Substitute Seeker

The Gryffindor common room was caught up in the excitement of the great wrestling match between James Potter and Sirius Black. Each gripped the other in a tight headlock as they forced each other back and forth.

"My money's on the scrawny one," commented Teddy Figg.

"You'll have to be more specific," said Remus Lupin with a broad grin.

"Who're you to call anyone scrawny, Lupin?" Sirius asked with mock indignity.

"I say we show him who's the real scrawny one," said James with his head still locked in Sirius' grip.

"Uh-oh, I'm being threatened by two stupid prats," Remus snickered. James and Sirius exchanged glances under their respective headlocks, released each other and dove for their friend. Teddy jumped out of their path as the trio rolled across the floor. He backed into Frank Longbottom, the Head Boy.

"Just what is going on here Figg?" Frank demanded.

"Wrestling." Teddy said innocently.

"And where is the ever-so-responsible leading candidate for the next Head Girl?"

"Dunno."

"Right, then. Who's winning?"

"The scrawny one." Teddy answered. Frank grinned as Arabella Fennigan dashed out of the girls' bathroom.

"Teddy," she hissed tugging at his sleeve. "We have a very serious problem."

"What's wrong?"

"I think the Slytherins found a way to sabotage next week's match."

"What's happened?" asked Frank.

"Veronica's been poisoned somehow. She can't stop puking."

"I'll get Madam Pomfrey," said Frank and he dashed out of the portrait hole. James, Remus, and Sirius had stopped wrestling to listen. Sirius scowled.

"Can the Slytherins at least try to win at something without taking out the competition?" he asked as they headed toward the bathroom with Peter on their heals.

"They must have done it at Three Broomsticks today," said Teddy though gritted teeth. "When I get my hands on Lucius Malfoy, I'll ring his neck and wipe that smug look off his face." Teddy's vein was throbbing and he was punching his right fist into his left hand furiously. He opened the door to see Annie Spinnet and Lily Evans on either side of the Gryffindor Quidditch team seeker and captain, Veronica McKinnon. Veronica was leaning against the wall, shaking as though she had just encountered a Dementor.

"Feeling any better yet, Ronnie?" Arabella asked. Veronica responded by lurching forward and showering the toilet with things she had no memory of eating. Lily reached forward just in time to pull Veronica's hair out of her face. Veronica leaned back again and let out a pitiful moan.

"Urgh!" said Peter and Sirius elbowed him in the ribs.

"Well there goes the match against Slytherin!" said Teddy sourly. Unable to respond verbally, Veronica shook her head vigorously. She clearly had a plan. Veronica McKinnon was not one to go down without a fight. Frank entered with Madam Pomfrey just as Veronica was lurching forward yet again. The school nurse rushed forward. She took Veronica's head in her hand.

"Detectious Malidious," Madam Pomfrey muttered. Her wand gave off a blue light. Tiny particles moved rapidly within the light. "Bearggerlugs!" she said in a disgusted tone. "Looks like someone put it in your Butterbeer, Miss McKinnon. The things people'll do to each other!"

"It was Lucius Malfoy, Madam Pomfrey, I'm sure of it," said Teddy. "He's just a chicken git who knows he can't beat Veronica fair and square."

"We'll look into it, Mr. Figg," Madam Pomfrey sighed. "But I'm afraid that there's no way to really prove who the guilty party is."

"Will Veronica be alright?" Lily asked.

"She'll be fine, but she'll need to rest for at least ten days." Madam Pomfrey answered. Veronica again lurched forward. It was impossible to tell whether it was from the news of her impending hospital stay or merely coincidence. "I'll see you tomorrow night, Remus," Madam Pomfrey added in a whisper that Frank Longbottom could not hear as she helped Veronica get on her way to the hospital wing. Remus and his friends had forgotten that the full moon was one night away.

"That's just great," said Sirius as he slumped to the floor. "What're we going to do now?"

"Veronica seems to have an idea," answered Arabella. "We can ask her in the morning when she can talk again."

"I suppose if all else fails, I can break every bone in Malfoy's body so Gryffindor is on even ground with Slytherin," said Sirius thoughtfully.

