As James' first Quidditch final as captain approached, there was great state of excitement in the castle. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw had both defeated Slytherin and Hufflepuff, and currently Ravenclaw was 70 points up. But given the strong Gryffindor team and their stronger captain, who was yet to lose a Quidditch match, the favourites for the cup was undoubtedly Gryffindor.

Before the match, James caught up with Lily.

"Evans! You can't wear a green scarf to the match! It's against our house's spirit!"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Slytherin isn't even playing. And what does it matter what colour I wear to the match?"

"It does to them," said James, waving at the army of Gryffindor supporters of solid red and gold, banners of lions and banners displaying Gryffindor or James' name. "You wouldn't want to be killed by a horde of violent, blood thirsty Gryffindor supporters," he added earnestly.

Lily touched the scarf protectively. "My best friend gave it to me."

"Who-Snivellus?"

"Stop calling him that!"

"I'll give you a red scarf next time we visit Hogsmeade," promised James.

"Don't," advised Lily. "I'll throw it into the fire."

James sighed deeply. "That's how you wish me ten minutes before the match. How'll you feel if I fell off my broomstick and died?"

"I don't suppose anything that good will ever happen, Potter. And this conversation ends right now." Lily turned and stalked off.

"You're right-I fly too well, it'll never happen!"

"Incorrigible," muttered Lily.

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But that night, in the Gryffindor common room, no one could hold a grudge against James, not even Lily. Gryffindor had cruised to their largest victory in history, the final score being 620-170. The ironical thing was that the Ravenclaw Seeker had got the Snitch. But it didn't matter.

James had scored 51 goals in the one and half hour of the match, which as Sirius and Peter and most of the common room was still yelling about at 10 o'clock, was record in the history of the game too.

There was a super elaborate feast laid out by the Marauders. Not a single person was studying that day. It was almost like a party. The junior girls kept swarming around James, trying to get a handshake or smile from him. To tell the truth, the number of boys marvelling at James was hardly less than that of girls. The James and Sirius FanClub had swelled alarmingly. Nearly every junior was part of it, and Alice, Mary and Marlene went and told the children, grinning, that they'd like to join too.

James was widely acknowledged as the best Quidditch player Hogwarts had ever seen.

Finally, at around midnight, Professor McGonagall came and told them that the party must stop.

Several people protested, but the Professor's look quelled them. But before leaving, she gave James a rare smile and said, "Gryffindor is truly proud of you, Potter."

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Gryffindor's euphoria at the huge victory continued all through the next week.

Two days after the match, James went up to Lily and held out a scarf. It was indeed pure red, with golden letters spelling out her name.

Lily gaped at James. "But we haven't had a Hogsmeade visit yet!"

"Evans, do you really think we wait for official visits to go to Hogsmeade?" asked James, looking quite horrified at the thought.

"What-you know how to go there from school?"

"Of course we do. We're the Marauders!"

A grudgingly admiring look came on her face. She studied the scarf.

"Have you hexed it?"

"No, I haven't. Honestly," said James. "You won't throw it into the fire?" he asked anxiously.

"Well, I guess I could make an exception just this once," said Lily with a small smile. "Thanks, Potter."

James looked as if Christmas had come early. He messed up his hair as usual and asked eagerly, "Does that mean you'll go out with me?"

"No, it doesn't, you prat," said Lily, going off to find Alice.

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Talkng about the match, Lily and Alice skipped to their Arithmancy classroom.

Suddenly they heard a scream. Exchanging a look, they ran towards the souce of the noise.

Wilkes and Rowle, two Slytherin 6th years, were pointing their wands towards a little first year Gryffindor, Dirk Cresswell. There was a flash of light, and the child's teeth began to grow at an alarming rate. He staggered backwards, holding his mouth, looking terrified.

"You cowards!" shouted Lily, rushing in front of Dirk. "Attacking a first year?"

Rowle raised his wand at Lily.

"Stupefy!" cried Alice. Rowle collapsed.

"Expelliarmus!" Lily disarmed Wilkes, but only a second late. Wilkes had already thrown a curse at her and Lily's arm started bleeding as if someone had run a knife through it.

"What's happening here?" Professor Slughorn had come up. Bristling with indignation, Alice and Lily told him.

"Brave girls!" he said heartily to Lily. "I've told you many times, Lily, you ought to have been in my house."

"What? And become like them?" demanded Lily, pointing at Wilkes and Rowle.

Professor Slughorn laughed and patted his favourite student on the shoulder.

--------------------

Professor McGonagall was not that amused.

"You are not allowed to use wands in the corridors. Especially you, Miss Evans-you are a Prefect."

Much to Lily's horror, they were given detention-a first time for her.

"You were great, Lily," said Remus warmly that night.

"Yeah...two sixth year future Death Eaters..." said James, sounding awed. "Didn't think you had it in you, Evans."

Lily looked rather flattered.