Chapter Text
That was the biggest commotion Hogwarts had seen since the year began. Everyone was running around holding pots of paint and adjusting their hats. Everything in that castle seemed noisy and hectic. Pennants and confetti were scattered throughout the school's corridors, which at that moment were practically empty, as the large mass of students were in the stands around the spacious Quidditch field, causing as much noise as only a massive amount of teenagers could make. They sang and laughed loud and clear, their faces painted to match the colors of their cloaks and scarves. Either green or red, always one of the two colors, never both together. While Professor Minerva was trying exasperatedly to keep the pandemonium under control, the rest of the professors were in a private area, placing their bets on the outcome.
The Gryffindor men's changing room was as abuzz with excitement as the stands; players chatted frantically as they tied up their shin guards and fluffed their brooms, pacing back and forth looking for any activity to occupy their racing thoughts. The present excitement was not for nothing: the first game of Slytherin against Gryffindor since the school year started would start in a few minutes. The rivalry between the two houses was concrete in all instances and perhaps the best way to sustain the bitterness between snakes and lions was in a good Quidditch match.
That, however, was not a good day for the Gryffindors, Meredith McGriff, the team's titular Seeker, had been injured in the last game against Ravenclaw and did not recover in time and, without a replacement as good as McGriff, Gryffindor had to readjust and make up for the loss with its best player in activity: the top scorer and team captain James Potter.
James was sitting on one of the benches near the locker room exit trying to deal with the handle of his broom, which had a stubborn stain that refused to be cleaned. His mind, however, was elsewhere, thinking about how to convince his own brain to focus on the Golden Snitch and not the Quaffle during the game.
“Hey Captain. ” A voice pulled him out of his reverie. Oscar Waterson, a blond boy with freckles covering his entire face, looked at him with some concern. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Of course Waterson. What is it? ” The boy adjusted his glasses on his nose as he finished waxing the broom handle.
Oscar straightened his spine, hands fisted at his sides "I was just wondering... are you sure you can do it? Not that I doubt your abilities, it's just that the change was kind of on the spur of the moment, and it's not all day we have to change positions on the field." Oscar was in his third year and was top scorer, but he was on the bench for most games and was only starting on that occasion to replace James. It would be his first time playing such an important match and the bespectacled wizard could perfectly understand his nervousness.
"Don’t worry so much. I played as a seeker enough times." James looked up from the handle of his broom, smiling at the blonde in front of him. "This match is guaranteed."
Oscar let out a breath, slouching his shoulders a little. "I hope so." The boy looked a little more relieved, lightly rubbing the freckles that dotted his cheeks. "Honestly, I don't know what we would do without you Potter." He gave a shy smile as he ran to talk to the team's keeper.
Despite the confident attitude, James wished he had a little more assurance in what he was saying. He was indeed an exceptionally good player, well maybe not so much as a Keeper, but he was a very good beater and, modesty aside, the best Chaser at Hogwarts.
Even if his talents were not so well used in that match, James was the captain of the team, and he needed to fulfill his role as a support base for his players. Even if it weren’t his strong point, he would play as a seeker until he was no longer needed. Maybe he even had to play in that position until the end of the championship. Merlin, may Meredith get well soon.
At that moment the megaphones resounded, calling the teams to the stadium. All the players headed towards the field in earnest, but something in the hallway caught James' attention. A Slytherin student was standing, leaning against the arch that separated the changing rooms from the entrance to the pitch. The boy was short in stature, lank black hair covering a good part of a pale face with an oddly shaped nose. James smiled at the sight; of course, the Gryffindor wouldn't miss the opportunity to torment Severus Snape.
“Look who's here, if it isn't the greasy bat from the dungeons.” James clasped his hands behind his back, slanting a bright smile at the Slytherin, "Come here to cheer for me?”
Severus crossed his arms, obviously disgusted with his presence. “Oh sure Potter, the game is Slytherin against Gryffindor, Regulus is playing in a prominent position against you. However, I am here to root for the almighty James Potter. ”
James closed his hand tightly around the broom handle. Snape didn't come out of the dungeons unless he had to, yet he was in the noisiest place in the entire school just because of Regulus?
“Oh, so you came to wish Sirius's little brother good luck. I wonder why so much interest in rooting for him; he is a player way below mediocrity. ”
“And yet, he can beat you any day.”
The bespectacled wizard made a feigned expression of sadness. “Ah Snape, can that tongue of yours only say nasty things?”
