Lily's first Quidditch Practice
Lily’ first Quidditch practice The whistle sounded like nails on a chalkboard, signalling the start of drills for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Seven players, decked out in the signature red and gold, trudged onto the pitch. They wrinkled their noses at the foul conditions their captain so kindly chose to have them train in. The rain poured down mercilessly. The team was drenched in mere minutes. A chorus of groans rang from the group, their discontent made very obvious.
It was very much the same story up in the stands. In the very middle row of the Gryffindor spectator stands sat a dainty redhead, shivering slightly, holding an umbrella above herself. Evidently, the umbrella was not used to the hardy conditions of the Scottish Highlands. “Imprevius”, Lily grumbled just as the umbrella started caving in. This, it had to be said, was not how Lily had imagined her first Quidditch practice going. She sighed a long sigh, just about ready to give up and head back up to the castle, when a certain dark-haired bespectacled boy caught her eye. “James” she muttered, settling back into her seat with the shadow of a smile visible on her face.
James, hair a sopping wet mop on his head, turned around to take a routine glance at the spectator stands. He knew it was pointless, that he was wasting his time- she had never come to watch, and probably never would. Although, he had thought things were going better after last weekend’s prefect rounds. He whipped around to hazard a peek at the last Gryffindor stand. That’s when he saw it. The familiar bright red of her hair. But no - it couldn’t be… could it? His heart began to beat at twice its normal rate, he thought he might actually spontaneously combust. He gripped his broomhandle tighter, placed his wand behind his right ear, and plastered a champion grin across his face. He turned to signal to the captain that he needed a minute, ignoring the groans of protest from the other players. With permission, he mounted his broom and kicked off from the ground.
Lily hadn’t taken her eyes off of him since they had first landed on him. She didn’t like to admit it, but actually, James Potter was rather growing on her. She hid her blush by pulling her scarf farther up her face. Lost in the thoughts of her recent realisation, she almost didn’t see the same boy flying directly towards her. She prepared to duck down at the last second, but James slowed to a stop just before her. Lily regained her composure and smiled up at him.
“Hiya James,” She greeted. “Heya Lils,” he replied, “you didn’t tell me you were coming.” he stated, shyly, a playful smile on his cheeky face. “Yeah.. just fancied it.. But the weather’s not great is it?” Lily said, praying that the blush had left her face. James’ face contorted with realisation. “Shit! Lils, you’re shivering!” he almost shouted. Lily, of course, knew this as she was bloody freezing - but she decided to play it casually. “Oh yeah - I suppose I am.” she said, lightly. James pulled his wand from behind his ear and conjured a little glass jar from thin air. Even Lily didn’t know that one. She realised this as she cautiously watched James’ actions. James stuck his tongue in the corner of his lips in concentration. This time, Lily could not hide the blush. “Oh bugger, what was it again?” James mumbled, just before his eyes lit up with glee. “Incendio.” he cast into the jar. A glowing orb of blue fire took its place inside the jar. Lily gasped. “Here,” James held out the jar for her, “if you’re going to stay, you need to be warm.” he grinned. He lingered for a second, grinning that infectious grin, then he turned his broom and swooped off back down to the pitch. Now, Lily was sure, her blush could be seen for a mile off.