"Oh for Salazar's sake, Reg, will you stop that incessant pacing?" Luci shouted.
Tensions were high in the Slytherin lockers and everyone, especially Regulus, was freaking out.
"But what if they countered our lineup? What if the ref unfairly fouls us?" His eyes were darting all over.
Harry laughed. "Don't you think it's a little late to worry about that?"
The cheers of the audience was making the whole stadium thunder.
Luci slapped Regulus over the head, with that fearsome determination they expected from their Captain. "Let's teach Gryffindor a thing or two about quidditch."
Following her, the team met the crowd at the chanting of 'Slytherin!'. Harry was right at home, the quidditch pitch on match day was a dream every time. Luci turned and nodded at them and hey took to the air.
If James' gaze could get any more spiteful, it did. Harry fought the urge to scan the stands for Lily. A smile was slowly forming on his face. The feeling of fighting for domination in the arena lit his nerves with mirth.
As the referee sounded the starting whistle and the quaffle went up in the air, he did his first pass of the area, hoping for a lucky break. That of course was wishful thinking. The bludgers seemed particularly nasty today and Harry had to draw their ire a few times to prevent disaster.
Over the Slytherin goals he saw James dash forward and went to pursue, but as he got there the damage was already done. He had baited him into leaving the offense and Darcy, one of their chasers was tumbling to the lawn, having taken a hit by one of those nasty bludgers.
The wounded player was removed from the pitch and Harry could see the team would not be able to hold fast for long. He had to make a decision. As the Slytherin chasers made a go for it, he flew to meet them.
Quickly looking at him, Luci shouted, "We need you on the snitch!"
"Let me worry about that! For now we're attacking!"
Falling in line with the Slytherin offense, and thanks to a feint on Luci's part, he managed a shot into the east hoop.
She flashed him a smile as they returned to defense. The score was 60 to 70.
After a series of exchanges, it was clear this was going to be an endurance match. They managed to keep up with the Gryffindor pace and the score stood 230 to 250, still a lick behind. Regulus too was fired up, stopping shots that seemed a lost cause. If nothing else, Harry was proud to be a Slytherin in this moment.
He could feel the weight of the broom batter his muscles. Constant darting and whizzing was tough work, and it renewed his respect for the team chasers.
As the sky darkened, a beam of sunlight through the clouds lit the pitch and he noticed it. Straight ahead over the Gryffindor goal.
"Keep 'em busy!"
And he went for it. James wasn't slacking either, in tow and keeping up. Clearly he had been practicing after his embarrassing defeat. But this was it. One big sprint and he would hold victory in his hands.
He felt James bump into him, trying to throw him off. Not very gentlemanly.
But this was James' undoing. He had no way to know this but Harry had trained especially to counterplay some of the less friendly tactics in another life. The next time James tried it, Harry barreled up and over and James was left behind ten feet.
The snitch had zipped left. Summoning all his years of experience, Harry made a run for it. On edge and in anticipation, he readied himself as he bolted at lightning speed. It went up, and without breaking his momentum, Harry did a loop and a flip.
The G-forces tugged at his being as he neared their victory. Focused on it, he pulled the last stretch, and barely in time, his reflexes sharpened, he caught it. Emotion flowed through him. His teammates flew around him, letting out cries of victory he answered in kind. "Slytherin! Slytherin! Slytherin!"
The whole stadium was an inferno of released tension. On his broom he held Reg and Luci close, this was a deserved victory, and sharing it with his friends was catharsis beyond his wildest expectations. Even playing alongside Ron he had never felt like this. He almost felt tears of happiness come on.
He hadn't realized where he stopped. They were right over the Gryffindor stands. As he looked down he saw the very girl. Lily. She was smiling at him while Sirius lamented their loss. He laughed at the sight and she gave him a furtive thumbs up.
They returned to the ground, arms around each other and Harry was reminded of the secondary purpose of this victory. When they reached the changing room, they all cried out in relief, and Luci went into her locker, pulling out a bottle of firewhisky, resulting in cheers all around.
