Chapter 10
Undercover Martin- Two Door Cinema Club
James loved Quidditch. He enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the wind in his hair but most of all he loved the chase. A fact that – as had been pointed out to him a number of times – bled into his personality in average life. There was a reason he had been both the youngest and best seeker in the last thousand years since Merlin. James had been recruited for the Gryffindor Quidditch team since his first flying class. McGonagall had seen that spark in him, that natural instinct to be constantly moving and had decided to screw the rules. Even now, four years later she would make comments on how ridiculously fast he could fly, and James would grin.
At the very end of last year’s quidditch season, Frank Longbottom had approached James with an offer. Explaining that he intended to work on his studies more during his final year he offered James a place as Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, a role James had had his eye on for years. James had nearly screamed with joy.
James had to pay attention to some of the younger students this year so he knew who to pass the title on to at the end of next year when he finally graduated. He was so focused on watching the other players competing that he almost copped a bludger to the head. Sirius managed to redirect it with a violent swing, sending it spiraling for the Slytherin keeper.
“Thanks mate.” James high fived Sirius as he flew past.
“Keep your eyes out for the snitch you idiot.” Sirius replied with a grin.
James scanned the pitch but saw no golden flashes. His eyes caught on someone else. Regulus. The pretty boy from potions class. He played Quidditch. Of course he did, he was perfect. James decided to float his way over while he waited for the snitch to make an appearance.
“Sooo…” James said sidling closer, “You play Quidditch?”
“Great deduction skills Sherlock.” His voice was tense but not cruel, just rather distracted like he was waiting for something. Exactly ‘what’ became clear only a second later when he shot off into the air at a ninety-degree angle and James read the back of his jersey. Printed in large silver text that contrasted the green background was the number seven beneath the title ‘Seeker’.
“Shit.” James took a second to process everything then went speeding off to catch Regulus and by extension, the golden snitch.
…
Regulus was fast. He had seen the snitch, and his brain had put blinkers on automatically. It prevented distraction. It also prevented him from seeing the bludger flying directly at his head, or James Potter barrelling toward him from the right, placing himself directly between Regulus and the ball that seemed intent on killing him.
Sirius let out a yelp when he glanced over and saw the bludger heading towards James, James let out a yell when the bludger connected with his ribs, and his ribs gave a disgusting crunch noise when they broke. Regulus turned to his right in horror. James’ altitude dropped slightly as he grabbed his side with one hand, but his face twisted in determination, and he leaned forward on his broom. James Potter, the idiot that he was, decided to catch the snitch regardless of his obvious broken ribs.
Sometimes James wondered if he should have been in Slytherin, his ambition fuelled by his bravery and vice versa. Maybe it was all just stubbornness. Fuck his ribs hurt.
Regulus was mildly concerned by the idiot Gryffindor, putting victory above his own health. And yet, there was something intriguing about it, something familiar. He shook his head. If James was going to keep competing, so would he.
The two boys flew neck and neck, trading places for first. The snitch was just in reach. Regulus outstretched his fingers, fingertips brushing the wings. It flitted away, tucking its metallic wings and dropping vertically before spreading them again, weaving between the beams and pillars under the spectator stands. Both boys head into a nosedive, pulling out just before they hit the ground and flying directly into the maze of wood.
James groaned as he made a sharp manoeuvre to avoid crashing into a solid beam. Regulus found his usual ability to shutter out anything aside from the snitch faltering as James began to slow. He turned as James began to waver. It was getting harder for James to breathe, and the lack of oxygen was making him dizzy—black spots appearing in his already hazy vision.
“Godric’s flaming ball sack I think I’m about to pass out,” James murmured to himself as the dark world around him began to sway.
“Pour l’amour de la merde Potter.” Regulus rolled his eyes. He swept down and grabbed James by the arm, “Let’s go. Don’t you dare pass out on me.”
“What about the snitch?” James mumbled, head fuzzy.
“Mon Dieu.”
“I like it when you speak French. It’s pretty.” James smiled.
“Oh shut it Potter.” Regulus snapped and he definitely wasn’t blushing as he led James’ broom from under the stands, a hand on James’ shoulder to stop him from tipping off. “Someone call for Madame Pomfrey. This idiot decided to try and keep flying with broken ribs.” Regulus called and Sirius and Marlene came rushing over, “Fucking Gryffindors.” He huffed, leaving James in their care.
…
Remus was met with a wall of red and gold the second he shuffled into the hospital wing. Lily was at his side and she hurried over to Marlene.
“Is he okay?” The concern in her voice was palpable.
“Yeah, Madame Pomfrey says James will be fine he’s just a fuckin’ idiot.” Marlene rolled her eyes with a weak grin but Remus could see the toll worry had taken on her.
“Come on hun, let’s go have a rest.” Lily wrapped an arm around her and led her out. “Remus and Sirius can handle everything.”
Lily and Marlene disappeared into the hallway just as Madame Pomfrey came back into the main wing to usher out a majority of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. She smiled at Remus and left Sirius where he was, in a seat as close to James as he could get without literally climbing onto the bed beside him.
Sirius looked up with wet eyes that widened when they landed upon Remus.
“Oh I- I can leave.” He began to stand, gathering his things, “Sorry, I’ll… I’ll go.” He sounded tired. Defeated.
“Sirius!” He looked so small. Remus couldn’t do it to him, as hurt as he was he still cared about Sirius. “You can stay. I won’t make you leave him. He’s your best friend too.”
Sirius seemed to droop,
“Thank you, Remus.”
He dropped his stuff again and this time climbed onto the bed beside James, curling into his side quietly. He looked younger, like the time in second year when he spent the first few days of the school year curled in a too big bed unmoving.
Remus slumped down in the chair Sirius had vacated. The two boys drifted off beside their already unconscious friend. The opposing sides of a battle come together in a ceasefire.