"If anyone can do it you can," said James.

"Listen," said Teddy. "We have to find Alan and Kathy. I want everyone to stay on alert in case the Slytherins try to take out anyone else."

On Sunday morning, Veronica was lying in the hospital wing. She felt as through her head was on fire. At least she was not puking as much as she had been the night before. Professor McGonagall came to visit her. "Feeling any better today?" the transfiguration teacher inquired.

"A little," Veronica answered. She let out a small belch and leaned over the side of the bed to aim into the bucket Madam Pomfrey had provided. She sat back up and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. "Sorry."

"That's alright, McKinnon," said Professor McGonagall with a weak smile. "So...what are we going to do about Saturday's match?"

"I have an idea. The rest of the team should be here any minute."

"Madam Pomfrey tells me you have Bearggerlug poisoning."

"Yes, someone must have slipped it into my Butterbeer yesterday."

"Any suspicions?"

"Lucius Malfoy," Veronica answered. Professor McGonagall's face hardened.

"Well, you're probably right, but we can't prove it. The lowly, underhanded things that boy has gotten away with..."

"He knows that he's no match for Veronica," said Teddy from behind Professor McGonagall. "So he'll do anything to avoid actually playing against her." Teddy was followed by the rest of the Gryffindor team as well as Lily, Remus, Annie, and Peter.

"I'll knock that filthy, cheating git off his broom before he can say 'snitch,'" said Sirius.

"That won't be necessary," said Veronica. "I have a plan. That's why I wanted to see all of you."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Arabella.

"Do you think Gryffindor'll be alright with two chasers?" asked Veronica.

"What are you talking about, Ronnie?" asked Teddy.

"I'm talking about having James play seeker on Saturday," Veronica answered. James went very pale. Veronica saw the color of his face and continued. "Look, I've been training James to play seeker ever since last spring. He's got a lot of talent and I want Gryffindor to keep winning after I leave. It'll be perfect. James can out fly Lucius Malfoy with his eyes shut. We'll keep it a secret. Slytherin will think that Gryffindor is playing without a seeker and they'll get over confidant. We can get some of our housemates to patrol the field during practice to keep our little secret." Teddy was grinning in agreement with his captain. He would have loved to see the smug look wiped of Lucius Malfoy's face; but James looked nervous.

"Look, Ronnie, I don't know-" James began, but Veronica snatched his shirt collar and jerked him closer to her.

"We-are-not-losing-to-Slytherin. If we lose to Ravenclaw of Hufflepuff, just put me under the Cruciatus curse until the pain kills me, but if we lose to Slytherin find me a Dementor to kiss."

"Alright, I'll play seeker," said James as Veronica released him and ducked to one side of her bed to puke. She sat back up again and looked around at her fellow Gryffindors.

"Right, then," she said very businesslike. "Teddy, Arabella, I need the two of you to run the practices. I don't want any team members to go anywhere alone. The Slytherins most likely will not stop at taking me out. Lily, Remus, Annie, Peter...I need you, and anyone else who is willing, to help guard the players. Gryffindor must be victorious on Saturday. Until I get better Teddy will act as captain."

"Team, let's get to the locker room. We should start practicing as soon as possible." Teddy declared in a manner that left no room for argument. James, Sirius, Arabella, Alan, and Kathy all scrambled after him.

"You know," said Professor McGonagall after the door to the hospital wing closed behind the team, "as much as I'd love to see Lucius Malfoy scrubbing toilets for poisoning you, I'd rather love to see the look on his face as he realizes that all his efforts were wasted." With that, Professor McGonagall left.

"We'd better get to the Quidditch field," said Lily. "There's no telling what the Slytherins'll try next." Lily turned to leave. She was followed by Remus, Annie, and Peter.

"Hold on a minute, Remus. I'd like a word." Veronica called.

Remus came back to the bed as his three friends exited the hospital wing. "Yes?" he asked.

"Look, tonight's a full moon-"

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"-and I don't want you exerting yourself."

"I'm not going to exert myself, I'm fine!"

"You look really pale," Veronica put her hand on Remus' forehead. "And you've already got a temperature. The Slytherins are more likely to try something closer to Saturday. You should rest today. You'll need your strength tonight."

