Chasing The Stars | Marauders | Sirius Black

20 ~ Loop-the-Loop and Lose

"Bye fellas" she called out, not turning back.

~~~

"Ok team, let's beat those Badgers!"

"Wow bro! These pep talks are just getting better and better, really inspirational" Eloise scoffed and Marlene and Sirius chuckled. James stuck his tongue out at her,

"Shut up Belle! So Eloise, you get the Quaffle at the start since you're the quickest" Eloise smirked at Marlene who flipped her off, "Then pass to Marlene who will be waiting to the left. Sirius you prote-"

"Prongs! We know how to play the game" Sirius interrupted, earning a scowl from James,

" Yes, but considering we have a new player" he said, gesturing to Martin Bell, the Sixth Year who replaced William as one of the chasers, "I thought I'd go back over the tactics" he continued with his play-by-play, ignoring the giggling from Eloise as she laughed at Sirius who was whispering to her about how much James looked like Professor McGonagall. James finally turned his attention to his best mate, crossing his arms,

"Wow, would you look at that Puff! He can make his lips even thinner than hers!" Came from beside her left ear. Eloise burst into laughter, along with the majority of the team. James tutted and walked out of the changing room doors onto pitch, mumbling a torrent of insults under his breath.

The rest of the team made it onto the grass, lining up in their usual order, Eloise turned back to look at Sirius,

"Protect me Black" she called with a grin,

"I always do Potter!" he replied as usual, winking just before the whistle blew, initiating the match. Eloise kicked off the ground, feeling the familiar feeling of adrenaline surging through her body, leaning forwards as the Quaffle was released. Easily catching the red ball, she tucked it under her arm,

"So it begins! Gryffindor Vs Hufflepuff! Gryffindor chaser Eloise Potter has caught the Quaffle as usual, getting a headstart for our Lions" Remus' voice rang out from the commentator stands and she flew upward, looking for Marlene, she spotted her blonde ponytail and launched the ball towards her. Marlene caught it effortlessly and surged forward, Eloise following, swerving around the bludgers, she saw a flash of canary yellow to her right and saw Hufflepuff chaser, Amos Diggory flying next to her. She smiled slightly to herself and sped up, she watched as he caught up with her once more and then she flew upwards, doing a loop-the-loop,

"Ooh! Look at those tactics! Eloise Potter has managed to lose Hufflepuff chaser Amos Diggory with the classic 'Loop-the-Loop and Lose'"

Eloise flew towards the Hufflepuff goalposts, watching as Diggory looked around for her in confusion. She saw Martin holding the Quaffle and called out to him, catching his throw she launched it into the goal, it slipped passed the keeper's fingers, earning the first ten points to Gryffindor.

Eloise grinned and high-fived Marlene as they made their way back to their side of the pitch as the Quaffle was thrown back into the middle.

"And the Quaffle is released again, and once more it falls into the hands of Eloise Potter. My my that girl can fly. The Quaffle is passed to McKinnon..." Remus' words were drowned out by Eloise's heart pumping in her ears. Marlene passed the Quaffle to Martin who was in front of Hufflepuff goalpost, he shot but the Quaffle hit the keeper's gloves, bouncing back. Eloise had an idea, rushing forwards, she caught the quaffle once more and whilst the Hufflepuff keeper was distracted with sighing in relief, Eloise scored another ten points for Gryffindor.

The game didn't last long. A Hufflepuff chaser had just scored, making the score 70 - 40 to Gryffindor, when Remus' voice hollered from the stands, the sheer volume making the ground shake,

"Gryffindor seeker James Potter is nose to nose with Hufflepuff Francis Abbott, the Golden Snitch only centimetres away!" Eloise glanced upwards to see her brother, arm outstretched, reaching for what appeared to be a small speck of gold. Suddenly the Snitch dropped, causing James to pull into a dive. The Hufflepuff had been a second too late so within seconds, James' hand was pulled into a fist, small, fluttering wings visible through his fingers,

"HE'S DONE IT! Potter has caught the Snitch, winning the game for Gryffindor!"

The Quidditch Pitch was thundering with noise. Gryffindors screaming from every angle as the players made their descent. Eloise was beaming as she landed on the ground, she hopped off of her broom and sprinted towards her brother, jumping into his arms. He held her easily as he spun her around, triumphant in his win. He put her down to recieve pats on the back from other teams and a pair of arms sneaked around her waist. Eloise turned her head to see the cheeky and wide grin of Sirius Black. She turned to face him, still in his arms and mirrored his smile, her eyes alight with victory.

In that moment; with Eloise's hair (today it was lavender) tousselled from the wind; her cheeks flushed from excitement, her nose red from the cold and her hazel eyes swimming with a mixture of pride and joy. Sirius couldn't help but lean in. It was almost unconscious but soon enough his lips were against hers, light as a feather, until she kissed back. Eloise was surprised at first, the pair hadn't spoken or really done anything since they had kissed those weeks ago, but after a while, she couldn't help but kiss him back. A warmth spread through both of their bodies and the butterflies in their stomachs fluttered in perfect sync. Their emotions weaved together along with their bodies and they were a perfect fit, nothing felt out of place, nothing felt wrong...but as soon as it happened, it stopped. Eloise remembered where they were and pulled away, instantly extinguishing the flames that were licking at Sirius' insides. She quickly glanced around, checking for anyone who may have seen. Thankfully, having been surrounded by the raving Gryffindor Quidditch Team, the pair went unnoticed in their moment of affection. Eloise met Sirius' eyes again. She reached up and held his hand that had risen to her cheek during the kiss. Holding his wrist, she walked towards the castle, pulling Sirius along with her.