, I guess i'll have to stop being a dickhead."

"Wow there, Prongs. Set goals you can actually achieve."

"Oh, how about you go set yourself a goal to hook up with Granger then!"

Sirius shut up. "Dude, you stepped over the line."

"So did you."

They were both silent. The tension in the air growing in density. The closest they came to a proper argument.

"Alright, who are you going to Slughorn's party with?" Sirius said, breaking the awkward.

"Evans,"

Sirius laughed. "You have as much chance with her, as I have with Granger."

"Which is more chance than Moony has with Granger, so ill take that as a good thing."

Sirius sighed and rolled over to go to sleep. "Keep on dreaming," he mumbled before falling asleep.

"I'll have to do something big..." James continued, and he explained his plan for the next couple of minutes, not realising his friend didn't hear a word.

Nearly a fortnight later, and five days before the end of term - three days before Slughorn's party, Hermione and her friends ate breakfast excitedly. They ate their cereal and toast quickly, finishing at half ten. Then they slowly made their way down to the Quidditch Pitch. As they walked, the Griffindor team ran past them. They included, James, Dean and Evie as Chasers, Cas and Jace as Beaters, Malec as the Keeper and the fierce seventh year Isabelle as Seeker.

Hermione, Marlene and Mary cheered after them, happily, shouting numerous 'good luck's'. They turned around, thumbs up, as they ran.

"You'll be watching, right Evans?" James shouted.

"What's it to you?" She yelled back.

James just laughed, and ran faster, with his team. His big Griffindor Captain badge on display as bold as could be.

Lily tutted at his arrogance and Hermione laughed at her. "Lighten up, Lilster. He's just being a happy idiot."

"Did you just call me Lilster?" Lily snorted in retort.

"Yeah. Tried it out. Maybe it didn't work," Hermione said happily, skipping a few steps ahead.

"It definitely didn't work," Marlene laughed, linking arms with Hermione and skipping ahead with her.

"Wow, they're happy!" Mary giggled, as she and Lily raced after their skipping friends.

"I don't understand why, look at the rain!"