"I'm inclined to agree with Miss McKinnon," said Madam Pomfrey from behind Remus. She stepped up to him pushed his bangs aside and felt his forehead. "Yes, you're burning up already, dear. You'd better spend the day here."

Remus groaned. It was still morning and he was already confined to the hospital. He really wanted to be there for James and Sirius, but he knew better than to argue with Madam Pomfrey.

On the Quidditch field, James had butterflies in his stomach. He had never practiced playing seeker in front of anyone but Veronica. Now the rest of the Gryffindor team was watching and Saturday the rest of the school would be watching. His stomach lurched as Teddy set the snitch free. James leaned forward on his Silver Arrow and closed his hand around the snitch ten seconds later. The team cheered excitedly. James let go of the snitch, closed his eyes, counted to thirty, and searched for it. He quickly spotted it about two feet from the ground near the spot where Annie, Lily, and Peter were standing. James flattened himself on the handle and dove strait down to catch the snitch again.

"That was superb, James. I can't wait to see the Slytherins cry," Teddy declared.

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Veronica gave up on sleep around four O'clock Monday morning. She decided to work on her Ancient Runes translation. As she was finishing up, she heard Madam Pomfrey bringing Remus into the hospital wing. She helped him into a bed near Veronica's. Veronica saw that Remus was bleeding almost head to toe. She felt ill and kept quiet as Madam Pomfrey began to magically bandage Remus' cuts. Remus fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. When she finished dressing his wounds, Madam Pomfrey turned and saw that Veronica was awake.

"Trouble sleeping?" she asked. Veronica shrugged. "I can give you a sleeping potion."

"Will Remus be alright? asked Veronica.

"He'll be fine after he has some rest."

Remus slept through the morning and most of the afternoon. Madam Pomfrey moved him into a private room because Veronica had a stream of visitors. Virtually every Gryffindor came to assure Veronica that they were willing to take on the task of protecting the Gryffindor Quidditch team from the Slytherins. Veronica puked intermittently as she thanked her fellow Gryffindors for their dedication. Madam Pomfrey stopped visiting hours around eight that evening. Remus emerged from his private room looking much better than he had that morning. His cuts were healed and the colour had at least partially returned to his face. Madam Pomfrey told him that he would be able to leave in the morning.

"How are you feeling?" Remus asked Veronica.

"I'm puking less," she answered with a smile.

"That's a step in the right direction."

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The next morning Remus was late to his Charms lesson. Fortunately, Professor Flitwick knew about his condition and was one of the more understanding professors at Hogwarts. Remus took a seat that had been saved for him between James and Sirius.

"Have I missed much?" he asked Sirius.

"Nope, we're just reviewing nerve charms," replied Sirius.

"Looks like you could use one, James," said Remus. James looked very tense.

"You'll be fine, James," said Lily from James' other side. "Just fly like you've been flying at practice."

"What if one of Slytherin's beaters knocks me off my broom or something?" James hissed.

"They'll have to get through me!" said Sirius. James smiled nervously.

"Are you boys paying attention?" squeaked Professor Flitwick.

"Yes, Sir!" Sirius answered.

After class, James pulled Remus aside. "I need to hide, Moony. I'm getting sick of the dormitory. Can you think of another place we'd be safe from the Slytherins?"

"How about Hagrid's?"

"Brilliant!" said James. "We'll sneak down under the invisibility cloak after Herbology.

Annie and Lily decided to go visit Veronica instead of going to Hagrid's hut with their male friends. Veronica was writing a nasty Potions essay when they entered, which she was more than happy to take a break from. Her rash was slowly clearing up and her cheeks had a small amount of colour.

"You look a lot better than you did yesterday," Annie commented.

"Thanks," Veronica answered.

"The practices are going really well," said Lily. "Slytherin has the field tonight, but all the practicing in the world won't make them out fly Gryffindor."

