Scars

Chapter Thirteen-Ancestry

The next day, I've defrosted a bench for me and am wrapped in the heaviest two quilts that I have with a heat charm on both. James stopped by before practice to tuck the top one snug around my shoulders before I swatted him away. I think Sirius is a little too worried about how I feel with him and the substitute beater. Especially given our conversation last night.

"Arell!" A sweet voice drifts over to me and I smile as I turn to find Lily heading my way.

"Hey! You didn't have to come." I tell her and open my burrito of blankets to let her in. Cold air whooshes in and I shiver before she settles beside me.

"Wanted to see this for myself, but please feel free to be extra thankful for me since I swore Potter would never catch me here unless I was dead." She sighs as the aforementioned chaser spots her and his face lights up with a bright smile before he tries to tame it into something sexy. Lily smiles a little but hides it with the blankets. Green eyes meet my brown and she shrugs. "Plus I had to come back you up."

"Well, I appreciate it no matter the reason." I sway into her playfully and she grins before we hear Connelly yelling. We look up to find practice has started and we're on the side of the field Sirius and the new beater, Monica Greene, will be doing drills. I settle in for the duration with my fingers idly playing with the necklace Sirius gave me of the two beater bats.

It starts off rocky. Whether because Monica hasn't played in a while, Sirius is used to me, she's pissed at him, or a combination of all, I don't know. Their skill evens out eventually though and they aren't half bad. Although not nearly to the level of Sirius and I, they still have to shout at one another instead of just reading body language, but with them, we still have a chance at the cup. The fact sits strangely in my heart. On one hand, I'm glad because I want to win. On the other, I don't want Sirius spending any time at all with a girl whose face apparently used to be glued to his.

"They did well!" Lily says with excitement I know is just for me as we descend the tower.

"Yeah, they did," I say and she sighs, seeing right through my clear lack of excitement.

"Is this a...Sirius thing?" She asks and smirks a little at the clear pun. My eyes roll.

"Yeah. Quidditch, being beaters together, it's our thing. Maybe I'm being too possessive."

"If you're having questions about Sirius, ask him. He's had far too much of people assuming things about his life." Lily says as we come to a stop outside the tower and wait at the top of the path for the boys. "Come to think of it, so have you." She raises her brows at me as if daring me to disagree. I look up at the sky and huff.

"I did ask. He says he needs time which I get, but it doesn't make it any easier." I tell her and she hums in agreement just as the boys come bounding up to us. James seems like he's about to run over and pick Lily up in an embrace, but stops himself short. Lily seems to have expected it too and their wide eyes meet before the both of them turn pink and look away from one another.

"And you said you'd never watch me practice." He says with a hefty layer of bravado and Lily seems to deflate as whatever she'd hoped for vanishes in one sentence. She looks to me.

"See you in the dorm." I nod before her red hair starts swaying as she heads back to the castle. James deflates as I fall into step beside them.

"You might want to try less bravado and more sincerity if she's ever going to give you a chance." I chance giving him advice and he groans, staring up at the blue sky.

"I'm trying to win her over but she just-"

"That's exactly your problem, Prongs." I interrupt him as his hazel eyes flick to me. "Lily doesn't want to be won, no one does, we just want a good person who treats us well. Without treating us like a prize or putting us on a pedestal." At this, James is silent and he stares at the ground as we walk. My eyes drift to Sirius and his to mine.