Remembering

The Quidditch Match

Gryffindor vs. Slytherin.

The whole school was virtually holding their breath as the match drew nearer and nearer. 

Slytherin had been undefeated for three years now, or so I was told. I still couldn't remember a thing.

This was Gryffindor's big opportunity.

Slytherins and Gryffindors were hexing each other left and right; Marlene had to go to the hospital wing after she got in a nasty duel with Dolohov. He ended up with an extra pair of ears. Marlene got knocked out. Hate that guy.

James even had to defend himself against Snape. He didn't get hurt, but Snape had to visit the hospital wing and get his nose shrunk back to its regular size. He still had a huge nose anyway.

As a muggle-born and Chaser of Gryffindor, I was a big target. I had to reject jinxes often in the hallways and ignore the jeering of the pureblood maniacs. It wasn't too bad; it was actually entertaining, watching Remus, James, and Sirius act as my bodyguards. It made me feel good, to know that people actually cared about me.

***

I got up at five in the morning the Saturday of the match and headed down to breakfast. I was too nervous to sleep.

If I was anxious, James was having a downright panic attack.

I was the second person in the whole school to enter the Great Hall. James sat staring at his plate, playing with his food. He wore a glum expression. He was breathing a little too hard, almost as if he was on the verge of hyperventilating.

I rolled my eyes. "Come on, James, you'll do fine." 

He jumped and looked up. "Oh, hey Lils." I flinched at the nickname, but I let it slide because of James' condition.

I rubbed his back soothingly and sat down next to him, taking a piece of toast. "You're the best Seeker the school has ever seen, you'll be fine."

He made eye contact with me. His eyes were bloodshot. I found myself thinking, Even like this, he's cute. Then I realized what I had thought and scolded myself.

"You think so?" he asked, his face hopeful.

For a minute, my heart stopped; did I say my thought out loud? But then I realized that he was wondering if he was going to do well. I breathed again.

I sat for a moment, at war with myself. Should I do it? Finally I kissed his cheek. "I know so."

He touched his cheek in amazement while most of the team filed in -- Sirius was Beater with Jack McLaggen, a very conceited boy who was sadly really good at Quidditch. My fellow Chasers were Dorcas Meadowes and Harold Bell. Our Keeper, Thomas Wood, came in last, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

James sighed. "Right, team, get some food. We'll need it."

It was rather unfortunate that most of Slytherin was good at Quidditch -- Andromeda Black was amazing at Keeper, and Regulus Black, Sirius' brother, was a good Seeker.

As the team dug in, James turned to me and whispered in my ear. I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Whatever motivates him.

Dorcas shot me a questioning look. I pretended not to see her.

"Alright, Gryffindor, let's move out," James said, checking the time. It was eight o'clock; enough time for the game at eleven.

As we walked through the halls, several Gryffindors applauded us. We marched in two columns: James led, Wood and Bell behind him, Dorcas and me, then Sirius and McLaggen.