"Of course it won't," came a voice from behind Lily, which caused the three girls to jump. It was Ben Pruett, the captain and seeker of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. He was also a Prefect and the leading candidate for the next Head Boy. Lily and Annie suppressed the urge to giggle. They had often seen Veronica argue with Ben. Arabella had told them once that Veronica and Ben were smitten with each other deep down. Veronica was the only seeker in the school that Ben was unable to beat. It seemed to drive him crazy. He usually had some snide comment to throw at Veronica, but right there in the hospital wing, he wore a sympathetic expression on his face.

"I-er- brought you these," said Ben as he held up a bouquet of violets. His face went scarlet. "I would have brought some chocolate frogs, but I didn't think they'd be much use to you in your condition," he added with a forced snicker.

"Why Pruett, who'd have ever guessed that you had a thoughtful streak," said Veronica. There was an awkward pause. "Thanks," she added as she took the flowers blushing furiously. Lily and Annie began to work very furiously at not giggling.

"Lousy thing that git Malfoy did to you, McKinnon. Everyone knows it was him. You should see how smug he's been looking," said Ben rocking back and forth uneasily on his feet and swinging his arms. "I suppose he thinks the only way he'll ever catch the snitch is if no one else is trying to get it."

"Yeah, you and Amos Diggory had better watch out when it's time for Slytherin to play Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff," said Veronica just before she let out a belch her head dove to the side of the bed and things she had never eaten were showered into the puke bucket. She quickly straitened up. "Yes, Lucius Malfoy plays very dirty indeed."

"Er-yeah," said Ben. "Well, I hope you feel better soon, McKinnon. "I'll see you on the Quidditch field."

"Sure you'll see me," said Veronica. "But you'll never see the snitch." Ben grinned at her and left the hospital wing. Lily and Annie waited for the door to close and burst into giggles. They were now sure that Arabella had been right about Veronica being smitten with Ben Pruett. "Oh shut up, both of you," said Veronica airily with her eyes closed and her head against her pillow. A lofty smile drifted across her face.

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Hagrid opened the door to his hut to see nothing there. Molar, his boarhound was wagging his tail. "I can' see nothin', Molar," said Hagrid.

"It's us, Hagrid. We're under the invisibility cloak," James hissed. Hagrid grinned, stood aside, and let them enter. As he shut the door James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter appeared out of thin air.

"Cup O' tea?" asked Hagrid.

"Sure," answered Sirius.

"We wanted to know if we could stay here a while," said Remus as Hagrid began to boil the water. "It isn't safe for James and Sirius anywhere in the castle except for the dormitories. They're getting sick of the Gryffindor common room."

"S'alright with me," said Hagrid.

"Thanks Hagrid, we really appreciate this," said James and he heaved himself onto one of Hagrid's chairs.

"Where are Lily an' Annie?" asked Hagrid.

"Visiting poor Veronica," said Peter.

"That rottin' git Malfoy," Hagrid growled. "Always tryin' ter hurt someone them Malfoys."

"AAARG! MOLAR! CUT IT OUT!" yelled Remus through laughter. Molar had him pinned to the floor and was licking his face. The large boarhound greatly outweighed the small boy, particularly less than two days after the full moon. Hagrid chuckled, grabbed Molar's collar and pulled him away from Remus.

"I've got a little work ter do in me garden," said Hagrid. "Your four cen stay here as long as yeh need ter." Hagrid left the cabin with Molar. Sirius had fallen to the floor with laughter.

"You alright there, Moony?" he asked as he got to his feet and helped Remus up.

"I'm covered in Molar drool, but other than that, I'm just fine and dandy," Remus answered with a grin at his friend. He walked over to the sink and washed his face.

"I think that now would be a good time to tell him," Peter hissed to James.

"You're probably right," James whispered back. "Sirius, you think we should tell Moony now?" James whispered to Sirius as he pulled him aside. Sirius looked at Remus washing his face. His eyes flickered to the shoulder where the scar was. It was covered by Remus' robe, but it was there.

"I think now's as good a time as any," Sirius replied. He cleared his throat. "Er, Moony?"

"Yes, Sirius?" Remus said through the towel he was using to dry his face.

"Er, we've sort of come up with a way to make your transformations easier. Remus stopped drying his face. He held the towel in its position and turned to his three friends. Sirius decided to keep talking. "We've done a little research and found out that werewolves are only a danger to humans." Remus' brow furrowed. James cleared his throat.