They drank, laughed, hugged, laughed again. But he had to talk to Regulus.
He took him aside for a second. "Reg, I need to ask you a favor."
Sweat cold on his face, he looked at him quizzically. "Sure, after what you pulled I guess I owe you one."
Harry smiled. "Need you to have a chat with someone."
Regulus nodded. "About what?"
"I just need you to talk to them. That's all I ask." In the corner of his eye he could see Lily motion to come outside. "Come on."
Outside in the breeze both brothers stood looking at each other.
"Sirius?"
Sirius looked at Lily, she nodded.
Regulus looked taken aback, shooting glances at both Harry and Lily. "I don't get it."
"Like I said, we just want you to talk. An ask from two mutual friends."
Regulus turned to Lily and she looked at Sirius. "You're the older one here, go ahead."
Sirius sighed and nodded to the stands. "Let's just go somewhere quiet."
Regulus was apprehensive, but followed.
The stands were silent now where before they'd been filled with cheers and shouts of grief. The Gryffindor flags still fluttered in the cold autumn air. Regulus was fidgeting, not knowing what to do with his hands and both brothers were looking down.
Sirius broke the silence. "You really held your own out there. Played for the team."
"Thanks," Regulus said dryly, "but why are you here?"
Sirius sighed and was now fidgeting as well. "I don't know. Lily wanted us to talk. You know, make up."
Regulus sneered.
"Right." Sirius responded.
"You know I'm sorry I've been such a shit brother," he continued, "not that saying that makes up for anything."
Regulus nodded his head.
"It's just… Hearing dad talk about the great Black legacy. Made my blood boil."
"And that's why I'm the hopeful son of the estate." Regulus said with a tinge of sadness.
"Fuck' em. That's what I thought, but that wasn't fair to you. Running away wasn't fair to you." Sirius said turning to face Regulus.
"And what? We become best buds? Hug and cry and everything's forgiven?"
"No, of course not. But, maybe we could stop being at each other's throats. I don't want you to be my enemy, Reg."
Regulus laughed. "Fine, I can do that."
Sirius smiled and patted Regulus on the shoulder. "Good."
Regulus stood up, breathing in deeply. "Well I have a victory to celebrate. Don't want to miss all the fun."
"Enjoy."
Regulus turned back with a grin. "Oh by the way, Gryffindor sucks."
Sirius shook his head laughing.
Harry was glad to see his little intervention hadn't killed Reg's cheer. Back in the common room he was celebrating more than anyone.
"To our Captain!" he said raising a shot glass.
Lucinda was in her last year and it was her last chance to win the cup. It was a nice feeling to know he was helping make that happen. He also knew that in another timeline, this match was won by Gryffindor, which made the victory even sweeter. Over the evening Luci and Reg had taken to talking in whispers on the common room couch. Harry went up to the dorms with the feeling of a day not wasted.
-sSsSsSsSs-
Harry was tapping his fingers on the wooden table deep in thought. He had gotten to the Room of Requirement early, but wasn't sure Lily would show since their common goal had more or less been achieved. On a piece of parchment enchanted with an imperceptibility spell, he had jotted down all information on Horcruxes he remembered. At the current time there were five. Rowena's diadem and Gaunt's ring were safe and could be easily destroyed, as easy as any Horcrux could be anyway. Salazar's locket and Helga Hufflepuff's cup were also in locations that could be reached, even if recovering them would be harder.
In truth it was only Riddle's diary that remained a mystery. Before Lucius would acquire it, it could be anywhere, including in Riddle's possession. Harry considered that a likely possibility. But he didn't want a repeat of before. To try and destroy Voldemort without knowing for sure would be a recipe for another tragedy. He rubbed the arch of his nose.
Checking his pocket watch, it was already 6:30. He should just go to dinner and do some more research later. He tossed the parchment into the fireplace.
As he made his way to the Great Hall, he saw Regulus pacing nearby.
"Harry, been looking all over for you!" he said, dragging him aside.
"What's going on?"
