Severus watched calmly as the prospective Chasers worked against the Keeper, Bradley. Remus, looking pale but determined, flew next to Natalie Prewett and Millie Coote. They were the only second-years going for Chaser. Other than the three second-years, four other students were being tested as Chasers, all against Bradley.
Natalie scored first, throwing a Quaffle through the top hoop. This was shortly followed by a fifth-year, and then Remus. Millie Coote looked furious to not have scored, and eventually aimed her Quaffle at the nearest student's nose, before flying down to the ground, and storming off. Bradley waited for her nose to stop bleeding before calling the Beaters forwards.
Betty and Berenice Kirke made up two of the six going for Beater. They'd arranged themselves in pairs, as each couple happened to be good friends. The twins were violent, but didn't have brilliant aim, and another pair had amazing aim but not a lot of force. The final two were moderately good at both, and managed to send two Bludgers, in quick succession, towards Bradley, who had to duck to avoid being hit in the jaw.
Finally, it was time for the choosing of the Seekers. There were nine going for the position, and Severus was the only second-year, with two excited third-years, a nervous-looking fourth-year, three fifth-years in united disapproval of the rest, a green, shaking sixth-year, and a self-conscious seventh-year. Bradley ordered them to search the pitch for the Snitch, and use whatever means necessary to retrieve it.
This meant a nasty kerfuffle. The fourth-year was knocked from the sky by two of the fifth-years, and simply lay on the ground, shaken, as his friends ran from the stands to help him up. The sixth-year, showing an ounce of courage, got out his wand and engaged in a sky duel with the seventh-year. The race was between Severus, the third-years and the barbaric fifth-years.
Severus started off with a well-manoeuvred Woollongong Shimmy, which made his broom look like it was jinxed, as he zig-zagged in different directions. This caused one of the third-years, whilst looking at him in confusion, to crash into the stands. Her friend decided to opt out of the race, and landed to help the feebly-stirring pupil. The fifth-years were still going strong, though.
One came up behind Severus and attempted to punch him, which he missed by performing the Sloth Grip Roll. Cursing, the fifth-year regrouped with her chums, and the three of them tried a Hawkshead Attacking Formation, in an attempt to intimidate him, and as they sped towards him, Severus saw the Snitch.
He acted instinctively, going into a Wronski Feint to bewilder the three others as to where the Snitch was. Two of them followed, and Severus heard a sickening thud as the pair collided, together, into the ground. He ploughed on, regardless, aware of the third opponent swiftly catching up with him. The two were side-by-side and the elder girl's elbow was digging into his ribs. They were neck-and-neck; the Snitch was inches away_
The girl shoved him, but not before Severus had scooped the Snitch up his sleeve, courtesy of Roderick Plumpton. He spiralled away, out-of-control, and she remained where she was, scanning the sky for the golden object. Bradley flew towards Severus as he made a smooth dive off his broom before it made contact with the hard earth, and tumbled to a halt.
"I thought you would be the one," Bradley said, shaking her head as she hauled him up. "As it is, I've got troll number three to contend with."
"No, you don't," Severus told her. He plucked the Snitch from his sleeve. "You've got me to contend with," he smirked, holding up the struggling ball. Troll Number #3 gazed at him in shock, and landed, her face full of fury and annoyance. She stormed away in a way similar to Coote earlier. Bradley called them all over.
"I've got my team," she informed them. "My Chasers are Natalie Prewett, Sarah Vickers, and Remus Lupin." Severus gave Remus a broad smile, which the boy returned. "My Beaters are Patrick Kerridge and Percy Kershaw." The third pair grinned at each other. "And finally, my Seeker: Severus Snape!"
Lily, who had been standing nearby, gave a delighted squeal. Remus laughed with relief, and Bradley, looking embarrassed, gave Severus a tight smile. Severus returned the Snitch to the box.
"And now," declared Bradley, "I'd like everyone to help me get those four," she pointed at the third-year, fourth-year, and the two groaning fifth-years, "to the Hospital Wing, and stop those two," she glared at the sixth and seventh-year still duelling in the air, "from fighting!"
*
Lily's try-outs were far less dangerous than the Ravenclaw one. Those going for the team in their year were Potter and Black (obviously), Olivia Johnson, Anna Brown and Lily of course. Lily, Black, Potter and Johnson were all going for the Chaser positions, whilst Brown was ridiculously trying for Beater. In the end, Black, having started a punch-up with a fourth-year, was sent off, and Brown was turned away due to flying into the hoops in the first three minutes, but thankfully not falling. Lily, Potter and Johnson became the team's three new Chasers but, thankfully, James would not be playing against him in the Seeker spot. That was reserved for a large and bulky-looking sixth-year, who would almost certainly be slower than Severus. However, it was the best Gryffindor had, and for that, Severus was grateful.
"Who said you couldn't do it?" Severus smiled happily at Lily as she hugged him.
"No-one," she replied, grinning into his chest. She was still a head shorter than him.
"Look at Potter and Black," Remus whispered lowly. Severus and Lily slowly looked up.
Black appeared to be ranting to Potter, but the bespectacled boy was only half listening; he had a little accomplished smile on his face and was tossing the Snitch up and down in his hand even as they started off towards the castle. As the three watched, Black had a go at Potter for clearly not caring about the injustice involved in the try-outs, and marched off, head high in anger. Potter simply shrugged, looking only marginally hurt, and continued towards the main doors.
"Problems in paradise," Severus stated, a wry smirk tugging at his lips.
"Too right," said Lily, "but we're in heaven, so it doesn't matter about paradise. How about we sit by the lake? It's not too cold, yet."
The two boys agreed, and they relaxed by the beech tree near the water where Potter and his cronies had once tormented Severus to the point of calling Lily a Mudblood. Severus closed his eyes in pain of the moment, and didn't realise Lily had noticed until he felt a warm hand on his arm.
"Severus?" She asked. He jerked himself out of recollections.
"Yes?"
She laughed. "I was just making sure you hadn't fallen asleep. Remus already has."
And so he had. The aforementioned boy was sitting propped against the very beech tree in a most uncomfortable position, and was snoring softly with his nose squashed against the bark. Lily giggled as Severus looked in amazement at the sleeping figure, and the two moved over a bit so as not to wake Remus up.
Lily may have confidence issues, and Severus, bad memories, but Remus had sleep and, for now, they could grant that, because they had all the time in the world.
*****
A.N. Everybody understand the Quidditch lingo? I was using a handy website to research all the specialist moves. XD
So, Potter will be going against Severus some time in the future, but how will it work with Lily being on the same team as The Menace of all Menaces? You'll find out... in some time.
Thank you for reading and remember to leave advice, criticism, anything really. :)