"We've decided to become animagi," said James deciding that he didn't like beating around the bush. Remus dropped his towel.

"You-what?" Remus went very pale. Sirius rushed over to him to help him up into one of Hagrid's enormous chairs. "You can't be serious," was all Remus could say.

"Oh, I'm definitely Sirius," said Sirius trying to make his friend laugh. Remus looked at him soberly.

"It's too dangerous. Even fully qualified wizards have difficulty with it and you guys are barely into your second year of training."

"Boy, somebody here sounds a bit like Lily and Annie," said James as he strolled over to Remus' chair followed by Peter.

"You've talked with them about this?" asked Remus.

"Yes," said Sirius. "And we don't intend to repeat that mistake. They became junior McGonagalls." Sirius screwed up his face in an imitation of his closest female friends: "Oh that's really dangerous...That's illegal...What if you get caught?.. What if something goes wrong?"

"They're right you know. Something really terrible could happen," said Remus.

"Nothing's going to happen except for us stopping you from tearing yourself apart once a month, Moony," said Peter.

"I can live with that," said Remus. "The injuries are temporary. You guys could hurt yourselves permanently. I won't let you."

"We're your friends, you prat," said James. "And we're going to help you, like it or not!"

"I don't want you guys to help me by destroying yourselves."

"We don't plan on destroying ourselves," said Sirius. "We plan on succeeding and keeping you from destroying yourself. You can pretend all you like, Moony. We see how much pain you're in every month. We don't want you to go through that when we can prevent it."

Remus sighed at the determined faces of his friends. "Just promise me you'll be careful. I couldn't stand anything happening to you guys..." Remus trailed off, his throat tightened. James jumped up on to the chair and put his arm around Remus who gave a dry sob.

"Hey," said James. "Everything'll work out. You'll see. It's going to take time to figure out the spell, but we'll manage it somehow." Remus smiled weakly.

"Besides," added Sirius. "I really have my heart set on becoming a dog." Remus raised his eyebrows. "Well with a name like mine, what else am I going to be. It's fate, Moony. We mustn't argue with fate." James, Remus, and Peter snorted.

"I'm going to be a rat," said Peter. "Maybe I'll be able to sneak into the Slytherin common room and pour some shampoo on Snape's head or something!" Everyone burst out laughing again. Sirius patted Peter on the back. Peter looked rather pleased.

"Good thinking, Wormtail," he said.

"Wormtail?" asked Remus.

"Oh, yeah," said James. "We've already come up with nicknames. So you see, Moony, there really is no turning back at this point. Sirius is Padfoot and I'm Prongs."

"What about Lily and Annie?" asked Remus.

"We've decided not to mention this to them again until we've managed the transformations," said Sirius.

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On Friday afternoon, Remus was walking down the hall to the library for more Patronus research. He ran into Peter along the way.

"Hey Moony!

"Hey Wormtail! Doing a little research?"

"Yeah, I've found loads of stuff! I'm just on my way to show Padfoot and Prongs."

"Oh, can little Pettigrew read?" came a sneering voice from behind Peter. It was Snape. He was walking with Rosier. Peter quickly jumped behind Remus who stood his ground.

"Why hello, Severus," said Remus with a smile. "How are you on this fine afternoon?" Snape's lip curled.

"Don't want to face the inevitable, do you, Lupin?" said Rosier.

"And just what might that be," asked Remus coolly.

"Oh, the end to Gryffindor's Quidditch winning streak," said Snape silkily.

"Now why would Gryffindor's winning steak end," Remus asked innocently. Snape looked furious. He was never able to provoke Remus the way he could provoke James or Sirius and it drove him crazy.

"Don't play dumb, Lupin!" snapped Snape.

"You must be referring to the untimely illness of Veronica McKinnon," said Remus. "Well that doesn't concern me. Gryffindor has excellent chasers and if the snitch flew right into Lucius Malfoy's hand, he wouldn't have the brains to close his fingers around it."