Regulus sighed. "Well there I was reading up on transfiguration in the common room and who do I see but bloody Sirius, waltzing in like the castle's on fire. Tells me he's looking for you."
"Right."
"Turns out Potter lost it. Started rambling about how all Lily does is hang out with snakes, calling her a traitor, all kinds of nasty stuff."
Regulus gave him a pointed look. "He went too far. Called her a..."
"What, Reg?"
"Called her a mudblood whore." Regulus frowned in concern.
"He what?"
"Now I know you probably want to curse the guy's lights out, but Sirius tried to find me because he wants you to go see her. She went to the owlery 15 minutes ago, didn't want to hear anything Sirius had to say."
"Thanks." Harry uttered and took off in a sprint. What in the world was going on? James Potter was acting like a Malfoy gone bad. Lily was probably devastated, to have someone you consider a friend call you such filth. Maybe Harry didn't know his father at all. He was angry in a way he hadn't been in a long time.
-sSsSsSsSs-
Snowdrop was gently cooing as Lily stroked behind her ears. Her parents had bought her first owl when she got her letter from Hogwarts and Lily had been over the moon. She was almost completely white with yellow-brown spots on her wings and Lily loved to spoil her.
Tears on her cheeks were prickling her skin in the biting cold air, she brushed them off and sniffled. She thought she must look a sore sight. James had always been brash and impulsive and his temper was no secret. But never against her, never like this.
She appreciated that Sirius had tried to comfort her and defuse the situation, he was James' friend. But she just wanted a moment to herself. Her thoughts went to Harry. Through no fault of his own, her life had been thrown up side down since he walked into it. A sad smile appeared on her face.
"You don't have troubles like this, do you love." she whispered to the bird, who bobbed her head in response, making Lily laugh.
Something made the hair on her arms stand up. She turned around. A few seconds later she could hear steps coming up. Her heart tightened. Please don't be James.
She was relieved to see a lock of black unkempt hair peek at the doorway. "Hello, Harry." she said with a warm but raspy voice.
He gingerly made his way inside. She could see the concern on his face, and realized he had heard what happened. She dried her eyes with the back of her hand and forced a smile. "Bet you were worried about me. I'm fine though."
Harry let out a deep breath, still trying to manage his choler. He didn't want to cause more pain than she already felt, and put his hands on her arms, which she wore defensively around her body. She wasn't wearing her robes. "You must be freezing."
She gave a dry chuckle and nodded. He put his arms around her and she met his hug. His body felt warm and comforting, and it broke her mask of composure. She let her tears flow freely as she held on to him and she could feel the hurt he shared with her. "I'm sorry." he said.
A new feeling filled her body as his warmth spread through her, one of love. The raw compassion and worry he let bleed through made her feel like nothing but his embrace mattered. She let her face rest in the crook of his neck and let her mind be filled with his presence, a smell of shaving foam and black tea.
After a moment of rest her tears dried. She looked up and saw green reflected in green and suddenly all was right with the world. He was the one who closed the breadth between their lips, and swept her off her feet like so few times before. She felt like she was flying, as he banished the cold with the heat of his lips. The feel of his tongue made her whole body stir with happiness. She felt like she could get lost in that moment.
They stood for a minute watching the condensation from their breath hang in the air.
"Do you still need some time?" He asked.
She shook her head. Lily gave Snowdrop another rub between the ears and took Harry's hand as they walked out.
-sSsSsSsSs-
As much as he wanted to think things were fine, Harry couldn't sleep. He had talked with Sirius earlier, who had promised him he would manage the fallout from the Gryffindor dorms, and Harry did trust him. But he kept asking himself if he didn't make a misstep. If somehow his actions of helping Regulus and bonding with Lily hadn't just displaced the problem. What if James Potter turned to the dark side because of his actions? What if his attempts were futile?
Harry sighed. If he was going to save the wizarding world, he would have to redouble his efforts. And as he mulled over this thought, a grain of sand in his mind he had been ignoring begged for attention. A grain of sand by the name of Severus.