Severus raised his eyebrows. “But I have good things to wish you Potter; I hope when Regulus knocks you off that broom, you don't break your neck.”
James narrowed his eyes, couldn't say he was surprised by the answer. No matter how many times he tried to break the small snake's pride, a characteristic petulance remained sharp on the Slytherin's tongue.
“What a pity you insist on being like this, snivellus. Who knows, if you tried to be nicer, I'd even invite you to celebrate with us at the end of the game. ”
"You won't be able to win the game, if that's what you intend to celebrate." Now it was Severus' turn to narrow his eyes. The tone of clear irritability in his voice did little to match the mocking smile he wore.
James took a step forward, looming menacingly over the shorter boy. “You know I always get what I want.”
Severus's venomous smile faded, realizing the meaning behind his words. Had it become about Lily again? Cause it could be. It was clear how Severus and Lily had moved away from here for some time, since the 'incident' near the black lake. Incident this caused by Potter.
Not bothering to answer, Severus turned on his heel and headed towards the Slytherin stands, apparently wishing Regulus good luck wasn't worth the interaction with Potter. James stared at the Slytherin's back until they disappeared, only then following the rest of his team.
As soon as he passed through the archway that led to the field, he let out a hiss of frustration. Severus's appearance had made him forget about the rain, which fell in large drops and almost flooded everything. Great, one more thing to get in the way of Gryffindor’s victory.
After the final instructions to each team, everyone climbed onto their respective brooms and soon the field was filled with cheers and applause as the fourteen wizards on the field took their places. The initial whistle sounded and a few minutes later, the first goal was scored for the Gryffindor, which didn't give much to celebrate for the lions, because shortly after Slytherin surpassed the scoreboard.
The rain was getting stronger as time went on, blocking the view of the audience and the players themselves. James lowered his aviator sunglasses instead of the regular ones, they weren't as good a prescription, but at least it wouldn't let rainwater get in his eyes. The game continued, point by point as both teams overtook and were overtaken at an impressive speed. In this way it would be too risky to try to win only with the regulation count; He would need to catch that Snitch by yesterday.
The audience screamed at the top of their lungs, pure lysergic energy enchanted everyone whenever a point was scored. Amidst the din, a specific noise constantly stood out and caught the attention of the Gryffindor Seeker; Severus was clapping in the audience, his hair soaked from the rain. He had a slight smile on the side of his lips, his eyes were fixed on Regulus, that whenever he lost track of the Snitch would look at Severus, lift his shoulders and soon after do a pirouette in the air with his broom, making Severus cover his mouth with a hand to cover his smile. Seriously, that was enough to make Severus laugh? For someone so haughty, it wasn't hard at all to impress the little greasy one.
James frowned, scanning the field like a dog sniffs a mouse, he needed to find that damn Snitch as fast as possible. Suddenly, a small golden glow fluttered hastily behind Regulus, who was too busy showing off for Snape to notice. James zipped past the youngest of the Blacks, nearly knocking him over in the process. However, the small golden sphere flew away and up higher and higher until it was far beyond the confines of the Quidditch pitch. He darted towards the ball, sending his broom flying further and further away from everyone else in the school. Even with the thick drops of water lashing his face, the Gryffindor couldn't afford to slow down, as the Snitch gleamed glorious gold just inches from his outstretched hand. In an attempt to close the gap, he lifted himself off the broomstick as much as he could. Just a little more and he'd catch up. He could feel victory tingling on the tip of his tongue, a delicious autumnal glimpse of his success, the priceless look of disappointment Regulus would receive from Severus at his impending failure.
His hands closed around the golden ball. A smile formed on his face as he tried to right himself up, but the completely soaked broom handle made the teenager slip off the object, sliding into the dull and stormy gray towards the ground. James gasped, a chill running down his spine. With a quick thought he tried to summon his broom closer to him, but it competed in speed with the gravity pulling his body down, slower than necessary to reach the young wizard. Was this how he was going to die? During a Quidditch match? A flash flashed across James' wide eyes, a collection of memories rushed by desperation. His parents, his first broomstick flight, the first meeting on the Hogwarts express with those who would become his best friends, the first time Lily had laughed at his joke, when he was accepted onto the Quidditch team, the first time he saw his Animagus form and Severus. Simply Severus.
Before any other thought could cross his mind, a bluish beam of light came towards him, hitting his body hard. After that, everything went dark.
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