Wildest Dreams | A James and Lily Love Story ✅

Chapter Thirteen - Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw

James:

September quickly fades into October, and before long it is only a week until the first Quidditch match of the year; Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw. The team is looking great; our new Keeper Mark Adams is fantastic and Thomas Johnson has formed up an amazing partnership with Padfoot. I really couldn't ask for a better team!

The Tuesday night before the match rolls around quickly, and I immediately start stressing. Normally I'm a really chilled out guy, but when it comes to Quidditch I'm like.....Moony with exams, or Padfoot with his hair! Well, maybe not THAT bad, but close! The team arrives at the changing rooms, and we all get ready for practice. Before we head out, I have my team conversation in the changing rooms as there is a really strong wind howling outside and I want them to hear and understand me clearly. 

"Ok, team! We're playing Ravenclaw on Saturday, and they're pretty good. They have a new Captain called....Otto Bagman, that fourth year Hufflepuff Ludo Bagman's older brother. He's quite good, not as good as Ludo, but he can play well. He'll have quite a sharp, on-point side, so we just need to beat them at their own game. Their Seeker is the same as last year, Annabelle - Darren Chang. He's quite good, but can be a bit sneaky sometimes, and don't be afraid to knock him off his broom if he tries to cut you off, ok? They have a new Keeper - Benjy Fenwick. I hear that he's pretty good, but that's the only change in their team. Ok, so we are going to have a regular training session - I really want to work with Annabelle and the Beaters, because those are probably Ravenclaw's strongest points. Their Chasers are called....Dorcas Meadowes, Danny Kershaw and Otto Bagman. They are decent enough, but we can beat them easily. Their Beaters are....Xenophilius Lovegood and Andrea Kirkby. Xeno Lovegood has a really strong, accurate hit, except sometimes he tends to zone out a bit, and Andrea Kirkby is a great flier, so you really do have to watch out for bludgers in this game. Right, everyone ok and clear on what we're doing?" I say, quite slowly in order to make sure that they all understand me all right. Everyone nods, and we head out of the changing rooms to face the gale-like winds.

They second we walk out, we are immediately hit with a powerful wind, that would easily lift a first year straight off their feet. Honestly, we're just lucky that all of our team are in the older years or else we really would have issues practicing. "Everyone! Mount your brooms!" I yell, over the wind. We all mount our brooms and lift up into the air. I'm not at all surprised to see that there are no spectators out to watch our practice tonight, the wind really is almost unbearable and it's just started raining too. Shit.

I work the team for as long as I can, but in no time at all it is really dark outside and the rain is so heavy that nobody can see where they are going or what they are doing. I'm just glad that I was able to get an extra practice in on Friday night, because I am very unsatisfied with today's practice. The team all tried their best, but there really was nothing for it. When the rain started, we were able to use the spell 'Impervius' to repel the water from our faces, but as soon as the sun completely set it was no use. 

I, very annoyed with the weather and completely soaked to the bone, trudge inside the castle, leaving muck everywhere. Filch will NOT be very happy with me! I walk up to the Head's common room alone because I let Padfoot head up before I was done packing up all the equipment. I head inside, completely freezing, and immediately drop my broom and Quidditch equipment on the floor before rushing over to stand in front of the fireplace. "Hey!" I hear from behind me, and I turn around to see Lily sitting on the sofa reading. "You looked chilled to the bone!" she says, standing up and walking towards me. "Here, let me warm you up!" she says, whipping out her wand and performing the hot-air charm. I instantly feel much warmer and drier. "Ugh, thank you so much Lils!" I say, grinning at her. "Here, how was Quidditch practice?" she asks, sitting back down on the sofa again. As I'm still a little bit wet, I don't join her, but instead stand in front of her.