"Wouldn't I?" came a cold voice from behind Remus and Peter. Lucius Malfoy stood there flanked by Crabbe and Goyle who were cracking their knuckles. Peter jumped between Remus and the wall. He was trembling head to toe. Remus remained calm.

"Well, no you wouldn't," said Remus lightly. "I mean your father can buy you a broomstick, but he can't pay the snitch to let you catch it." Despite himself, Peter burst out laughing.

"What is this you've got here," Malfoy asked as he snatched Peter's notebook. Remus felt a wave of panic rush over himself. The notebook contained information about the animagus transformations.

"Give that back, Malfoy," he demanded. Snape looked at Malfoy with a newfound respect. He had managed to agitate the eternally calm, cool, and collected Remus Lupin. Goyle grabbed Remus by his neck and slammed him against the wall while Crabbe grunted with laughter. Remus struggled to break free, but Goyle was too large. Peter stood there frozen. Just as Malfoy was about to open the notebook Ben Pruett came around the corner.

"What is going on here," asked Ben. Goyle let go of Remus who fell to the floor and let out a cough.

"Malfoy took, Peter's notebook," answered Remus in a hoarse voice. Goyle glared menacingly at him.

"Give it back to him, Malfoy," said Ben. Malfoy thrust the book into Peter's arm knocking the wind out of him. "And ten points from Slytherin," added Ben.

"You'd better be careful, Pruett," said Malfoy. "You'll be more polite to the Slytherins if you know what's good for you."

"Are you going to tell your father if I'm not?" answered Ben. Malfoy gave him an insolent stare while Crabbe and Goyle began cracking their knuckles again.

"Let's go," said Malfoy to his Slytherin companions. Snape glared down at Remus as he walked past. When the five Slytherins disappeared around the corner, Ben reached down and helped Remus to his feet.

"You alright?" he asked. Remus nodded as he began to message his neck. "Malfoy's a bullying git. They outta chuck him and his little gang right out of school. He's dangerous."

"Remus, you're bleeding," said Peter in a shaky voice. Ben looked around at the back of Remus' head where Goyle had slammed him against the wall. Remus, who had experienced much more serious injuries only a few days earlier, hadn't noticed.

"We'd better get you to Madam Pomfrey," said Ben. He put his hand on Remus' shoulder and steered him to the hospital wing. They were followed closely by Peter. As they entered the hospital wing, Remus immediately caught Madam Pomfrey's attention. She reached them in three strides.

"Madam Pomfrey," said Ben. "Mr. Lupin here has met with a little accident." He turned Remus around to show the nurse the back of his head. She clucked disapprovingly.

"What have you and your friends been up to now, Remus?" asked Madam Pomfrey as she ran her fingers lightly over the cut.

"It wasn't his fault," said Ben. "Lucius Malfoy's bodyguard, Goyle did this. They had taken Peter's notebook."

"Did you give them detention?" asked Madam Pomfrey as she peered into Remus' eyes. "Follow my finger, Remus," she added as she moved her index finger back and forth in front of his face.

"Er--no," said Ben. "I took ten points from Slytherin."

"Well, I'll give them detention. Maybe scrubbing a few toilets with toothbrushes will teach them a lesson. They could really hurt someone they way they carry on. Who all was there?"

"Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle," answered Ben. "Oh and Snape and Rosier."

"Snape and Rosier were just talking big," said Remus. "It was Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle who did the actual bullying."

"Well, it's not a concussion, dear," said Madam Pomfrey. "I'll have to clean it before I heal it though." She hurried to her office. Veronica came out from behind her curtain.

"Did I hear right?" she asked. "Lucius Malfoy is going to clean toilets with a toothbrush?"

"You heard correctly, McKinnon," said Ben.

"Thank you for helping out my fellow Gryffindors, Pruett," said Veronica.

"We non-Slytherins have to sick together in times like these," said Ben. Remus and Peter stood there dumbstruck. They had never seen Veronica be so civil with Ben.

"Well, I'll see you on the Quidditch field," said Ben grinning.

"You won't see the snitch," said Veronica returning the grin.

"Miss McKinnon, what are you doing out of bed? You need rest!" said Madam Pomfrey as she returned from her office carrying a bottle of purple potion.

"I'm going back to bed right now," said Veronica. "I just needed a word with a fellow Prefect." With that she turned on her heals and headed back to her bed. Ben left the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey strolled over to Remus, pushed his head forward gently and poured the potion onto his cut, which smoked and stung. This hardly bothered him. He was used to his cuts being healed in this manner. Madam Pomfrey proceeded to tap the cut with her wand and it was magically healed. She noticed that there were bruises on his neck where Goyle had grabbed him. Again, she clucked disapprovingly.

"You may go now, Remus," she said. "You out to ice those bruises though." With that, she returned to her office muttering about oversized Slytherins. Remus turned to Peter.

"Let's go back to the common room," he said with a grin. "I can't wait to tell James and Sirius about Malfoy cleaning the toilets." Peter grinned back and they dashed out of the hospital wing.

"Bubbletubber," said Remus as they reached the portrait. The Fat Lady swung open and granted them entrance. The atmosphere in the Gryffindor common room was very tense. Remus surveyed the room for his friends. He spotted Lily and Annie offering some comforting words to Arabella. Alan was going over beater strategies with Sirius; and Kathy and Teddy were offering James some last minute advice. James was paler than Remus before and after the full moon.

"Looks like James could use some good news," Remus whispered to Peter.

"Yeah, he looks worse than you--" Peter winced. Sorry, Moony."

"Forget it I was just thinking the same thing," said Remus with a grin. He strolled over to James.

"Breath, James," said Kathy giving his shoulder a shake. James exhaled slowly.

"Hey, James, I've got some great news," said Remus.

"Did a dragon eat all the Slytherins?" asked James hopefully.

"I wish. Lucius Malfoy has to clean toilets with a toothbrush," said Remus.

"Really?" asked Teddy. "Did they prove that he poisoned Veronica?"

"Remus, what happened to your neck?" James asked as he noticed the bruises where Goyle had grabbed him.

"He made a crack about Malfoy's father not being able to bribe the snitch to let him catch it and Goyle tried to strangle him!" squeaked Peter. James face broke out into a huge grin.

"Well, that didn't make Madam Pomfrey very happy so she gave Malfoy and his two bodyguards detention," said Remus.

"Remind me never to get on her bad side," said James.

"Did I hear right?" asked Sirius running over to the group. "Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle have to clean the toilets with toothbrushes?!"

"Yes, you heard right!" said Peter beaming.

"Oh, we've got to find out when and where," said Sirius. "We can eat green apples till we puke, then use the toilets they have to clean and -er- forget to flush them."

"You are truly twisted, Sirius Black," said Teddy. "But I like the way you think."

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The next morning at breakfast, the Gryffindor team was considerably more relaxed knowing that Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were going to be scrubbing toilets. Lucius Malfoy passed the Gryffindor table and glared menacingly at Remus who smiled back pleasantly. Crabbe and Goyle began to crack their knuckles in a threatening manner.

"Are you boys having trouble finding your table?" asked Professor McGonagall sternly. The trio turned to stare at her insolently.

"No, Professor," said Malfoy.

"Then I suggest you go sit down," she answered giving them a piercing look. Malfoy scowled and jerked his head toward the opposite side on the great hall. Crabbe and Goyle followed him to the Slytherin table. Professor McGonagall strolled over to James.

"Do catch the snitch today, Potter," she whispered in his ear. "I prefer Lucius Malfoy without the smug look on his face."

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"Figg, Malfoy, shake hands," said Madam Hooch. Teddy and Malfoy glared at each other. Their hands barely touched and they both pulled back quickly. Teddy wiped his hand off on his robes. "Mount your brooms!" called Madam Hooch. James mounted his Silver Arrow. His heart was pounding in his throat. Lucius Malfoy looked stunned to see him standing in the seeker position. "On my whistle...three...two...one!" Madam Hooch's whistle sounded. James kicked off as hard as he could. The cold November air stung his face. His Silver Arrow made Malfoy's Comet 100 look like a joke.

"AND THEY'RE UP!" Tommy Jordan's voiced sounded through the air. "GRYFFINDOR IN POSSESSION! FENNIGAN PASSES TO FIGG--WATCH OUT TEDDY!" Bole had hit a Bludger right at Teddy's head. Sirius swerved in front of Teddy just in time to send the Bludger right back at Bole who was sent spiraling through the air.

"TAKE THAT YOU CHEATING SLYTHERIN SCUM!" Tommy yelled.

"JORDAN!" said Professor McGonagall warningly.

"Sorry Prof--FIGG SCORES. TEN-ZERO, GRYFFINDOR!" Three quarters of the crowd erupted into cheers while the Slytherins booed. James was circling the field squinting for the snitch when Parkinson sent a Bludger right at him. He swerved just in time to miss it. Sirius angrily chucked his club at Parkinson's nose, which became a squashed tomato. This was met by more booing from the Slytherin end.

"PENALTY TO SLYTHERIN!" yelled Madam Hooch. Zambini took the penalty shot and Kathy pulled off a spectacular save. The Gryffindor supporters erupted. Arabella took the Quaffle and darted to the Slytherin goal posts.

"SHE SCORES--TWENTY-ZERO GRYFFINDOR!" yelled Tommy. Flint dove right into Arabella almost knocking her off her broomstick. She clung to it with great difficulty.

"PENALTY TO GRYFFINDOR!" yelled Madam Hooch testily. Teddy took the penalty shot because Arabella was still winded. He streaked right past Pucey and scored.

"Yes!" said James.

"James!" yelled Sirius. "Look!" Sirius was pointing to the snitch, which was glittering right above the grass directly below James. Lucius Malfoy was streaking right for it looking very smug. James' heart leapt right back into his throat. He flattened himself on his broomstick and plummeted strait for the snitch.

As they watched, Lily grabbed Remus' arm painfully tight. He gave her a quick look and she let go apologetically. "C'mon, James!" she shrieked.

Lucius Malfoy was two feet from the snitch...one foot...he was about to close his hand around it. "What the--" said Malfoy as a scarlet blur streaked past him and went tumbling across the muddy ground.

James' momentum carried him several meters before he finally came to a stop. He was covered in mud. For a few seconds he was completely numb, but then pain shot though his body. He had broken several bones, but he couldn't tell which ones. There was an odd ringing in his ears. It was cheering. Those were Gryffindor supporters cheering. James looked over at his right hand. He had lost his glasses during his tumble so everything looked like a blur. James squinted and made out a golden blur in his hand. He could suddenly feel the tiny wings beating hopelessly against his hand. Despite the pain he was in he felt a huge grin spread across his face. Suddenly there was a fuzzy figure standing over him. As the figure put James' miraculously unbroken glasses back on his face, James saw that it was Sirius. Sirius was positively beaming. He was quickly joined by the rest of the Gryffindor team and a few hundred Gryffindor supporters. They were all saying things like "Good one, Potter!" and "That was incredible." James grinned feebly at Sirius and passed out.

James woke up to find himself on a stretcher that was being guided to the hospital wing by none other than Albus Dumbledore. James looked blankly at the headmaster whose eyes were twinkling. "That was quite some catch, James," said Dumbledore. "I believe that Mr. Malfoy is still in shock."

"Fanks," James muttered.

"You've done quite a number on your bones. Madam Pomfrey has her work cut out for her." As they entered the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey walked briskly to them.

"Another Quidditch injury," she said in a disgusted tone. "Someone is going to get killed one of these days."

"What does James need, Poppy?" asked Dumbledore.

"I can heal these bones in about a minute," said Madam Pomfrey. "But he'll need plenty of rest." Madam Pomfrey proceeded to heal James' bone with her wand. Before he realized what was happening, the feeling returned to his body. Madam Pomfrey led him to the bed next to Veronica. "Now lie still," Madam Pomfrey told James sternly. James felt so stiff that he did not protest. Veronica looked as though she was about to ask him about the match but instead she ducked her head over the side of her bed and puked into the bucket. When she was finished, she straitened up.

"I brought a little present for you," said James. He handed her the golden snitch, which still had its wings beating hopelessly against his right hand. Veronica was speechless. She simply beamed at him as she took the snitch.